View XML QR Code

Alvin L. Gittins papers, 1883-1987

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Gittins, Alvin L., 1922-1981
Title
Alvin L. Gittins papers
Dates
1883-1987 (inclusive)
Quantity
22 linear feet
Collection Number
ACCN 0909
Summary
The Alvin L. Gittins papers (1883-1987) contain correspondence, biographical information, news clippings, day books, financial records, travel documents, lecture materials, and drawings related to the personal and professional life of Gittins (1922-1981), a portraitist and teacher.
Repository
University of Utah Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library
University of Utah
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City, UT
84112-0860

Telephone: 8015818863
special@library.utah.edu
Access Restrictions

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Languages
English
Return to Top

Historical Note

Alvin L. Gittins (1922-1981) was born in Kidderminster, Worcester, England, and came to the United States as an exchange student in 1946. He graduated with a B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1947 and was appointed to the University of Utah Art Department faculty in that same year. He served as head of the university's Art Department from 1956 to 1962.

Return to Top

Content Description

The Alvin L. Gittins papers (1883-1987) contain correspondence, biographical information, news clippings, day books, financial records, travel documents, lecture materials, and drawings related to the personal and professional life of Alvin Gittins (1922-1981), a portraitist and teacher. Material concerning Gittins' personal life, dating from 1932 to 1987, is located in boxes 1-4. Included are correspondence, school and LDS Church records, University of Utah contracts and benefits information, medical and insurance records (focusing on his first wife, Gwendolyn), and information on his immigration and his divorce. Of interest are some mortgage indentures, located in box 4, folder 8, dating from the 1880s. Day books, notebooks, and address books are found in box 5 and date from the 1960s to 1981. Tax documents and receipts, dating from 1948 to the 1970s, are housed in boxes 6-7. Bank statements, checks, and other financial documents are housed in boxes 8-14 and date from 1946 to 1971.

Documents concerning art work painted by Gittins can be found in boxes 15-17 and include information on his exhibits, awards, and sales. These documents date from the 1940s to 1980. Materials related to Gittins' tenure at the University of Utah are located in boxes 18-24 and date from 1946 to 1980. Included are correspondence, invoices, faculty and university publications, travel documents, and notes and publications on the Reynold's lecture given by Gittins. His involvement in cultural and civic activities is reflected in box 25. Information, dating from the 1950s to the 1970s, on the Salt Lake Cultural Activities Committee, the Salt Lake Art Center, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and other institutions is included. Undated, blank postcards collected by Gittins are also in box 25. Box 26 houses oversize materials including a Board of Education Examinations in Art Certificate, 1940; reprints of portraits by Gittins, 1948 and 1958 to 1959; reprints of Danseuses by Degas; and a pencil sketch of the University of Utah seal, 1916. Other oversize documents, stored in the Manuscripts Division map case, include a portrait reproduction print by David Levine; a poster depicting the papermaking process and its emergence in America; an advertisement for the art index, Old Master Drawings; and mortgage indentures dating from 1843 to 1887.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Preferred Citation

Collection Name, Collection Number, Box Number, Folder Number. Special Collections, J. Willard Marriott Library, The University of Utah.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Boxes 1-26 were donated in 1986 by the University of Utah Department of Art (14.5 linear feet).

Box/cartons 27-29 were donated in 1999 (7.5 linear feet).

Separated Materials

Photographs have been transferred to the Multimedia Division of Special Collections (P0319).

Processing Note

Processed by Lisa Townsend and Karen Carver in 1998 and 1999.

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Personal Materials

    • Description: Correspondence
      Dates: 1943-1971
      Container: Box 1, Folder 1-6
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: Book of Letter Drafts Written by Gittins
      Container: Box 1, Folder 7
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: Biographical Information

      This folder includes curriculum vitae, lists of art exhibits, news clippings, and other documents.

      Container: Box 1, Folder 8
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: University of Utah Contracts

      This folder also includes compensation status information and correspondence regarding Gittins' sabatical leave.

      Dates: 1947-1980
      Container: Box 2, Folder 1
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: University of Utah Benefits, Information Booklets and Statements
      Dates: 1961-1987
      Container: Box 2, Folder 2
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: Mortgage and Rent Documents

      Included are agreements, contracts, correspondence, statements, and notes.

      Dates: 1950-1968
      Container: Box 2, Folder 3
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: Family Medical Records

      Statements, information booklets, invoices, bills, and correspondence are included.

      Dates: 1950s-1960s
      Container: Box 2, Folder 4-6
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: Insurance Papers

      Included are statements and bills for fire, health, auto, and teacher's insurance.

      Dates: 1950s-1980s
      Container: Box 2, Folder 7-9
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: Gittins v. Rose

      Correspondence, depositions, summons, and notices are included in this folder.

      Dates: 1959-1964
      Container: Box 3, Folder 1-3
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: Divorce and Custody Papers
      Dates: 1967, 1969
      Container: Box 3, Folder 4
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: Immigration and Deportation Papers
      Dates: 1946-1949
      Container: Box 3, Folder 5-6
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: Marriage Certificates

      The certificates concern Gittins' marriage to his second wife, Gayle Hamilton.

      Dates: 1970
      Container: Box 4, Folder 1
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: LDS Church Records, Certificates of Ordination and Correspondence
      Dates: 1935-1947
      Container: Box 4, Folder 2
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: School Records

      Included are certificates and commencement programs for Queen Elizabeth School (England) and Brigham Young University.

