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Robert Watts papers, 1883-1989 (bulk 1940-1988)

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Descriptive Summary
Biographical / Historical Note
Scope and Content of Collection
Restrictions
Indexing Terms
Related Material
Administrative Information
Container List
Series I. Personal, 1889-1989
Series 1A. Biographical, 1923-1989
Series 1B. Family history, circa 1889-1984
Series 1C. Interviews, 1978, 1981
Series 1D. Legal and financial, 1948-1988
Series II. Academic files, 1949-1988
Series IIA. Academic papers, 1949-1952
Series IIB. Grant applications, 1961-1988
Series IIC. Teaching files, 1957-1987
Series III. Correspondence, 1960-1988
Series IIIA. Professional correspondence, 1960-1988
Series IIIB. Personal correspondence, 1968-1988
Series IV. Work files, 1939-1988
Series V. Photographs and slides, 1937-1988
Series VI. Other artists' files, 1957-1989
Series VII. Printed matter, 1883-1988
Series VIII. Books, 1940-1975
Series IX. Serials, 1961-1979
Series X. Audiovisual, 1952-1987
Series XI. Additions, 1962-1987
Watts (Robert) papers
Series IV. Work files, 1939-1988 5.5 Linear Feet
This series includes drawings, scores, and what Watts called "work idea" files, photocopies of photographs of completed work, and source materials such as postcards, clippings and brochures. Arranged chronologically.
box folder
11 1 Cartoons, 1939 5 items
Printed cartoons signed by Watts. [M-6#12]
11 2 Letterhead, circa 1940 4 page(s)
Designed letterhead for an engineering company in which Watts and his father were partners. [L-6#117]
11 3 Etchings, 1949 6 items
Small etchings by Watts, including a self-portrait. [M-6#13]
11 4 Australian Aboriginal Bark Painting, 1958 2 page(s)
Description written by Robert Watts. [L-6#89]
11 5 Project in Multiple Dimensions, 1957-1959, 14 page(s)
Proposal by Allan Kaprow, Watts and George Brecht for a multi-media experimental project. [L-6#98]
11 6 The Magic Kazoo, 1960 circa 50 pages
Handwritten, typed and mimeographed versions of the score, with a chart and casting list. [L-6#88]
11 7 Photocopies of "Multiple Dimensions" and "Magic Kazoo"
11 8 Stamps, 1961-1962 3 Sheets
Watt's designed stamps.
11 9 Etchings, 1962 2 items
Watts' dollar bill and flag etchings. [M-6#14]
11 10 Project proposal, circa 1962 5 page(s)
Proposal for an institute of experimental art. [L-6#89]
11 11 Cascade, 1962 21 page(s)
Sketches (story boards) for film. [L-6#96]
11 12 Cascade, 1962 18 page(s)
Shooting script and list of props for film. [L-6#96]
11 13 Blink Letterhead, circa 1963 1 page(s)
[L-6#115]
11 14 Yam Lecture, 1963 11 page(s)
Photocopies of cards used as audience instruction. [L-6#120]
11 15 Drawings, 1964 2 items
Outline drawings of a gun and two lambchops. [M-6#15]
11 16 Pop copyright project, 1964 11 page(s)
Materials regarding Watts' project to copyright the words "Pop Art." [ L-6#108]
11 17 Essay for Times Literary Supplement, 1964 6 page(s)
About event-pieces, including a mailbox event. [L-6#89]
11 18 Assorted ephemera, 1964-1981 12 items
Business cards, anouncements and other ephemera designed by or for Watts. [L-6#80]
11 19 Flux Kits, circa 1965 3 page(s)
Drawing, list and price list, labelled for Silverman. L-6#67
11 20 Watermelon Objects, circa 1965 5 page(s)
Drawings. [L-6#63]
11 21 Bubble Gum Show, 1965 27 page(s)
Correspondence, drawings, descriptions, budget. [L-6#32]
11 22 Hands, 1965-1966 5 page(s)
Outlines of hands. See also Flat file folder 8.
