Irving Salomon Collection MS-0555
Bonnie M. Harris, Stanley Schwartz, and Laurel Schwartz
Special Collections & University Archives
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA 92182-8050
askscua@sdsu.edu
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & University Archives
Title: Irving Salomon Collection
Creator:
Irving Salomon
Identifier/Call Number: MS-0555
Physical Description:
3.75 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1897-1979
Language of Material:
English
.
Scope and Contents
This collection comprises Salomon's papers, documents and photographs, from his birth in 1897 to his death in 1979. Box one
contains material covering his personal life, family genealogy, World War I, the PACT Farm for boys, his Royal Metal Manufacturing
Company, his service during World War II, his books, correspondence and observations; travels, work for the United Nations
and philanthropy. Box two contains diaries, passports, political and military ephemera and artifacts, magazine articles about
him and books he wrote.
There is another Salomon collection at the Valley Center History Museum which includes material about Royal Metal Manufacturing,
the Lilac Ranch and the family's life there, including its famous visitors. It also contains material about Salomon's time
in the United Nations, family photos, newspaper clippings and correspondence from public figures.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The copyright interests in some of these materials have been transferred to or belong to San Diego State University. The nature
of historical archival and manuscript collections means that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine.
Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. Requests for permission to publish
must be submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted,
permission is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply
permission of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are
made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the
materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.
Source of Acquisition
Jewish Historical Society of San Diego
Accruals and Additions
2018-023
Custodial History
In 2006 Abbe Wolfsheimer Stutz, the daughter of Irving Salomon, donated several photos of her father and others to the Jewish
Historical Society of San Diego. In 2015 after her death, her husband, David Stutz donated the bulk of the materials regarding
Col. Irving Salomon.
Related Materials
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Irving Salomon Collection
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Abbe Wolfsheimer-Stutz Collection
Preferred Citation
Identification of item, folder title, box number,
Irving Salomon Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, San Diego State University Library.
Biographical Note
Originally from Chicago, Irving Salomon served in WWI and then became an industrialist in Chicago and Indiana. His Royal Metal
Manufacturing Company invented and produced the first metal folding chair. In Indiana, he was the founder and benefactor of
PACT Farm, providing a learning, working and living environment for disadvantaged boys. During World War II, he achieved the
rank of Lieutenant Colonel, but was known as Colonel Salomon. After the war he and his wife, Cecile came to San Diego with
their daughter Abbe. Cecile was a classical pianist who composed Jewish liturgical music. The Salomons were important philanthropists,
providing funds for many and diverse projects. Salomon was very involved in San Diego Boys' Club and funded numerous projects
for children and young adults. He received a knighthood from the Pope for his work with Catholic charities. Very involved
with politics on a national level, he called Eleanor Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower his friends. In 1953 President Eisenhower
appointed him to a position at the United Nations. The Salomons entertained many notables, both political and theatrical at
their Lilac Ranch in Valley Center, California. In the 1960's Salomon founded the local chapter of the American Jewish Committee.
Salomon was also an author and world traveler. Their daughter, attorney Abbe Wolfsheimer Stutz was a former San Diego City
Council member, law professor and deputy city attorney. (See the Abbe Wolfsheimer Stutz Collection).
