Singin' Sam Agins photograph collection
Scope and Contents
The collection includes photographs from the 1880s to the 1980s. The majority of the images are black-and-white silver gelatin prints, 8" x 10" or smaller although there are a few color prints and a large number of postcards. There is a total of 105 photographs (11 in color), 126 black and white proof sheets, 59 postcards (1 in color), 76 black and white negatives, and 18 posters. The majority of the images range from 1960 to 1980 and consist of the various places where Agins performed, the people that he performed with, and photos used in Round Legs. Many of the photos were taken by Frederica, some by professional photographers and event photographers, and a few by Agins' fans. The postcards are reproductions of 19th century "old west" images including Buffalo Bill, Native Americans, cowboys, stagecoaches, etc. Captions and some of the inscriptions (or parts of due to the length) are copied exactly as they appear on the photo inside of quotation marks with additional information enclosed in brackets. Many of the photographs have negatives.
Dates
- Creation: 1875-1990
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1885-1980
Language of Materials
Collection materials are in English.
Restrictions
Open to public research.
Copyright
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Utah State University Libraries, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.
Permission to publish material from the Singin' Sam Agins photograph collection must be obtained from the Special Collections Photograph Curator and/or the Special Collections Department Head.
Biographical Note
Singin' Sam Agins was born in Denver, Colorado on June 14, 1919 and he died in Sun City, Arizona on March 28, 1996. He was born with a congenital paralysis of both legs and only weighed 2 lbs. at birth. Agins was limited to using crutches or a wheelchair for mobility from childhood. Despite his disability he led a very active and full life. Sam's activities included guitar playing, making poetry, and writing and collecting music. In addition he was a leather craftsman, stringed instruments mechanic, and a maker of hand-tooled silver buckle jewelry and violins. On November 19, 1957 he married Frederica Agins (born May, 1938) and they had two sons, Judd and Joseph Agins.
Agins' passion was writing, collecting, and recording American folk songs, especially of the West. During the 1940s and 1950s he entertained disabled youth, veterans, and children in hospitals acting as an Ambassador of Goodwill Industries. In addition, he entertained prisoners in New Mexico, guests at dude ranches, and taught classes about folk singing throughout the American West. Agins was also the United States representative in 1976 at the Smithsonian Institution's Montreal Expo and also served as an expert on early American folk songs in Washington D.C. During the 1970s and 1980s he participated in the Festival of the American West and the Western Writers Conferences held in Logan, Utah.
Extent
3 boxes (3.0 linear ft.)
Abstract
Photographs from the 1940s to the 1980s and photographic postcards with images from the 19th century. The majority are black & white silver gelatin prints, 8" x 10" or smaller, although there are a few color prints and a large number of postcards. There is a total of 105 photographs (11 in color), 126 black and white proof sheets, 59 postcards (1 in color), 76 black and white negatives, and 18 posters. The majority of the images range from 1960 to 1980 and consist of the various places and festivals where Agins performed, the people that he performed with, and photos used in the photo-essay, Round Legs. Also includes photographs of a portrait of Agins painted by John Henry Waddell. Many of the photos were taken by Frederica Agins, some by professional photographers and event photographers, and a few by Agins' fans. The postcards are reproductions of 19th century "old west" images including Buffalo Bill, Native Americans, cowboys, stagecoaches, etc. Many of the photographs have negatives.
Arrangement
Photographs removed from album, in original order.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated by Frederica Agins in 1997. The photographs were removed from the Singin' Sam Agins papers, MSS 230. Included in that collection are copies of the publication Round Legs, a photo-essay by Agins.
Processing Information
Register completed by Daniel Davis, February 2005.
Geographic
- Bear Lake (Utah and Idaho)--Photographs
- Cache Valley (Utah and Idaho)--Photographs
- Logan (Utah)--Photographs
- Utah--Photographs
Topical
- Agricultural experiment stations--Utah--Photographs
- Cowboys--United States--Photographs
- Folk musicians--West (U.S.)--Photographs
- Images
- People with disabilities--West (U.S.)--Photographs
Uniform Title
- Title
- Guide to the Singin' Sam Agins photograph collection, 1875-1990
- Author
- Finding aid created by Daniel Davis, February 2005.
- Date
- ©2008
- Description rules
- Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd Edition)
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding guide is in English in Latin script.
- Sponsor
- Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008
Revision Statements
- May 31, 2008: Template information was updated to reflect Utah Manuscript Association best practices.
- 2009: Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines.
Repository Details
Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)
scweb@usu.edu