Finding Aid for the John W. Rowberry Papers, ca. 1972-1993

Processed by Manuscripts Division staff; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé and Dan Luckenbill
UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections
Manuscripts Division
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/special/scweb/
© 1999
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Finding Aid for the John W. Rowberry Papers, ca. 1972-1993

Collection number: 366

UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections

Manuscripts Division



Los Angeles, CA

Contact Information

  • Manuscripts Division
  • UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections
  • Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
  • Box 951575
  • Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
  • Telephone: 310/825-4988 (10:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Pacific Time)
  • Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
  • URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/special/scweb/
Processed by:
Manuscripts Division staff, 1999
Encoded by:
Caroline Cubé and Dan Luckenbill
Online finding aid edited by:
Josh Fiala, August 2002
© 1999 The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.

Descriptive Summary

Title: John W. Rowberry Papers,
Date (inclusive): ca. 1972-1993
Collection number: 366
Creator: Rowberry, John W.
Extent: 8 boxes (4 linear ft.)
Repository: University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Department of Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Abstract: John W. Rowberry (1948-1993) was a writer, editor, and film critic for various gay publications. His fiction was published in various anthologies and also in the book, Lewd Conduct (1993). The collection consists of manuscripts, typescripts, correspondence, and publications related to the work of John W. Rowberry and reflects his involvement with the gay community and various gay publications.
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Language: English.

Administrative Information

Restrictions on Use and Reproduction

Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Restrictions on Access

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Advance notice required for access.

Additional Physical Form Available

A copy of the original version of this online finding aid is available at the UCLA Department of Special Collections for in-house consultation and may be obtained for a fee. Please contact:
  • Public Services Division
  • UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections
  • Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
  • Box 951575
  • Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
  • Telephone: 310/825-4988 (10:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Pacific Time)
  • Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu

Provenance/Source of Acquisition

Gift of Gary L. Voice, 1995.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], John W. Rowberry Papers (Collection 366). Department of Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

UCLA Catalog Record ID

UCLA Catalog Record ID: 2976696 

Biography

Rowberry was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on September 1, 1948; distinguished himself as a writer, editor, and film critic for various gay publications; met artist Robert Musgrave in 1969 and the two remained lovers until Musgrave's death in 1987; moved to Los Angeles, 1972; editor, Entertainment West; moved to San Francisco, 1979; editor of publications, including The Alternate, Mach, Stud Flix, Uncut, Inches, Foreskin Quarterly, Adult Video News, and Stallion; moved to San Diego, 1988; edited the Adam Film World Directory; his fiction was published in various anthologies and also in the book, Lewd Conduct (1993); wrote screenplay for Blue Angel (1986); deteriorating health forced him to retire in 1993 and he died of AIDS complications on December 4, 1993.

Scope and Content

Collection consists of manuscripts, typescripts, correspondence, and publications related to the work of John W. Rowberry. Most of the material reflects Rowberry's involvement with the gay community and various gay publications.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

COLLECTION CONTAINS DIGITAL MATERIALS: Special equipment or further processing may be required for viewing. To access digital materials you must notify the reference desk in advance of your visit.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Rowberry, John W.--Archives.
Gay journalists--California--Archival resources.
Gay men's writings, American--Archival resources.


 

Writing and Publications Material

 

Fiction(?)

 

Murder in California by John Rowberry and Lawrence Reh

Box 2, Folder 3

Manuscript Material. n.d.

Physical Description: Typescript.
 

Precinct Blues

Box 2, Folder 4

Manuscript Material. late 1970s(?).

Physical Description: Primarily typescript.

Scope and Content Note

Various story drafts.
 

Nonfiction

 

Rainer Werner Fassbinder

Box 2, Folder 6

Research Material and Drafts(?). Early 1980s.

Scope and Content Note

Includes two reviews / articles by Rowberry.
 

The David Likens Murder

Box 2, Folder 1

Manuscript Material and Notes. ca. 1979 and later.

 

Poetry, Fiction, Nonfiction

 

Various

Box 2, Folder 2

Manuscripts, Research Clippings. Late 1970s- .

Scope and Content Note

Includes clipping of article about John Rechy, is by Rowberry(?). One page from assembled poems gives statements about where some had been published.
 

