Solter, Samuel B. Architectural Drawings, 1966

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Summary

Title:
Samuel B. Solter Architectural Drawings
Dates:
1966
Creators:
California. Office of Architecture and Construction and Solter, Samuel B. (Samuel Bernard Solter)
Abstract:
Architectural drawings of proposed California State University campus buildings (California State Colleges at the time of rendering) and California State buildings drawn by Samuel B. Solter (May 30, 1920-May 4, 2016).
Extent:
28 items 4 oversized folders;
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Title of item], Samuel B. Solter Architectural Drawings, Courtesy of the California State University Archives at the Gerth Archives and Special Collections, University Library, California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Background

Scope and content:

The architectural drawing are limited to California State University (California State College at the time of drawing) and California State buildings. All drawings are printed facsimilies that were likely presented to governing agencies who made decisions about the construction of State buildings. This includes the Board of Trustees of the California State University for drawings of the college campuses, as sometimes noted in the drawing's accompanied text.

All items, with the exception of three (3) are in color. Black and white drawings are of the Small College at California State University, Dominguez Hills, six (6) pages (counted as one item) of architectural rederings and a drawing of the California State University, Fullerton cafeteria, and one unidentified drawing on paper.

All California State University campuses are identified by a previous system name of "[Campus] State College". In one drawing, California State University, Fullerton is identified as Orange State College, a previous name noting the campus location in Orange County, California. The California Science Center is also identified by a previous name, as the Museum of Science and Industry. University names rendered by the archivist in this finding aid use the campus name only, (i.e. ...Fullerton campus).

In a few instances the head of the OAC (Office of Architecture and Construction), Carl C. McLevy (AIA), and the consulting architects Smith, Powell and Morgridge are identified in the drawings' accompanied text. Solter's signature is also painted in the drawings for most items. On the reverse of some of the boards is a stamp: "Hecht Color Laboratories, Incorporated, at Columbia Studios, 1339 No. Beachwood Drive., Hollywood 28, Calif. Phone: Hollywood 5-8311."

Although many of the drawings include a building name, it is unclear if all buildings in this collection have been constructed.

Biographical / historical:

Samuel Bernard Solter (May 30, 1920- May 4, 2016) was an architectural illustrator and model-builder in the California Office of Architecture and Construction. He was born in Kerhonkson, New York to Harry and Sadie Solomiansky, Jewish immgrants from Eastern Europe. He moved to Los Angeles as a child where his family owned a grocery store and his father also worked in carpentry.

Solter served in World War II as a sergent in the Army Air Corps. After serving in the army, he attended the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles on the G.I. Bill (Government Issue). Throughout his life, Solter had various careers including hand-painted tie business, a family pearl business, and a family stained glass business in addition to his work for the State of California.

Solter was married to Marie Solter and they had two children: Ken Solter and Nancy Amodeo.

Acquisition information:
The California State University Archives acquired the Samuel B. Solter Architectural Drawings as a gift from Nancy Solter Amodeo and Tony Amodeo.
Processing information:

Processed in September 2019.

Arrangement:

The drawings are arranged in four folders separated by California State University buildings, California State buildings, and unknown buildings.

Physical facet:
Print copies mounted on artist board. One (1) architectural drawing is printed directly on the board and two (2) items on paper.
Dimensions:
Generally, the items are posterboard with dimensions of 16 x 20 in. and images with dimensions of 9 x 14 in.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Summer Espinoza
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2019-09-24 21:49:23 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from the collection must be submitted in writing to the CSU Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Archive as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

[Title of item], Samuel B. Solter Architectural Drawings, Courtesy of the California State University Archives at the Gerth Archives and Special Collections, University Library, California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Location of this collection:
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, CA 90747, US
Contact:
(310) 243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Website