INVENTORY OF THE EDWARD RUSCHA PHOTOGRAPHS OF SUNSET BOULEVARD AND HOLLYWOOD BOULEVARD, 1965-2010
Finding aid prepared by Beth Ann Guynn
Descriptive Summary
Title: Edward Ruscha photographs of Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Boulevard
Date (inclusive): 1965-2010
Number: 2012.M.1
Creator/Collector:
Ruscha, Edward
Physical Description:
71.6 linear feet
(50 boxes, 1 flat file)
Repository:
The Getty Research Institute
Special Collections
1200 Getty Center Drive, Suite 1100
Los Angeles, California, 90049-1688
(310) 440-7390
Abstract: The collection is comprised of material related to Ed Ruscha's photographic documentation of two major Los Angeles thoroughfares:
Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Boulevard, as well as the projects that resulted from the documentation of the two streets.
Ruscha documented Sunset Boulevard in twelve shoots between 1965 and 2001, and Hollywood Boulevard in four shoots between
1973 and 2004. Finished projects include his fourth photographic art book,
Every Building on the Sunset Strip, 1966; the portfolio
Sunset Strip 1965/1995, and the portfolio and book
Then & Now: Hollywood Boulevard 1973-2004, 2005.
Request Materials: Request access to the physical materials described in this inventory through the
catalog record for this collection. Click here for the
access policy .
Language: Collection material is in
English with some
German.
Biographical/Historical Note
The American artist Edward Joseph Ruscha IV was born in Omaha, Nebraska on December 16, 1937 to Edward Ruscha III, an insurance
auditor, and his wife Dorothy Driscoll Ruscha. He was raised in Oklahoma City where he met his lifelong friends Mason Williams,
Joe Goode, and Jerry McMillan. After graduation from high school he drove to California with Mason Williams to attend Chouinard
Art Institute (now California Institute of the Arts). Robert Irwin and Emerson Woelffer were among the teachers who would
have an especially strong influence on him.
Ruscha graduated from Chouinard in 1960 and in 1961 made his first trip to Europe, traveling with his mother and older sister
Shelby by car for seven months. The numerous travel images he took with his Yashika camera that include storefronts, window
displays, and billboards, as well as the perhaps more typical images of people they met on their journey, thematically and
stylistically prefigure the photographs he was soon to take for his early artist's books such as
Twentysix Gasoline Stations (1963) and
Some Los Angeles Apartments (1965).
A visit to New York on his way back to California opened Ruscha's eyes to Pop Art, and the work he subsequently created was
included in
New Painting of Common Objects, the first exhibition of Pop Art, curated by Walter Hopps at the Pasadena Art Museum in 1962. The following year Hopps gave
Ruscha his first solo show at Ferus Gallery. Informed by Pop Art and the distinctive billboard culture of Los Angeles, Ruscha
went on to become a pivitol presence in the West Coast and Conceptual art scenes.
Although much of Ruscha's work is informed by or uses photography as its point of departure, he sees himself not as a photographer
but as someone who uses the medium of photography as part of his larger artistic practice. His early photographic artist's
books, many of which further distill the quotidian elements of the Los Angeles cityscape - parking lots, urban streets, and
apartment buildings - into serial imagery, have fundamentally altered the genre of the artist's book through their use of
photography and commercial production methods. Yet in a discussion of his artist's books with Silvia Wolf, Ruscha noted, "My
use of the camera is still a tool to make a picture...At the time I was into making pictures that happened to be photographs,
rather than making 'photographs' ("Nostalgia and New Editions; A Converstion with Ed Ruscha," in
Ed Ruscha and Photography, 2004, p. 257).
Known for the drawings and paintings of words and phrases that he began making in the 1960s, as well as for his artist's books,
Ruscha is one of the pre-eminent artists of his generation. He has exhibited widely in the United States and abroad. His first
international exhibition was in Cologne at Galerie Rudolf Zwirner in 1968. A few years later he began showing at Leo Castelli
Gallery in New York, and his first retrospective was held at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 1982. He is currently
represented by Gagosian Gallery (Los Angeles and New York).
Administrative Information
Access
Open for use by qualified researchers.
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Edward Ruscha photographs of Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Boulevard, 1965-2010, Getty Research Institute, Research Library,
Accession no. 2012.M.1.
Acquistion Information
Acquired in 2012.
Processing History
Processed by Beth Ann Guynn and Linda Kleiger in 2012.
Related Archival Materials
The Getty Research Library also holds the Edward Ruscha Photographs of Los Angeles Streets collection, Special Collection
accession number 2012.M.2.
Scope and Content of Collection
The collection is comprised of material related to Ed Ruscha's photographic documentation of two major Los Angeles thoroughfares:
Sunset Boulevard and Hollywood Boulevard, as well as materials pertaining to the projects that resulted from the documentation
of the two streets.
Ruscha documented Sunset Boulevard in twelve shoots between 1965 and 2001 using a motorized camera mounted on a tripod in
the bed of his pickup truck. The shoots covered the twenty-five mile length of Sunset Boulevard and included both sides of
the street. In 1966 Ruscha self-published his fourth photographic art book, the iconic
Every Building on the Sunset Strip, which reproduced the images from his 1966 shoot. He reworked six of the original 1966 images for his portfolio
Sunset Strip 1965/1995, produced with the art dealer and gallerist Patrick Painter in 1995.