      Dates: 1932-1947
      Container: Box 4, Folder 3-5
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: Certificates
      Dates: 1952; 1967
      Container: Box 4, Folder 6
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: "Portrait of a Portraitist"

      Booklet prepared upon Gittins' death.

      Dates: 1981
      Container: Box 4, Folder 7
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: Mortgage Indentures
      Dates: 1883-1887
      Container: Box 4, Folder 8
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: Horoscope, Typescript
      Container: Box 4, Folder 9
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: Esther Gittins, Funeral Information
      Dates: 1964
      Container: Box 4, Folder 10
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: News Clippings
      Dates: 1940s
      Container: Box 4, Folder 11
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: Miscellaneous
      Dates: 1960s-1980
      Container: Box 4, Folder 12
      Location: Personal Materials
    • Description: Day Books, Notebooks, and Address Books
      Dates: 1960s-1981
      Container: Box 5
      Location: Personal Materials

  • Financial Materials

  • Portrait Business

    • Description: Correspondence
      Dates: 1940s-1980
      Container: Box 15, Folder 1-10
      Location: Portrait Business
    • Description: Invitations
      Container: Box 15, Folder 11
      Location: Portrait Business
    • Description: Exhibit Information
      Container: Box 16, Folder 1
      Location: Portrait Business
    • Description: Awards
      Dates: 1948; 1958
      Container: Box 16, Folder 2
      Location: Portrait Business
    • Description: Sales

      This folder includes lists of Gittins' paintings that were sold and their prices. Also included is an acknowledgment of rights concerning a drawing of Brigham Young for Zions National Bank.

      Dates: 1960s
      Container: Box 16, Folder 3
      Location: Portrait Business
    • Description: Sales Receipts, Invoices, and Notes
      Dates: 1950s-1970s
      Container: Box 16, Folder 4-5
      Location: Portrait Business
    • Description: Licenses and Contracts
      Dates: 1960s-1980
      Container: Box 16, Folder 6
      Location: Portrait Business
    • Description: Check Stubs
      Dates: 1959-1960
      Container: Box 16, Folder 7
      Location: Portrait Business
    • Description: Account Book
      Dates: 1965-1966
      Container: Box 16, Folder 8
      Location: Portrait Business
    • Description: Royal Academy of Arts and Royal Society of British Artists, Exhibition Catalogs and Documents
      Dates: circa 1945
      Container: Box 16, Folder 9
      Location: Portrait Business
    • Description: Picture Reproductions
      Container: Box 16, Folder 10
      Location: Portrait Business
    • Description: Documents

      This folder contains biographical information collected by Gittins about various individuals.

      Container: Box 16, Folder 11
      Location: Portrait Business
    • Description: Artist Lists and Business Cards
      Container: Box 17, Folder 1
      Location: Portrait Business
    • Description: News Clippings
      Dates: 1940s-1970s
      Container: Box 17, Folder 2
      Location: Portrait Business
    • Description: Miscellaneous
      Container: Box 17, Folder 3
      Location: Portrait Business

  • University of Utah

  • Cultural Affairs

    • Description: Correspondence
      Dates: 1958-1969
      Container: Box 25, Folder 1
      Location: Cultural Affairs
    • Description: Goals for Utah

      Cultural Activities Committee meeting minutes, news clippings, and a report are included.

      Dates: 1960s
      Container: Box 25, Folder 2
      Location: Cultural Affairs
    • Description: Salt Lake Art Center

      Budget information, meeting minutes, and statistics are included.

      Dates: 1950s-1960s
      Container: Box 25, Folder 3
      Location: Cultural Affairs
    • Description: Institute of Fine Arts

      Included are meeting minutes, a roster, and a Ballet West information booklet.

      Dates: 1970s
      Container: Box 25, Folder 4
      Location: Cultural Affairs
    • Description: Democratic Party Involvement

      Included are notes, meeting minutes, correspondence, invitations, and rosters concerning Gittins' involvement in Democratic affairs.

      Dates: 1962-1964
      Container: Box 25, Folder 5
      Location: Cultural Affairs
    • Description: National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Membership Cards and Receipts
      Dates: 1964
      Container: Box 25, Folder 6
      Location: Cultural Affairs
    • Description: American Craftsmen's Council, Pamphlet and Letters
      Container: Box 25, Folder 7
      Location: Cultural Affairs
    • Description: Postcards

      Most depict well-known architectural structures and paintings in Europe.

      Container: Box 25, Folder 8-10
      Location: Cultural Affairs
    • Description: Miscellaneous
      Dates: 1960s
      Container: Box 25, Folder 11
      Location: Cultural Affairs

  • Oversize Documents, 1916-1959

    Container: Box 26

  • Addendum

    • Description: Correspondence
      Container: Carton 28
      Location: Addendum
    • Description: Personal Documents
      Container: Carton 29
      Location: Addendum

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Painters--Utah
  • Portrait painting, American--Utah

Corporate Names

  • University of Utah--Art Dept.
  • University of Utah--Faculty

Form or Genre Terms

  • Clippings
  • Correspondence
  • Drawings
  • Financial records
  • Office files
  • Statistics

Finding aid prepared by Lisa Townsend and Karen Carver
1998 (last modified: 2019)

CC0

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West

Loading...
Loading...