Sidney Bronstein papers, 1939-1968

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Summary

Creators:
Bronstein, Sidney
Abstract:
Manuscripts, notebook journals, photographs, correspondence, drawings, poetry and other material, 1939-1968, from gay artist and poet, Sidney Bronstein. Though little is known about Bronstein, materials in the collection document his contributions to gay and lesbian publications, as well as his sexual interest in servicemen. This interest is revealed in his art works and in a journal, or log book, detailing information about each of his sexual encounters with servicemen.
Extent:
1.1 linear feet. 2 archive cartons + 1 archive binder box.
Language:
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder #, or item name] Sidney Bronstein Papers, Coll2013-007, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Background

Scope and content:

This collection comprises manuscripts, notebook journals, photographs, correspondence, drawings, poetry and other material, 1939-1968, from gay artist and poet, Sidney Bronstein. The collection includes writings and poetry that Bronstein submitted to periodicals and anthologies, including ONE Magazine. Materials in the collection also document Bronstein's sexual interest in servicemen, which is revealed in his sketches, art works and collection of photographs. This interest is also evidenced in Bronstein's journal, or log book, with detailed information about each of his sexual encounters with servicemen.

Biographical / historical:

Sidney Bronstein was "an artist and poet whose art closely reflected his tormented homosexuality." He studied art at a college in Syracuse, New York, and exhibited there in annual Associated Artists Exhibitions in the 1940s. Bronstein moved to Los Angeles around 1950, where he continued to occasionally exhibit or publish his works of art. It was during this time when Bronstein's interest in servicemen became the focus of his drawings and paintings. In 1954, Bronstein was entrapped by a vice policeman posing as a Navy officer in the Pershing Square area of downtown Los Angeles, and was sent to Atascadero State Hospital for six months.

Bronstein also wrote poetry on a regular basis, and throughout the 1950s and 1960s submitted many of his poems to periodicals and anthologies, including ONE Magazine. Bronstein became close friends with historian Jim Kepner, contributing to Kepner’s growing collection of gay and lesbian historical materials. In 1966, Bronstein’s artwork and poetry was published in Kepner’s short-lived magazine, Pursuit & Symposium.

After chronic problems from kidney disease, Bronstein died in California, circa 1966.

Source: [Box 1, Folder 1] Sidney Bronstein Papers, Coll2013-007, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

Acquisition information:
Collection retrieved by Jim Kepner of the International Gay Lesbian Archives from Sidney Bronstein's heirs following his death, circa 1967.
Processing information:

Collection processed by Loni Shibuyama, January 2013.

Arrangement:

A folder with articles about Sidney Bronstein is at the beginning of the collection. The remaining folders are arranged alphabetically.

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:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder #, or item name] Sidney Bronstein Papers, Coll2013-007, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern 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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