Series I: Sunset Boulevard, contains the original negatives and contact sheets from the 1966, 1976, and 1998 shoots; the original
film rolls from the seven shoots made between 1973 and 1997 (excluding 1976); the videotapes that represent the 2000 and 2001
shoots; and corresponding documentation. It also contains the production materials for
Every Building on the Sunset Strip and the 1995 portfolio. Materials pertaining to the book span from early test materials, such as Jerry McMillan's 1965 preliminary
contact prints and mock-ups, to the finished book. Included are Ruscha's mock-ups and maquettes, proofs, press pulls, and
proof and final copies of the book, and a record book containing lists of expenses for shooting and printing and lists of
books both gifted and sold. The later portfolio is represented by negatives and prints used for selecting the final images
or test shots, "scratched" (i.e. altered) negatives and prints, and a small amount of documentation pertaining to the project.
Series II: Hollywood Boulevard, contains materials resulting from Ruscha's documentation of that thoroughfare between 1973
and 2004. The four shoots (1973, 2002, 2003, and 2004) covered twelve miles and included both sides of the street. Included
are the original 1973 still images and the later images shot on still film and video, as well as documentation pertaining
to the original shoot.
In 2005 the German publisher and master printer, Gerhard Steidl, published
Then & Now: Hollywood Boulevard 1973-2004, in both a limited edition portfolio and as a trade book. In these works Ruscha's original 1973 images run parallel to their
2004 versions, recording the changes that had occurred to the thoroughfare over three decades. As with
Every Building on the Sunset Strip the images of the north side of the boulevard run along the top of the sheet or page, while those of the south side of the
boulevard run inverted along its bottom.
Also included in Series II are the production materials for the project, ranging from index prints, initial layouts, proof
sheets, and dummies, to examples of the final products. Documentation includes maps, street name and numbering systems, image
sequence lists, and memos on working and production procedures.
Arrangement
The collection is comprised of two series:
Series I: Sunset Boulevard, 1965-2010, undated;
Series II: Hollywood Boulevard, 1973-2005, undated.
Indexing Terms
Subjects - Topics
Streets--United States--Los Angeles
Subjects - Places
Hollywood Boulevard (Los Angeles, Calif.)--Description and travel
Los Angeles (Calif.)--Description and travel
Sunset Boulevard (Los Angeles, Calif.)--Description and travel
Genres and Forms of Material
Artists books--California--Los Angeles--20th century
Black-and white negatives--California--Los Angeles--21st century
Black-and-white negatives--California--Los Angeles--20th century
Compact discs--California--Los Angeles--21st century
Contact prints--California--Los Angeles--20th century
Contact prints--California--Los Angeles--21st century
Contact sheets--California--Los Angeles--20th century
Contact sheets--California--Los Angeles--21st century
Dummies (printed matter)--California--Los Angeles--20th century
DVDs--California--Los Angeles--21st century
DVDs--United States--Los Angeles--21st century
Videotapes--California--Los Angeles--21st century
Videotapes--United States--Los Angeles--21st century
Contributors
McMillan, Jerry, 1936-
Patrick Painter Inc.
Steidl, Gerhard, 1950-
Container List
Series I.
Sunset Boulevard,
1965-2010, undated
Scope and Content Note
The series contains the original negatives, contact sheets, film rolls, and videotapes produced over the course of Ruscha's
twelve shoots of Sunset Boulevard made between 1966 and 2001, as well as corresponding documentation. It also contains the
production materials for
Every Building on the Sunset Strip and his 1995 portfolio his portfolio
Sunset Strip 1965/1995, produced with the art dealer and gallerist Patrick Painter. Materials pertaining to the book range from early test materials,
such as Jerry McMillan's 1965 preliminary contact prints and mock-ups, to the finished book. Included are Ruscha's mock-ups,
and maquettes, proofs, press pulls, and proof and final copies of the book, and a record book containing lists of expenses
for shooting and printing, as well as lists of books both gifted and sold. The later portfolio is represented by negatives
and prints used for selecting the final images or test shots, "scratched" (i.e. altered) negatives and prints, and a small
amount of documentation pertaining to the project.
Arrangement note
Arranged in two subseries: Series I.A. Shoots and Series I.B. Projects.
Series I.A.
Shoots,
1965-2010
Scope and Content Note
Series I.A. contains materials pertaining to Ruscha's documentation of Sunset Boulevard between 1966 and 2001. The twelve
shoots made during these years covered the twenty-five mile length of Sunset Boulevard and included both sides of the street,
which Ruscha shot using a motorized camera mounted on a tripod in the bed of his pickup truck. This subseries contains the
original negatives and contact sheets from the 1966, 1976, and 1998 shoots, and from the seven shoots made between 1973 and
1997 (excluding 1976). The negatives from each of these shoots were spliced together into large rolls, one per shoot, and
positive rolls were created by Foto-Kem in 2010. The 2000 and 2001 shoots are present as videotapes. Most of the documentation
files include such materials as photocopies of notes from the spiral-bound shootings notebooks, photocopies of original roll
notes, and Foto-Kem materials such as cue and footage sheets and invoices.
Arrangement
Arranged chronologically by shoot date. See Series I.B. for Jerry McMillan's test 1965 shoot of Sunset Boulevard.
1966 June 11 shooting session,
1965-1966
Box 1, Folder 1
Negatives,
1966 June 11
Scope and Content Note
Forty-four 13 frame negative strips of Ilford Fine Grain Panchromatic (FP3) film. Strips numbered in lower left corners. Written
on wrapper: Original "Sunset Strip" negs. / Book.
