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Martin F. Block papers

 Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: Coll2006-001

Scope and Content of Collection

The bulk of the collection consists of manuscripts by Block and others, and appears to be derived from his activities as founding editor of ONE Magazine in 1953, and from his involvement with the Celebration Theatre in the 1980s. Block's own writings include poetry and a self-assessment. Materials by others that may relate to Block's involvement with ONE Magazine include a synopsis for a play, Behold Your Calling, by Ramon Mendez, and a short story, From a Soldier's Notebook: The Joy of Lightning. A contemporary note was penned on the title page, "Howard Griffin c/o the Hon. Dorothy Brett, Taos, N.M.," suggests that the author may have been John Howard Griffin (1920-1980), a southern writer with many connections to the Taos area. Materials relating to the Celebration Theatre include playbills, flyers, financial records, and the pamphlet An Introduction to the Celebration Theatre, which includes an essay by Block, On the Nature of Gay Theatre. The correspondence file contains correspondence relating to Block's career in publishing, and to personal matters. It includes an acetate-covered cardboard "voice-o-graph" disk, postmarked November 20, 1946, and marked "Coney Island." The clippings file also contains materials concerning Block's career in publishing, as well as other items of personal interest. A transcript of an interview with Block provides information on his life and on the founding of ONE, Inc. Materials in the ephemera file consist primarily of several playbills, and flyers from Block's career in publishing. Charles D. Rowland (1917-1990) was a long-time friend and as a producing director of the Celebration Theatre, a colleague of Block: Rowland's file contains a copy of his will (with Block named as executor) and tributes from his memorial service.

Dates

  • Creation: 1935-1995 (bulk 1950-1955)
  • Creation: Majority of material found within 1950 - 1955

Creator

Access

The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.

Publication Rights

Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives as the physical owner. Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in the materials. Note that ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials directly from the copyright holder(s).

Biography

Martin Fiddler Block was born on July 27, 1919. As a teenager he delivered merchandise for a bookstore in New York City. After graduating from high school he found employment as a buttonhole maker. He later worked for Doubleday, Doran Book Shops becoming, upon completion of military service, night manager for the firm's shop in Grand Central Terminal. He then obtained employment in the publishing business. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1940s, and in the early 1950s became one of the owners of the Studio Book Store, Hollywood, California. In late 1950 or early 1951, Block was invited by Rudi Gernreich to join the nascent Mattachine Society. By late 1952, an increasing number of members believed the Mattachine should consider a more public role. On October 15, 1952, at a regular meeting chaired by Block, the publishing of a periodical for homosexuals was first proposed. The concept was developed in a succession of weekly meetings, and on November 15, Block, Dale Jennings, and Antonio Reyes under the pseudonym Tony Sanchez signed the articles of incorporation for ONE. On November 29, at the first meeting of the new organization, held in his Hollywood bookstore, Block was elected Chairman of ONE, Incorporated. Block also served as the first editor of ONE Magazine, the inaugural issue of which was published in January 1953. However, the demands of his bookstore and family matters compelled him to resign from his position as editor in June 1953. Block remained active in the organization, although with increasing infrequency, through the 1950s. Throughout his professional life Block reviewed books for the Los Angeles Daily News, the Saturday Review, and the New York Times Book Review. In the late 1950s, after his own store closed, he managed the book department of Robinson's Department Store, in Pasadena. He also served as chairman of the Celebration Theater during the early 1980s. He died in West Hollywood, California, on March 4, 1995.

Sources:

Martin F. Block Papers, Coll2006-001, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.

Feinberg, Leslie. "Headwaters of First Mass Political Gay Movement Rise." Workers World, August 23, 2005. Accessible at http://www.workers.org/2005/us/lavender-red-45/ (accessed September 26, 2006).

Hansen, Joseph. A Few Doors West of Hope: The Life and Times of Dauntless Don Slater. Universal City, CA: Homosexual Information Center, 1998.

Marcus, Eric. "The Editor: Martin Block." In Making History: The Struggle for Gay and Lesbian Equal Right, 1945-1990; An Oral History. New York: HarperCollins, 1992.

White, Todd C. "Timeline, 1960 and Before." Tangent Group, November 12, 2005. Accessible at http://www.tangentgroup.org/history/Timeline/Timeline1959.html (accessed September 26, 2006).

Extent

0.2 Linear Feet (1 archive carton)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Materials documenting Martin F. Block's activities as a writer, founder and first editor of ONE Magazine, and as a board member of the Celebration Theatre, Hollywood, in the 1980s. The collection includes unpublished poetry and prose 1938-1953 and 1982-1984, by Block, Howard Griffin, and Ramon Mendez, as well as correspondence, clippings, ephemera, and a transcript of an interview relating to Block's career, personal life, and to the founding of ONE Incorporated.

Acquisition Information

Date of acquisition unknown.

Related Materials

ONE Incorporated records, Coll2011.001, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.



John V. Shinn Photographs, Coll2014-106, ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Processing Information

Formerly housed in boxes 103-18 and 103-73. Processed October 03, 2006. Revised June 05, 2008 and March 31, 2015, by Michael C. Oliveira.

Additional materials added by Kyle Morgan, 2015.

Title
Finding aid of the Martin F. Block Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Michael C. Oliveira
Date
© 2015
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid written in: English
Sponsor
The processing of this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.

Repository Details

Part of the ONE Archives at the USC Libraries, University of Southern California Repository

Contact:
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles California 90007 United States
(213) 821-2771