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Title: Allen Day Papers
Dates: circa 1978-1988
Collection Number: 2006-46
Creator/Collector:
Day, Allen (Allen James), 1941-1987
Extent: 2 boxes (Approximately 3 linear feet)
Repository:
GLBT Historical Society
San Francisco, California 94103
Abstract: Erotic drawings in pen and ink of men in a variety of bondage and sadomasochistic settings. Drawings are by
Allen Day, with many signed under his pseudonym 'Strider'. In addition to drawings, the collection also includes profusely
illustrated letters and cards from Day to his lover of many years, Louis Bryan, detailing day-to-day aspects of their life
together; photographs; invitations, many created by Day, to parties and events; and several artists' books written and
illustrated by Day.
Language of Material: English
Collection open for research.
Copyright to unpublished manuscript materials created by the donor has been transferred to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual,
Transgender Historical Society.
[Identification of item]. Allen Day Papers. Collection Number: 2006-46. GLBT Historical Society
Donated by Louis Bryan.
Biography/Administrative History
Allen James Day, Jr. was born on 28 July 1941 in Eastford, CT, the second son of Allen James Dan and Margaret Pittman. He
attended the Woodstock Academy and upon his graduation in 1959 moved to Boston to enroll in the Boston Art Academy.
Upon graduation, he found work as a commercial artist for a local firm, where he worked until he was drafted in 1965.
Instead of Vietnam, he was sent to Germany, where his artistic talent was utilized in making posters and signs at the
headquarters. His military service ended in 1967.
Allen came out shortly after he got to Boston, and he had a German lover almost from the beginning of his tour of duty.
When he got back to Boston, he started doing erotic drawings in earnest, and he did some advertising flyers for Titans
Motorcycle Club events in the early seventies. In the mid-seventies, his friend David Morgan talked him into doing a series
of drawings of which limited, numbered reproductions, as well as the originals, would be for sale.
In September 1977, Allen came to San Francisco on vacation and stayed with his friend Thom Gunn, whom he had met in
1973. Allen met Louis Bryan shortly thereafter; they were lovers for the remainder of Allen?s life. In San Francisco, Allen
worked as a commercial artist for Raychem, a large chemical company. Allen Day died of toxoplasmosis and pneumocystis pneumonia
on 18 August 1987. Several friends made AIDS quilt panels in his memory.
Scope and Content of Collection
This collection comprises primarily erotic drawings in pen and ink of men in a variety of bondage and sadomasochistic
settings. Drawings are by Allen Day, with many signed under his pseudonym 'Strider'. In addition to drawings, the collection
also includes profusely illustrated letters and cards from Day to his lover, Bryan, detailing day-to-day aspects of their
life
together; photographs; invitations, many created by Day, to parties and events; and several artists' books written and
illustrated by Day.
Gay men
Art
Erotica