Box 2*
16 x 20 inch contact sheets,
1966
Scope and Content Note
Forty-five contact sheets, most containing 12 strips of 13 frames, and corresponding to the negatives above (includes one
duplicate of print 399-410), and one cut contact sheet of two rows. Strip numbers are written on left edges; additional codes
are written on lower right edges; occasional annotations and markings are on individual frames. Labels on upper right corner
of versos read: Edward Ruscha Photo-documentation of Sunset Blvd. - 1966; and include fill-in spaces for subject, proof sheet
number, and negative numbers.
Box 7, Folder 1
Documentation,
1965-1966
Scope and Content Note
Four pages of photocopies from Record book, 1966-1972 (Box 17, Folder 6) including three pages of expense notes for first
shoot probably prior to June 11, 1966 (approach abandoned), and between June 11 and September 24, 1966; and one page of notes
containing film loading instructions.
1973 July 1 shooting session,
1973-2010
Box 3, Item FN1
Negative film reel,
1973 July 1
Scope and Content Note
1 x 35 mm, 8 perf. created from 36 rolls of film; 907 feet of film.
Box 7, Folder 2
Documentation,
1973-2010
Scope and Content Note
Also includes masking tape pieces with roll information, unused film ends, and paper film wrapper.
1974 July 14 shooting session,
1974-2010
Box 3, Item FN2
Negative film reel,
1974 July 14
Scope and Content Note
1 x 35 mm, 8 perf. created from 40 rolls of film; 1,069 feet of film.
Box 7, Folder 3
Documentation,
1973-2010
Scope and Content Note
Also includes unused film end and paper film wrapper.
1975 August 3 and 24 shooting sessions,
1975-2010
Box 3, Item FN3
Negative film reel,
1975 August 3-1975 August 24
Scope and Content Note
1 x35 mm., 8 perf created form 45 rolls of film; 1121 feet of film.
Box 7, Folder 4
Documentation,
1975-2010
Scope and Content Note
Includes two black-and-white photographs by Paul Ruscha of Ed Ruscha and crew taken during the August 3 shoot. Annotations
on versos: Danny Kwan (driver) in Ed's maroon Datsun pick-up, Ed Ruscha (photographer) and Bryan Heath (camera assistant).
Photo by Paul Ruscha Aug. 3, 1975; and: Ed Ruscha with Nikon-F w/motor drive (250 frame back). Photo: Paul Ruscha / August
3, 1975.
1976 August 22 shooting session,
1976
Box 1, Folder 2
Negatives
Scope and Content Note
Fifteen bundles of 13 frame negative strips of Ilford Fine Grain (FP4) film corresponding to contact sheets listed below.
Strips numbered in lower left corners.
Box 8*, Folder 1
Contact sheets
Scope and Content Note
Fifteen 16 x 20 inch contact sheets corresponding to negatives listed above. Sheets are numbered on lower left corners and
have annotations on individual frames; versos are numbered on lower right corner and dated in center. Yellow sticky notes
on some sheets point to frames printed, possibly for 1995 Patrick Painter portfolio project. Written on original box: Photos
taken Aug. 22, 1976 / 16 x 20 Sunset Strip contacts (and negs). Nb: no negatives in box.
1985 August 22 shooting session,
1985-2010
Box 3, Item FN4
Negative film reel,
1985 August 22
Scope and Content Note
1 x 35 mm, 8 perf. created from 32 rolls of film; 791 feet of film.
Box 4, Item FP4
Positive film reel,
2010
Scope and Content Note
Made by Foto-Kem.
1990 September 8 and 29 shooting sessions,
1990-2010
Box 5, Item FN5
Negative film reel,
1990 September 8-1990 September 29
Scope and Content Note
1 x 35 mm, 8 perf. created from 25 rolls of film; 753 feet of film.
Box 6, Item FP5
Positive film reel,
2010
Scope and Content Note
Made by Foto-Kem.
Box 7, Folder 7
Documentation,
1990-2010
Scope and Content Note
Also includes two film wrappers and photocopies of three loose notes found inside 1973-1990 project notebook, and Foto-Kem
plastic wrapper.
1995 August 20 and 21 shooting sessions,
1995-2010
Box 5, Item FN6
Negative film reel,
1995 August 20-1995 August 21
Scope and Content Note
1 x 35 mm, 8 perf. created from 31 rolls of film; 964 feet of film.
Box 6, Item FP6
Positive film reel,
2010
Scope and Content Note
Made by Foto-Kem.
Box 9, Item V1
Photo documentation of Sunset Blvd.,
1995 August 20
Scope and Content Note
One video 8 tape. Includes list of credits on paper insert of video tape case. Video of the filming process taken by Ruscha's
son Eddie.
Box 7, Folder 8
Project notebook,
1995 August 20-21
Scope and Content Note
Red spiral-bound notebook. Written on front cover: Sunset Blvd. (and other streets) photography notebook / Sunday, Aug. 1995
and Monday, Aug. 21, 1995.
Box 7, Folder 9
Documentation,
1995-2010
Scope and Content Note
Also includes a 12-page typed script for the shoot; hand-written notes on two large yellow sticky notes; photocopies of two
loose notes from the green project notebook; and a one page photocopy from a film (motion picture) lab directory.
