United Press International (UPI) Photograph Collection, 1928-1980, bulk Bulk, 1969-1977

View only results with digital items
Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Abstract:
Photographs from the United Press International Los Angeles stock photo office. Coverage is approximately 1930-1978 with the bulk of the photographs 1969-1977.
Extent:
20.0 Linear feet (73 boxes)
Language:
The majority of the collection is in English
Preferred citation:

[identify item], United Press International Photograph Collection 1930-1978 (1980.01.r ), Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Background

Scope and content:

Originally 120 boxes of more than 48,000 photos from the Los Angeles UPI stock photo office donated in the spring of 1980 to the library.

Covering mainly the 1960s and 1970s there are also photos going back to the 1930s. Each photo is an 8x10 print with attached caption and, in many cases, editorial notes and markings on the photos.

Biographical / historical:

United Press International (UPI) is a news agency headquartered in the United States with roots dating back to 1907. Once a mainstay in the newswire service along with Associated Press (AP) and Reuters, it began to decline as afternoon newspapers, its chief client category, began to fail with the rising popularity of television news.

This decline accelerated after the sale of UPI by the founding Scripps family culminating in two bankruptcies.

In the late 1970s, UPI closed down it's Los Angeles stock photo office and merged it with the New York office. This move prompted the donation of this collection to keep it from being destroyed.

Acquisition information:
Donated by UPI, Los Angeles Office in 1980.
Processing information:

This collection of photographs, though open for research, is still undergoing processing. Please see the individual series for details.

Arrangement:

The collection is organized by subject series and, in some cases, subseries by subject.

Physical description:
The collection had been forgotten and when it was rediscovered in 1989 it was found to have a great deal of acidification and vermin damage. There are now only 79 boxes remaining of the original 120.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

UPI retains the copyright on all photographs. Permission to use photographs must be obtained from United Press International.

Preferred citation:

[identify item], United Press International Photograph Collection 1930-1978 (1980.01.r ), Frank Mt. Pleasant Library of Special Collections and Archives, Chapman University, CA.

Location of this collection:
One University Drive
Orange, CA 92866, US
Contact:
(714) 532-7719
speccoll@chapman.edu
Website