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David Fetherston photograph collection

 Collection
Identifier: P2275

Scope and Contents

The David Fetherston photograph collection consists of 9 boxes. The original order of the collection upon donation was preserved when possible and loose material was organized following the existing ordering schema. The collection is arranged in four series defined by format type. Within the series, the items in the boxes are arranged by subject matter and date. Series I consists of boxes 1-3 and contains primarily photograph prints collected by Fetherston and documenting racing history and speed trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats. The majority of the images in this series are press photographs. The images may be under copyright. Series II consists of Boxes 4-6 and contains slides, negatives, and transparencies, the majority of which were created by Fetherston during his attendance at Bonneville Speed Week and other events from the 1980s though 2010. Series III consists of Boxes 7-8 and contains digital only material. Series IV consists of Box 9 and contains oversize material.

Dates

  • 1900-2018

Creator

Language of Materials

Collection materials are 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

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the David Fetherston photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator.

Biographical Note

David Fetherston (1952-2021) was an automotive historian, journalist and photographer, as well as a prolific author and publisher. Born on September 16, 1952, Fetherston was raised in Canberra, Australia. Fetherston had dyslexia. He received a four-year degree in 1975 from Canberra College, where he studied Photography/Film Making, and a two year degree in 1977 from the Canberra School of Art in Print Making and Design. In 1984, Fetherston moved to California and commenced his lifelong career as an automotive journalist and photographer. He contributed to numerous publications, including Custom Rodder, Street Machine, and Popular Hot Rodding.In 1984, Fetherston also established Fetherston Publishing, LLC, and began to write and self-publish the first of over forty titles. Notable among these are Heroes of Hot Rodding (1992), the 1999 Automotive Book of the Year American Woodys, and Bonneville - A Century of Speed (2013), a collaboration with land speed racer Ron Main to fundraise for the Bonneville "Save the Salt" campaign.

In addition to his work as a writer and publisher, Fetherston received a two-year degree in 2003 from Santa Rosa Junior College in Marketing and Advertising, and worked as the Director of Marketing for Flowmaster Mufflers from 2004-2007. Fetherston was a dedicated attendee, participant, and press representative at Bonneville "Speed Week" and other land speed events and time trials. He was also a long-time member of many organizations, including the Southern California Timing Association, the Utah Salt Racers Association, the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association, the Society of Automotive Historians, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. David Fetherston died on February 26, 2021 in Sebastopol, California.

Extent

6287 Items (9 boxes)

Abstract

David Fetherston (1952-2021) was an automotive historian, journalist and photographer, as well as a prolific author and publisher. The David Fetherston photograph collection contains prints and digitized images documenting American racing history, with particular focus on speed trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, collected by Fetherston. It also contains slides and digital photographs of photographs taken by Fetherston during his attendance at the Bonneville Speed Week and other events and of automobiles for inclusion in the pictoral books he wrote and published.

Arrangement

Arranged by subject

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Nanette Simons in 2021.

Separated Materials

See also the David Fetherston papers (ACCN 3197) in the Manuscripts Division of Special Collections.

Processing Information

Processed by Special Collections staff.
Title
Guide to the David Fetherston photograph collection, 1900-2018
Author
Finding aid created by Claire A. Kempa
Date
2022
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid encoded in English in Latin script.

Repository Details

Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository

Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863