1997 September 14 and September 16 shooting sessions,
1997-2010
Box 5, Item FN7
Film negative reel,
1997 September 14-1997 September 16
Scope and Content Note
1 x 35 mm., 8 perf. film reel; 1038 feet of film.
Box 6, Item FP7
Film positive reel,
2010
Scope and Content Note
Made by Foto-Kem.
Box 7, Folder 10
Project notebook,
1997 September 14-1997 September 16
Scope and Content Note
Blue spiral-bound notebook. Cover reads: 1997 Sept. 14, 15, 16th / Sunset Blvd. / Driver: Shane Gufogg / Photographer: Gary
Regester / Film changer: Paul Ruscha / I.D.ographer: Eddie Ruscha.
Box 7, Folder 11
Documentation,
1997
Scope and Content Note
Also includes one note hand-written by Ed Ruscha in marker with annotations in darker marker by Paul Ruscha; and one sheet
of printed roll notes.
1998 August 9 shooting session,
1998
Box 10
Negatives
Scope and Content Note
Eighteen bundles each containing between 11 and 22 strips of 13 frame Ilford FP4 Plus Safety film negatives corresponding
to the contact sheets below, plus seven small strips of extra negatives (2-6 frames each). Strips numbered in lower left corners;
some annotations on film and on sticky notes.
Box 8*, Folder 2
Contact sheets
Scope and Content Note
Thirty 16 x 20 inch contact sheets corresponding to negatives above, 11 rows by 13 frames; and one 20 x 8 1/2 inch sheet containing
seven rows. Annotations written on negatives. Written on original box: Sunset Blvd. - Aug. 9, 1998.
Box 7, Folder 12
Documentation,
1998
Scope and Content Note
Includes one hand-written note by Ed Ruscha regarding shoot expenses; one typed to-do list with hand-written note added by
Paul Ruscha; and one hand-drawn schedule [not filled in].
2000 December 17 shooting session,
2000
Box 9, Item V2
Sunset Blvd.: Crescent Heights east to Gower, north side of street,
Scope and Content Note
1 VHS cassette tape. Material extracted from V4, possibly for a screening copy.
Box 9, Item V3
Vertical image with display i.d. info, projected horizontally,
Scope and Content Note
1VHS cassette tape. Material extracted from V4, possibly for a screening copy.
Box 9, Item V4
Sunset Blvd. shot on Mini DVs
Scope and Content Note
4 mini DV tapes of 1. Material found on V2 and V3 was extracted from this original set of tapes.
2001 June 24 shooting session,
2001
Box 11, Item D1
Sunset Strip 2001
Scope and Content Note
6 CDs of 1.
Box 9, Item V5
Sunset Blvd. 2001
Scope and Content Note
2 VHS cassette tapes of 1. Copies of V6.
Box 9, Item V6
Sunset Blvd., 24 June 2001
Scope and Content Note
4 mini DV tapes of 1.
Shootings materials,
1970-1990, undated
Box 7, Folder 13
Production notebook,
1973-1990
Scope and Content Note
Green spiral-bound notebook containing notes written by Ed Ruscha, Paul Ruscha, Susan Haller, Bryan Heath, and Eddie Ruscha.
Written on cover: Motorized photographs Sunset Blvd. and other L.A. streets. Includes two loose notebook pages for 1973 July
1 shoot, and four loose sheets of notes and diagrams.
Box 7, Folder 14
Los Angeles - Orange Counties Popular Street Atlas,
1970
Scope and Content Note
"Thomas Guide." Note on yellow sticky note from Ed Ruscha on page 52.
Box 7, Folder 15
Truck specs,
circa 1987-1989
Scope and Content Note
Note and diagram on matt board, made by Ed Ruscha in black marker, reads: Ford "E Super Duty" chassis / Ford E350 chassis
w/van added / Made by Goshen Coach / 3 or 4 windows / These slide open for camera [arrow to window diagram].
Box 7, Folder 16
Sunset Boulevard. cross streets,
not after 1994
Scope and Content Note
List of cross streets on both sides of Sunset Blvd., starting at Pacific Coast Highway and traveling east.
Box 7, Folder 17
Signs,
undated
Scope and Content Note
Matt board scraps containing the numbers 1 to 30.
Box 7, Folder 18
Miscellaneous materials,
undated
Scope and Content Note
Includes film ends and a negative strip enclosure.
Box 12, Folder 1
Schematic map for shooting times,
undated
Scope and Content Note
Hand-drawn map showing timings along route and location of sun.
Series I.B.
Projects,
1965-1997, undated
Scope and Content Note
Series I.B. contains materials pertaining to two projects that came out of Ruscha's photographic documentation of Sunset Boulevard:
his 1966 book
Every Building on the Sunset Strip and the portfolio
Sunset Strip 1965/1995 produced with Patrick Painter.
The self-published
Every Building on the Sunset Strip was Ruscha's fourth photographic art book. It was originally published in an edition of 1,000 copies; a second edition of
5,000 copies was published in 1971. The accordion fold book, which opens to a 27 foot length, contains two continous panoramas
of the one-and-a-half miles of Sunset Strip, arranged in sequential order with street numbers and cross streets indicated
along their lengths. The north side of the thoroughfare runs across the top of the page, while the south side is printed in
mirror image along the bottom of the page. The wide expanse of white page between them becomes, in effect, the street along
which the viewer "drives."
