Joseph J. Sirak Jr. Collection

The Joseph J. Sirak, Jr. collection (1960-1988; undated) contains eighteen boxes of letters, photographs, clippings, articles, autographs, and autographed books regarding politicians and authors. Often the materials include a summary of how Sirak met the person and sometimes includes a biographical note on the individual as well. A majority of the letters were sent by politicans or writers thanking Sirak for writing to them, or were written as a response to Sirak's request for an appointment or autograph. Sometimes, the correspondence includes a discussion of the author's writings. A majority of the genres of the books in this collection fall under mystery, science fiction, and western. This collection also includes clippings and articles about the politicans and authors; short stories, articles, and books written by the included authors; and photographs taken when Sirak met with the author or politican. Authors include Louis L’Amour, Ursula LeGuin, Earle Stanley Gardner, Daphne du Maurier, and Pearl S. Buck. Other books include mystery anthologies such as various Alfred Hitchcock series, Ellery Queen's Masters of Mystery, and Best Detective Stories of the Year; and articles and clippings are often from "Fangoria" and "TV Guide". Politicians include several governors, congressmen, senators, and others including Richard Nixon, George Schultz, Margaret Chase Smith, and Michael Dukakis. This collection is arranged alphabetically by last name.