Guide to the Paul Slantis Photographs, ca. 1946-1956 AIS.1991.19a

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Paul Slantis Photographs
Creator
Slantis, Paul
Collection Number
AIS.1991.19a
Extent
1508 items (6 boxes with files organized according to subject)
Date
ca. 1946-1956
Abstract
The Paul Slantis Photographs contain 1,508 4x5 safety negatives and contact prints taken by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette photographer, Paul Slantis. Photographs include industrial scenes, street scenes, portraits, notable personalities, architeture, among other subjects. Many images were published by the Post-Gazette during this timeframe. Digital reproductions of selected images are available online.
Language
English .
Author
Miriam Meislik
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Existence and Location of Copies

Digital reproductions of the collection are available electronically at http://historicpittsburgh.org/collection/paul-slantis-photographs.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged alphabetically by subject.

Acquisition Information

Purchased from John Richnavsky in 1991.

Biography

A native of Pittsburgh's Oakland neighborhood, Slantis was born on September 27, 1919 and attended Central Catholic High School when be became involved in photography. After graduation, he sold papers and worked in a grocery store to pay for the darkroom he established in his basement. His first job as a photographers was with Oakland News. He subsequently worked for the photographic reproduction department at the Carnegie Museum before serving as a combat photographer with the U.S. Navy and Marines in the South Pacific during World War II. He visually documented the invasion of Okinawa. Upon his return from the war in 1946, Slantis joined the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as a photographer. He remained with the newspaper for 35 years, retiring on September 25, 1981. He then worked as a freelance photographer until his untimely death a year later at age 62 on July 21, 1982. Slantis was married to Jane Shaw Slantis, herself a staff writer employed by the Post-Gazette for 18 years. Mrs. Slantis died in 1990.

As an active member of his profession, Slantis won many awards for his photography. In 1958, the National Press Photographers Association (NPPA) awarded him the Morris Berman Citation for special contributions advancing the interests of photojournalism. A year later Slantis won the President's Award given at the discretion of the president for special services to NPPA. One of his photographs appeared in the 1962 issue of Sports Illustrated. A picture taken by Slantis of Pittsburgher, Henry Dries, a Brigadier in the Salvation Army holding a baby after a fire in Hazelwood in 1967, was selected for the commemorative stamp issued on March 5, 1980 by the African nation of Zaire. It was one of a series eight stamps which that nation issued to honor the 100th anniversary of the Salvation Army in the United States. At the time, this was only the third stamp issued that was based on a news photo. In addition to being a member of the NPPA, Slantis was also a member of the White House Press Photographers and Pittsburgh Press Clubs.

Copyright

The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright is still held by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.

Scope and Content Notes

The collection contains approximately 1,508 4x5 safety negatives created by Paul Slantis and contact prints of unknown origin.

Previous Citation

Paul Slantis Photographs, ca. 1946-1956, AIS.1991.19a, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

Preferred Citation

Paul Slantis Photographs, ca. 1946-1956, AIS.1991.19a, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • Greater Pittsburgh International Airport

    Personal Names

    • Truman, Harry S.
    • Lawrence, David Leo

    Geographic Names

    • Pittsburgh (Pa.) -- Photographs
    • Pittsburgh (Pa.) -- Buildings, structures, etc.
    • Kennywood Park (Pa.)
    • Bloomfield (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Oakland (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Hill District (Pittsburgh, Pa.)
    • Downtown (Pittsburgh, Pa.)

    Genres

    • Portraits

    Other Subjects

    • Buildings -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh -- Design and construction
    • Photographers -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Pittsburgh post-gazette (Pittsburgh, Pa. : 1927)
    • Strikes and lockouts -- Steel industry and trade -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Trolley cars -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Men -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Personal papers
    • Floods -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Women -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Nightclubs -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Automobile dealers -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Artists -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh

Container List

African-Americans - Buses
Containers
box 1

Extent

42 folders (238 items)

Cameras - Exposition Buildings
Containers
box 2

Extent

33 folders (189 items)

Fashion - Joseph E. Moidel Auto
Containers
box 3

Extent

22 folders (284 items)

KDKA Radio Station - Puppets
Containers
box 4

Extent

41 folders (265 items)

Rabbits - Syria Mosque
Containers
box 5

Extent

33 folders (186 items)

Tailors - Zoo
Containers
box 6

Extent

27 folders (246 items)