Materials pertaining to the book range from early test materials, such as Jerry McMillan's 1965 preliminary contact prints
and mock-ups, to the finished book. Included are Ruscha's mock-ups and maquettes, proofs, press pulls, and proof and final
copies of the book, as well as a record book containing lists of expensese for shooting and printing, and lists of books both
gifted and sold.
In 1995 the art dealer and gallerist Patrick Painter produced a series of six gelatin silver photographs selected from Ruscha's
1965 images of Sunset Boulevard, in an edition of 25 sets. Ruscha reworked the negatives of the images chosen from
Every Building on the Sunset Strip, cutting them and painting directly on them, in order to produce prints that have the appearance of faded or poorly-processed
black-and-white film. Included in the archive are negatives and prints used for selecting the final images or test shots,
"scratched" (i.e. altered) negatives and prints, and a small amount of documentation pertaining to the project.
Arrangement note
Arranged chronologically by date of project.
Every Building on the Sunset Strip,
1965-1966, undated
Scope and Content Note
The 27-foot length of the accordion-folded
Every Building on the Sunset Strip affords the viewer two continuous photographic views of the mile and a half section of this landmark stretch of Sunset Boulevard,
one for each side of one of the city's most famous thoroughfares.
Box 13, 14*
Jerry McMillan Sunset Strip shooting,
probably 1965
Box 13, Folder 1
Contact prints
Scope and Content Note
Includes twelve 2 1/4 inch full or partial proof sheets, seven of which have glassine overlays with frame numbers and street
numbers; and seven cut-ups from the proof sheets. Originally housed in envelope labeled: Jerry McMillan / Sunset Strip Shooting
/ c.1965.
Box 14*, Folder 1
Diazotype mock-up of images,
Scope and Content Note
Images from individual 2 1/4 inch contact prints taped together; some annotations, such as numbering sequence or address,
on individual images. Images correspond to Jerry McMillan contact prints. RESTRICTED PENDING CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT.
Box 13, 15
First documentation, original Sunset Boulevard test,
probably 1965
Scope and Content Note
Originally housed in box labeled: RC proofs of first documentation. Original Sunset Blvd. test - negs and proofs.
Box 15, Folder 1
Negatives,
Scope and Content Note
132 six frame strips of negatives, plus a few shorter strips. Sleeves numbered 1-20; A/B; and C/D. Strips numbered in lower
left corners; some annotations on film and on sticky notes. Images correspond to contact sheets below.
Box 13, Folder 2
Contact sheets,
Scope and Content Note
Forty-five 8 x 10 inch contact sheets (six frames by six rows), numbered 1-2 and A-C. There are duplicate numbers of most
sheets, although composition and notes may vary. Production notes in the hand of Paul Ruscha are written on the side of the
sheets. Images correspond to negatives above.
Box 13, 15-16
Original Sunset Strip tests,
1966
Scope and Content Note
Annotation on envelope.
Box 13, Folder 3
Contact sheets
Scope and Content Note
Nineteen contact sheets from 35mm. Ilford Fine grain Panchromatic film. Numbered on versos 1-20; lacking number 2. Annotations
on versos of twelve of the sheets regarding lens, aperture, f-stop, driving speed, snap f.p.s., distance covered, and cross
streets.
Box 13, 15
8275-8625 and 8400 Sunset Blvd.
Box 13, Folder 4
Prints,
Scope and Content Note
Three prints of maquette, numbered 100; 120; and 133.
Box 15, Folder 2
Negatives,
Scope and Content Note
Three 8 x 10 inch negatives.
Box 16
Enlarged maquette,
Scope and Content Note
One enlarged negative (9 1/2 x 14 inches) containing two strips of two or three frames.
Box 17, Folder 1
Film roll tapes with notes,
1966
Scope and Content Note
Thirty-three pieces of masking tape used to secure film rolls with notes including roll numbers and comments on quality of
roll. Five pieces of tape have bits of blank film attached. Originally housed in box labeled: Original Sunset Blvd. test -
negs and proofs.
Box 17, Folder 2
Paste-up sample and contact sheets,
1966
Scope and Content Note
7715 Sunset Blvd. (New York Life building). Not used in book - outside of area depicted. Includes a cut contact sheet with
a two-frame cut-up from the sheet; a single frame cut-up from an unidentified contact sheet; a paste-up made using the cut
frames, two prints of the paste-up, and an annotated envelope.
Box 14*, Folder 2-3
Jerry McMillan's mock-up,
probably 1965
Scope and Content Note
One mock-up for each side of the street, made of 2 1/4 inch contact prints glued and taped to paper. The mock-up for the north
side consists of 15 strips; the south side consists of 12 strips (each strip is 10 1/2 x 25 inches long or smaller). RESTRICTED
PENDING CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT.
Box 14*, Folder 4
Ed Ruscha's mock-up,
probably 1965
Scope and Content Note
Consists of 35 mm contact prints taped to paper, with one side of the street above the other, running in two long strips (in
four two-part sections, each circa 7 x 24 1/2" long when folded). RESTRICTED PENDING CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT.
Box 17, Folder 3
Photograph of mock-up displayed on studio wall,
1965
Scope and Content Note
Four-part joined panorama.
Box 17, Folder 4
Mock-up for book cover,
1966
Box 17, Folder 5
Mock-ups for title page,
1966
Scope and Content Note
Envelope containing materials from Vernon Simpson Typographers. Includes newspaper clipping for Ruscha's books offered by
Heavy Industry Publications.