11 23-26 Drawings and project plans, 1965-1966
For various household objects and furniture. [H-2#17]
11 23 20 pages
11 24 12 pages
11 25 circa 12 pages
11 26 13 items
11 27 Neon signs, circa 1966 3 page(s)
Color photocopies of photographs. [H-2#13]
11 28 Watts movie book, ca. 1967 1 notebook(s)
Containing drawings and shooting scripts used in Watts' film projects. [M-6#9]
11 29 Implosions letterhead, circa 1967 1 page(s)
[L-6#116]
11 30 Mad Tea Party, 1967 13 page(s)
Loose pages of drawings, schemas, and other plans for The Mad Tea Party film. [M-6#9]
11 31 Tatoos, 1967 2 page(s)
Sheets with various tatoos on adhesive backing, produced by Implosions, Inc.
11 32 Sketches and project plans, 1967-1968 9 page(s)
Idea of an aural-visual environment described in letter to Maurice Tuchman, drawing and specs for Hot Air Balloons, dioramas, buttons, furniture, and other ideas.
11 33 Balloons and kites, circa 1968 1 page(s)
Drawing.
11 34 The New Knee Action Wheels, 1969 circa 30 page(s)
Photocopy of a scrapbook piece (?) Watts made about his life. [L-6#43]
11 35 Sunrise-Sunset-Sunrise Event, 1969 8 page(s)
Proposal for San Francisco Art Institute environment, with drawings, specs, budget.
box folder
12 1 Automation House, 1970 7 page(s)
Description and drawings. [M-2#2]
12 2 Drawings and project plans (1 of 2 files), 1970-1971 18 page(s)
For pieces such as Birthday Box, Black Wig Mop, Weather Map Body. [H-2#15]
12 3 Drawings and project plans (2 of 2 files), 1970-1971 22 page(s)
For pieces such as Water Level Indicator and Happy House. [H-2#15]
12 4 Encyclopedia Britannica articles, circa 1960 9 page(s)
Offprints of two Britannica articles, found in above work file. "Gurdjieff's Philosophical System," and "The Capture and Salvage of the German Submarine U-505." [H-2#15]
12 5 Declaration of Independence Stationary, circa 1970 2 page(s)
Examples of the stationary Watts designed with the founding fathers' signatures covering the pages. [L-6#114]
12 6 Fur Family, 1971 26 page(s)
Advertisement for Fur Family participants, flyer, notes, responses to the ad. [M-2#3]
12 7 Water Event (for Yoko), 1971 4 page(s)
12 8 Phono Records, 1972 1 page(s)
Description of a series of pieces. [M-6#10]
12 9 Film work notes, 1972-1973
Notebook with sketches and shooting script fragments, mainly concerning Cloud Music. [M-6#10]
12 10 Film work notes, 1972-1973 4 page(s)
Loose pages from above notebook. [M-6#10]
12 11 Sketches and project plans, 1973 15 page(s)
For pieces such as Wagon Reflector and Nipple Line. [H-2#14]
12 12 Sketches and project plans, 1973 20 page(s)
For pieces such as Clear Hamburger and Box of Baseballs. Includes photocopies of article on lenses. [H-2#14]
12 13 Laminations, 1973 18 page(s)
Original clippings used in lamination project. [L-6#84]
12 14 Laminations, circa 1973 7 pages; 6 laminations
[M-6#1]
12 15 Piece for Ken Friedman, 1972 1 item
12 16 Cloud Music, 1973-1980 23 page(s)
Letters from Bob Diamond discussing the circuitry system for the piece, drawings, scores.
