[Americana] Photograph Album of the Bohemian Grove Encampment, 1936, and Other Ephemera

(San Francisco), ca. August 31, 1936. Personal photograph album of Louis D. Kork, with his name on cover. Oblong 8vo. Containing 61 black and white photographs of the 1936 Bohemian Grove Encampment, taken by the club's official photographer Gabriel Moulin, depicting attendees, club rituals, and theatrical performances put on by members. Full black faux leather, stamped in gilt, moderately worn, rear board with label of Gabriel Moulin, San Francisco; many photos slightly creased; scattered foxing; many with Moulin's official stamp on verso. Lot also includes an original broadside for one of the 1936 summer performances ("Nigger Rich"), 28 x 7 1/2 in., written by Carleton Morse and Barton Yarborough; Louis Kork's personal invitation to the Club, dated June 26, 1945; and 11 additional black and white photographs of Kork posing with possible Bohemian Club members, interestingly showing multiple women.

Scarce photograph album depicting the Bohemian Grove encampment during the summer getaway hosted by the Bohemian Club in 1936.

The Bohemian Club, founded in 1872, is an exclusive San Francisco men's club composed of artists, musicians, Hollywood performers, politicians, businessmen, and more. Each year in July the club hosts a two week retreat at their private Bohemian Grove encampment in Monte Rio, California. Over the years the club's retreat has been reported to be the catalyst of many backroom government deals.

Among other events or performances, the retreat is highlighted by the Creation of Care, and an annual Grove Play, which in 1936 was a rendition of Walter Scott's Ivanhoe, both shown in this album.

Louis D. Kork was a San Francisco accountant, and according to his 1945 invitation, attended the Bohemian Grove retreat at the behest of club treasurer George R. Keast.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

[Americana] Photograph Album of the Bohemian Grove Encampment, 1936, and Other Ephemera

[Americana] Photograph Album of the Bohemian Grove Encampment, 1936, and Other Ephemera