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Jews--California--San Diego
box 1, folder 1
I.S. Salomon - Irving's grandfather: autobiography and family tree Folder 1
1910-
box 1, folder 2
Abraham D. Salomon Irving's father Folder 2
1897-
box 1, folder 3
Irving Salomon Family History & autobiographical Folder 3
1912-
box 1, folder 4
I. Salomon Magazine Agency Folder 4
1912-1917
box 1, folder 5
Irving Salomon in World War I New London CT & Europe - Photos Folder 5
1918
box 1, folder 6
World War I Correspondence Folder 6
1918
box 1, folder 7
World War I Correspondence, Stories and Official Documents Folder 7
1919-1920
box 1, folder 8
Travels to Europe and Mexico - Photos Folder 8
1920s
box 1, folder 9
Large Photographs Folder 9
1920s-1930s
box 1, folder 10
Correspondence regarding Irene Saxe, Salomon's first wife Folder 10
1924-1937
box 1, folder 11
Marriage to Cecile Leibowitz Folder 11
1937
box 1, folder 12
Jewish People's Inst. Publications Folder 12
1930s
box 1, folder 13
Correspondence and Membership cards Folder 13
1930s
box 1, folder 14
Vacation Cruises Itineraries & Photos Folder 14
1928-1936
box 1, folder 15
Personal Correspondence, Poems, Plays and other Writings Folder 15
1928-1943
box 1, folder 16
Correspondence regarding Daughter, Abbe Salomon (Wolfsheimer, Stutz) Folder 16
1938-1958
box 1, folder 17
Pact Farm General Documents - Patriotism , Ambition, Character, Tolerance Folder 17
1936
box 1, folder 18
Pact Farm Photos Folder 18
1930s-1940s
box 1, folder 19
Pact Farm - Record Forms Folder 19
1930s-1940s
box 1, folder 20
Pact Farm World War II Alumni Correspondence Folder 20
1943-1946
box 1, folder 21
Pact Farm Records - Bernard Barish Folder 21
1937-1940
box 1, folder 22
Pact Farm Records - Robert Burton Folder 22
1937-1941
box 1, folder 23
Pact Farm Records - Jack Cohen Folder 23
1941-1943
box 1, folder 24
Pact Farm Records - Edward Francis Folder 24
1937-1940
box 1, folder 25
Pact Farm Records - Max Goldberg Folder 25
1937-1939
box 1, folder 26
Pact Farm Records - John Joseph Himmel Folder 26
1937-1942
box 1, folder 27
Pact Farm Records - William Kitts Folder 27
1937-1941
box 1, folder 28
Pact Farm Records - Irving Kopelson Folder 28
1937-1940
box 1, folder 29
Pact Farm Records - Theodore Para Folder 29
1936-1939
box 1, folder 30
Pact Farm Records - Peter Visilauskas and Jack Eckhorn Folder 30
box 1, folder 31
Pact Farm Alumni Weekends Folder 31
1940-1942
box 1, folder 32
Royal Metal Manufacturing Company Folder 32
1940
box 1, folder 33
Correspondence and Documents Regarding Salomon's Efforts to Procure a Military Position during World War II Folder 33
1942
box 1, folder 34
Correspondence and Documents Regarding Salomon's Efforts to Procure a Military Position during World War II Folder 34
1942
box 1, folder 35
Reports on Military Sub-Contracts Folder 35
1942-1943
box 1, folder 36
Irving Salomon - Chief Special Assignments Section - Correspondence Folder 36
1943
box 1, folder 37
Contract Clearance War Department - Correspondence, Reports, Newspaper Clippings - Photos Folder 37
1943-1944
box 1, folder 38
Contract Relief Advisory Committee - Correspondence, Notes, Reports Folder 38
1944
box 1, folder 39
Correspondence, Notes, Reports, regarding Hughes Tool Company F11 Airplane Folder 39
1944
box 1, folder 40
World War II Service Correspondence Folder 40
1944-1945
box 1, folder 41
Family photos Folder 41
mid 20th century
box 1, folder 42
"Retire and Be Happy" - Notes Folder 42
box 1, folder 43
"Retire and Be Happy" -Correspondence to Irving Salomon Folder 43
1951
box 1, folder 44
"Retire and Be Happy" - Publicity and Scrapbook Contents and Photos Folder 44
1951-1952
box 1, folder 45
