Saul Bass papers, 1949-1996, bulk 1955-1996

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Summary

Creators:
Bass, Saul
Extent:
233 linear feet of papers. 33 linear feet of photographs. 18,383 artworks.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The Saul Bass papers span the years 1949-1996 and encompass more than 233 linear feet of manuscripts, 33 linear feet of photographs, and 18,383 artworks. The collection consists of art material, storyboards, publicity, books, corporate manuals, animation cels, audiotapes, and photographs. The art material includes exploratory artwork, presentations, drawings, layouts, and other illustrative matter. There is a large amount of mechanical art, or camera-ready paste-up of previously prepared artwork and copy. Projects produced or directed by Bass, such as NOTES ON THE POPULAR ARTS (1977), PHASE IV (1975), and WHY MAN CREATES (1968) are particularly well-represented. Files on these projects, Bass's corporate client files, and the Bass/Yager exhibition and promotion files comprise the majority of the collection. His film work, represented by title design and poster design, comprises about 30 linear feet. The photograph series consists of photographic prints, transparencies, negatives, slides, motion picture film frames and strips of title art, advertising art, marketing materials, logos, storyboards, promotional displays, production shots, film frames, trade ads, sketches, location research, packaging design, and portraits.

Biographical / historical:

Saul Bass was an American graphic designer, animator, and director. He founded Saul Bass & Associates in 1946 and co-founded the design firm Bass/Yager and Associates. His animated and graphic title sequences opened numerous feature films from the 1950s through 1990s. Bass worked on several films directed by Alfred Hitchcock, including PSYCHO (1960). Bass also produced and directed animated shorts, live-action documentaries, and television commercials. Many of his corporate logos, for clients such as AT&T, Quaker, and the United Way, have become cultural icons.

Acquisition information:
Gift of the Saul Bass family, 1998-1999
Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series: 1. Production files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 2. Television, subseries A-B as follows: A. Produced; B. Unproduced; 3. Stage files; 4. Subject files; 5. Business papers; 6. Books; 7. Periodicals; 8. Oversize.

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
333 S. La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211, US
Contact:
(310) 247-3036 extension 2226
specialcollections@oscars.org
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