12 17 Cloud Music, 1973-1980 19 page(s)
Letters to dealers, press releases, clippings. [L-6#33]
12 18 Fluxyear/Gemini/74, 1974 15 page(s)
Watts' description of piece, score, drawings, supply lists. [L-6#72]
12 19 Sketches and project plans, 1975-1976 7 page(s)
[H-2#13]
12 20 Sketches and project plans, 1975-1976 6 page(s)
For pieces such as the Rolex Project and Glass Table, with brochure of rules for entering the Rolex contest, and xeroxed photographs of Watts' neon signs. [H-2#13]
12 21 Rolex Project, 1975-1976 14 page(s)
Brochure of rules for entering the Rolex contest, drawings, letters. [H-2#13]
12 22 Neon Pieces, circa 1975 11 page(s)
Drawings, some with color felt pen, of the rainbow sculpture and other pieces. [L-6#99]
12 23 Image list, circa 1975 1 page(s)
List of titles. [MD#1]
12 24 Lamb Chop Table, 1977 2 page(s)
Drawings with measurements and other specs. [L-6#85]
12 25 FBI Stamp issue , 1977 5 sheets clippings; 7 pages
Mug shots from FBI posters, drawings. L-6#57
12 26 The Original Cosmic Credit Card, 1977 5 page(s)
[H-2#12]
12 27 Sketches and project plans, 1977 10 page(s)
For garden pieces. [H-2#12]
12 28 Sketches and project plans, 1978 8 page(s)
For pieces such as Telephone Fuck Up and Space Artifacts. [H-2#11]
12 29 Olmes Carretti project drawings, 1978 11 page(s)
Architectural sketches for the garden Watts designed for the Carretti residence. See also Flat file folders.
12 30 FluxYear/Gemini II, 1978 6 page(s)
Score and drawings for Moon Trace.
12 31 Catalog of Florentine statues keyed to Fluxus artists, 1979 Catalog and 3 pages
Including list of artists' names with catalog numbers. [L-6#44]
12 32 Shoot In, 1979 3 page(s)
Score and announcement for event. [H-2#10]
12 33 Sketches and project Plans, 1979 6 page(s)
For pieces such as Random Braille Audio Piano. [H-2#10]
box folder
13 1 George Maciunas memories, 1980 5 page(s)
Anecdotes from Watts' friendship with Maciunas. [L-6#89]
13 2 Sketches and project plans, 1980 13 page(s)
For pieces such as Cosmic Rays and History of the House. [H-2#9]
13 3 Silverman cartoon, 1981 5 page(s)
Chicago Tribune cartoon with caption Watts added. [L-6#79]
13 4 Sketches and project plans, 1981-1982 23 page(s)
Includes clippings.
13 5 Graphics for Fluxus book, circa 1982 4 items
Printed matter, including Fluxclinic record of features and feats.
13 6 Topaz, 1982 4 page(s)
Short story Watts submitted to Walter Koenig for publication, with letters. [L-6#29]
13 7 Materials for book, circa 1982 42 page(s)
Notes, timeline of projects, outline, lists of photographs, clippings.
13 8 Drawings and project plans, 1983 6 pages and 5 magazines
Including Projects for Pamela and Science News from 1983. [H-2#6]
13 9 Herman cartoon, undated 1 item
With caption "This should hold it," used as a title for Watts piece. [L-6#78]
13 10 International Benign Missile Games, 1983 12 page(s)
Description of piece, printed matter, clippings. L-6#53
13 11 The Oraculum, 1983 10 page(s)
Score, description, printed book pages used to create piece.
