Max Gundy and Jack D. Bloch papers, 1887-1996, bulk bulk

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Summary

Creators:
Gundy, Max and Bloch, Jack D. (Jack Daniel)
Abstract:
Materials relating to the lives of progressive activist Max Gundersheimer (aka Gundy; 1910-1996), of New York City, and his partner of more than 60 years, Jack D. Bloch (1912-1996). The documents include correspondence, photographs, business, and financial records, as well as minutes and notes taken by Gundy of the meetings and other activities of Communist, socialist, peace, and other progressive organizations in Long Beach, California, where the couple retired in 1977. Both men died in 1996, within three months of each other.
Extent:
4.8 Linear Feet and 3 records boxes, 1 archive carton, and 1 oversize box.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Box #, folder #, Max Gundy and Jack D. Bloch Papers, Coll2008-070, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.

Background

Scope and content:

Approximately half of the collection consists of Gundy's handwritten notes and minutes, together with newsletters, flyers, and other materials relating to Communist, socialist, peace, and other progressive community organizations in Long Beach, California, from 1977 to 1994. The remainder of the collection consists of Gundy’s and Bloch’s personal papers and the records of Gundy’s printing business. The personal papers consist of correspondence, photographs, financial records, genealogical information dating from 1887, day planner calendar books, and various greeting cards. The collection is divided into two series: (1) Community Activism, and (2) Personal Papers.

Biographical / historical:

Max Gundersheimer, Jr., was born in New York City on December 19, 1910, to Max and Alice Gundersheimer. Little is known of his early life. He served as the President of Beth Sholom Peoples Temple Young Folks League from 1929-1930. In the early-to-mid 1930s he met Jack D. Bloch, a fellow New Yorker. Bloch was born June 4, 1912, and held a series of jobs in a variety of occupations until 1942. He served with the U.S. Army in Europe from March 1942 to October 1945. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, Gundersheimer, who went by the name Max Gundy as early as 1944, became involved in the Communist party and other progressive causes; he became more actively involved after his retirement to Long Beach, California, in 1977. In 1950, Bloch purchased a home in Eastchester, Westchester County, New York, in which the two lived. In 1953, Bloch joined Gundy's printing business as an assistant production person in direct mail advertising. The business was dissolved in 1970, and both men obtained other related positions. In 1977, they retired and relocated to Long Beach, California, where they purchased a condominium. Bloch volunteered helping other senior citizens while Gundy took a more active role in Communist, socialist, peace, and other progressive community organizations. He volunteered at the International Book Shop in Long Beach, of which he became the manager in the early 1980s. He also ran as the Peace and Freedom Party candidate for the 57th district of the California Assembly between 1980 and 1988. Gundy and Bloch both died in 1996, within three months of each other, after more than 60 years together.

Acquisition information:
Date and method of acquisition unknown.
Processing information:

Formerly boxes 103-106, 103-107, 103-108, and 104-121. Collection processed by Michael C. Oliveira, with assistance from Misha Karbelnig and Richard French, December 2008.

Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the physical owner. Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in the materials. Note that ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials directly from the copyright holder(s).

Preferred citation:

Box #, folder #, Max Gundy and Jack D. Bloch Papers, Coll2008-070, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.

Location of this collection:
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007, US
Contact:
(213) 821-2771
askone@usc.edu
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