Collection Guide
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Finding Aid to the Gene Autry Personal Papers and Business Archives
T.MSA.28
T.MSA.28
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Table of contents
Business and Entertainment Files, 1911-1999
Business Holdings, 1938-1999
This subseries contains documentation of Gene Autry’s business ventures that do no pertain to his entertainment career or
public persona, such as the acquisition of the American League baseball team Los Angeles Angels; Golden West Broadcasters,
which owned and operated television stations, radio stations, and newspapers in California and Arizona; realty; harness racing;
hotel ownership; oil drilling; political affiliations and contributions; and material production of toys and other memorabilia.
Entertainment, 1911-1975
This series pertains to Autry’s involvement with show business in the forms of acting in movies and television, songwriting,
singing, radio production, rodeo, television production, motion picture production, and trademarking of his public persona
for use in advertising and endorsement of products. Records of the companies Gene Autry owned and operated in the field of
entertainment include Flying A Pictures, Placeritas Ranch, later known as Melody Ranch, and Golden West Broadcasters, which
owned and operated several radio and television stations, including Los Angeles television station KTLA.
These files include administrative records, legal documents, blueprints, contracts, financial records, advertising material,
press kits, broadsides, arcade cards, posters, business cards, invitations, maps, membership cards, memorabilia, records of
fan clubs, scrapbooks compiled by fans or by Gene Autry’s office, and publications. Publications include newspapers, magazines,
and booklets, scrapbooks, scripts, and sheet music.
While fan club newsletters and scrapbooks are included in this series, fan mail is in the Correspondence series.
Correspondence, 1930s-1990s
This series includes business, fan, and personal mail sent to and/or from Gene Autry, Ina Mae Autry, Jackie Autry, and Gene
Autry office staff. The Correspondence series also includes files regarding the sending and receipt of Christmas cards and
presents, which was an intensive production in Gene Autry’s office. These files record names, addresses, cards, gifts, gift
ordering invoices, and responses. Also included in the Correspondence series are V.I.P. correspondence files, featuring correspondence
from prominent names in both American and international politics, royalty, military, and entertainment.
Recognition and awards, 1936-1998
Gene Autry received accolades and symbols of recognition throughout his lifetime. This series contains over 200 awards, certificates,
honorary membership cards, trophies, and plaques. These awards and certificates recognize Autry, Champion, and Autry’s businesses
for achievements and support in acting, aviation, singing, military service, rodeos, clubs, honorary appointments, baseball,
freemasonry, victory in an amateur boxing match, proclamations for Gene Autry days in various cities, inductions into halls
of fame, and designations of places to be named in Autry’s honor.