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Finding Aid to the Luther E. "Luella" Bloom Papers Coll2014.084
Coll2014.084
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California
Title: Luther E. (Luella) Bloom papers
creator:
Bloom, Luther E. "Luella"
Identifier/Call Number: Coll2014.084
Physical Description:
0.2 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): circa 1931-1988
Abstract: Photographs, greeting cards, and records documenting the life of Luther E. "Luella" Bloom, circa 1931-1988. The bulk of the
materials date from circa 1975 to 1987. Bloom was a unionized waiter in Los Angeles from 1972-1981. He also had a drag persona,
"Luella."
Luther E. Bloom was born in Illinois in 1921 and served in the U. S. Army during World War II. By June 1969 he had made his
way to Los Angeles, California. He was a member of the Hotel & Restaurant Employees and Bartenders International Union, 1969-1981,
and was employed as a waiter at a number of restaurants, hotels, and clubs including the Hotel Statler and later the Los Angeles
Athletic Club, circa 1976-1981. Bloom also had a drag persona, Luella. He died on May 26, 1988.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries 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.
Immediate Source of Acquistion
Date and method of acquisition unknown.
[Box 1, folder #,] Luther "Luella" Bloom papers, Coll2014-084, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University
of Southern California.
Collection processed by Michael C. Oliveira, October 2014.
The collection primarily consists of documents related to Bloom's membership in the Hotel & Restaurant Employees and Bartenders
International Union and his employment as a waiter at various clubs, hotels, and restaurants. The documents include paystubs,
tax returns, union dues booklets, and a copy of the 1975 uniform contract. The collection also contains an apartment lease,
bail bond receipts (2), benefit letters, business cards, a diary (which contains fictional dates/appointments), canceled checks,
greeting cards, identification cards, notes with addresses and phone numbers, programs, receipts, and photographs. The photographs
document Bloom's drag persona, Luella; parties at local bars including the Fallen Angel in Los Angeles; and images of his
dogs, family, and friends.
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Photographs
greeting cards
Cross dressing -- United States
Bloom, Luther E. "Luella"