Correspondence, manuscripts, financial records, family papers, notes, clippings, paste-ups, legal papers, flyers, erotica, photographs, slides, home movies, videotapes, memorabilia and other material created or collected by gay activist, publisher, and businessman, Harold (Hal) Leland Call. One of the founding members of the San Francisco chapter of the Mattachine Society, Call created and edited the Mattachine Review, one of the earliest periodicals dedicated to discussing issues of the homosexual community. He later owned and operated several business ventures, including Pan-Graphic Press, Grand Prix Photo Arts and Adonis Enterprises. The collection comprises material from his family papers; his childhood growing up in Missouri; his early work as a journalist and editor for regional newspapers; his time in the World War II Infantry and the Army Reserves; his world travel; his collection of over 5,000 gay erotic films and videos; his many businesses; and his contributions to the Mattachine Society and the gay and lesbian community.

Born in Trenton, Missouri on September 20, 1917, Harold Leland (Hal) was one of four sons of Fred and Genne Call, and grew up in Brookfield. He graduated from high school in 1935 and earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Missouri. During World War II, Call enlisted in the Army and became company commander in an infantry battalion. Following the war, he worked as a journalist and editor for regional newspapers in Missouri and Colorado, including the Kansas City Star and the World-Independent Newspaper.

62 linear feet (47 archive boxes + 15 archive cartons + 1 map drawer).

Publication Rights Researchers wishing to publish materials must obtain permission in writing from ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives as the physical owner. Researchers must also obtain clearance from the holder(s) of any copyrights in the materials. Note that ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives can grant copyright clearance only for those materials for which we hold the copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain copyright clearance for all other materials directly from the copyright holder(s).