David F. Stern papers, 1945-2005

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Stern, David F.
Title
David F. Stern papers
Dates
1945-2005 (inclusive)
Quantity
17.56 cubic feet (28 boxes including video and sound cassettes and sound tape reels)
Collection Number
6100 (Accession No. 6100-001)
Summary
Advertisements, writings, and campaign materials of David Stern, an advertising executive and two-time mayoral candidate in Seattle, Washington
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to all users.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

David F. Stern was born in Seattle in 1937 to parents Edward and Bernice Friedman Stern. He had one brother, Edward. Stern grew up on Capitol Hill and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1956 and the University of Washington with a degree in journalism in 1960. He was on the staff and served as sports editor for the school newspapers in both high school and college. He worked as an advertising executive after starting his own company in 1963 and incorporated the "Happy Face" symbol--of which he was one of the early creators--into much of this work.

Stern was also active in local politics and ran for mayor of Seattle in 1989 and 1993, although he was not elected. He also was instrumental in his mother, Bernice's, successful campaigns for the King County Council and worked on Slade Gorton's Senate campaign in 1980, as well as other local campaigns.

Stern lived much of his adult life in the Leschi neighborhood of Seattle with his wife, Margaret, and his daughters Debbie and Ruth.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Papers and scrapbooks related to David Stern's high school and college education, military service, advertising career, and Seattle mayoral campaigns. Includes yearbooks, ephemera, client files, print advertisements, writings and speeches, newspaper columns, and radio and television advertisements and campaign interviews on videocassettes, sound cassettes, and sound tape reels. Also included are materials related to the history of the "Happy Face" logo and political ephemera from local and national political campaigns, including his mother Bernice Stern's King County Council campaigns, Slade Gorton's Attorney General re-election campaign and 1980 Senate campaign, and Liem Tuai's 1973 mayoral campaign.

Some of Stern's advertising clients included William O. McKay Ford dealership, Tape Town, Fox's Gem Shop, the Seattle Supersonics, Marontate-Jones, Pacific Lincoln Nursery, State Mutual Savings Bank, Timberland Federal Savings and Loan Association, University Federal Savings Bank, the University of Washington Bookstore, Talcott Jewelers, John Stern, KIXI, Seattle Beauty School, Benaroya, Tower 801, Dag's, and Ivar's.

Also included are other materials related to Stern's family, including correspondence, clippings, and ephemera related to Bernice Stern's life and political career, as well as articles about and an obituary for Edward F. Stern.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

Creator's literary rights retained. Contact Special Collections for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

David Stern, 2006-7-27

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
1 Childhood and education 1945-1959
1 Military service 1960-1961
1 Early advertising career 1961
1-5 Advertising client files 1960s-1980s
5 Gorable Oxen and Sacred Cows promotion
5 Miscellaneous advertising posters and publicity 1960s-1980s
5 George McGovern/Robin Hood poster materials (published in Time magazine) 1972
5 Invitations 1960s-1980s
5 Advertising bumper stickers and other ephemera 1960s-1980s
5-6 Writings, articles, advertisements, and campaigns 1960s-1990s
6 Advertisements 1980s
6 David Stern publicity articles 1950s-1990s
6-7 Copy writings for Stern's accounts at Miller, Mackay, Hoeck & Hartung, Inc. 1962-1963
7 Writings, artwork, clippings, and other ephemera 1960s-1980s
7 Advertisements for Fox's Gem Shops 1981-1982
7-8 David Stern mayoral campaigns 1989-1993
7 Political bumper stickers circa 1980s
8 Liem Tuai mayoral campaign 1973
8 The Selling out of the President 1973 book materials 1973
9 Speeches and writings 1960s-1990s
9 Unknowns for President 1992
10 David Stern biographical information 1950s-1990s
10 Bernice Stern campaign and biographical materials 1960s-1980s
10 Edward F. Stern materials 1980
10 "Happy Face" articles and ephemera 1989-2000
10 Libel lawsuit papers ( Stern v. Record-Chronicle) 1978-1979
10 Reverend Dale Turner cards and notes 2006
11 2 volumes of bound issues of the Lincoln High Totem 1954-1956
12 Articles written by Stern for the Lincoln High Totem, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, University of Washington Daily, and others December 1954-May 1959
12 Articles written by Stern for the University of Washington Daily 1956-1960
13 State Mutual Savings Bank (SMSB) advertisement scrapbook 1980-1982
13 Timberland Federal Savings and Loan Association advertisement scrapbook 1981-1982
14 University Federal Savings Bank advertisement scrapbook 1971-1981
14 Miscellaneous advertisement scrapbooks 1970s
15 Timberland Federal Savings advertisement scrapbook early 1970s
15 University of Washington Bookstore advertisement scrapbook 1970s
16 William O. McKay Ford advertisement scrapbook early 1970s
16 Gunderson advertisement scrapbook early 1970s
16 University of Washington Bookstore loose advertisements 1970s
17 Olympia Federal Savings advertisement scrapbook 1972-1982
18 Talcott Jewelers advertisement scrapbook 1971-1982
19 Fox's Gem Shop advertisement scrapbook 1970-1982
19 Letter of protest regarding the trademark of the "Happy Face" symbol 2005
box:oversize
20 Oversize advertisements, newspaper columns, mayoral campaign materials, and Slade Gorton 1980 Senate campaign materials 1960s-1980s
21 Oversize newspaper advertisements 1960s-1970s
22 Oversize advertisements 1960s
Box
23-24 Videocassettes of advertisements and campaign interviews 1990s
25-27 Sound cassettes of advertisement and campaigns 1970s-1990s
28 Posters 1970s-1990s
Reel
7" sound tape reels 20-29 Sound tape reels of advertisements, campaigns, and celebrations 1960s
5" sound tape reels 11-21 Sound tape reels of advertisements, campaigns, and celebrations 1960s
4" sound tape reels 1-3 Sound tape reels of advertisements, campaigns, and celebrations 1960s

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Advertisers--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Advertising agencies--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Campaign paraphernalia--Washington (State)--Seattle--Specimens
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)
  • Political campaigns--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Politicians--Washington (State)--Seattle

Personal Names

  • Stern, David F.--Archives
  • Stern, David F.--Family