Beall Archives > Perlo Collection

Scope and Content

          Series 1. Manuscripts

The materials in this series include articles written for publication, papers for conferences that Mr. Perlo attended, a manuscript of his 1979 book Economics of Racism, book reviews, papers on capitalism, economics, labor and living conditions, Latin America, Mexico, the Middle East, military budgets, militarization and profiteers, militarization of the economy, minority groups, Native Americans, socialism, trade, economic charts, economic reports, correspondence and publicity for lectures, lecture notes, letters to the editor, speeches, and talks.

          Series 2. Published Articles

This series constitutes 97 folders.  A variety of serial and non-serial published articles, letters to the editor about certain issues, newsletters, newspaper clippings, and published articles with unknown publication are within this series.   A few of the serial published articles include: New World Review (Folders 49-50), Political Affairs (Folders 53-56), and Science and Society (Folder 71).  The majority of Perlo’s published articles focus on the Communist Party and their actions, working class men and women, minorities, Native Americans, a variety of different occupations, society, and the economy. 

         Series 3.  Posters

This series consist of 96 posters.

         Series 4.  Correspondence of Rockwell and Sally Kent to Victor and Ellen Perlo – 1955-2000

The collection consists primarily of letters written between artist and illustrator Rockwell Kent and his wife Sally Johnstone Kent, with Victor and Ellen Perlo.  The majority of the letters were written between 1955 and the early 1990s.  After Kent's death in 1971, the Perlos and Sally Kent, and later her husband, Gordon, carried on the correspondence.  The letters consist, for the most part, of the originals from the Kents and copies of the Perlos' letters.  The letters indicate a very close friendship as evidenced by their mutual respect for each others' work, similar political philosophy, and the frequency of visits between the households. 

The letters frequently discuss the political views and activities of the participants.  They include discussions of the Cuban Missile Crisis, JFK, Johnson, the Vietnam Conflict, and the deaths of Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr.  Both the Kents and Perlos were very active in expressing their views both in writing and in public speaking.  In an effort to spread their political views, the couples traveled extensively, both in the United States and abroad.  In particular, the letters discuss travels to the former Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc countries.