Box 18**-20**
Framed mock-ups,
1966
Scope and Content Note
Three framed mock-ups with Ed Ruscha's notes.
Box 21
Negatives used for proofs
Scope and Content Note
Eleven 16 frame negative strips of Ilford Fine Grain Panchromatic (FP3) film. Note around wrappers: These film strips have
not been id'd but may have proofs in this box...If none are found, make a set. Match street, date, etc. if possible.
Box 22*
15 x 24 inch contact sheet proofs
Scope and Content Note
Eleven sheets on matt paper, number of strips per sheet varies from two to ten strips; 16 frames per strip. Annotations on
borders and individual frames. Sheets numbered on versos. Note on black envelope: 1966 Sunset Blvd. / Proofs and negs / In
this black envelope: Proofs; 16 frames ea. strip / Negatives are banded.
Flatfile 1**
Press pulls,
1966
Scope and Content Note
Three framed press pulls.
Box 17, Folder 6
Record book,
1966-1972
Scope and Content Note
Contains lists of expenses for shooting and printing, and lists of books gifted and sold. Also includes two loose invoices
from printers.
Box 17, Folder 7-9
Every Building on the Sunset Strip,
1966
Scope and Content Note
First edition.
Box 17, Folder 7
Proof copies
Scope and Content Note
Two copies of inside fold, lacking covers.
Box 17, Folder 8
Annotated copy
Scope and Content Note
With inscription by Ed Ruscha and film frame numbers and other notes about proofs. Annotations on cover have been erased,
but are still visible.
Box 17, Folder 9
Complete copy in silver presentation case
Box 17, Folder 10
Note from Ed Levine and Ellen Morris,
undated
Scope and Content Note
Regarding their purchase of a "short" copy of the first edition and describing it as compared to the rest of the run and the
later edition.
Sunset Strip 1965/1995,
1965-1997
Scope and Content Note
In 1995 the art dealer and gallerist Patrick Painter produced a series of six gelatin silver photographs selected from Ruscha's
1965 images of Sunset Boulevard in an edition of 25 sets. Ruscha reworked the negatives of the images chosen from
Every Building on the Sunset Strip, cutting them and painting directly on them, in order to produce prints that have the appearance of faded or poorly-processed
black-and-white film.
Box 23, Folder 1
Patrick Painter file,
1994-1996
Scope and Content Note
Includes contractual letter from Patrick Painter; list of Painter Editions; handwritten notes by Paul and Ed Ruscha, and a
tear sheet for the edition's advertisement that appeared in the December 1995 issue of
Flash Art.
Box 24
Negatives,
photographed 1965, duplicate negatives 1995
Box 24, Folder 1
Scratched negatives,
1997
Scope and Content Note
Seven scratched 4 x 5 test negatives with a small padded envelope bearing a note in Paul Ruscha's hand.
Box 24, Folder 2
Unscratched and scratched negatives,
1997
Scope and Content Note
Ten 4 x 5 negatives (eight scratched, two unscratched).
Box 23
Prints,
photographed 1965, printed 1995
Box 23, Folder 2
5 x 6 inch prints,
Scope and Content Note
Four contact prints of Schwab's Pharmacy with annotations on versos.
Box 23, Folder 3
6 x 8 inch test prints
Scope and Content Note
Twenty-four prints of various locations. Numbered on versos. One image of the Gaiety Delicatessen bears a sticky note in the
hand of Paul Ruscha.
Box 23, Folder 4
8 x 10 inch prints
Scope and Content Note
Nine prints including six prints of Gazzarri's Supper Club and three prints of Schwab's Pharmacy. The prints are annotated
or numbered on their rectos and/or versos.
Box 23, Folder 5
11 x 14 inch prints
Scope and Content Note
Thirty-one enlarged test prints. Variously annotated on their versos: Aug. 22, 1976; Sunset Strip; Test; 1966. Five versos
bear Edward Ruscha proof sheet stickers. Establishments depicted include: Ah Fong's and Greenblatt's Delicatessen; Schwab's
Pharmacy, Cyrano's; the Cock and Bull; Filthy McNasty's and Turner's Liquor; Old World Restaurant; Whiskey-A-Go-Go; Liquor
Locker; and various billboards.
Box 23, Folder 6
6 x 8 inch prints
Scope and Content Note
Three scratched contact prints of Gazzarri's Supper Club, annotated in the negative.
Box 23, Folder 7
7.5 x 10 inch prints
Scope and Content Note
Three prints with four images each, scratched.
Series II.
Hollyood Boulevard,
1973-2005, undated
Scope and Content Note
The series contains materials pertaining to Ruscha's documentation of Hollywood Boulevard between 1973 and 2004. The four
shoots (1973, 2002, 2003 and 2004) covered twelve miles of the thoroughfare and included both the north and south sides of
the street. Included here are the original 1973 still images as well as the later images shot on still film and video. Documentation
pertaining to the original shoot is also included.
In 2005 the German publisher and master printer, Gerhard Steidl, published
Then & Now: Hollywood Boulevard 1973-2004, as both a limited edition portfolio and as a trade book. In these works Ruscha's original 1973 images run parallel to their
2004 versions, recording the changes that had occurred to the thoroughfare over three decades. As with
Every Building on the Sunset Strip, the images of the north side of the boulevard run along the top of the sheet or page, while those of the south side of the
boulevard run inverted along its bottom edge. Included are the production materials for the project, ranging from index prints,
initial layouts, proof sheets, and dummies, to examples of the final products. Documentation includes maps, street name and
numbering systems, image sequence lists, and memos on working and production procedures.
