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Finding aid of the Max Gundy and Jack D. Bloch
Papers
Coll2008-070
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Title: Max Gundy and Jack D. Bloch papers
Dates: 1887-1996
Bulk Dates: 1970-1990
Collection number: Coll2008-070
Creator:
Gundy, Max, 1910-1996
Creator:
Bloch, Jack D. (Jack Daniel),
1912-1996
Collection Size: 3 records boxes, 1 archive
carton, and 1 oversize box. 4.8 linear feet.
Repository:
ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives.
Los Angeles, California 90007
Abstract: Materials relating to the lives of progressive
activist Max Gundersheimer (aka Gundy; 1910-1996), of New York City, and his
partner of more than 60 years, Jack D. Bloch (1912-1996). The documents include
correspondence, photographs, business, and financial records, as well as
minutes and notes taken by Gundy of the meetings and other activities of
Communist, socialist, peace, and other progressive organizations in Long Beach,
California, where the couple retired in 1977. Both men died in 1996, within
three months of each other.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection: English
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access
restrictions.
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).
Box #, folder #, Max Gundy and Jack D. Bloch Papers, Coll2008-070, ONE
National Gay and Lesbian Archives, Los Angeles, California.
Date and method of acquisition unknown.
Formerly boxes 103-106, 103-107, 103-108, and 104-121. Collection
processed by Michael C. Oliveira, with assistance from Misha Karbelnig and
Richard French, December 2008.
Processing this collection has been funded by a generous grant from the
National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Max Gundersheimer, Jr., was born in New York City on December 19, 1910,
to Max and Alice Gundersheimer. Little is known of his early life. He served as
the President of Beth Sholom Peoples Temple Young Folks League from 1929-1930.
In the early-to-mid 1930s he met Jack D. Bloch, a fellow New Yorker. Bloch was
born June 4, 1912, and held a series of jobs in a variety of occupations until
1942. He served with the U.S. Army in Europe from March 1942 to October 1945.
During the late 1940s and early 1950s, Gundersheimer, who went by the name Max
Gundy as early as 1944, became involved in the Communist party and other
progressive causes; he became more actively involved after his retirement to
Long Beach, California, in 1977. In 1950, Bloch purchased a home in
Eastchester, Westchester County, New York, in which the two lived. In 1953,
Bloch joined Gundy's printing business as an assistant production person in
direct mail advertising. The business was dissolved in 1970, and both men
obtained other related positions. In 1977, they retired and relocated to Long
Beach, California, where they purchased a condominium. Bloch volunteered
helping other senior citizens while Gundy took a more active role in Communist,
socialist, peace, and other progressive community organizations. He volunteered
at the International Book Shop in Long Beach, of which he became the manager in
the early 1980s. He also ran as the Peace and Freedom Party candidate for the
57th district of the California Assembly between 1980 and 1988. Gundy and Bloch
both died in 1996, within three months of each other, after more than 60 years
together.
Scope and Content of Collection
Approximately half of the collection consists of Gundy's handwritten
notes and minutes, together with newsletters, flyers, and other materials
relating to Communist, socialist, peace, and other progressive community
organizations in Long Beach, California, from 1977 to 1994. The remainder of
the collection consists of Gundy’s and Bloch’s personal papers and the records
of Gundy’s printing business. The personal papers consist of correspondence,
photographs, financial records, genealogical information dating from 1887, day
planner calendar books, and various greeting cards. The collection is divided
into two series: (1) Community Activism, and (2) Personal Papers.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this
collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Bloch, Jack D. (Jack Daniel),
1912-1996
Citizens' associations--California--Long
Beach
Communist Party of the United States of
America--California--Long Beach
Gay couples--United States
Gay men--California--Long Beach
Gundersheimer, Max,
1910-1996
Gundy, Max (pseudonym for
Gundersheimer, Max), 1910-1996
Peace and Freedom Party of
California
Political activists--California--Long
Beach
The following materials were transferred to the library collections of
ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives, December 18, 2008.
Brogan, Jim.
Jack and Jim: A Personal Journal of the
70's
. Bolinas, California: Equanimity Press, 1982.
Berger, Raymond M.
Gay and Gray: The Older Homosexual Man.
Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1982.
Data-Boy Magazine. Pacific Southwest, number
192, October 19, 1977 / Pacific Northwest, number 117, October 20, 1977.
The Directory Long Beach: A Gay Persons
Guide
. Tukay Media Services, Long Beach, California. Volume 2, number
3, 1980; volume 6, number 2, 1984.
Gordon, Eric A.
Mark the Music: The Life and Work of Marc
Blitzstein
. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1989.
Hernton, Calvin C.
Coming Together: Black Power, White Hatred, and
Sexual Hang-Ups
. New York: Random House, 1971
ONE Magazine. ONE Incorporated, Los Angeles,
California. Volume 11, number 10, October 1963.
Weinberg, George H.
Society and the Healthy Homosexual. New
York: St. Martin's Press, 1972.
The Voice. Paul D. Hardman & Associates,
San Francisco, California. Volume 2, number 11, May 23, 1980.