Between the Covers

Hardcover. Folio measuring 12" x 15". Wooden boards with hinges. Contains ephemera, clippings, and 50 color of black and white photographs most measuring 3.5" x 3.5" with some captions. Near fine album with near fine contents.

A scrapbook kept by James Maxwell between 1962 and 1963 documenting a year of his involvement with the Mar Vista Optimist Club. At the time he was the vice president of the club and later became president. The scrapbook included Mar Vista Optimist Club official paper for the year 1962-1963. The first section is titled “Internal” where Maxwell includes issues of the newsletter, *Optimistically Speaking*, notes from meetings, programs, memos, pamphlets, and photographs from the Club’s year. One section of the book includes ephemera from a trip to St. Louis for a dedication ceremony of an Optimist Club building in the city. During this trip they met Evelyn West, most likely at an afterhours performance, who signed a baby bib and a topless photo of herself “Bust Wishes Evelyn West.” West, also called the "$50,000 Treasure Chest" and "The Hubba-Hubba Girl" was a cabaret and burlesque star renown for her ample bust line. The final part of this section shows photos, pamphlets, and clippings from a trip to Palm Springs for a retirement party for the outgoing president before Maxwell took over.

The second section is titled “External” which starts with “Youth Work.” Here he compiles photographs of youth groups, letters of appreciation from local high schools, and ticket stubs for community events. Maxwell also includes thank you notes from students and other people invited to Optimist events or otherwise helped by the group. One young woman writes, “I wish to thank you for inviting me to spend the day with you on Girl’s Day in Business, March 19, 1963. I enjoyed the day and I feel that I gained from the experience of being in your office.” The final section is titled “Civic Affairs” which features newspaper clippings and photographs detailing the civic side of the organization.

An interesting scrapbook showing all sides of a California club in the 1960s.

Item #422565