Language of Material: English

Contributing Institution: University of California, Santa Cruz

Title: Michael Linah Papers

Identifier/Call Number: MS.356

Physical Description: 2.5 Linear Feet (4) cartons

Date (inclusive): 1982-1988

Date (bulk): bulk

Abstract: This collection documents the Grateful Dead-related work of Michael Linah (1943-1985), the editor and publisher of the Mikel newsletter and sticker series. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Linah attended MIT, where he became interested in directing bridge tournaments. In 1975, he became Associate National Director of the American Contract Bridge League. Linah’s professionalism, efficiency, and encyclopedic knowledge of the laws of bridge earned him the esteem of his peers, and his amicable style in delivering rulings made him popular throughout the country. Linah was a devoted Grateful Dead fan and often traveled across the country to attend concerts. In 1982, he published the first issue of Mikel, a folded, letter-sized photocopied newsletter that contained set lists, artwork, letters from fans, and general information on the Dead. Copies were given away at shows and to those who mailed in a self-addressed, stamped envelope. He also designed and printed custom-made stickers for concerts in 1983, 1984, and for the spring and summer of 1985. Linah had many friends in the Grateful Dead community, and Mikel served as an early conduit for fan-disseminated information for Deadheads in the United States and abroad. He died from complications related to cancer on October 17, 1985 in Covina, CA. After his death, his friends Benny Nagini and Julie Postel continued the newsletter under the name St. Mikel, and produced a commemorative sticker that was given out at shows in late 1985.

This collection contains biographical materials, manuscripts, newsletters, templates, production materials, stickers, correspondence, photographs, ephemera, and realia. The focus of the collection is materials pertaining to the newsletters Mikel and St. Mikel.

Other publications cataloged separately.

The collection is available for use.

Property rights reside with the University of California. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permission to publish or to reproduce the material, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.

The collection did not come directly from Linah, and had no original order at the time of its donation. Materials were sorted into broad categories, and arranged alphabetically and/or chronologically where possible. Some materials are arranged by size.