See also Series X. for CD version. [L-6#102]
13 12 Drawings and project plans, 1984 11 page(s)
For Mouse Piece and other possible pieces. [H-2#5]
13 13 Letter to President Reagan, 1984 2 page(s)
Watts' nuclear disarmament proposal, copied to eight newspapers. [L-2#5]
13 14 Drawings and project plans, 1985 9 page(s)
For pieces such as The Mountain that withdrew from the Trees. [L-6#1]
13 15 Drawings and project plans, 1985 3 page(s)
For pieces such as Pop-Up Picnic and Fabric with Burns. [L-6#1]
13 16 Bicentennial Stationary distribution, 1987 24 pages and brochure
Watts' letters to the Bicentennial Commission offering his Declaration of Independence stationary as a contribution to the bicenntennial year; notes and figure lists regarding distribution costs; paper products brochure. [L-6#16]
13 17 Flux Med, 1987 1 book(s)
Book of Watts' medical graphics, published by Joan Guaita, Madrid. [L-6#46]
13 18 MED, 1971 1 book(s)
Book of 19th century French medical engravings, published in 1971, basis of Watts' FluxMed. [L-6#49]
13 19 Photocopies of Fluxmed collages, circa 1987 16 page(s)
[L-6#46]
13 20 Fluxmed images used for screens, 1987 18 page(s)
[L-6#51]
13 21 Fluxmed photocopies not used for screens, circa 1987 13 page(s)
[L-6#52]
13 22-23 Photocopies of Fluxmed book pages, circa 1987 34 page(s)
[L-6#47]; [L-6#50]
13 24 Fire-fly layout, undated 9 items
Two strips of thin board with firefly drawings pasted on; two photocopies. [L-6#59]
13 25 Fluxus signatures, undated
[L-6#61]
13 26 The Adventures of Dobie Braun, undated circa 40 page(s)
Movie treatment with story boards. [L-6#95]
13 27 Draft of ad for space needed for piece, undated 2 page(s)
[M-2#5]
13 28 Exhibition wall text, undated 2 page(s)
13 29 Drawings and project plans, undated 9 page(s)
For Bob Lenox? [L-6#86]
13 30 Notes, undated 18 page(s)
Word play. [L-6#86]
13 31 Apron and T-shirt designs, undated 4 page(s)
[M-6#8]
13 32 Notes in Duchamp catalog, undated 6 page(s)
[XT#1]
13 33 Yam Lecture cards, undated 4 cards, 7 pages
box
14 Photocopies of photographs of work, events, installations
14 1 Photocopies of sculpture, 1956-1958 2 page(s)
14 2 Photocopies of sculpture, assemblage, objects, 1957-1960 5 page(s)
14 3 Photocopies of objects and Environments, 1961-1962 10 page(s)
14 4 Photocopies of Yam festival, 1963 8 page(s)
14 5 Photocopies of Chrome objects, 1963-1964 9 page(s)
14 6 Photocopies of Bianchini show objects, 1965-1966 11 page(s)
14 7 Photocopies of Experimental workshop, 1966-68 7 page(s)
14 8 Photocopies of University of California, Santa Cruz Workshop, 1968-1969 11 page(s)
14 9 Photocopies of Earth Day, 1970 5 page(s)
14 10 Photocopies of Implosions products, 1967-68 5 page(s)
14 11 Photocopies of various, 1970-1979 12 page(s)
box folder
15 1-21 Materials collected and/or used for pieces
15 1 U.S. Treasury Department Law and Regulations, 1961 4 page(s)
Regarding reproductions of paper money. [M-8#13]
15 2 Wanted by FBI posters, 1963 30 items
Mug shots, thumb prints and descriptions of criminals, with one page advertisement for jail equipment. [M-6#5]
15 3 Folk Concepts of Outer Space, 1981 12 postcards
Photographs by Douglas Curran. [L-1#7]
15 4 Postcards by artists, 1985 4 postcards
[L-1#8]
15 5 Call slips for the New York Public Library, undated 20 items
Titles/authors of books about plants. [L-1#10]
15 6 Banana tree bark from Mexico, undated 2 items
[L-6#13]
15 7 Flash paper, undated 7 items
Samples of highly flammable paper, with estimates of cost to make Watts' Flash and Dissolve Books. [M-6#4]
15 8 Iowa postcards, undated 10 items
15 9 Vintage postcards, 1906-19--? 6 items
5 postcards and one small clipping.
15 10 Postcards of New England, undated 16 items
[L-1#5]
15 11 Postcards of the West, undated 8 items
[L-1#5]
15 12 Postcards of Taormina, undated 17 items
Connected cards forming an accordion style book. [L-16]
15 13 Postcards of Europe, undated 21 items
[L-1#6]
15 14 Callslips and index cards, undated 30 items
Titles/authors of books about plants, the occult, parapsychology. [M-6#3]
15 15 Clippings and playing cards featuring nude women, undated 6 items
[L-6#109]
15 16-17 Cartoons, undated 32 items
Clipped from newspapers and magazines. [L-6#9]
15 18 Vintage U.S. Currency, undated 5 items
A ten cent bill, two twenty-five cent bills, 2 two dollar bills. [M-7#4]
15 19 Philips' Planisphere, 1980 1 item
Device showing the principle stars visible for every hour in the year.
