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Sam Robert Photographs

Call Number

PHOTOS.161

Dates

1950s - 1990, inclusive
; 1972-1990, bulk

Creator

Robert, Sam, 1908-

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet in 1 manuscript box.

Language of Materials

Materials are in English

Abstract

Sam Robert was born in Philadelphia in 1908. He moved to New York City in 1929, and eventually found his way to the motion picture industry. He became a prominent set decorator for movies and commercials and served first as the Vice President of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Local 52 and later as the Executive Director of the New York Council of Motion Picture and Television Unions (COMPTU). In these positions, Robert advocated for the merger of unions in the motion picture and television industries, encouraged motion picture production in New York City and played a prominent role in the restoration of the Astoria Studios in Queens, NY. This collection consists of approximately two hundred and fifty black and white and color photographs dating from the 1950s through 1990, though the majority are from the 1970s and 1980s. The images document the various activities of IATSE Local 52 and COMPTU, including meetings, rallies, events and participation in the Labor Day Parade.

Historical/Biographical Note

Sam Robert was born in Philadelphia in 1908 to a Jewish family involved in labor and socialist organizing. He moved to New York City in 1929, where he became active in the Communist Party, and edited the International Workers Order's publication The New Order. Robert served during WWII in the 163rd Signal Service Battalion. A poet, Robert helped found the Labor Poets of America and eventually found his way to the motion picture industry. He became a prominent set decorator for movies and commercials and served first as the Vice President of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 52 and later as the Executive Director of the New York Council of Motion Picture and Television Unions. In these positions, Robert advocated for the merger of unions in the television and film industries, encouraged motion picture production in New York City and played a prominent role in the restoration of the Astoria Studios in Queens, NY.

Arrangement

Folders are arranged alphabetically.

Scope and Content Note

This collection consists of approximately one hundred black and white photographs and one hundred and fifty color photographs dating from the 1950s through 1990, though the majority are from the 1970s and 1980s. There is also a small amount of fliers, clippings and correspondence included in the collection. The photographs document the various activities of International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), Local 52 and the New York Council of Motion Picture and Television Unions (COMPTU), including meetings, rallies, events and participation in the Labor Day Parade. Also included are photographs of the Conference of Motion Picture and Television Unions.

Conditions Governing Access

Materials are open without restrictions.

Conditions Governing Use

This collection is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use materials in the collection in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

Preferred Citation

Identification of item, date; Sam Robert Photographs; PHOTOS 161; box number; folder number; Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives, New York University.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Possibly donated by Sam Robert, circa 2000. The accession numbers associated with this collection are 1950.191 and NPA.2000.080.

Related Archival Materials

Council of Motion Picture and Television Unions Records (WAG 090)

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 52 Records (WAG 251)

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 644, International Photographers of Motion Pictures and Television (WAG 067)

International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Secretary-Treasurer's Files (WAG 058)

International Workers Order Records (TAM 001)

New Yorkers at Work Oral History Collection (OH 001) contains an interview with Sam Robert.

Collection processed by

Maggie Schreiner

About this Guide

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-08-20 16:39:06 -0400.
Using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language: Finding aid is written in English

Processing Information

Materials have been rehoused in archival boxes and folders.

Repository

Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives
Elmer Holmes Bobst Library
70 Washington Square South
2nd Floor
New York, NY 10012