Ron Bluestein papers, 1900s-2000s.
Collection Number: 7749

Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Cornell University Library


DESCRIPTIVE SUMMARY

Title:
Ron Bluestein papers, 1900s-2000s.
Repository:
Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections
Collection Number:
7749
Abstract:
Collected journals and photographs of writer Ron Bluestein.
Creator:
Bluestein, Ron.
Quanitities:
2.2 cubic feet.
Language:
Collection material in English

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Ron Bluestein was born in Philadelphia on February 4, 1949 and died from cancer on September 20, 2007 in his sister's home in Springfield, PA. His journal writing, started as an assignment in Arthur Lessing's philosophy class at Lake Forrest College, Illinois in 1969, continued avidly across the years. Bluestein wrote about AIDS hospice, art, entertainment, spirituality, and sex clubs for the Bay Area Reporter, the Advocate, Vogue, and other publications. In about 1984 he helped start the San Francisco Jacks, a safe sex group still active in 2007 and described as "a fellowship of men who like to jack-off in the company of like-minded men." He supported himself as a waiter and as a caretaker in a San Francisco Zen center. He was close with his sister Sheryl Bluestein McShea who added his nickname Ronnette as her middle name after his death.

COLLECTION DESCRIPTION

The collection contains albums with photographs Bluestein took of nude men, some taken in his apartment, some taken at clubs. Additionally, all of the journals he kept during his lifetime, approximately 60 volumes dating from 1968 until 2006. A small number of audiocassette recordings of various interviews.

RELATED MATERIALS

Collecting program: Human Sexuality Collection.
Restrictions on use:

Photograph albums and photographs in boxes 2 and 3 may not be reproduced or published until 2068.

INFORMATION FOR USERS

Cite As:

Ron Bluestein papers, #7749. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
Access Restrictions:

Access to photograph albums and photographs in Boxes 2 -3 restricted until 2038.
Restrictions on Use:

Photograph albums and photographs in boxes 2 and 3 may not be reproduced or published until 2068.

SUBJECTS

Subjects:
Photography of men.
Gay men -- Sexual behavior.
Form and Genre Terms:
Photographs.
Erotica.

CONTAINER LIST
Container
Description
Date
Box 1 Folder 1
Re-evaluation Counseling material
Box 1
Published pornography and photographs by Mark I. Chester
1 volumes.
Box 1 Folder 2
Unpublished photographs by Mark I. Chester
Box 1 Folder 3
Photograph by Rikki Ercoli of Dan Martin
Box 1 Folder 4
Memorial Service and Acknowledgements
2007
Box 1 Folder 5
Poetry
Box 1 Folder 6
Published Writing
1986
Box 1 Folder 7
Orpheus Concert Program and DVD-R
Box 1
Poetry and Sketches
1 volumes.
Box 4
"Ronnie's Last Entry" by Sheryl Ronette McShea
2010
1 volumes.
Scope and Contents
Note from Sheryl McShea: "Read me first, even if it's the last entry." Signed.
Box 4 Folder 2-24
Journals
1968-1989
23 volumes.
Box 5 Folder 1-19
Journals
1989-1997
19 volumes.
Box 6 Folder 1-16
Journals
1998-2004
16 volumes.
Box 7 Folder 1-4
Journals
2004-2006
4 volumes.
Box 2
"Flowers of Asphalt," photograph album of individuals
12 volumes.
Access restricted
Box 2
Photograph albums of individuals
5 volumes.
Access restricted
Box 3
Photograph albums of individuals
7 volumes.
Access restricted
Box 3
Exo-Ero Ball and photographs of individuals
1982, 1984, 1986
3 volumes.
Access restricted
Box 3
Exo-Ero Ball
1985-1987, undated
5 volumes.
Access restricted
Box 3 Folder 1-2
Photographs of individuals, groups and events
Access restricted
Box 8
Audiocassettes 1-4: Interview with Richard Gac
Box 8 TR-19644
Audiocassette 5: Interview at Zen Center Hospice
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Box 8 TR-19645
Audiocassette 6: Interview with Ron Henderson, Volunteer at Shante (AIDS Hospital-Hospice)
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Digital
The digital preservation copy may be made available on request if a delivery copy is not already online.
Box 8
Audiocassette 7: Interview with Randy Harrey (Shante Tape)
Box 8
Audiocassette 8: Interview with Andre Welton
Box 8
Audiocassette 9: Interview with Anne Rice
Box 8
Audiocassette 10: Interview with Lia Zeni Gutero
1985
Box 8
Audiocassette 11: Interview with Art Montenegro
1989
Box 8
Audiocassette 12: Recording of Bluestein Singing to His Grandmother