Arrangement note
Arranged in two subseries: II.A. Shoots and II.B. Then & Now.
Series II.A.
Shoots,
1973-2004
Scope and Content Note
The subseries contains materials pertaining to Ruscha's documentation of Hollywood Boulevard between 1973 and 2004 (shot in
1973, 2002, 2003 and 2004). The 2003 shoot was video documentation made in preparation for the 2004 shoot, which was recorded
in color for the portfolio and book project
Then & Now: Hollywood Boulevard 1973-2004.
Shoot documentation includes maps of the shooting route, a drawing of the shoot slate; and notes photocopied from the green
spiral-bound production notebook in Series I.A (Box 7 , Folder 13).
Arrangement note
Arranged chronologically by shoot date.
Box 25-27, 30
1973 July 8 shooting session,
1973-2003
Box 25
Negatives,
1973 July 8
Scope and Content Note
335 strips of 13 frame negative strips of Ilford Fine Grain (FP4) film corresponding to 28 of the contact sheets listed below.
Box 26*
Contact sheets,
1973
Scope and Content Note
Twenty-nine contact sheets of twelve rows corresponding to negatives above; includes an extra sheet for rolls 97-108. The
print of negative number 277-288 is missing. Strips are numbered on either left or right edge; some annotations are found
on individual frames or in blank frames regarding roll numbers, beginnings and endings. Labels in center of versos read: Edward
Ruscha / Hollywood Blvd. / July 8, 1966; and include a space for the proof sheet number.
Box 27, Item D2-D4
CDs,
original images 1973, CDs made 2003
Box 27, Item D2
North side, four blocks
Scope and Content Note
One CD. Written on disc: Hollywood Blvd. / 7, 8, 73 / July 8, 1973 / N / side 4 blks / 78 frms.
Box 27, Item D3
North side, first test strip
Scope and Content Note
One CD. Written on liner: Comps, corrs, flats / This is the first test strip from July 8, 1973 / Backup only - not print worthy.
Box 27, Item D4
North side from McCadden east to Hudson; south side from Wilcox west to McCadden
Scope and Content Note
Two CDs (2 copies). Written on liner: Created by Jessica Nesmith for Ed Ruscha Jn [?] '03. Written on pink sticky note: Stiched
[sic] stills PSD. Written on yellow sticky note: Ed's copy. Written on CD: 1973 Hollywood Blvd. / North and south sides /
McCadden to Wilcox / Edited and cropped / Jn [?] '03.
Box 30, Folder 1
Documentation
Scope and Content Note
Includes a map of the shooting route made from photocopied
Thomas Guide maps and extra photocopied maps; a drawing of the shoot slate; and eight pages of notes photocopied from the green spiral-bound
production notebook in Series I.A (Box 7 , Folder 13).
Box 27, 31-33
2002 August 16 shooting session,
2002-2003
Box 31-32, Item D7
CDs
Scope and Content Note
Fifty-five CDs.
Box 33
Index prints
Scope and Content Note
Fifty-five index prints corresponding to CDs above. Date stamp on sheets: 2002/08/16.
Box 27, Item D5
North and south sides,
original images 2002; CD made 2003
Scope and Content Note
Two copies. Written on liner: Created by Jessica Nesmith for Ed Ruscha. Written on disc: 2002 Hollywod Blvd. / North & south
sides / McCadden to Wilcox / Edited and cropped / Jn [?] '03. Written on pink sticky note on copy 2: Stiched [sic] together
stills. PSD.
Box 30, 34
2003 April 27-2003 April 30
Box 34
Video tapes
2003 April 27-2003 April 28
Box 34, Item V9
VHS tapes
2003 April 27
Scope and Content Note
Two tapes.
Box 34, Item V10
Mini DVs
2003 April 27-2003 April 28
Scope and Content Note
Five tapes. Written on liner of tape 1: Laurel N - EN / S / Hillhurst. Written on liner of tape 2: South ss Hillhurst W -
to / Kings Road back / Ns Kings road to ___. Nothing on liners of tapes 3-5.
Box 30, Folder 2
Schematic drawing for shoot
Scope and Content Note
Drawing labeled: Summer Solstice shoot / June 21. Also includes a manila envelope with notes and Gary Regester's contact information.
Box 35, Item FP8
Positive film reel
Scope and Content Note
Reel made from 44 rolls of film. 6.4 miles; 1,629 feet.
Box 35, Item FP9
"Final days" shoot
Scope and Content Note
Label on original canister reads: Final days shoot / Taken to Germany for reference.
Box 36-38
Negatives
Scope and Content Note
35 mm. negatives in five-frame strips, organized by street address [?] and roll number.
Digital archive
2003
Scope and Content Note
Twenty-one CDs; two original sets and one use set.
Box 27, Item D6
Copy 1
Scope and Content Note
Lacking disc 20.
Box 34, Item V8
Hollywood Blvd - Noah 29 Palms
Scope and Content Note
One mini DV. Written on label: Garhard [sic] Steidl / 5 min / Hollywood Blvd / 1 [?] Noah 29 Palms
Series II.B.
