MenuInventory of the Robert A. Hamer Papers, 1857-1995 and undated, bulk 1926-1995
Abstract
Robert A. Hamer was an executive of the Foster and Kleiser Outdoor Advertising Company in California. He worked as a pictorial artist from 1936 to 1953, and as Paint Manager, California Region, from 1956 until his retirement in 1979.
The Robert A. Hamer Papers span the years 1857-1995, the bulk of which document the period 1926-1995, and includes photographs, negatives, correspondence, clippings, administrative records, cartoons, scrapbooks, memorabilia, and newsletters. The collection primarily documents Hamer's career in outdoor advertising with the Foster and Kleiser Company in Southern California, and also touches on events in his personal life. The bulk of the collection consists of photographs of Foster and Kleiser billboards in Southern California, covering two time periods, 1926-1935 and 1950-1970. Other photographs document business activities from 1937-1977, including Foster and Kleiser social events; commercial art production; and sign painting. Clients represented in the collection include Anheuser-Busch, C.H. Baker Shoes, and Slavick's Jewelry. Other clients represented are from the alcoholic beverage, food, travel, and automobile industries, and financial institutions.
Descriptive Summary
- Repository
- David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
- Creator
- Hamer, Robert A.
- Title
- Robert A. Hamer Papers, 1857-1995 and undated, bulk 1926-1995
- Language of Material
- English
- Extent
- 2.4 Linear Feet, 1800 Items
- Location
- For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection Overview
The Robert A. Hamer Papers span the years 1857-1995, the bulk of which document the period 1926-1995, and include photographs, negatives, correspondence, clippings, administrative records, cartoons, scrapbooks, memorabilia, and newsletters. The collection primarily documents Hamer's career in outdoor advertising with the Foster and Kleiser Company in Southern California, and touches on events in his personal life. The bulk of this collection consists of photographs of Foster and Kleiser billboards in Southern California, covering two time periods, 1926-1941 and 1951-1962. Other photographs document business activities from 1937-1977, including Foster and Kleiser social events; commercial art production; and sign painting. Clients represented include Anheuser-Busch, C.H. Baker Shoes, and Slavick's Jewelry. Other clients represented are from the alcoholic beverage, food, travel, and automobile industries, and financial institutions.
The collection is organized into two series: Business & Personal Files and Photographs & Negatives. The Business & Personal Files Series documents milestones in Hamer's personal and professional life, and contains photographs, correspondence, scrapbooks, administrative records, writings, school newsletters, clippings, awards, cartoon sketches, and memorabilia. Included is a typewritten transcription of correspondence (1857-1880) by Hamer's ancestor, Samuel A. Jackson. ThePhotographs & Negatives Series makes up the bulk of the collection, and includes photographs and negatives depicting Foster and Kleiser billboards in Southern California. Other photographs document business and personal activities. Included are photographs of model and performer Charo posing with Hamer, accomplished billboard artist Mario Rueda, and other employees.
Large-format print materials have been removed from their original locations and relocated to Oversize Materials.
Administrative Information
Collections are on the move for the renovation of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Contact Rubenstein Library staff before visiting. Read More »
Access Restrictions
Collection is open for research.
Collection may contain materials to which the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights form applies. Patrons must sign this form before using this collection.
Also, all or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. Consequently, there may be a 24-hour delay in obtaining these materials.
Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.
Use Restrictions
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
Contents of the Collection
Browse List of Series
Collapse All
Expand AllConsists of scrapbooks, photographs, personal and business correspondence, administrative records, print materials, newspaper clippings, awards, ephemera, cartoon sketches, and memorabilia that document Hamer's professional and personal life. Series is organized into three categories: Business files; Personal files; and Scrapbooks. Business files include cartoon sketches that humorously depict Hamer and coworkers. Personal files chiefly document Hamer's early life and retirement years, including a brief biographical essay written by Hamer shortly after his retirement. Correspondence in this category includes a typewritten transcription of letters from 1857-1880 that belonged to Hamer's ancestor, Samuel A. Jackson. Hamer's personal correspondence reflects his interest in the visual arts. Scrapbooks include annotated photographs that document the operational history of Foster and Kleiser in Southern California. Scrapbook contents had been removed from their original binders before acquisition, so no order could be determined. Business Files and Personal Files are arranged alphabetically.
Includes correspondence, administrative records, promotional materials, cartoon sketches, newsletters, and print materials. Cartoon sketches humorously depict Hamer and coworkers. Arranged alphabetically.
Includes Hamer's superintendant's school test and employee record; policy memoranda; and employee lists.
