Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- James "JET" Tressler papers
- Dates:
- 1950s-2024
- Abstract:
- The collection contains original films, artwork, and writing created by James E. Tressler, also known as JET and Jilala, a member of the Angels of Light, a theater group that was an offshoot of the Cockettes based in San Francisco during the 1970s.
- Extent:
- 11.25 Linear Feet 11 manuscript boxes, 17 flat-boxes, and 1 map-folder
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
[identification of item], James "JET" Tressler papers (M3152). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection includes a variety of materials created by Tressler in various mediums, as well as personal documents and photographs. The first series includes original films of performances by the Angels of Light, as well as reformatted versions of the films. Other materials created by Tressler include an illustrated manuscript titled The Passions of Jilala Hrose; posters for various performance and free food events; drafts of an autobiographical piece in poems and prose; sketches and illustrations, including many to accompany poems; and materials about the Sutter Street Commune, the Cockettes, and the Angels of Light. The collection also includes family photographs from Tressler's childhood in Florida in the 1950s and other personal documents from Tressler's later life in San Francisco.
- Biographical / historical:
-
James E. Tressler (1944-2024) was born and raised around Miami, Florida. After attending the University of Florida, Tressler moved to San Francisco where he moved into the newly created Sutter Street Commune in 1969. He soon became one of the writers and artists behind their Kaliflower newsletter and quickly embraced the philosophy of free that had become a part of the commune culture and wider Digger movement in San Francisco. In 1970, Tressler left the Sutter Street Commune and moved into a house occupied by members of the Cockettes, an avant-garde psychedelic theatre group that was formed by former commune member George "Hibiscus" Harris. The Cockettes soon fell apart over disputes on whether or not the group should earn money for their performances. Tressler felt strongly that "the invisible invocation of transcendental powers can only become visible on a FREEEEEE stage !!!" Eventually Tressler and a branch of the Cockettes broke off to establish the Angels of Light–a group that only performed for free. The Angels of Light performed between 1970 and 1984. The group also established a close relationship with the Sutter Street Commune, with many members living at the commune. In his later years, Tressler was involved in Crumbs, a free vegan meal program, and continued to create art in his apartment in San Francisco's Tenderloin district.
- Acquisition information:
- This collection was given by Eric Noble, on behalf od the Burrow's Bee's Collective and Friends of James "JET" Tressler, to Stanford University, Special Collections in May 2025.
- Arrangement:
-
The collection is arranged into five series:
- I. Audiovisual Materials
- II. Artwork
- III. Writing and Performance
- IV. Personal Papers
- V. Childhood and Family History Materials
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2026-03-09 09:53:53 -0700 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Open for research, except for Box 25, which is closed until 2075. Audiovisual materials are not available in original format, and must be reformatted to a digital use copy.
- Terms of access:
-
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
- Preferred citation:
-
[identification of item], James "JET" Tressler papers (M3152). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
- Location of this collection:
-
Department of Special Collections, Green Library557 Escondido MallStanford, CA 94305-6004, US
- Contact:
- (650) 725-1022