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Sirak (Joseph J. Jr.) Collection
SPC.1900.023
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Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Joseph J. Sirak Jr. Collection
Creator:
Sirak, Joseph J., Jr.
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.1900.023
Physical Description:
18 boxes
Physical Description:
18 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1926-1988; undated
Date (bulk): 1960-1980
Abstract: This collection contains autographed books, letters, clippings, photographs, articles, and other material relating to writers
and politicans and collected by Joseph J. Sirak Jr. Often the files for the authors and politicans contains a summary of how
he met the person, their titles, works, and other biographical information along with material he collected about the person
such as clippings, autographs, books, articles, and short stories. The letters in the files are from the politicans and writers
acknowledging the letter Sirak wrote to them, and often times thanking them for Sirak's praise of their work. A majority of
the photographs are from when Sirak met with the author or politican.
Physical Location: This collection is located in first floor storage. Please allow additional time for items in this collection to be paged.
Language of Material:
English
.
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
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.
For information about citing archival material, see the
Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.
The Joseph J. Sirak, Jr. collection (1960-1988; undated) contains eighteen boxes of letters, photographs, clippings, articles,
autographs, and autographed books regarding politicians and authors. Often the materials include a summary of how Sirak met
the person and sometimes includes a biographical note on the individual as well. A majority of the letters were sent by politicans
or writers thanking Sirak for writing to them, or were written as a response to Sirak's request for an appointment or autograph.
Sometimes, the correspondence includes a discussion of the author's writings. A majority of the genres of the books in this
collection fall under mystery, science fiction, and western. This collection also includes clippings and articles about the
politicans and authors; short stories, articles, and books written by the included authors; and photographs taken when Sirak
met with the author or politican. Authors include Louis L'Amour, Ursula LeGuin, Earle Stanley Gardner, Daphne du Maurier,
and Pearl S. Buck. Other books include mystery anthologies such as various Alfred Hitchcock series, Ellery Queen's Masters
of Mystery, and Best Detective Stories of the Year; and articles and clippings are often from "Fangoria" and "TV Guide". Politicians
include several governors, congressmen, senators, and others including Richard Nixon, George Schultz, Margaret Chase Smith,
and Michael Dukakis. This collection is arranged alphabetically by last name.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by the American Heritage Center.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Novelists -- 20th century
Authors -- Correspondence
Politics
Autographs