Robert Cotton Collection

Collection

Identifier: 1997-148

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Collection consists primarily of books, manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, clippings, postcards, notes, newspapers, posters, lobby cards, artifacts and scrapbooks. A small collection of media contains phonograph records, movies on videotape and film, and radio serial programs. The scope of the collection includes numerous topics, or areas of interest. Among them are: the American West; the history of Northeastern Oklahoma, including various outlaws and lawmen; circuses and wild west shows; and “Western” movies and movie stars. Of special interest to Cotton were Tom Mix, Joe DeYong, and Sid Jordan. Researchers may find this collection to be especially useful as a springboard when beginning study on any of these topics.

Dates

1899 - 1990
Majority of material found within 1950 - 1980

Creator

Cotton, Robert, 1925-1988. (Collector, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the Oklahoma Open Records Act (http://www.odl.state.ok.us/lawinfo/docs/2006-LibraryLaws-PartE.pdf), and other relevant regulations. Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Oklahoma State University Libraries assumes no responsibility.

Conditions Governing Use

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, Oklahoma State University Archives will provide information about copyright owners and related information. Securing permission to publish or use material is the responsibility of the researcher. Note that unless specifically transferred to Oklahoma State University Libraries, any applicable copyrights may be held by another individual or entity. Copyright for material published by Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College/Oklahoma State University is held by the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges. All rights reserved.

Further information about copyright policy can be obtained by contacting Oklahoma State University Archives by email at libscua@okstate.edu or by phone at 405-744-6311.

Biographical Sketch

Robert Cotton was born in 1925 in Nowata, Oklahoma. His family had been long-time residents of that area. Cotton’s father told his son stories and tales of the region’s outlaws, lawmen and Native Americans, sparking an interest in the younger Cotton that remained with him throughout his life. As a youngster he began collecting and saving artifacts, stories and memorabilia. After living in various locations in Oklahoma and Kansas, Cotton finally settled in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Working as a butcher as well as being a husband and father of two children occupied most of his time. Yet it seemed he always managed to find a few moments at the end of the day to correspond with collectors, seek out new acquaintances or treasures, or perhaps read yet another work on western or regional history. Cotton was widely recognized for his knowledge of local history, cowboy life, “Western” movies, and circuses. He passed away in Bartlesville in 1988.

Extent

153.5 Linear feet ((36 records cartons, 3 document boxes, 13 drop front boxes; 15 oversized boxes, 6 map drawers, 4 special oversized containers, 1810 monographs).)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

Arranged into 13 series.

Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog or contact the Oklahoma State University Archives Reference staff.

Provenance

Gift of Mrs. Faye Cotton, James J. Cotton, and Sarah Cotton Rains, 1997.

Processing Notes

The original order of the Papers (Series A) was maintained during processing as much as was possible. Cotton had grouped this material by the numerous broad topics in which he was interested. During processing, occasionally it was necessary to relocate an item or to assign a topic when material did not appear to belong where it was placed or to fit in any of the established categories.

Photographs (Series B) have been separated from related material for preservation purposes. “Separation” notes were placed in the folder from which the photograph was removed. A separate database in the repository provides access to individual photographs.

Mrs. Cotton prepared notebooks identifying many items in the collection, including numerous photographs. This information has been entered into a separate database in the repository and can be used to identify photographs and other individual items. The notebooks themselves have been retained as part of the Curator’s Files for this collection.

Cotton maintained separate files for most of his posters and lobby cards (Series C). A “separation sheet” has been inserted in files from which any were removed during processing.

Other oversized material (i.e. broadsides, maps, prints, etc.) and highly acidic material such as newspapers also were relocated for preservation purposes.

Media (Series I) contains several items which are from unknown sources. Use may be restricted by copyright regulations.

Records for books in the collection have been entered into the Library’s online catalog. They can be found by doing a keyword search on “Robert Cotton Collection”.

Abbreviations

B: box; f: folder; md: map drawer; n.d.: no date could be determined; TMs: typewritten manuscript; /: denotes line breaks, e.g. in Series C. Posters, Lobby Cards.