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Sullivan (Edward S.) papers
7111  
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Collection Overview
 
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Description
A photographic and manuscript archive created and compiled by Edward S. Sullivan, a Los Angeles-based correspondent for the seminal crime publication True Detective, whose ground-level journalistic techniques often blurred the line between reportage and private investigation. The photo portion of the archive contains "evidence" of hundreds of murders, assaults, stick-ups, forgeries, and other criminal acts spanning from the 1930s through the 1960s. The majority of these images were used as illustrations for Sullivan's true-crime articles, either for True Detective or his freelance work for other publications. The material is mostly related to criminal activity in California, but adjacent western states, as well as Mexico, are also represented. Aside from the photographs, the collection contains Sullivan's case folders, presumably used as research or reference for his work. All of the case files include newspaper clippings and about half contain some sort of manuscript notations by Sullivan, primarily notes from interviews with sources on both sides of the law, and they are composed with the dashed-off, slang-heavy prose of a "gumshoe" detective. This note was adapted from the seller's description.
Extent
4.42 Linear Feet 7 boxes
Restrictions
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Department of Special Collections at specol@usc.edu. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections 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.
Availability
Advance notice required for access.