Papers of Ted Freeman and the Platen Press, 1935-1966

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Summary

Abstract:
This collection contains correspondence, ephemera, photographs and other materials collected by Ted Freedman, from 1935-1966. Many items were printed under his personal imprint, the Platen Press.
Extent:
1.75 Linear Feet (3 boxes)
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Ted Freedman Papers, Press Coll. Archives Freedman, William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains correspondence, ephemera, photographs and other materials written and collected by Ted Freedman, a Bay Area printer, from 1935-1966. The correspondence is primarily Freedman's letters to H. Richard Archer but other correspondents include two members of the Southern California printing community, William Cheney and Grant Dahlstrom. Many of the printed items were printed under Freedman's personal imprint, the Platen Press, in Orinda, CA. The collection was arranged previously by another individual, and rearranged slightly in November 2009. Series are organized thematically, and then further sorted chronologically when possible.

Biographical / historical:

Ted Freedman was a printer with the University of California Press in Berkeley and also enjoyed printing as a hobby. Freedman lived in Los Angeles when he published his first work under the Platen Press imprint in 1935, Annunciation by Meridel Le Sueur, in an edition of five hundred copies signed by the author. He moved to Orinda, CA and after receiving a Pilot platen press as a gift in August 1944, he began printing under the Platen Press imprint there. Freedman printed a variety of items, from greeting cards to business cards, and distributed them to members of groups interested in fine printing, such as the Rounce & Coffin Club and the Typophiles.

Acquisition information:
Items in this collection were assembled over time by the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library.
Processing information:

The collection was arranged previously by another individual, and rearranged slightly in November 2009 by Ashley Johnston.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into the following series:

  • Series 1. Correspondence, 1949-1962. 1 box
  • Series 2. Ephemera, 1935-1966. 2 boxes

Physical location:
This collection is stored at the Southern Regional Library Facility. Please contact Clark Library staff at least 2 weeks in advance if you would like to view the materials in this collection.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The Clark Library owns the property rights to its collections but does not hold the copyright to these materials and therefore cannot grant or deny permission to use them. Researchers are responsible for determining the copyright status of any materials they may wish to use, investigating the owner of the copyright, and obtaining permission for their intended publication or other use. In all cases, you must cite the Clark Library as the source with the following credit line: The William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Ted Freedman Papers, Press Coll. Archives Freedman, William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

Location of this collection:
2520 Cimarron Street
Los Angeles, CA 90018, US
Contact:
(310) 794-5155
clark@humnet.ucla.edu
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