Saul Bass papers
Special Collections
Margaret Herrick Library
© 2015
Title: Saul Bass papers
Date (inclusive): 1949-1996
Date (bulk): 1955-1996
Collection number: 421
Creator:
Bass, Saul
Extent:
233 linear feet of papers.
33 linear feet of photographs.
18,383 artworks.
Repository:
Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Languages:
English
Important Information for Users of the Collection
Available by appointment only.
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are
responsible for obtaining all necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies
or individuals before quoting from or publishing materials obtained from the library.
Saul Bass papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Gift of the Saul Bass family, 1998-1999
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.
Collection Scope and Content Summary
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.
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.
Bass, Saul , 1920-1996--Archives.
animators
directors
graphic designers