The Claremont Colleges Library Special Collections announces the opening of The David Boulé California Orange Collection. Ranging from colorful citrus advertisements to photographs of the farmworkers who harvested the crops, this vital collection covers both the dream and the reality of California through its citrus growing industry.
This collection contains materials relating to the citrus growing industry of Southern California from 1882 to 2016. The majority of these items were created for the marketing and sale of oranges and lemons, including advertisements, recipe booklets, signs and sales guides for vendors, posters, and magazines. Audio and visual materials include sheet music, vinyl records, DVDs, and a large collection of photographs. Notable photographs include rare candid images of laborers of Asian and Mexican descent.
David Boulé, the collector, is a third generation Californian and enthusiastic researcher, archivist, and author. His vast and varied collection started small with the purchase of two postcards depicting the idealized fields of oranges that were so typical of the California dream’s image. Since then, his collection grew to include hundreds of items that illuminate the significant labor, enterprise and economic aspects of the California citrus industry.
Boulé has lectured on the impact of California’s King Citrus. His book, The Orange and Dream of California, was published in 2014 by Angel City Press.
Explore the collection at The Claremont Colleges Library this fall by visiting the current exhibit or one of the associated events:
EXHIBIT: Love’s Labour’s Lost: The hidden cost of bringing paradise to America’s kitchen table.
September 10, 2018 - January 25, 2019
Monday-Thursday, 8:00-1:00 a.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; Sunday, 9:00-1:00 a.m.
North Lobby, The Claremont Colleges Library
The exhibit explores the intriguing, often forgotten story of those who toiled to build California’s citrus empire. The carefully crafted image of California as a place of beauty, abundance and well-being – with the orange as its symbol – was made possible only by a largely invisible work force. Essential, massive, diverse and skilled, these workers propelled the journey of the California orange from seed to table and, in the process, created California’s second gold rush.
OPENING RECEPTION: Love’s Labour’s Lost exhibit
Saturday, October 6, 2018 | 4:15-5:30 p.m.
Founders Room, The Claremont Colleges Library
David Boulé will talk about the collection, how it was built, and how he decided to bring these materials to The Claremont Colleges Library. Exhibit tours and a book signing will be offered. Please RSVP.
PANEL: California citrus labor
Thursday, November 8, 2018 | 4:15 -5:30 p.m.
Founders Room, The Claremont Colleges Library.
Save the date for a panel discussion on California citrus labor. Speakers to be determined.
For more information or updates, please contact:
(909) 607-3977
spcoll@claremont.edu
Or visit Special Collections website: https://library.claremont.edu/scl/exhibits-and-events/
Lisa L. Crane
Western Americana Manuscripts Librarian
The Claremont Colleges Library
800 N. Dartmouth Avenue
Claremont, CA 91711
(909) 607-0862
lisa.crane@claremont.edu