Included in the archive are approximately 21 holograph letters written from New York on his own specially designed letterheads to his brother in Antioch relating his activities with family and his artistic career; a number of Christmas cards of his own design mailed to his family; a photograph of a gallery exhibition of his work; photos of him designing a “trade mark” for Yale University; an 8x10” black and white portrait photograph by the New York photographers Jay and Grace Sternberg, signed, of Angelo at work, and inscribed by him dated 1936 to his Mother and Father; scrapbook kept by his brother John, containing approximately 30 pages of clippings, gallery announcements and memorabilia about Valenti; 2 photograph albums kept by brothers Vincent and John, filled with photographs of the Angelo family; a hand illuminated print; a manila envelope filled with newspaper clippings concerning Angelo and his career.

Angelo, Valenti (1897-1982). Artist, author, illustrator and fine printer. Valenti Angelo was born in 1897 in Tuscany and moved with his family at the age of 9 to Antioch, California, where he attended school, followed by a stint working at a local paper mill. Soon he moved to San Francisco and attended the San Francisco Art School and became an engraver. He joined the famed Grabhorn Press where he illustrated many books and did hand illuminations, and built himself a house in Sausalito, becoming part of the San Francisco Bohemian scene. During the depression Angelo moved to New York where he would illustrate many books for the Limited Editions Club, as well as author books for Viking and other large commercial publishers. He won many awards from the American Institute of Graphic Arts and became a recognized painter working in oils, having exhibitions in galleries both in San Francisco and New York City. In 1971 Angelo returned to San Francisco where he continued to print on his hand press and illustrate limited edition books. This recently discovered archive in his old family home in Antioch contains a wealth of information about Angelo, his relationship to his family through letters to his brother, his own printed cards sent to family members, news of his gallery exhibitions and newspaper articles chronicling his career. The letters span the period from 1937 to 1956, and include highly personal matters concerning his own health, career, the death of his father, and family financial matters. His family followed his artistic career closely and this material reflects that sensitivity, of a small town immigrant boy becoming well known artist in New York City.