Finding aid for the Philena Bohlen scrapbook 7083
Bo Doub
USC Libraries Special Collections
2019 February
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California 90089-0189
specol@usc.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Title: Philena Bohlen scrapbook
creator:
Bohlen, Philena, 1884-1963
Identifier/Call Number: 7083
Physical Description:
0.21 Linear Feet
1 box
Date (inclusive): 1923-1941
Abstract: Philena Bohlen was a California bowling pioneer and one of the best women bowlers in the world during the time of her career.
The Philena Bohlen scrapbook consists of 28 photographic prints, 21 pieces of ephemera, four letters, one periodical, and
various newspaper clippings -- all created between 1923 and 1941 and assembled in a black binder.
Container: 1
Philena Bohlen was a California bowling pioneer and one of the best women bowlers in the world during the time of her career.
Bohlen was a founding member of the Los Angeles Women's Bowling Association and the California Women's Bowling Association,
as well as the fifth vice president of the Women's International Bowling Conference (WIBC) -- serving from 1944 through 1949.
Prior to her term as WIBC vice president, Bohlen designed the WIBC's flag and proposed the design to the delegates at the
1940 annual meeting. In 1927, Bohlen was known as one of the best female bowlers in the world, bowling a 276 score in a single
game, which set a new record for women bowlers at the time.
The Philena Bohlen scrapbook consists of 14 photographic prints measuring 8 x 10 inches, 14 photographic prints of smaller
sizes, 21 pieces of ephemera, four letters (three handwritten and one typed), one periodical, and many newspaper clippings
-- all created between 1923 and 1941 and assembled in a black binder. The title affixed to the front cover of the binder reads:
"Records of Championship Tournaments As Bowled And Won by Philena Bohlen in Collection With Auxiliary--P.C.B.C. [Pacific Coast
Bowling Conference] / California Woman's B.A. [Bowling Association] / Los Angeles Woman's B.A. [Bowling Association] / 1923-1939."
The ephemera and photographs are arranged next to clippings documenting Philena Bohlen's career. The photographs document
the championships and games won by Bohlen and her teams in California and includes many 8 x 10" photographs of the teams accompanied
by typed captions. Examples of ephemera in the collection include notes and cards of congratulations, Bohlen's 1927 Southern
California Ladies' Elks Bowling Association membership card, a 1926 Pacific Coast Bowling League entry form for Ladies' events
filled out by hand, an 8 x 10" certificate from the Women's International Bowling Congress, and a 1920s issue of the Pacific
Coast Bowling League Newsletter. The three handwritten letters contain congratulatory sentiments, while the fourth typed letter
is a circular promoting an upcoming Los Angeles Women's Bowling Association event.
Advance notice required for access.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian.
Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections 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.
[Box/folder no. or item name], Philena Bohlen scrapbook, Collection no. 7083, Regional History Collection, Special Collections,
USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Jeffrey Rovenpor, February 5, 2019.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Women bowlers -- California -- Los Angeles -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Bowling -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Scrapbooks
Bohlen, Philena, 1884-1963 -- Archives