The papers of painter Jerome Caja measure 7.9 linear feet and date from circa 1920 to 1995. The papers document his career in San Francisco through biographical material; correspondence with family, friends, art organizations , and galleries; poetry, prose, and other writings; exhbiition announcements, newspaper and magaizine clippings, and other printed materials, gallery and exhibition files; artwork, including sketchbooks and numerous small paintings, sketches and drawings, photographs; audio visual materials including film reels, vhs and audio cassettes.Biographical Material includes a family history, a short autobiography, school documents from elementary through college, yearbooks, identifications and certificates.Correspondence includes letters numerous letters from parents, letters from some brothers, and letters from friends.Writings consist primarily of short plays and skits by Caja, prose and poetry, a journal, and writings by friends.Gallery and Exhibition Files consist of correspondence, inventory and price lists, exhibition announcements and catalogs, and contracts from museums and galleries where Caja did exhibitions or auctions.Personal Business Records consist of price lists, invoices, receipts for works he sold to individuals or institutions.Printed Materials consist of newspaper and magazine clippings detailing Caja's exhibition or his involvement as a transvestite in the gay scene of San Francisco. There are also books with inscriptions that were given to Caja by friends, and there arerare publication materials that belonged to Caja.Artwork primarily consists of numerous small drawings and sketches in ink, chalk, and nail polish. Also included are sketchbooks of Caja's drawings and oversized paintings and sketches.Photographs primarily consist of personal photos of Caja and his family during his childhood, photos of his grand parents and geat grandparents, and photos of nieces and nephews. There are also photos and slides of his ceramic work and some of his paintings and sketches. The majority of the photos are of Caja as a Drag Queen taking part in various events around San Francisco.Audio-Visual Materials consists of video cassettes, audio cassettes, and motion picture reels. Video cassettes consist of Caja reading his book, Caja taking part in transvestite related events in San Francisco, his artwork, and a movie that he was featured in. Audio cassettes consist primarily of music, but also of Caja reading stories. Film material consists of people working in an artist's workshop, a pool party, and a satirical narrative between children and their mother.