"Retire and Be Happy" - Speeches & Interview Folder 45
1952
box 1, folder 46
Newspaper clippings Folder 46
1950s-1970s
box 1, folder 47
Correspondence to and about Ella Salomon Mother of Irving Salomon Folder 47
1957-1965
box 1, folder 48
Movie Venture "No Man is an Island" - Synopsis Folder 48
1962
box 1, folder 49
Lilac Ranch, Valley Center, California Folder 49
box 1, folder 50
United Nations Delegate - Press Release - Reports on His Travels Folder 50
1962-1970s
box 1, folder 51
Correspondence Regarding Irene Saxe between Salomon, Saxe and Lil Goldbacher Folder 51
1952-1960
box 1, folder 52
Photos with Political figures Folder 52
mid 20th century
box 1, folder 53
Travel Itinerary & Teaching Appointment - SDSU Folder 53
1960's
box 1, folder 54
Photos with local dignitaries Folder 54
1960s-1970s
box 1, folder 55
Various Birthday & Anniversary Celebrations - Photos Folder 55
1960s-1970s
box 1, folder 56
Horse Racing Ventures - Photos Folder 56
1966-1967
box 1, folder 57
Philanthropy - Photos Folder 57
1952-1987
box 1, folder 58
Scrapbook of Business Newspaper Clippings Folder 58
1966-1973
box 1, folder 59
"Scriptures Set to Music " by Cecile Salomon Folder 59
1968
box 1, folder 60
The Standard Club - Chicago - Correspondence Folder 60
1970s
box 1, folder 61
University Honors Folder 61
1970s
box 1, folder 62
San Diego Boys Club Honors Irving Salomon - Invitation, Clippings, Speech - Photos Folder 62
1973
box 1, folder 63
Irving Salomon receives Papal Knight Honor - Photos Folder 63
1974
box 1, folder 64
Birthday Speeches Folder 64
1950s-1970s
box 1, folder 65
Transcribed Oral Interview with Columbia University regarding the Eisenhower Administration Folder 65
1973
box 1, folder 66
80th Birthday Party - Photos Folder 66
1977
box 1, folder 67
Salomon Family Trust Folder 67
1970s-1980s
box 1, folder 68
Cecile Salomon's 80th Birthday Correspondence Folder 68
1983
box 1, folder 69
End of Life Obituaries & Correspondence Folder 69
1977-1979
box 1, folder 70
San Diego Chapter - American Jewish Committee Program - presenation of Colonel Irving Salomon Human Relations Award to Lucy
Goldman
Folder 70
1993
box 2, item 1
Irving Salomon - Miscellaneous Personal Artifacts Item 1
1943-1975
Scope and Contents
1957-1975 Philanthropic Donations Notebook US Army Garrison caps & US Army Insignia WWII 1956 Republican Convention tickets
& badge
box 2, item 2
Irving Salomon - Diaries, Family Bible, Cattle Auction Catalogs Item 2
1918-1965
Scope and Contents
Family Bible - Joseph Salomon (Uncle) Irving Salomon - Daily Diaries - 1918, 1942, 1949 Irving Salomon - Travel Diary - RMS
Caronia (No Date) (Ship in service 1947-1967) 1959 & 1965 Rancho Lilac Cattle Auction Catalogs
box 2, item 3
Irving Salomon Daily Diaries 1955-1974 Passports 1947-1974 Item 3
1947-1974
box 2, item 4
Irving Salomon 2 books that he wrote Item 4
1947-1974
Scope and Contents
Books by Irving Salomon "Retire and Be Happy" , 1951 "Incidents and Coincidences - Adventures in Foreign Affairs" 1980 published
posthumously by his wife Cecile. Donated by Stanley Schwartz
box 2, item 5
Time Magazine - Article on Salomon & Royal Metal Manufacturing, page 70 December 4, 1939, Vol XXXIV, No. 23 Item 5
1939
box 2, item 6
Time Magazines - VE Day & VJ Day Item 6
1945
box 3, folder 1
Pact Farm - Hand colored map by Issac Fincer Folder 1
box 3, folder 2
Story about Miami Beach possibly written by Irving Salomon Folder 2
box 3, folder 3
"The Tristan Times" Tristan da Cunha newspaper Folder 3
June 6, 1943
box 3, folder 4
Saturday Evening Post - Article on Henry Cabot Lodge - picture & mention of Irving Salomon, page 16 & 17 Folder 4
May 16, 1964
box 3, folder 5
World War I Marine Corps Service Certificate Folder 5
1919
