Behrendt Manuscript Collection

Title: Behrendt Manuscript Collection

Dates: 1770-1939

Collection Number: GC 1325

Creator/Collector: Behrendt, Samuel

Extent: (Boxes: 7 legal; 1 flatbox; 1 ov and 1 ov folder; 1 ov; L.C.)

Repository: Seaver Center for Western History Research, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Abstract: Legal documents, pamphlets, booklets and serial publications. Behrendt was a collector of historical documents, and the collection reflected his scope of interest in Southern California, California, and United States history. Also items pertaining to the Selig Polyscope moving picture company resulting from Behrendt's affiliation to the movie industry. 1770 - 1939 (bulk is 1850-1920).

Language of Material: English

Research is by appointment only

Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder

Behrendt Manuscript Collection. Seaver Center for Western History Research, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Sam Behrendt was a successful insurance salesman in Los Angeles in the teens and twenties. As early as 1924 he operated the Behrendt-Levy Company, which underwrote about 75% of the movie industry's insurance.

Legal documents, pamphlets, booklets and serial publications. Behrendt was a collector of historical documents, and the collection reflected his scope of interest in Southern California, California, and United States history. Also items pertaining to the Selig Polyscope moving picture company resulting from Behrendt's affiliation to the movie industry. The collection also contains varied legal documents both blank forms and filled out forms, such as real estate deeds, a bankruptcy proceeding, liquor licenses, and shipping bills of lading originating from various United States locales and foreign ones as well. There are original legal documents signed by Fathers Junipero Serra and Fermin Francisco De Lasuen and those of Californios such as Pio Pico and Bernardo Yorba. There are publications pertaining to places and events in Los Angeles and San Francisco, including commemorative souvenirs and telephone directories. There are ephemeral items relating to the Civil War Confederacy and the Ku Klux Klan. There are a small number of autographs of prominent people, and one faded bill of sale for six slaves from New Orleans. 1770 - 1939 (bulk is 1850-1920). Most of the map items have been integrated into the General Map Collection (GC 1310). Photographic items have been separated into the P-10.