Jerome Robinson (1910-1976) was the official photographer for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in New York (1930-31), published a book titled, The complete plays of Gilbert and Sullivan (1938), joined the staff of Theater arts and Stage magazines, and did theater features for Life magazine. He moved to Hollywood, California (1943) and worked as the official photographer for the Pasadena Playhouse (1943-58). He was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in 1950 and declared an unfriendly witness because he refused to testify. He never worked in a motion picture studio again, although his career in the theater continued until 1958. The collection consists of approximately 10,000 photographs and 20,000 negatives taken by Robinson of theatrical performances and performers in New York, Pasadena, and Los Angeles.

Robinson was born in New York City on February 25, 1910; an uncle gave him a camera as a birthday gift, and he won first prize in the Radio City Music Hall opening photographic contest; official photographer, D'Oyly Carte Opera Company performing Gilbert and Sullivan operettas in New York, 1930-31; Robinson published a book titled, The complete plays of Gilbert and Sullivan (1938); later joined the staff of Theater arts and Stage magazines and even did theater features for Life magazine; decided to move to Hollywood, California, in 1943; official photographer, Pasadena Playhouse, 1943-58; began working in major film studios in 1944; called before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) in 1950 and declared an unfriendly witness because he refused to testify; he never worked in a motion picture studio again, although his career in the theater continued until 1958; did free-lance work for the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera Association, the Biltmore Theatre, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Circle Theatre, the Ivar, and many others; died July 9, 1976.Jerome Robinson was born in New York City on February 25, 1910, son of Barney and Nettie Robinson. He had one sister, now Beatrice (Mrs. Wilbur) Schreiber, and many aunts and uncles, sisters and brothers of his mother. He attended public schools in New York, and though he read continuously, he never liked school mainly because he was not getting the art training he wanted. At 16 he quit school and found a job as a painters' "devil" in a fabric design company. He did, however, continue art studies at both Art Center and Cooper Union at night. By age 19 he was himself a designer of floral prints and "happi-coats."

15.0 Linear Feet (26 boxes, 2 cartons, and 2 oversize boxes)

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