Luther E. (Luella) Bloom papers
Scope and Content
The collection primarily consists of documents related to Bloom's membership in the Hotel & Restaurant Employees and Bartenders International Union and his employment as a waiter at various clubs, hotels, and restaurants. The documents include paystubs, tax returns, union dues booklets, and a copy of the 1975 uniform contract. The collection also contains an apartment lease, bail bond receipts (2), benefit letters, business cards, a diary (which contains fictional dates/appointments), canceled checks, greeting cards, identification cards, notes with addresses and phone numbers, programs, receipts, and photographs. The photographs document Bloom's drag persona, Luella; parties at local bars including the Fallen Angel in Los Angeles; and images of his dogs, family, and friends.
Dates
- Creation: circa 1931-1988
Creator
- Bloom, Luther E. "Luella" (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries 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
Luther E. Bloom was born in Illinois in 1921 and served in the U. S. Army during World War II. By June 1969 he had made his way to Los Angeles, California. He was a member of the Hotel & Restaurant Employees and Bartenders International Union, 1969-1981, and was employed as a waiter at a number of restaurants, hotels, and clubs including the Hotel Statler and later the Los Angeles Athletic Club, circa 1976-1981. Bloom also had a drag persona, Luella. He died on May 26, 1988.
Extent
0.2 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Photographs, greeting cards, and records documenting the life of Luther E. "Luella" Bloom, circa 1931-1988. The bulk of the materials date from circa 1975 to 1987. Bloom was a unionized waiter in Los Angeles from 1972-1981. He also had a drag persona, "Luella."
Immediate Source of Acquistion
Date and method of acquisition unknown.
Processing information
Collection processed by Michael C. Oliveira, October 2014.
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Luther E. "Luella" Bloom Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Michael C. Oliveira
- Date
- (c) 2014
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
- Sponsor
- Processing 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
909 West Adams Boulevard
Los Angeles California 90007 United States
(213) 821-2771
askone@usc.edu