Consists of correspondence, writings, newsletters, cartoon sketches, clippings, memorabilia, and ephemera. Materials chiefly document Hamer's early life and retirement years, including a brief biographical essay written by Hamer shortly after his retirement. Correspondence includes a typewritten transcription of letters from 1857-1880 that belonged to Hamer's ancestor, Samuel A. Jackson. Hamer's correspondence reflects his interest in the visual arts. Arranged alphabetically.
Consists of photographs, personal and business correspondence, administrative records, newspaper clippings, awards, and memorabilia that document Hamer's professional and personal life. Included are annotated photographs that document the operational history of Foster and Kleiser in Southern California. Scrapbook contents had been removed from their original binders before acquisition, so no order could be determined.
Consists of photographs and negatives documenting Foster and Kleiser billboards, and also Hamer's personal and professional life. Series is organized into four categories: Billboard photographs; Other business photographs; Personal photographs; and Negatives. Includes 1975 photographs of model and performer Charo posing with Hamer, accomplished billboard artist Mario Rueda, and other employees; and photographs taken May 31, 1960, at a retirement dinner held for Claude Jones. Billboard photographs are arranged alphabetically, and therein chronologically. Other business photographs and Personal photographs are arranged chronologically to show changes over time in Hamer's life and career; and in outdoor advertising.
Includes photographs taken during two periods, 1926-1941 and 1951-1962. Markings on workbook photographs indicate they were once organized in binders, and are labeled with street locations of billboards. Workbook photographs seem to have been used in routine work practices. Arranged alphabetically, and therein chronologically by date.
Consists of photographs that document Foster and Kleiser business activities, including award ceremonies; dinners; social events; and artists at work. Includes head shots of Hamer and other employees; 1975 photographs of model and performer Charo posing with Hamer, accomplished billboard artist Mario Rueda, and other employees; and photographs taken May 31, 1960, at a retirement dinner held for Claude Jones. Arranged chronologically to show changes over time in Hamer's career; and in outdoor advertising.
Undated
Consists of photographs that document Hamer's personal life. Images are chiefly of Hamer, friends and relatives.
Historical Note
Chronology List
| Date | Event(s) |
|---|---|
| 1914 Nov. 5 | Born Robert Adolph Hamer, Los Angeles, Calif. |
| 1933 | Graduated from Manual Arts High School (Los Angeles, Calif.) |
| 1935 | A.A. degree, Los Angeles City College |
| 1936-1953 | Pictorial artist, Foster and Kleiser Company (Los Angeles, Calif.) |
| 1947 | Married Esther Hankel |
| 1953-1956 | Paint superintendent, Foster and Kleiser Company |
| 1956-1979 | Paint manager, California region, Foster and Kleiser Company |
| 1979 Dec. 31 | Retired, Foster and Kleiser Company |
| 1996 Nov. 5 | Died, Orange County, Calif. |
Robert A. Hamer served as a member of the Curriculum Advisory Committee with the Los Angeles Trade-Technical College; and as chairman of the California State Division of Apprenticeship Standards for Southern California, during the 1960s and 1970s.
Subject Headings
- Hamer, Robert A. (Robert Adolph), 1914-1996.
- Anheuser-Busch, Inc.
- C.H. Baker Shoes (Firm)
- Foster and Kleiser Company.
- Slavick's Jewelry (Firm)
- Advertising--Alcoholic beverages--United States.
- Advertising--Automobiles--United States.
- Advertising--Financial services industry--United States.
- Advertising--Food--United States.
- Advertising, Outdoor.
- Advertising, Outdoor--California.
- Advertising, Outdoor--United States--History--20th century.
- Advertising, Outdoor--Social aspects.
- Advertising, Outdoor--United States.
- Advertising agencies--United States--History.
- Advertising agencies--California.
- Advertising executives.
- Advertising executives--United States.
- Billboards--United States.
- Billboards-- California.
- Commercial art.
- Commercial art-- California.
- Sign painting.
- Cartoons (humorous images).
- Clippings.
- Memorabilia.
- Negatives.
- Newsletters.
- Photographs.
- Scrapbooks.
- California, Southern--History.
- John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
Related Material
Materials related to this collection may be found in other Hartman Center collections, including the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) Archives, OAAA Poster Design Collection, OAAA Slide Library, and John E. Brennan Outdoor Advertising Survey Reports.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Robert A. Hamer Papers, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University
Provenance
The Robert A. Hamer Papers were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2007.
Processing Information
Processed by Rita Johnston, October 2007
Encoded by Rita Johnston, October 2007
Accession 2007-0022 is described in this finding aid.
Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS, EAD, NCEAD guidelines, and our local Style Guide.
This finding aid is NCEAD compliant.