Hewins (Ralph) collected papers for biography of Getty (J. Paul), Circa 1890s-1973, 1984, undated (bulk 1957-1973)

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Summary

Title:
Collected papers for biography of J. Paul Getty
Dates:
Circa 1890s-1973, 1984, undated (bulk 1957-1973)
Creators:
Hewins, Ralph
Abstract:
The collection comprises material created or collected by Ralph Hewins in the course of researching and writing the biography The Richest American: J. Paul Getty (1960). The material dates from around the 1890s to 1973 and includes correspondence that discusses Hewins' writings about Getty, a number of unpublished manuscripts, personal photographs given to Hewins by Mr. Getty, and other related photographs, clippings, and ephemera belonging to Hewins.
Extent:
2.6 linear feet (5 boxes, 1 flat file)
Language:
Collection material is in English
Preferred citation:

[Cite the item and series (as appropriate)], Collected Papers for Biography of J. Paul Getty, circa 1890s-1973, 1984 and undated, Ralph Hewins. The Getty Research Institute (IA20012).

Background

Scope and content:

The collection comprises material created or collected by Ralph Hewins in the course of researching and writing the biography The Richest American: J. Paul Getty (1960). The material dates from around the 1890s to 1973 and 1984 and includes correspondence that discusses Hewins' writings about Getty, a number of unpublished manuscripts, personal photographs given to Hewins by Mr. Getty, and other related photographs, clippings, and ephemera belonging to Hewins. The collection has two main strengths: the unpublished material and the photographs.

The papers include a substantial body of correspondence between Hewins and Getty, as well as scattered letters received from Allene Ashby, Penelope Kitson and other Getty family members and associates. The manuscripts comprise Hewins' published and unpublished material about Getty, probably assembled as a potential update to the 1960 biography. These writings are mainly anecdotal in nature; some relate to Getty's friendships and others to his business or recreational activities. A large file of photocopied international clippings chronicle Getty's press coverage through the fifties, sixties and seventies, many of these concerning the kidnapping of Getty's grandson.

The photographic prints and negatives contain over 200 unique images, ranging from approximately the 1890s to the late 1960s, collected by Ralph Hewins. The images include an array of professional photographs and informal snapshots of Getty, his wives, children, friends, associates, businesses, properties, projects, and residences. Some of the images were published in Hewins' book.

Arrangement

These records are organized in three series: Series I. Correspondence, 1957-1971, undated; Series II. Manuscripts and background information, 1960-1973, 1984, undated; Series III. Photographs, circa 1890s-1960s.

Biographical / historical:

Ralph Hewins (d. 1984) was a professional journalist largely concerned with the very wealthy. He was the author of The Richest American: J. Paul Getty (1960). Hewins became a personal friend of Mr. Getty during the years he spent researching and writing Getty's biography.

Acquisition information:
The collection was donated to the Getty by Ralph Hewins in 1984 and subsequently assigned accession number 1986.IA.10.
Processing information:

In 2005 Sue Luftschein rehoused the materials and created this finding aid based, in part, on the preliminary inventory. In 2010 Cyndi Shein arranged and described the photographs, and revised the finding aid.

Physical location:
To access physical materials at the Getty, go to the library catalog record for this collection and click "Request an Item." Click here for general library access policy. See the Administrative Information section of this finding aid for access restrictions specific to the records described below. Please note, some of the records may be stored off site; advanced notice is required for access to these materials.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid prepared by Sue Luftschein and Cyndi Shein
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2011-02-04T18:35-0800

Access and use

Restrictions:

The records described in accession 1986.IA.10 are available for use by qualified researchers.

The following types of records are permanently closed: records containing personal information, records that compromise security or operations, legal communications, legal work product, and records related to donors. The J. Paul Getty Trust reserves the right to restrict access to any records held by the Institutional Archives.

Terms of access:

Contact Library Rights and Reproductions.

Preferred citation:

[Cite the item and series (as appropriate)], Collected Papers for Biography of J. Paul Getty, circa 1890s-1973, 1984 and undated, Ralph Hewins. The Getty Research Institute (IA20012).

Location of this collection:
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, CA 90049-1688, US
Contact:
(310) 440-7390
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