Inventory of the Thomas Sgovio papers
Finding aid prepared by Hoover Institution Library and Archives Staff
Hoover Institution Library and Archives
© 2010
434 Galvez Mall
Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305-6003
hoover-library-archives@stanford.edu
Title: Thomas Sgovio papers
Date (inclusive): 1938-2008
Collection Number: 87038
Contributing Institution: Hoover Institution Library and Archives
Language of Material: In English and Russian
Physical Description:
2 manuscript boxes, 1 oversize box, 12 canvas paintings, 2 optical disks, digital material
(2.2 Linear Feet)
Abstract: Memoir, relating to imprisonment in Soviet forced labor camps; photocopies of Soviet arrest records and summaries of judicial
proceedings, and of United States Federal Bureau of Investigation reports on interviews after repatriation; and 44 original
paintings and drawings depicting living and working conditions in Soviet forced labor camps.
Creator:
Sgovio, Thomas
Physical Location: Hoover Institution Library & Archives
Access
Art rack items may not be used without permission of the Archivist. The remainder of the collection is open for research;
materials must be requested in advance via our reservation system. If there are audiovisual or digital media material in the
collection, they must be reformatted before providing access.
Use
For copyright status, please contact the Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Acquisition Information
Acquired by the Hoover Institution Library & Archives in 1987.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Thomas Sgovio papers, [Box no., Folder no. or title], Hoover Institution Library & Archives.
Biographical Note
American artist; prisoner in Soviet forced labor camps, Kolyma and Krasnoyarsk regions, 1938-1954.
Scope and Content of Collection
Memoir, relating to imprisonment in Soviet forced labor camps; photocopies of Soviet arrest records and summaries of judicial
proceedings, and of United States Federal Bureau of Investigation reports on interviews after repatriation; and 44 original
paintings and drawings depicting living and working conditions in Soviet forced labor camps.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Forced labor -- Soviet Union
Soviet Union -- Pictorial works
Paintings
Drawing
box 1
Paintings and drawings depicting living and working conditions in Soviet forced labor camps
box 2
Memoir relating to a return visit to the Kolyma forced labor camps in Russia in
1995
box 2
Photocopies of arrest records and summaries of judicial proceedings
1938-1996
Scope and Contents note
In Russian with English translations
box MC36
Of the Russian Siberian Paintings by Thomas Sgovio, narrated by Grace Deitch Boogay DVD
Access
Digital materials are not available until processed. If interested in accessing these materials, please contact us for more
information.
Scope and Contents
1 optical disk.
box MC36
Celebration of the Century: Parade of Vehicles, on GM's 100th Birthday and the Tonawanda Engine's 70th anniversary DVD
2008 September 12
Access
Digital materials are not available until processed. If interested in accessing these materials, please contact us for more
information.
Scope and Contents
1 optical disk.
box 3
Photocopies of United States Federal Bureau of Investigation memoranda, reports, and interview summaries relating to experiences
of Thomas Sgovio in the Soviet Union
1960-1970
Paintings on Canvas
Access
Art rack items may not be used without permission of the Archivist
Scope and Contents
Paintings are oil on canvas. Many of them depict "Zeks," an abbreviation for "zakluchenni," meaning "prisoners."
art rack
"Frost Bite"
1963
Access
May not be used without permission of the Archivist.
art rack
Untitled
1963
Scope and Contents note
Depicts the face of corpse with chopped off hands hanging around its neck. From the Sgovio website: "Depicting the winter
of 1944-45. In old 'Pobyeda' hands were chopped off frozen corpses for fingerprinting."
Access
May not be used without permission of the Archivist.
art rack
"The Valley of Death, Kolyma, 1943"
1966
Access
May not be used without permission of the Archivist.
Scope and Contents
Depicts Zek carrying corpse to burial site.
art rack
"HOAR-FROST"
1967
Scope and Contents note
Depicts Monster Face of Zek covered in hoar frost.
Access
May not be used without permission of the Archivist.
art rack
"Slave Laborer: Kolyma Gold Fields"
1967
Scope and Contents note
Depicts full figure of Zek standing in frost, with a mittened hand pressed to his face.
Access
May not be used without permission of the Archivist.
art rack
"Strip Mining: Winter Work"
1967
Scope and Contents note
Depicts Zeks in a gold field pushing a sledge at night. A fire burns in background to warm a guard.
Access
May not be used without permission of the Archivist.
art rack
"Ballanda"
1971
Scope and Contents note
Depicts Zeks in a canteen. From Sgovio's memoir
Dear America!: "'Ballanda' was the 'slop I dare not call soup' served to the prisoners."
Access
May not be used without permission of the Archivist.
art rack
"Somewhere in the Frozen Archipelago"
1976
Scope and Contents note
Depicts Zeks marching to work with a compound in background.
Access
May not be used without permission of the Archivist.
art rack
Untitled [Summer Work]
1976
Scope and Contents note
Depicts Zek pushing a wheelbarrow.
Access
May not be used without permission of the Archivist.
art rack
Untitled
circa late 1970s
Scope and Contents
Depicts a hammer and sickle and a Soviet soldier with faces of Zeks in the background.
Access
May not be used without permission of the Archivist.
art rack
Untitled [Zeks behind barbed wire]
circa late 1970s
Access
May not be used without permission of the Archivist.
art rack
Untitled [Zeks in canteen]
circa late 1970s
Scope and Contents note
Depicts Zeks at the mess-barrack at Camp Skritii. Sign at top of painting reads: "продуктивно работать - культурном отдыхать"
["Work Productively - Repose Culturally"]
Access
May not be used without permission of the Archivist.
onsite digital
Scrapbook
circa 1910-1997
Scope and Contents
Contains certificate issued by military tribunal, District of Moscow; photographs and photocopies of photographs (family,
street scenes, artwork); newspaper clippings and photocopies of clippings; and other printed matter. Some photos have captions
in English, Italian, or Russian. (106 digital files)
