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K. Garrison Clarke collection of photographs of Southern California and Baja California, Mexico

 Collection
Identifier: 0322

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Scope and Content

The collection includes images taken by K. Garrison Clarke between 1949 and 1975. Some of the photographs were for commerical purposes while others were experiments. A sizable amount of the images come from the Jungleland USA, Oxnard/Channels Islands, and Baja California shoots.

Dates

  • Creation: 1948 - 1975

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Biographical note

Kenrow Garrison Clarke was born on February 28, 1931 in Los Angeles, California. He developed his passion for photography at an early age when his neighbor, who happened to be the head photographer for Cecil B. DeMille, introduced him to the craft by giving him some old lenses to play with. In 1948, at the age of 17, Clarke purchased his first camera, a Speed Graphic, for $175. Clarke always looked for photo opportunities and markets for his images. He started selling photographs to local newspapers, which led to him receiving actual assignments shortly thereafter. However, it wasn't until 1965, when Garrison opened Garrison Publications, that he was able to do what he loved for a living. After creating his publication business, Clarke's first contract was with Mexico West Coast Magazine; the images taken for the magazine are part of the collection. Clarke continues to dabble in photography, and occasionally serves as a guest instructor of photography at local high schools.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (1 box )

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

The collection consists of 128 black and white reprints of images taken by K. Garrison Clarke between 1948 and 1975. Most of the images are taken in and around Los Angeles County. A sizable amount of photographs are from a 1961 photo shoot at Jungleland USA, an animal training center in Thousand Oaks, CA that housed animals used in Hollywood films. Images from a commercial experiment at Oxnard and the Channel Islands (1965) and photographs from a shoot for Mexico West Coast Magazine in Baja California (1965) are also included.

Arrangement

Original order and original series designation were maintained with the Clarke Collection. The numbers assigned to each photograph were selected by the donor.

Acquisition

The collection was given to the University of Southern California by Ann Clarke Barrett, the daughter of Clarke, on April 24, 2004.

Title
The Finding Aid of the K. Garrison Clarke collection of photographs of Southern California and Baja California, Mexico
Status
Completed
Author
Katie Richardson
Date
October 2010
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Sponsor
The processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid was funded by the generous support of the Council on Library and Information Resources.
Edition statement
First edition

Repository Details

Part of the USC Libraries Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Doheny Memorial Library 206
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles California 90089-0189 United States