Publications

 

Letters from Contributors, etc.

Box 1, Folder 5

ca. 1991-1992.

Scope and Content Note

Includes letters from: Essex Hemphill, Greg Johnson, Steven Saylor, Leigh W. Rutledge, Lars Eighner, etc.
Also, note from Ken Edwards on doing a movie in Mexico, with his analysis of Mexican macho, etc.
Box 1, Folder 6

ca. 1989-1993.

Scope and Content Note

Includes letters from: William Cozad, Alex Stamnos, Bill Schmeling (The Hun), Richard Lamonte Burnside, Midnight (aka Diablito), Edmund Miller ( Gay and Lesbian Literary Heritage contributor)
Also, Miller writing about Rowberry.
Box 1, Folder 7

ca. 1979-1993.

Scope and Content Note

Includes letters from: Ed Fury, Michael Lowenthal, Scott O'Hara, Falcon Studios, Ricard Lamonte Burnside, Bob Maricardi ( The Magazine, San Francisco), Ned Bate(?) ( Blade), Steven Saylor, Gerhard Pohl, Elizabeth Gershman (Knights Press), etc.
Also, manuscript of A Profile of Jeff Stryker by Victor Largo, and press release for Lewd Conduct, by Rowberry.
 

Hale Research Corporation (Jack Monroe)

Box 1, Folder 4

Letters. ca. 1988-1991.

 

Hale's Supplement (Video Reviews)

Box 2, Folder 5

Revisions(?). n.d.

Scope and Content Note

Data and brief summaries (photocopies) and copy of the work.
 

Inches, etc.

Box 3, Folder 3

Publication Material. 1992.

Scope and Content Note

Includes letter from Bill Schmeling (The Hun).
Also, copies of legal briefs.
 

Joe Tiffenbach

Box 1, Folder 3

Correspondence and Photographs. ca. 1989-1990.

Scope and Content Note

Includes some photographs.
 

John Preston

Box 1, Folder 2

Letters and Faxes. ca. 1981-1993.

Scope and Content Note

Various Preston publications and projects, including manuscript of Coming to Our Senses (autobiography).
Some refer to stories printed in Drummer (edited by Rowberry).
Also, press information for A Member of the Family, with contributions by Michael Nava, etc.
 

Overload

Box 7, Folder 7

Publication Material. 1993.

Scope and Content Note

Letters and proofs.
Includes material from: John Preston and William Cozad.
 

Reviewing(?)

Box 3, Folder 4

Manuscript: My Life as a Pornographer ... by John Preston. 1993.

Scope and Content Note

Page proofs.
 

Skins Publication Material

Box 5, Folder 6

Letters from contributors. 1988-1991.

Box 6, Folder 2

Submissions: from Peter Leko, Sherwin Carlquist, etc. 1991-1992.

 

Skins(?) Publication Material(?)

Box 2, Folder 8

Letters primarily from Vernon Brooks. 1991-1992.

 

Various

 

Model Releases

Box 6, Folder 1

From several publications, primarily Stars. ca. 1981.

 

Publication Material - Submissions and Correspondence

Box 2, Folder 9

ca. 1978.

Scope and Content Note

From Wong (pseudonym). Sent to Drummer.
Box 3, Folder 5

1990-1991.

Scope and Content Note

Includes material from: Boyd McDonald, Bob Marindardi(?) ( The Magazine, San Francisco).
Box 4, Folder 1

1993-1994.

Scope and Content Note

From: William Cozad, etc.
Box 4, Folder 2

1993.

Scope and Content Note

From: William Cozad, Clay Caldwell (pseudonym), James Medley and Jon Varga.
Some stories (n.d.) seem much earlier.
Box 4, Folder 3

1992(?)-1993.

Scope and Content Note

Submissions from: William Cozad, Alex Stamnos, Michael Bronski, Joe Tiffenbach, Lars Eighner, etc.
Bronski manuscript is Queers in the White House.
Tiffenbach manuscript is Picture Postcards from Hollywood [early gay history].
Box 4, Folder 4

1992-1993.

Scope and Content Note

Submissions from: William Cozad, Jon Varga, Clay Caldwell (pseudonym) and Mitzel
Box 4, Folder 5

1991- .

