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Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.) and Joe Hill Ephemera

 Collection
Identifier: SPC-2023-024

Scope and Contents

The Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W) and Joe Hill Ephemera Collection (1923-1990; undated) contains 26 items related to I.W.W; and member Joe Hill, a labor activist and songwriter who was accused of murder and executed by firing squad in 1915. Included in this collection are I.W.W. publications such as an appendix to the general constitution and by-laws, and pamphlets such as: Historical Catechism of American Unionism"; "One Big Union of All the Workers"; and "The General Strike for Industrial Freedom". This collection also includes booklets, pamphlets, flyers, paper labels, a zine, and other documents regarding both the I.W.W., and Joe Hill. Lastly, this collection contains sheet music for Joe Hill's "Workers of the World Awaken"; and reprints and Joe Hill Memorial editions of I.W.W. songbooks issued after Hill's execution. These songbooks feature a compliation of tunes, hymns, and songs used by the I.W.W. This collection is arranged chronologically.

Dates

  • 1923,1944, 1946, 1963, 1971, 1974, 1979, 1984, 1990, circa 1970s; undated

Conditions Governing Access

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Biographical / Historical

Joe Hill (October 7, 1879-November 19, 1915), born Joel Emmanuel Hagglund was a labor activist, songwriter, and cartoonist. He was a member of the Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.)- an international labor union founded in Chicago in 1905. In November 1915 Hill was convicted of murder in Utah. An international campaign to have Hill exonerated began two months prior to his trial, but was unsuccessful and Hill was executed by firing squad on November 19, 1915. Hill's life, death, and songs have gone on to inspire and influence other songwriters and activists around the world.

For more information about Joe Hill see "The Legacy of Joe Hill", Salt Lake Tribune https://local.sltrib.com/charts/joehill/landingpage.html

"Joe Hill" by Fred Thompson; and "Joe Hill I.W.W. Songwriter" by Dean Nolan and Fred Thompson located in this collection (Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and Joe Hill Ephemera" SPC.2023.024)

Extent

1 box

.42 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Hungarian

Related Materials

For more material related to the Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W) please consult: American Leftist Organizations and Labor Unions Stamps and Ephemera; and Holt Labor Library Collections (HLL).

Title
Inventory of the Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.) and Joe Hill Ephemera
Status
Completed
Author
Karen Clemons
Date
2023-10
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson CA 90747
310-243-3895