Then & Now,
1973-2005
Scope and Content Note
In 2005 the German publisher and master printer, Gerhard Steidl, published
Then & Now: Hollywood Boulevard 1973-2004, as both a limited edition portfolio of 142 photographic prints and as a trade book. In these works Ruscha's original 1973
images run parallel to their 2004 versions, recording the changes that had occurred to the thoroughfare over three decades.
As with
Every Building on the Sunset Strip, the images of the north side of the boulevard run along the top of the sheet or page, while those of the south side of the
boulevard run inverted along its bottom.
This subseries contains the production materials for the project, ranging from index prints, initial layouts, proof sheets,
and dummies, to examples of the final products. Documentation includes maps, street name and numbering systems, image sequence
lists, and memos on working and production procedures. Unlike its predecessor,
Every Building on the Sunset Strip, wherein cars and pedestrians are frequently chopped off and facades unmatched, as if one is moving along the street too
fast to capture the wholeness of any one object, the images in
Then & Now are stringently and seamlessly matched, and retouched as needed. The documentation addresses the issues surrounding the difficulties
of producing this image justification.
Arrangement note
Arranged topically.
Box 27, 31
Production materials,
1973-2003
Box 34, Item C1
Black-and-white montage,
original images 1973, tape made 2003
Scope and Content Note
One DDS3 Dat tape. Written on liner: 25 Ruscha -
Then & Now / 16.12.03 / Zwischensicherung des schwarz-weiß montagen (1973) / stand 16.12. [03].
Box 27, Item DVD1
DVDs
2003 February 25-26; 2003 March 27
Scope and Content Note
Three DVDs; data discs. Zwischensicherung (temporary back-up).
Box 39-43
Production data and documentation,
1973-2005, undated
Box 39, Folder 1
Shoot notes,
1973
Scope and Content Note
Five pages of photocopied notes and diagrams from the green spiral-bound project notebook (Box 7, F13), regarding shooting
set-up, film loading, and so forth for the 1973 shoot.
Box 39, Folder 2
Notes for reshooting Hollywood Bloulevard,
2003
Scope and Content Note
Regarding the 2003 and possibly 2004 shoots.
Box 39, Folder 3
Hand-drawn maps and notes
Scope and Content Note
Includes maps of segments of Hollywood Boulevard showing cross streets or street numbers, and some roll notes.
Box 39, Folder 4
Thomas Guide maps
Scope and Content Note
Map of Hollywood Boulevard made of pages photocopied from a
Thomas Guide and pieced together, and additional photocopied pages.
Box 39, Folder 5
Street names and numbering system,
circa 2003
Box 39, Folder 6
Sequence lists,
undated
Scope and Content Note
Sequences of film negatives (rolls, strips and frames).
Box 39, Folder 7-9
Index prints,
2004-2005
Scope and Content Note
Thumbnails of Tiffs.
Box 39, Folder 7
North side of street,
2004-2005
Box 39, Folder 8
South side of street,
2004-2005
Box 39, Folder 9
Crosss streets and rolls,
2004
Box 39, Folder 10
Working processes and production procedures,
circa 2003-circa 2004
Scope and Content Note
Memos and examples from Gustav Steidel and Jonas Wettre to Ed and Paul Ruscha regarding working and production processes.
Box 39, Folder 11
Production data,
circa 2004
Scope and Content Note
Includes film and digital file specs, production notes by Jonas Wettre, e-mail notes from Ed Ruscha, and color copies of sample
book pages.
Box 39, Folder 13
Book design and edition notes,
2003, undated
Scope and Content Note
Notes and diagrams on book and box design from Gerhard Steidl. Includes hand-written roll list.
Box 39, Folder 15
Correspondence,
2003-2005
Scope and Content Note
Notes sent (e-mails and faxes) between Steidl Verlag and Ruscha's studio.
Box 40-43
Printouts with production notes,
2003-2004
Scope and Content Note
Printouts for
Then & Now from various stages of production with production notes regarding layout, image problems, and so forth.
Box 43, Folder 1-5
3
Scope and Content Note
Also includes enlarged maps of Hollywood Boulevard and sample vinyl lettering for title.
Box 43, Folder 2
North and south side examples
Box 43, Folder 3
Individual frames and montage
Box 45, Folder 1
Printcuts
Scope and Content Note
In three sections.
Box 45, Folder 2
Title page mock-up
Scope and Content Note
On adhesive clear vinyl.
Box 46, Folder 1
Book dummy with photographs
Scope and Content Note
Written on cover: Saturday 27.4.03 / Ed Ruscha / Gerhard Steidl / Paul Ruscha / Gary Regester / Jessica Newsmith / Greg Heine.
Box 49
Trade book
Scope and Content Note
Finished book in slipcase.
Box 50**
Boxed portfolio
Scope and Content Note
The boxed set of 142 C-prints is printed on Fuji Crystal Archive Paper, each print measuring 70 x 100 cm (27 1/2 x 39 3/8
inches). The back of each print includes a stamp with the number of the print in the sequence of 142; the edition number,
and date. The cover sheet of the set is signed by the artist, dated, and numbered. All are housed in a handmade wooden crate
(75.8 x 104.5 x 8.6 cm). Inside the crate is a label, signed by the artist, dated, and numbered.
Then & Now was produced in a numbered edition of 10 copies (plus six artist's proofs and two printer's proofs). This copy is A.P. V/VI.
