Alvin L. Gittins papers

Collection

Identifier: ACCN 0909

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Alvin L. Gittins papers (1883-1987) contain correspondence, biographical information, news clippings, day books, financial records, travel documents, lecture materials, and drawings related to the personal and professional life of Alvin Gittins (1922-1981), a portraitist and teacher. Material concerning Gittins' personal life, dating from 1932 to 1987, is located in boxes 1-4. Included are correspondence, school and LDS Church records, University of Utah contracts and benefits information, medical and insurance records (focusing on his first wife, Gwendolyn), and information on his immigration and his divorce. Of interest are some mortgage indentures, located in box 4, folder 8, dating from the 1880s. Day books, notebooks, and address books are found in box 5 and date from the 1960s to 1981. Tax documents and receipts, dating from 1948 to the 1970s, are housed in boxes 6-7. Bank statements, checks, and other financial documents are housed in boxes 8-14 and date from 1946 to 1971.

Documents concerning art work painted by Gittins can be found in boxes 15-17 and include information on his exhibits, awards, and sales. These documents date from the 1940s to 1980. Materials related to Gittins' tenure at the University of Utah are located in boxes 18-24 and date from 1946 to 1980. Included are correspondence, invoices, faculty and university publications, travel documents, and notes and publications on the Reynold's lecture given by Gittins. His involvement in cultural and civic activities is reflected in box 25. Information, dating from the 1950s to the 1970s, on the Salt Lake Cultural Activities Committee, the Salt Lake Art Center, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and other institutions is included. Undated, blank postcards collected by Gittins are also in box 25. Box 26 houses oversize materials including a Board of Education Examinations in Art Certificate, 1940; reprints of portraits by Gittins, 1948 and 1958 to 1959; reprints of Danseuses by Degas; and a pencil sketch of the University of Utah seal, 1916. Other oversize documents, stored in the Manuscripts Division map case, include a portrait reproduction print by David Levine; a poster depicting the papermaking process and its emergence in America; an advertisement for the art index, Old Master Drawings; and mortgage indentures dating from 1843 to 1887.

Dates

1883-1987

Creator

Gittins, Alvin L., 1922-1981 (Person)

Language of Materials

Collection material is in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.

Conditions Governing Use

The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.

Biographical Sketch

Alvin L. Gittins (1922-1981) was born in Kidderminster, Worcester, England, and came to the United States as an exchange student in 1946. He graduated with a B.A. from Brigham Young University in 1947 and was appointed to the University of Utah Art Department faculty in that same year. He served as head of the university's Art Department from 1956 to 1962.

Extent

22 Linear Feet

Additional Description

Abstract

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Boxes 1-26 were donated in 1986 by the University of Utah Department of Art (14.5 linear feet).

Box/cartons 27-29 were donated in 1999 (7.5 linear feet).