George Phillips Sweepiana Collection

Collection

Identifier: MS-0186

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The George Phillips Sweepiana Collection is a comprehensive collection of materials related to chimney sweepers. The collection dates from approximately 1932-1963, with the bulk of the documents undated. It consists of both paper records and artifacts. The collection has a broad interdisciplinary focus and includes literature, history, art, and artifacts relating to chimney sweeping. It has been divided into five series: Research Files, Publications, Correspondence and Clippings, Personal Files, and Figuring and Artifact Collection.

The Research Files series document Phillips' research on chimney sweeps. Records date from 1932-1960; most of the materials are undated. This series covers a wide range of subjects, including regulations, costumes and disguises, bills, advertisements, resource pamphlets, and periodicals. There is no filing order.

The Publications series documents Phillips own publications on sweepiana. Records date from 1947-1963. Materials in this series include numerous articles on chimney sweeps published by Phillips, as well as two books he wrote on the subject. One of these books, American Chimney Sweeps: An Historical Account of a Once Important Trade, was illustrated by San Diego artist Everett Gee Jackson. The materials are organized chronologically.

The Correspondence and Clippings series includes a miscellaneous collection of Phillip's correspondence and clippings. Materials date from 1943-1944, with most of the records undated. There is no filing order.

The Personal Files series include Phillips' personal papers. The records in this collection are undated. Included in these papers are newspaper clippings, birthday cards, financial records, and photographs. There is no filing order.

The George Phillips' Figurine and Artifact Collection series includes seven boxes of artifacts and a chimney sweeping device. The artifacts are all undated. This collection includes numerous figurines, incense burners, dolls, nutcrackers, plaques, ceramics, pins, coins, a sweep hat, and block print negatives used for Phillips' publications. There is no filing order.

Dates

Creation: 1932-1963

Creator

Phillips, George (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

The copyright interests in some or all of these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creator(s) of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of archival collections is such that multiple creators are often applicable and copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. In any case, the user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, obtaining publication rights and copyright infringement. When requesting images from Special Collections & University Archives for publication, we require a signed agreement waiving San Diego State University of any liability in the event of a copyright violation.

Biographical Note

Dr. George Phillips taught in the English department at San Diego State University from 1947-1973. A scholar of 18th and 19th Century British literature, Phillips was recognized as the world's authority on the history and literature of chimney sweeps. For over fifty years Phillips amassed a sizeable collection of books, prints, manuscripts, paintings, and memorabilia from all over New York and Europe.

Phillips also wrote a number of articles and books on chimney sweeps. Perhaps one of his best known works was American Chimney Sweeps: An Historical Account of a Once Important Trade, which was illustrated by noted San Diego artist Everett Gee Jackson.