Jean London papers, circa 1870-1979
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- London, Jean, 1901-1980.
- Title
- Jean London papers
- Dates
- circa 1870-1979 (inclusive)18701979
1920-1979 (bulk)19201979 - Quantity
- 9.3 cubic feet (15 boxes) + 75 paintings.
- Collection Number
- 05192
- Summary
- Repository
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American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
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Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Additional Reference Guides
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Additional Information
Finding aid available in repository.
- Languages
- English
Historical Note
Jean "Babe" London, an actress born as Ruth Glover, appeared in over 50 silent comedy films whose stars included Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Charlie Chaplin and Harry Langdon. Weighing 255 pounds at the height of her career, she was forced by ill health to diet, but never regained the success she had known in her "jolly fat girl" roles, although she did continue working in small roles until about 1970. She was a recipient of the Rosemary Award, which honors stars of the silent movies.
In the late 1950s London began a second career as a painter and devoted the last 20 years of her life to recording the early years of Hollywood on canvas in a series of works she titled "The Vanishing Era." She married Phil Boutelje in 1975.
Content Description
Collection contains correspondence (1940-1979) including 32 letters from convicted murderer John "Jack" A. Kramer written while he was awaiting execution in Nevada (1940-1942); 75 oil paintings by London including portraits of Charlie Chaplin, Harry Langdon, Chester Conklin, Laurel and Hardy, Fatty Arbuckle, and Buster Keaton; 18 8mm and 16mm films including several of her comedy features and a personal film of London and Stan Laurel made shortly before his death; and materials related to London's interest in reincarnation, including files on the Religious Research Foundation of America and a personal life reading.
Also includes audiotapes of London and Phil Boutelje; photographs and negatives of London, the Glover family, and numerous actors and actresses; photograph albums; scrapbooks; artifacts including reel-to-reel and cassette tape players and a stereo slide viewer; posters; manuscripts; newspaper and magazine clippings; personal memorabilia; and miscellaneous other materials.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Preferred Citation
Preferred CitationItem Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative Information
Preservation Note
System RequirementsJean London feature films and home movies -- Films -- 8 mm and 16 mm.
Jean London reminiscences and interviews -- Audiotapes -- cassette and reel-to-reel.
Related Materials
Related MaterialsThere are no known other archival collections created by Jean London at the date of processing.
Acquisition Information
Acquisition InformationProcessing Note
Processing InformationDetailed Description of the Collection
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Untitled
The American Heritage Center is in the process of converting its older container lists to a more accessible format. This link is to an older version of a container list.
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Description: Link to Container List (PDF)
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Death row -- Nevada.
- Motion picture actors and actresses -- United States.
- Painting.
- Prisoners -- Nevada.
- Reincarnation.
- Silent films.
Personal Names
- Arbuckle, Roscoe, 1887-1933.
- Boutelje, Phil, 1895-1979.
- Chaplin, Charlie, 1889-1977.
- Conklin, Chester, 1888-1971.
- Hardy, Oliver, 1892-1957.
- Keaton, Buster, 1885-1966.
- Langdon, Harry, 1884-1944.
Corporate Names
Family Names
Form or Genre Terms
Occupations
Other Creators
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Personal Names
