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Sub-Series F: Photographs

 Sub-Series

Scope and Content Note

Document not only Goldwater's political career but also his personal life, friends and family. Includes photographs taken by Goldwater, by professional photographers, and those photographs gifted to him. The images here include historic photographs, original photographs, and reproductions ranging in size from 2 x 3 inches to 16 x 20 inches, both color and black and white.

The photographs include 8,000 un-mounted images, 150+ oversized images, 110+ albums, 5,000 slides, 1,500 negatives, and contact sheets from the 1964 campaign trail. These materials cover a span of over 100 years. Not typical of congressional collections, especially those documenting family history, the sheer volume and diversity of subjects can be attributed to Goldwater's eclectic interests, expertise in photography and high profile political leadership. Goldwater himself was highly photogenic and the object of much media coverage. He also received many photos as gifts.

Photographs have been arranged using the following categories: Awards and Certificates, Boards and Memberships, Committees, Family, Goldwater Stores, Military, Office and Visitors, Personal, Personal Portraits, Political, Public Appearances, Social Functions, Staff and Friends, Travel, and VIPs. Folders then appear alphabetically and chronologically within. Information such as location, date, event, and individuals, when known, is noted. Many prints, however, remain unidentified. Highlights of the collection include an array of military aircraft and bases; Hollywood celebrities; formal and informal portraits of Goldwater and family at work, rest and play; national and international political leaders; early family and childhood photos; Goldwater's pre-political and social life; and travel. Due to the depth and complexity of this sub-series, slides, contact sheets, negatives and albums are listed separately.

Dates

  • Creation: 1880s-2008

Language of Materials

From the collection:

Material in English

Access Restrictions

From the collection:

This collection is unrestricted except for certain family correspondence, which is closed until 2023.

Although considered sensitive, case files (48 boxes) have been retained and are available to researchers. Contact the Head of Archives and Special Collections for more information.

To view this collection, make an appointment at least five business days prior to your visit by contacting Ask an Archivist or calling (480) 965-4932. Appointments in the Wurzburger Reading Room at Hayden Library (rm. 138) on the Tempe campus are available Monday through Friday. Check the ASU Library Hours page for current availability.

Full extent

From the collection: 970 Box(es)

Full extent

From the collection: 1180 Linear Feet

Separated Materials

Goldwater's fine arts photographs (FP-FPC 2) and his collection of Old West photographs (FP-FPC1) are processed as separate collections.

Processing Note

All photographs are encapsulated in Mylar sleeves, arranged in acid-free folders and placed in archival boxes. Duplicates were weeded throughout. Images range from fair to excellent condition. A number of photos show damage due to handling and previous poor storage. As expected, certain color photographs are fading. Some of the historic prints are also faded, bent or torn. Where possible, acid-free linen tape was applied to the backs of the more fragile prints to improve their stability. Embedded within the collection were approximately 800 negatives with no prints. These items were scanned, prints made and added to the collection. While these images now exist in print form, the original negatives and digital files have been preserved.

Repository details

Part of the Greater Arizona Collection Repository

Contact

Arizona State University
P.O. Box 871006
Tempe AZ 85287-1006 United States
(480) 965-4932