Collection contains personal and professional materials related to the life and work of Vernon Milton Simpson, printer in Los Angeles, California, including his work with California Institute for the Arts.

Items in the collection are predominantly printed works, including pages and final copies of the "Red Books" specimen binders; marketing material for bicentennial posters; and the posters themselves. There is relatively little correspondence or original writings.

Books given as part of the original donation are not included in this description. They can be found cataloged in the online catalog at http://library.artcenter.edu/.

Individual sheets, booklets, advertisements, and other material showing the use of specific type faces.

Collection of type specimen, including books, individual pages, and marketing materials.

The Lyman S. Reed photographs are his work while he was a Photography student at the Art Center School in the 1950s. This comprehensive collection covers assignments such as portraiture, food, advertising, exposure, and texture. Because Reed had an interest in architecture, he photographed quite a few office buildings and mid-century residences. The projects are completed brochures and assignments he presented for critique in class. Also in this collection are a few objects used by Reed while a Photography student, including his exposure meter and film holders.

Notes on the negative sleeves (usually camera settings used) as well as explanatory Post-It notes from the donor on items in the collection have been transcribed into the Notes fields.

A 26-page book of black and white photographs titled "Parachutes" taken by Jim Bertoglio while a student at the Art Center School. The book was most likely created as a promotional tool to advertise Cole of California's participation in the War efffort. It includes images of company employees sewing parachute components and assembling the packs. The book is spiral bound with a clear acetate cover.

The Third Street photographs are mainly candid shots of students working on projects and relaxing on campus. In addition, there are images of students painting at sites off campus. These copy negatives and contact prints are believed to have been donated by an alumnus. Some of the names and dates have been identified by an unknown person.

The Otto Halmer plaque was given to the Photography instructor by the Art Center black and white photography lab upon his retirement in September 1967.

The Mel Shapiro papers are his correspondence with Art Center Registrar Karla Martell as he inquires about the Photography program and then submits his portfolio and application. Of interest is his Personal Profile, a four-page form required of all applicants, that asks for demographic data as well as professional objectives and whether or not a prospective student has good taste.

The Lou Jacobs, Jr. photographs are portraits of Edward Weston and Man Ray taken by Jacobs while he was a student at Art Center.

The Ted Denton photographs is a photo of Art Center alumnus Bob Brown (ADVT 1932) in his shop taken by his friend, Denton.

The Mario Perez artwork consist of three sheets of sketches by Perez when he was a student for a class taught by Burne Hogarth.

The Jonathan Simle papers are photographs taken by Simle while he was a student, including portraits of Edward A. "Tink" Adams and Richard Avedon. Also included is an enrollment packet sent to Simle upon his admission to Art Center.

Mostly artwork and some documents from the estate of Mary Vartikian, who taught at Art Center from the mid-1950s - 1986. Collection includes: numerous sketches and drawings, Art Center documents and publications, 11 costume design paintings, slides of Vartikian's work and of her teaching, 6 paintings, portfolio of photographic prints taken by Vartikian, 3 photographic prints of Mary Vartikian and George Harris, portfolio of student work, 1 collage (design for "Diggins" painting), George Harris book, "Nonsense and Numbers."

The Charlie Potts photographs were primarily taken by Potts while he was a student and consist mainly of portraits of models. Also included are four early photographs of his family members and a few images labelled Preston Duncan Studio.

The Harold Stegman papers consist of a silent film he created as a student and a book of photographs that supplemented the project. The workprint footage documents the operations of the California Production Service of Southern California, a petroleum company. Also included are two articles about Stegman’s professional work.

The Joseph Weston papers are original artwork and digital photographs of artwork made by Weston (GRPK 1958) when he was a student. Also included are Weston's memoirs of Art Center and his first job after graduation.

Artwork by Virginia Adams, late 1930s-early 1940s, consisting of 20 pieces of mostly advertising original art, many in mat boards 7.5" x 8". Enclosure titled "Los Angeles Fashion Report Spring 1939" with 9 loose sheets of original fashion artwork. Several printed advertisements (some on newsprint) for I. Magnin & Co.

The Jason Hailey photographs are mainly images taken by or of Hailey while he was a student in the Photography Department. Also included are a course announcement, syllabus, and photographs from when he returned to Art Center as an instructor. The exhibition announcement is for a photography show he was in with other Art Center alumni.

The Allen K. Saiget photographs are digital prints of a 1947 dinner party held for Art Center Photography Department faculty and students at Allen and Wayne Saiget's parents' house.

The Morgan Sinclaire photographs are images of Art Center Photography Department field trips and studio assignments shot by Sinclaire while he was a student. Also included are photographs he took later in life while traveling.