Fonds 1307 - Murray Kay Collection

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Murray Kay Collection

General material designation

  • Textual record
  • Graphic material

Parallel title

Other title information

Title statements of responsibility

Title notes

Level of description

Fonds

Reference code

CA JPL-A 1307

Edition area

Edition statement

Edition statement of responsibility

Class of material specific details area

Statement of scale (cartographic)

Statement of projection (cartographic)

Statement of coordinates (cartographic)

Statement of scale (architectural)

Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

  • [ca. 1937-2001] (Creation)
    Creator
    Kay, Murray, 1917-2001

Physical description area

Physical description

2 albums + 1 file textual records + 2 audiocassettes + 12 photographs

Publisher's series area

Title proper of publisher's series

Parallel titles of publisher's series

Other title information of publisher's series

Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series

Numbering within publisher's series

Note on publisher's series

Archival description area

Name of creator

(1917-2001)

Biographical history

Murray Kay was born Morris Kotofsky in Montreal, Quebec on July 24, 1917 to Louis Kotofsky and Celia Jacobs Kotofsky. Murray had a typical up-bringing in what was then the Jewish neighborhood of Montreal, growing up doted upon by his three sisters, Lily, Belle and Anna. During World War II, Murray enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and served overseas in England for a short time. As he received the highest marks in navigation school however, Murray was shipped back to Canada to become an instructor. In 1947, Murray left Montreal for California, creating a successful career in the manufacturing business that took him to numerous countries around the world.

He was a lifelong photographer, playing with the medium in addition to documenting his time in the Air Force, overseas and in both Montreal and California. He also loved to compose poetry and write. He often wrote poems and tributes for special occasions for family and friends and is remembered for his love of the arts and providing inspiration to his children, nieces and nephews. After his retirement he took classes in creative writing and philosophy at UCLA. Mr. Kay died in 2001 in Marina del Ray, California.

Custodial history

Scope and content

Consists of two albums, created by Murray Kay, of both original and copies of photographs taken by Kay. The images are often accompanied by lines composed by Kay and include images of Montreal and Quebec in the 1930s, Kay's time in England with the RCAF, and his eventual move to California. Collection also includes a short story written by Kay entitled, "Man's Spectre" and a book of poetry composed entirely by Kay.

Notes area

Physical condition

Excellent.

Immediate source of acquisition

Arrangement

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

    Location of originals

    Availability of other formats

    Restrictions on access

    Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

    Finding aids

    Associated materials

    Related materials

    Accruals

    Alternative identifier(s)

    Standard number

    Standard number

    Access points

    Subject access points

    Name access points

    Genre access points

    Control area

    Description record identifier

    Institution identifier

    Rules or conventions

    Status

    Level of detail

    Dates of creation, revision and deletion

    Language of description

      Script of description

        Sources

        Accession area