Summary Information

Title: Paul Slantis Photograph Collection
Collection Number: AIS.1991.19a
Creator: Slantis, Paul

Collection Dates: ca. 1946-1956
Extent: 1508.0 items (6 boxes with files organized according to subject)

Language: English

Abstract:

The Paul Slantis Photograph Collection contains 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.

Publisher:

ULS Archives Service Center
University of Pittsburgh Library System
7500 Thomas Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA, 15260
412-648-3232
archives-ref@mail.pitt.edu

Date Published:

January 2010

Author:

Finding aid prepared by Miriam Meislik

Revision Description:

April 2010:

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.

Collection Scope and Content Notes

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

Arrangement

This collection is arranged alphabetically by subject.

Subject Terms

Topics

• Artists -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
• Automobile dealers -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
• Buildings -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh -- Design and construction
• Floods -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
• Men -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
• Nightclubs -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
• Photographers -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
• Strikes and lockouts -- Steel industry and trade -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
• Trolley cars -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
• Women -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh

Corporate Names

• Greater Pittsburgh International Airport.

Personal Names

• Lawrence, David Leo, 1889-1966
• Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972

Locations

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

Titles

• Pittsburgh post-gazette (Pittsburgh, Pa. : 1927)

Genres/Forms

• Portraits

Category

• Personal papers

Access and Use

Access Restrictions:

No restrictions.

Acquisition Information:

Purchased from John Richnavsky in 1991.

Alternate Format:

Digital reproductions of the collection are available electronically at http://digital.library.pitt.edu/images/pittsburgh/slantis.html.

Preferred Citation:

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

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.

Collection Inventory

Box

1

African-Americans - Buses (42.0 folders; (238 items))

Box

2

Cameras - Exposition Buildings (33.0 folders; (189 items))

Box

3

Fashion - Joseph E. Moidel Auto (22.0 folders; (284 items))

Box

4

KDKA Radio Station - Puppets (41.0 folders; (265 items))

Box

5

Rabbits - Syria Mosque (33.0 folders; (186 items))

Box

6

Tailors - Zoo (27.0 folders; (246 items))