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Sanford (Marvin) Papers
mssSanford
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
The Huntington Library
Title: Marvin Sanford papers
Creator:
Sanford, Marvin.
Identifier/Call Number: mssSanford
Physical Description:
1 Linear Feet
(2 boxes)
Date (inclusive): 1896-1970
Abstract: This collection contains correspondence, manuscripts, and ephemera related to American labor supporter and socialist Marvin
Sanford (1897-1974) and his work in socialism, labor unions, and communism. The following topics and people are referenced
in the collection: Edward Bellamy, cooperative societies including the Llano Colony, Eugene V. Debs, DeForest Sanford, Ricardo
Flores Magón, the Industrial Workers of the World, Jack London, and Thomas Mooney.
Language of Material: English.
Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader
Services.
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material,
nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and
obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
[Identification of item]. Marvin Sanford papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.
Purchased from George M. Sarris, July 1975.
Marvin Sanford (1897-1974), labor supporter and socialist, was the son of DeForest Sanford, another notable socialist. In
the 1890s, the Sanford family moved to Washington State where DeForest Sanford established the "Peoples Advocate," a newspaper
for the Social Democratic party; he also edited the official paper of the Knights of the Labor Advocate. The Sanfords later
moved to Santa Cruz, California. The Sanford family also spent many years living at the Llano del Rio Colony in Antelope Valley,
California. Marvin Sanford, like his father, also published socialist newspapers including "Free Society," "The Searchlight,"
and "The Voice of the Militant Labor." Marvin Sanford wrote many articles for the International Socialist Review and was a
teacher at the Commonwealth College in Mena, Arkansas.
The majority of the collection is related to Marvin Sanford and his work in socialism, labor unions, and communism. The collection
is comprised of 72 manuscripts, most of which are typescripts of articles by various socialist writers including Daniel De
Leon, Samuel A. DeWitt, Edward Keating, Gustavus Myers, Emil Seidel, and Norman Thomas. Also included are articles and research
notes written by Marvin Sanford. There are 88 pieces of correspondence, most of which are written to Marvin Sanford and chiefly
deal with socialism and politics in California. Authors of correspondence include Charles Pierce LeWarne and the World Socialist
Party of the United States. The correspondence also includes 44 letters from DeForest Sanford to his son Marvin; these letters,
which are written from the Union Printers Home in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where DeForest spent the last years of his life,
include some of DeForest's memories of his involvement with the socialist movement, labor unions, and the Llano Colony. The
ephemera is comprised of newspaper clippings, and copies of Sanford's publications "Free Society," "The Searchlight," and
"The Voice of Militant Labor." The entire collection covers socialism, communism, and union and labor issues, but more specifically
the following topics and people are discussed: Edward Bellamy, cooperative societies including the Llano Colony, Eugene V.
Debs, Ricardo Flores Magón, the Industrial Workers of the World, Jack London, and Thomas Mooney.
Arranged in the following order:
- Box 1: Manuscripts
- Box 2: Correspondence and Ephemera
Secretary of the Young Socialist League (U.S.)
- Addressee of Carl B. Beals letter (1915, Feb. 26). Box 2 (3).
Bellamy, Edward, 1850-1898
- Subject in Newton Van Dalsem speech, "The Bellamy Movement in Southern California" (1950, Mar. 27). Box 1 (31).
- Subject in Newton Van Dalsem letter [1950] to Marvin Sanford. Box 2 (27).
Cooperative societies
- Subject in Nevada Colony Corporation "By-Laws of the Nevada Colony Corporation" (1915-1916). Box 1 (7).
- Subject in Marvin Sanford Manuscript regarding Co-operative Colonies [c.1913]. Box 1 (19).
- Subject in Charles Pierce LeWarne, 1930-, letters (1968-1970) to Marvin Sanford. Box 2 (10).
- Subject in Walter E. Reynolds letter (1933, Oct. 16) to Marvin Sanford. Box 2 (12).
Debs, Eugene V.
- Subject in Carl B. Beals letter (1915, Feb. 26) to Secretary of the Young Socialist League (U.S.). Box 2 (3).
- Subject in Luella Twining letter [c.1939] to "Editor, People's World." Box 2 (26).
Flores Magón, Ricardo, 1873-1922
- Subject in article "Socialists and the Mexican Liberals" (1911, June 24). Box 1 (39).
Industrial Workers of the World
- Subject in Ephemera: Newspaper Clippings (1936-1965). Box 2 (38).
Llano Colony (secular community)
- Subject in Marvin Sanford Manuscript regarding Co-operative Colonies [c.1913]. Box 1 (19).
- Subject in Walter E. Reynolds letter (1933, Oct. 16) to Marvin Sanford. Box 2 (12).
- Subject in DeForest Sanford letters (1952-1956) to Marvin Sanford. Box 2 (16).
- Subject in Bernie Stevens letter (1969, June 27) to Marvin Sanford. Box 2 (24).
London, Jack
- Subject in Marvin Sanford Article regarding Jack London, 1876-1916 [after 1916]. Box 1 (10).
- Subject in Luella Twining letter [c.1939] to "Editor, People's World." Box 2 (26).
- Subject in Hensley Charles Woodbridge, 1923-, letter (1961, Aug. 4) to Marvin Sanford. Box 2 (29).
- Subject in Robert Hanson Woodward, 1925-, letter (1969, June 25) to Marvin Sanford. Box 2 (30).
Mooney, Thomas J., 1882-1942
- Subject in Luella Twining letter [c.1939] to "Editor, People's World." Box 2 (26).
Former call number: mssSanford papers.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Amateur journalism -- California
Communism -- United States
Cooperative societies -- United States
Labor movement -- California -- Periodicals.
Labor unions -- United States -- History -- Sources
Socialism -- California -- History -- Sources
Socialism -- California -- Periodicals.
Socialism -- United States
Socialists -- United States -- Correspondence
Communism -- California
California -- Politics and government.
Articles -- 20th century
Letters (correspondence) -- 20th century
Newsletters -- California -- 20th century
Newspapers -- California -- 20th century
Typescripts -- 20th century
Bellamy, Edward, 1850-1898
Debs, Eugene V. (Eugene Victor), 1855-1926
Flores Magón, Ricardo, 1873-1922
London, Jack, 1876-1916
Mooney, Thomas J., 1882-1942
De Leon, Daniel, 1852-1914
De Witt, Samuel A.
Myers, Gustavus, 1872-1942
LeWarne, Charles Pierce, 1930-
Sanford, DeForest.
Seidel, Emil.
Thomas, Norman, 1884-1968
Industrial Workers of the World.
Llano Colony (Secular community)
Searchlight (San Francisco, Calif.)
World Socialist Party of the United States.
Young Socialist League (U.S.), correspondent.