Scope and Content Note

Submissions from: Chris Burns, William Cozad, Anthony Bruno, Hank Trout and Stan Leventahl.
Box 5, Folder 1

1990s(?).

Scope and Content Note

Submissions from Bill Hunter.
Box 5, Folder 2

1990-1992.

Scope and Content Note

Submissions from Gilbert Mountaincross, William Cozad, letter from John Preston, Hollywood celebs nude.
Includes the original promotional flyer for Uncut magazine.
Also, letterhead and envelopes, Harvey Milk [blank].
Box 5, Folder 5

1985- .

Scope and Content Note

Submissions and publication details. Includes material from: L.E. Ward, Rex.
Includes: Gay Men Talk about Life on the Russian River, by Charles Linebarger.
Box 5, Folder 7

n.d.

Scope and Content Note

Mailing lists.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

One 3.5 inch floppy disk; four 5.25 inch floppy disks.
Special equipment or further processing may be required for viewing. To access digital materials you must notify the reference desk in advance of your visit.
Box 7, Folder 2

1993.

Scope and Content Note

Letters and submissions from John Preston.
Box 7, Folder 3

1993 and n.d.

Scope and Content Note

Letters and submissions from John Preston.
Box 7, Folder 4

1989-1993.

Scope and Content Note

Letters and submissions.
Includes material from: Jim Moss, Bill Schmeling (The Hun).
Also, notes on video making by Jim Moss and manuscript on men of the South Pacific.
Box 7, Folder 5

1990-1993.

Scope and Content Note

Includes material from: Stanley Stellar, Jim Moss and John Preston.
Box 7, Folder 9

1990-1992.

Scope and Content Note

Letters and manuscripts from Peter Leko: video reviews, etc.

Note

Evidently edited by John Rowberry.
Box 6, Folders 3-4

Publication Material(?). 1990s primarily.

Scope and Content Note

Research clippings on court cases, obscenity rulings, etc.
 

Research Material, etc.

Box 8, Folder 1

Copies of mailings, etc. ca. 1989-1991.

Scope and Content Note

UNCUT Society of America, etc.
About not circumcising.
Box 8, Folders 2-4

Copies of Remain Intact mailings, etc. ca. 1985-1988.

Scope and Content Note

These are extensive photocopies of clippings annotated by Russell Zangger (Lawrwood, Iowa).
 

Various(?)

Box 5, Folder 3

Publication Material. 1990-1991.

Scope and Content Note

Includes: correspondence with L.E. Ward ( Gay Hollywood)
 

Video Reviews

Box 3, Folder 1

Publication Material. ca. 1986- .

Scope and Content Note

From Advocate Men, Drummer, etc.
Primarily clippings (photocopies) and ephemera.
 

Publications(?)

 

David Hurle

Box 7, Folder 1

Publication Material(?). 1970s-1990s.

Scope and Content Note

Letters and enclosures from David Hurle (Old Reliable).
Box 2, Folder 7

Research Material(?). 1992.

Scope and Content Note

David Hurle's video journal. No title; notes on all videos and models, including Champ, Brian Diaz, Rod Garetto, Eddie Perez, Raoul, etc.

Note

Hurle's business is Old Reliable.
 

Navy Stories

Box 7, Folder 8

Manuscript Material (no authors given). n.d.

Physical Description: Copies.
 

R.A. Enterprises

Box 1, Folder 1

Letters and Advertisements. primarily early 1990s.

Physical Description: (Photocopies).

Scope and Content Note

From R.E. (Dick) Fontaine. Fontaine's movies, etc. were produced 1949-1970s(?). Rowberry wrote criticisms of videos, carried ads in his publications, etc.
 

Unknown

Box 7, Folder 6

Manuscript Material. Early(?).

Scope and Content Note

Anonymous.
 

Reviews

 

John Rowberry's Best Gay Videos

Box 3, Folder 2

Manuscript Material. 1993.

Scope and Content Note

Letters submitting names and information.
 

Unknown

 

Archive

Box 5, Folder 4

Research Material. 1993(?).

Scope and Content Note

Blanks from John Cox for models to fill in with personal information.