Collection context
Summary
- Creators:
- Gibson, D. G.
- Abstract:
- Businessman and civic leader D. G. Gibson (1891-1973) was born on February 14, 1891 in Calvert, Texas. After attending Guadalupe College in Seguin, Texas, he joined the 92nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army fighting in France during World War I. Following the war, he moved to California in 1920 settling in the East Bay first as a real estate agent and then opening and operating one of the most successful distribution businesses on the West Coast, selling subscriptions for black newspapers, periodicals and cosmetic supplies. The D.G. Gibson papers consists of financial records, correspondence, beauty product catalogs, programs, pamphlets, and invitations related to the life and business enterprises of D.G. Gibson.
- Extent:
- .25 linear feet (1 box)
- Language:
- Languages represented in the collection: English
- Preferred citation:
-
D. G. Gibson papers, MS 130, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The D.G. Gibson papers consists of financial records, correspondence, beauty product catalogs, programs, pamphlets, and invitations related to the life and business enterprises of D.G. Gibson. The papers are organized into three series: D.G. Sales and Service records, civic organizations, and printed material. The bulk of the collection is records related to D.G. Gibson’s black periodicals and beauty product distribution service and includes financial records, product catalogs, and correspondence related to subscription renewal. The civic organization series includes a 1946 letter from the Berkeley Interracial Committee soliciting donations from members and envelopes of the Negro Non-Partisan League of California. Printed material consists of a funeral program from D.G. Gibson’s memorial service, the pamphlet, A plan… with a future, by the National Negro News Distributors Association, invitations from various Oakland organizations, and a membership application and personal ad listing by the Bronze Key Exchange and the American Colored Club, two African American dating services.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Businessman and civic leader D. G. Gibson (1891-1973) was born on February 14, 1891 in Calvert, Texas. After attending Guadalupe College in Seguin, Texas, he joined the 92nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army fighting in France during World War I. Following the war, he moved to California in 1920 settling in the East Bay first as a real estate agent and then opening and operating one of the most successful distribution businesses on the West Coast, selling subscriptions for black newspapers, periodicals and cosmetic supplies.
Beginning in the 1930s, Gibson became active in Democratic politics. He served in the Democratic Party in multiple capacities as a club chairman, district coordinator, campaign coordinator, county coordinator, and state representative. He was a member of numerous East Bay civic organizations including the YMCA, East Bay Business and Professional Men’s League, Port of Oakland Club, NAACP, Men of Tomorrow, Inc., and the Berkeley Interracial Committee.
- Processing information:
-
Processed by Sean Heyliger, 02/05/2014.
- Arrangement:
-
Series I. D. G. Gibson Sales and Service Series II. Civic organizations Series III. Printed material
- Rules or conventions:
- Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.
Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.
- Terms of access:
-
Permission to publish from the D. G. Gibson papers must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.
- Preferred citation:
-
D. G. Gibson papers, MS 130, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
- Location of this collection:
-
659 14th StreetOakland, CA 94612, US
- Contact:
- (510) 637-0198