Inventory of the Alvan Burton Photograph Collection SPC.2022.023
Allison Wall
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
2022-06
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
Business Number: 310-243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Alvan Burton Photograph Collection
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2022.023
Physical Description:
4 Linear Feet
Physical Description:
4 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1940-1981, undated
Abstract: This collection showcases the photographs of Alvan Robert Burton (1925-2009), a well-respected Black photographer, community
advocate, youth mentor, and Air Force veteran. After serving in World War II, Burton opened a photography studio in the Central
Avenue neighborhood of Los Angeles, where he documented the lives of those in his community, particularly the students of
Thomas Jefferson High School. This expansive collection includes photographs and negatives from throughout Burton's career,
as well as his personal family photographs.
Language of Material:
English
.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Biographical / Historical
Alvan Robert Burton (1925-2009) was born in Louisiana and relocated with his family to Los Angeles in 1939. After serving
in World War II, Burton became a professional photographer, operating his own studio in Los Angeles, where he documented the
lives of the students of Thomas Jefferson High School, as well as the Central Avenue Business Association, local churches,
society events, and civic organizations. Throughout his career, he mentored a number of young men and women, and played an
instrumental role in increasing newspaper exposure for Black high school athletes. After retiring from photography, he became
involved in the Los Angeles Unified School District, serving as an activist and advisor for the Interscholastic Athletics
Association and the Parent Collaborative. He also maintained an active role in the Jefferson High School Alumni Association,
as well as a number of community organizations, serving the neighborhood where he grew up and lived.
Preferred Citation
Scope and Contents
The Alvan Burton photograph collection (1940-1981, undated) contains four boxes and four linear feet of over 1,000 photographs
and nearly 200 negatives from the life and career of Alvan Burton, a Black photographer. The photographs are mostly black
and white, but some are in color. Photos are undated but presumably span the length of Burton's career, plus his family photographs.
This collection is arranged into four series: Personal Photographs and Documents; People and Portraits; Jefferson High School;
and Negatives. The Jefferson High School series is divided into sub-series of "Athletics" and "Students". Burton's personal
photographs include family photographs, travel photography from around the world, and pictures documenting his military service.
In addition, Burton was heavily involved in his community, particularly Jefferson High School. There, he dedicated his time
to mentoring the students and focused a large part of his career to increasing media exposure for Black teen athletes. As
such, the majority of his photographs depict Jefferson High athletes and students. Finally, the collection also includes a
number of portraits, both candid and posed, taken in Burton's studio and throughout his neighborhood and depicting the lives
of those in his community.
Conditions Governing Use
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.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into four series
- Series I: Personal Photographs and Documents; April 4, 1941 - June 5, 1973; undated
- Series II: People and Portraits, undated
- Series III: Jefferson High School, August 1957, 1981; undated
- Sub-Series A: Students, August 1957; undated
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Black people -- History
Libraries -- Special Collections -- Black people
Photographers, Black
Photography
Photography -- United States -- History
Photography -- Studios and Dark Rooms
Youth, Black
High school
Photography of Sports
High school students
Portraits
Family life
Los Angeles Unified School District
United States . Air Force
US Military Forces
box 3, box 4
Personal Photographs and Documents
undated
Scope and Contents
This series contains Alvan Burton's personal photos, both taken by him as well as photographs he collected. This includes
photographs of people (presumably family, friends, and acquaintaces), travel and home photographs, and photographs documenting
Burton's military service. Also included in this series are some of Burton's personal documents- correspondence including
postcards, letters, and holiday cards.
Personal photographs, black and white
undated
Scope and Contents
This file contains Burton's personal photographs, presumably of family, friends, and acquaintances. Nearly 200 photographs,
black and white. Most are unlabeled and undated, some are labeled with name only, but relationship to Burton is unknown.
Personal photographs, color
undated
Scope and Contents
This file contains Burton's personal photographs, presumably of family, friends, and acquaintances. 36 photographs, color.
Most are unlabeled and undated, some are labeled with name only, but relationship to Burton is unknown.
Military photographs
undated
Travel and landmarks
undated
Scope and Contents
This file contains black and white images taken while travelling of scenery and landmarks. Locations unknown.
Home and landscaping
undated
Scope and Contents
This file contains black and white images of houses, both interiors and exteriors, including some renovation photos.
Personal documents
April 4, 1941 - June 5, 1973
Scope and Contents
This file contains postcards, holiday cards, and a letter, plus a memorial document.
Miscellaneous personal photographs, some color
undated
Scope and Contents
This file contains one lightpainting photo, photo of a college basketball team, exterior photos of two schools, and photograph
of Rose Bowl Trophy.
box 4
People and Portraits
undated
Scope and Contents
This series contains portraits, presumably taken by Burton, both in his studio and in a variety of settings. Studio portraits
are posed, and are mainly close-ups and glamour portaits. Portraits taken outside of the studio are both posed and candid
lifestyle and glamour portraits.
Glamour, lifestyle, and candid portraits, black and white
undated
Scope and Contents
Over 70 black and white portraits, both posed and candid, all undated. Posed portraits include glamour and lifestyle shots.
Studio portraits, black and white
undated
Scope and Contents
This file contains about 90 posed, close-up portraits in black-and-white, presumably taken in Burton's studio. Some portaits
may be of Burton's family members, but dates and relationship to photographer are unknown.
Studio portraits, color
undated
Scope and Contents
This file contains posed studio portraits in color, presumably taken in Burton's studio. Group photos, glamour shots, and
close-up portraits.
Headshots
Scope and Contents
This file contains several pages of film strips of studio headshots of a teenaged boy in a variety of different costumes.
box 1, box 2, box 3
Jefferson High School
Scope and Contents
This series contains black and white photographs of athletics, school events, and student life at Jefferson High School.
Photographs are mostly undated (with several exceptions).
Students
August 1957, undated
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains photos of the students of Jefferson High. This includes both school events and portraits of students.
With the exception of graduation photos from 1957, the photos in this series are mostly undated.
School events
1957, undated
Scope and Contents
This file contains photographs of school events at Jefferson High, including graduation ceremonies, band performances, fundraisers,
and assemblies. Undated except for some graduation photos, which were developed in 1957. Mostly black and white photographs;
one color photograph.
Student life
undated
Scope and Contents
This file contains photographs of students of Jefferson High School, both posed and candid. Some of the portraits of the students
have been labelled with the names, but photos are undated. Photos are mostly black and white; some color.
Athletics
1981, undated
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains photographs taken of athletic teams at Jefferson High School. Photos include portraits of athletes,
team photos, and action shots from meets and games.
Jefferson-Fremont boy's track 1981
Scope and Contents
This file contains photos of the Jefferson High School track team from a track meet in 1981.
Basketball, black and white
undated
Basketball, color
undated
box 3
Negatives
undated
Scope and Contents
This series contians nearly 200 negatives, of real estate properties, Jefferson High School Adult Evening School, Jefferson
High School Alumni Association, and some portraits.
Real estate negatives
undated
Scope and Contents
This file contains negatives of exteriors of both houses and commercial properties, locations unknown.
Jefferson High School Adult Evening School negatives
undated
Scope and Contents
This file contains negatives of adult evening classes at Jefferson's Evening School. Classes depicted in the negatives include
sewing, upholstery, machinery, cosmetology, woodshop, autoshop, nursing, and millinery.
Jefferson Alumni Association negatives
undated
Scope and Contents
This fil contains negatives from Alumni Association event for Jefferson High School.
Portrait negatives
undated
