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Ben Singer papers, 1989-2007 (inclusive)

Extent:

1.2 linear feet ((4 boxes))

Abstract:

Ben Singer was an active voice in the Philadelphia transgender community from the 1990s to 2000s and beyond. The Singer papers collection spans 1989 to 2007 and is comprised of organizational paperwork dealing with the trans-focused public health initiatives he helped found (the Trans-health Information project) and the local politics surrounding community outreach and activism. Included are files about community events, news articles relating to the trans community (including ones Singer wrote), and social groups.

Held at: John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives, William Way LGBT Community Center [Contact Us]

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Matt Hoffman leather collection, 1978-1993 (inclusive)

Extent:

2.5 cubic feet ((4 flat boxes and 1 hat box))

Abstract:

Matt P. Hoffman (1954-1995) was a gay man who worked as the general manager for the Bike Stop, "Philadelphia's Leather Bar since 1982," and who was active in gay male leather subculture. The Matt Hoffman leather collection is comprised of objects dated from 1978 to 1993, including leather clothing and accessories, pins and buttons, and kink paraphernalia.

Held at: John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives, William Way LGBT Community Center [Contact Us]

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LGBT poetry, prose, music, and photography chapbooks, 1965-2017 (inclusive)

Extent:

1.6 linear feet ((4 document boxes))

Abstract:

This collection is made up of LGBT-related poetry, prose, music, and photography chapboooks produced from the 1960s through the current day, most from the 1970s and 1980s. The majority of the materials are in the poetic genre, but literature including short stories and plays are included, as well as books of lyrics and musical notation, and books of photography, especially those which include creative texts alongside the graphics material.

Held at: John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives, William Way LGBT Community Center [Contact Us]

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Kay Lahusen papers, 1961-2021 (inclusive)

Extent:

23.84 linear feet (39 document boxes, 2 photo boxes, 1 record carton, 1 custom keepsakes box, 4 flat boxes, 2 oversized flat boxes, 1 oversized folder, and 2 oversized framed items.)

Abstract:

Katherine "Kay" Lahusen (1930–2021) was a photojournalist, author, activist, and longtime partner of Barbara Gittings (1961–2007), considered by many to be the mother of the LGBT movement in the United States. Lahusen's photography and activism was integral to the organizing work of Gittings and fellow activist Frank Kameny. The Kay Lahusen papers are comprised primarily of content Lahusen retained, created, or consumed in the fourteen years following Barbara Gittings' death in 2007 until her own passing in 2021.

Held at: John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives, William Way LGBT Community Center [Contact Us]

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Bill Goldberg photographs, playbills, and ephemera, 1972-2008 (inclusive)

Extent:

11 boxes ((10 document boxes, 1 oversized box, 1 large folder))

Abstract:

William (Bill) Goldberg (1937-2019?) performed in drag, going under the stage name "Mame," and performed as a supernumerary (non-singing or speaking role) in productions of the Opera Company of Philadelphia. He often attended and hosted parties with friends for anniversaries, birthdays, and other holidays; and attended plays, ballets, operas, and concerts. The collection contains a variety of material types that document Bill Goldberg's interests, hobbies, profession, and social life. The collection is divided into seven series: I. Small photograph albums; II. Large photograph albums and scrapbooks; III. Programs and playbills; IV. Ephemera; V. Correspondence; VI. Clippings; and VII. Oversized.

Held at: John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives, William Way LGBT Community Center [Contact Us]

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John Brown memoir, circa 1960s-1970s

Extent:

1 folders

Abstract:

This collection consists of a single item: an 8-page handwritten memoir by John Brown, who also went by Sammy as well as by the drag name Marilyn. It tells the story of how Brown was introduced to gay life in Philadelphia, how he and friend Jack Van Alstyne met queens in Rittenhouse Square in 1953, and how he took on the drag name Marilyn. It also has details about Brown serving time in juvenile detention in 1954.

Held at: John J. Wilcox, Jr. LGBT Archives, William Way LGBT Community Center [Contact Us]

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Mary Wickham Bond papers on the "real" James Bond, 1907-1997 (inclusive)

Extent:

2.17 linear feet (4 containers)

Abstract:

The lives of James and Mary Bond, a Philadelphia ornithologist and author, respectively, were altered the day that author Ian Fleming, a bird lover who was familiar with Bond’s book, “The Birds of the West Indies,” appropriated James Bond’s name for his fictional spy character. The resulting confusion prompted Mary Wickham Bond to write “How 007 Got His Name,” in 1966, in which she tells the story of the real James Bond. This collection consists of Mary Wickham Bond’s collection of information regarding her husband, her own works on the writing, publishing and promoting of her books about her husband, and David Contosta’s writings about her husband.

Held at: Free Library of Philadelphia: Rare Book Department [Contact Us]

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Emma L. Brock notes and illustrations, 1958 (inclusive)

Extent:

0.01 linear feet

Abstract:

The collection contains three color separations for page 27 of Skipping Island (1958) by Emma L. Brock, with an identifying note.

Held at: Free Library of Philadelphia: Children's Literature Research Collection [Contact Us]

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Virginia Lee Burton papers, circa 1954-1962 (inclusive)

Extent:

12.5 linear feet

Abstract:

This collection consists of sketches, artwork, illustrations, dummies, galleys, typescripts, and color separations created by Virginia Lee Burton for the book Life Story (1962).

Held at: Free Library of Philadelphia: Children's Literature Research Collection [Contact Us]

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Charles Dickens collection, 1832-1870 (bulk) 1832-1993 (inclusive)

Extent:

6.8 linear feet

Abstract:

Charles Dickens (1812-1870) was one of the most popular English novelists of the Victorian era as well as a vigorous social campaigner. This is a collection of correspondence, manuscript material, and other items related to him. The material dates from 1832-1993, with the bulk of the material dating from 1832-1870. The bulk of the correspondence consists of autograph letters by Dickens. There are also autograph letters from Dickens’s circle of family, friends, and associates.

Held at: Free Library of Philadelphia: Rare Book Department [Contact Us]