15 20 U.S. Navy Signal Chart, undated 2 items
A mechanical signal aid and information chart teaching the meaning of flags, ship lighting signals, morse code, insignias, etc. [BG#1]
15 21 U.S. Naval Academy Directory, undated 4 page(s)
[BG#1]
box folder
16 1-25 Clippings (source material) and collage elements
16 1 Paul Wingert, "Coast Salish Painting," 1949 2 items
Offprint of article and 1 page handwritten notes.
16 2 Miscellaneous items found in clippings, 1967, undated 7 items
[L-6#6]
16 3 Clippings, 1975-1976 14 items
Including articles about bombings in Italy, an article about a missile tracking station, and one about gun advocates. [L-6#6]; [H-2#13]
16 4 Clippings, 1980-1984 17 items
About military actions, cartoons. [L-6#6]
16 5 Clippings, 1980-1984 17 items
Moved B. Fuller obituary to oversize box. [L-6#6]
16 6 Clippings, 1987 16 items
[L-6#6]
16 7 Clippings, undated 27 items
Including many cartoons. [L-6#6]
16 8 Clippings, undated 21 items
[L-6#6]
16 9 Clippings - "Relaxing," undated 31 items
[L-6#7]
16 10 Clippings - Violence, undated 29 items
[L-6#7]
16 11 Clippings - Nudes, undated 29 items
[L-6#5]
16 12-13 Clippings about Science, Space, Flight, undated circa 45 items
[L-6#10]
16 14 Clippings about art, undated 10 items
[L-6#11]
16 15 Collage materials, undated
Including vintage photographs of Saratoga; a monster calendar. [M-6#5]
16 16 Clippings of ships, undated 12 items
[M-6#5]
16 17 Clippings from references books and serials, undated
Moved three issues of Youth's Companion to oversize box. [M-6#7]
16 18 Assorted clippings and labels, undated 15 items
Some cut as if for collage. [M-6#7]
16 19 Clippings of headlines or words from serials, undated circa 50 items
[L-6#8]
16 20-21 Clippings of words and cartoons, undated circa 60 items
[L-6#8]
16 22 Clippings of Marilyn Monroe, undated 4 items
16 23 Renaissance food festival article, undated 4 page(s)
[M-7#1]
16 24 Media portraits, undated 12 items
Including Patty Hearst and Marissa Berenson. [L-6#7]
16 25 Photocopies of clippings, undated 8 items
box folder
17 1-11 Brochures and instruction manuals, 1960-1976
17 1 Toy Balloon Company, circa 1960 9 items
Product descriptions, price lists, with mimeograph of Watts' hot air balloon piece. [M-7#2]
17 2 Formatt brochure, 1962 1 item
Adhesive letters, numbers and symbols. [M-7#7]
17 3 Printing process brochures, 1963-1966 19 items
Descritions of products such as Day-Glo silkscreen, rubber stamps, and photographstats. [M-7#5]
17 4 Varivue animations, 1964-1967 11 varivue chips and 6 pages
Letters, product information, samples. [M-7#8]
17 5 Plastic Box brochures, 1966, undated 6 items
Brochures and catalogs of plexiglass boxes. [M-7#12]
17 6 Dry transfer lettering brochures, 1967 8 items
Including samples. [M-7#6]
17 7-8 Firearms brochures, 1970-1988 circa 50 items
[M-10#6]
17 9 Kaibabs shoe advertisements, 1971 11 page(s)
[M-9#6]
17 10 Garden materials, 1973-1983 16 items
Including the Gardener's Handbook brochure, seed catalogs, lists of flowers in Watts' handwriting. [M-10#4]
17 11 Artpark materials, 1974-1976 4 items
Including press release, brochure, newspaper articles. [M-9#1]
box folder
18 1-22 Brochures and manuals, 1977-1987
18 1 Boat and nautical instrument brochures, circa 1977 4 items
18 2 Health materials, 1977 5 items
Including pamphlets on hypoglycemia and nicotine withdrawal, with notes in Watts' handwriting. [M-9#5]
18 3 PlanTalker materials, 1977 3 items
Plant listening electronic device brochures and order form. [M-6#2]
18 4 Small press brochures, 1978-1980 6 items
Brochures and catalogs advertising books and prints by Fluxus artists and others in that vein. [L-6#26]
18 5 Sailing manual, 1978 1 item and 2 pages
Titled "The Master's Course," with Watts' handwritten notes.
