Les Claypool's Los Angeles Free Press Publication, January 1955 - May 1957

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Summary

Title:
Les Claypool's Los Angeles Free Press Publication
Dates:
January 1955 - May 1957
Creators:
Claypool, Leslie E., Sr, Haas, Lucien C., 1918-, Pillsbury, Kent, Americans for Democratic Action. Los Angeles Chapter, Americans for Democratic Action, Les Claypool's Free Press (Los Angeles, CA), Los Angeles Free Press (1955-1957), and Anderson, Glenn M.
Abstract:
This collection contains three complete bound volumes of Les Claypool's Free Press, quickly renamed the Los Angeles Free Press, which ran from 1955-1957. The newspaper was sponsored by the Los Angeles chapter of Americans for Democratic Action with Les E. Claypool Sr. as the founding editor. Glenn M. Anderson served as a board member during the short lifespan of the newspaper. The newspaper covers 1950s Los Angeles and California politics from a liberal perspective.
Extent:
1 box and 1.667 Linear Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Background

Scope and content:

The Les Claypool's Los Angeles Free Press Publications (January 1955 - May 1957) contains three bound volumes of Les Claypool's Free Press, later called the Los Angeles Free Press (1955-1957). The periodicals cover Los Angeles politics and news from a liberal perspective. Notable people of the periodical include: Leslie E. Claypool Sr, Lucien Haas, and Kent Pillsbury.

Biographical / historical:

Les Claypool's Free Press first began publication on January 28, 1955. The newpaper was sponsored by the Los Angeles Chapter of Americans for Democratic Action. Kent Pillsbury, chaiman of the chapter, served as publisher while Leslie E. Claypool Sr., who the newspaper was named after, served as editor along with Lucien Haas. Leslie E, Claypool Sr. served as a long-time political commentator in the Los Angeles area, including his role as the political commentator for the Los Angeles Daily News (1941-1954).

By November 1955, Leslie E. Claypool Sr. sold the newspaper to an independent members of Americans for Democratic Action, and the publication changed its name to the Los Angeles Free Press. The publications would run for two more years and end publication on May 23, 1957. The publication would serve as a liberal voice in the Los Angeles area covering the Democratic Party and up-and-coming democratic politicans in the 1950s.

Staff of the periodical include: Les E. Claypool Sr., Lucien Haas, Kent Pillsbury, William Fitzgerald, Henry Lee, Herman Lenzner, Art Whizin, and future Lt. Governor and Congressman, Glenn Anderson, who served on the newspaper's board.

The name of the publication would be adopted several years later by Art Kunkin for the well-known underground/alternative newspaper, the Los Angeles Free Press. In Vol. 1, No. 4, Les E. Claypool Sr. writes to Art Kunkin in saying:

"So you and your associates are reving the Los Angeles Free Press. Let me, as the self appointed doyen of the press patsies hereabout, extend you my welcome. If yo do what I believe you plant to do, the town needs you.

.... You will either put out a dull newspaper in which case no one will read it after the first two or three issues or you will go out a sprightly, biting journal that will invited readers, but will also invite the gendarmes of various kinds. In case your publication is readable and critical of human foibles you will be denounced, haunted, investaged and given an all abd time.... somewhere short of being jailed and becoming bankrupt you will have to pause, cease and maybe even desiste. Maybe not. It all depends on your technique.

.... You will learn that the state, county and city hall boys play for keeps and anyone who menaces their dynasties or hierarchies are in for extermination.

....Therefore, Editor Kunkkin, be sure to gird your loins tightly. Keep your heart stout and your determination high. If you go down - and you may survice for quite a spell as some of the famous pamphleteers of your did - go down with colors flying and shouting your slogans for all to hear. No voice, a poet has said, is wholly lost. Be sure your cause is just and if you have grandchildren they can at elast tell the neighbors' kids that like Tom Paine, Juarez and Patrick Henry their grandppapy tried and caused many people to think.

Yours Truly, Leslie Claypool Sr."

Leslie E. Claypool Sr. Letter to the Editor. in Los Angeles Free Press Vol. 1, No. 4. (page 4) August 13, 1964

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Lucas Madrigal
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-10-18 17:50:51 +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 manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections 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:

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Location of this collection:
University Library, 5th Flr (5039)
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, CA 90747, US
Contact:
(310) 243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Website