This collection mainly comprises Robert Manners' correspondence, newspaper clippings, catalogs, bibliographies, administrative records, and other material, 1953-2010. Manners was the owner and operator of the home-based gay and lesbian mail order catalog Books Bohemian (Pasadena, California) from 1977 to 2004.

Robert J. Manners owned and operated Books Bohemian, a home-based mail order book catalog, for 27 years (1977-2004). During his tenure as a book distributor, he corresponded with a number of incarcerated gay men who wrote him requesting gay literature. Manners provided books free of charge to gay inmates, many of whom kept in contact for several years through letters. Manners also corresponded with a number of gay and lesbian writers and collected their bibliographies, book reviews, and biographies. Manners is also an activist for LGBTQ rights and interests.

5.3 Linear Feet 4 boxes, 1 carton, and 1 shoebox

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.

The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.