18 6 Guitar books and record albums catalog and brochure, 1978
2 items. Including "Kicking Mule." [M-9#3]
18 7 Tennis instruction materials, 1980 5 items
With Watts' notes on racket grip and serving. [M-0#4]
18 8 Fish pond materials, 1980-1983 6 items
Price lists for fish and information on pond management. [M-10#3]
18 9 Homeopathic medicine materials, 1982-1986 circa 20 items
Including vitamin price lists, Rudolph Steiner pamphlet. [M-9#2]
18 10 Station Hill catalog, 1984 1 item
A catalog of small press books. [L-6#2]
18 11 Receipt from Good Sports Novelty, Co., 1985 1 item
For Cyalume sticks. [ L-6#54]
18 12 Copyright law circulars, 1985-1987 circa 20 items
18 13 Fireworks catalog, 1986 1 item
[M-7#3]
18 14 Printing press brochures, 1965-1971 circa 20 items
Including for Day-Glo and Mask-O-Neg. [M-7#5]
18 15 Playrite brochure, 1967-1968 17 items
Playing card brochure and card samples. [M-7#9]
18 16 Imitation Food advertisements, undated 2 items
[M-7#10]
18 17-18 Castolite brochure, 1986 21 items
[M-7#11]
18 19 Crystals information, 1987 4 items
Including a brochure about seminars offered.
18 20 Clippings of product advertisements, circa 1987 10 items
[L-6#3]
18 21-22 Addresses and notes on services related to art work, undated circa 40 items
box folder
19 1-19 Brochures and manuals for audio/visual equipment
19 1 Kinetic neon, undated 3 page(s)
[M-7#14]
19 2 Shimmerlite box, 1973 5 page(s)
Including clipping, drawings, and Watt's notes and calculations on how to adapt the electrical currents. [M-7#15]
19 3 Electrical flashers, circa 1961 5 items
[M-7#16]
19 4 16 mm. film projectors, circa 1970 circa 30 pages
Including 3 brochures, clippings, and six pages of Watts' drawings and calculations. [M-7#17]
19 5 Audio equipment, undated 9 items
Including brochures for tape recorders and microphones; with one hand drawn map. [M-7#18]
box folder
48 18 Zone system film speed tests, undated 3 sheets of film
Film moved to cold storage Box 48. [M-7 #19]
box folder
19 6 Notes on Zone System comparison prints, undated
[M-7#19]
19 7 Zone System Cal Ilford comparison prints, undated 20 photographs
See folder 7 for Watts' notes. [M-7#19]
19 8 Zone system prints, not Ilford, undated 11 prints, 2 pages
[M-7#19]
19 9 Watts' notes on Zone system Ilford FP3 4 page(s)
M-7#19
19 10 Zone system Ilford FP3 test prints 16 items
[M-7#19]
box folder
48 19 Plus-X film tests, undated 3 film sheet(s)
Film moved from Box 19.
19 11 Watt's notes on Plus-X film, undated 11 items
[M-7#20]
19 12-13 Plus-X test prints, undated 47 items
[M-7#20]
19 14 Nikon price list and registration, 1973-1981 10 items
[M-7#21]
19 15 Nimslo 3-D Camera brochure, undated 1 item
[M-7#22]
19 16 Astroscan telescope brochures and instructions, 1977 6 items
19 17 Photo sensitizers and emulsions, 1962 10 items
Including 2 copies of a pamphlet, other instruction materials, 1 drawing. [M-7#13]
19 18 Polaroid Polapan, undated 5 items
[L-6#106]
19 19 Rollei camera manual, undated 12 items
Including film order forms and notes and drawings.
box
75* Watts' briefcase
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