Jacob Zeitlin
Jacob Israel Zeitlin | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Racine, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | August 30, 1987 (aged 84) West Hollywood, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Intellectual, poet, collector, publisher, bookseller |
| Years active | 1928–1987 |
| Known for | Rare book dealer and promoter of fine printing and art in Los Angeles; founder of Primavera Press; co-founder of Rounce & Coffin Club; editor of Opinion journal |
Jacob Israel Zeitlin (November 4, 1902 – August 30, 1987) was a prominent American intellectual, poet, collector, publisher, and bookseller who operated primarily in Los Angeles throughout the mid-1900s.
Early life and career
Zeitlin was born in Racine, Wisconsin and later relocated with his family to Fort Worth, Texas. In 1925, they made their final move to Los Angeles. For many years, he resided in the Echo Park neighborhood. His initial bookstore was established in 1928 on Hope Street near 6th Street in downtown Los Angeles. The store moved multiple times before settling permanently in a repurposed barn located on La Cienega Boulevard.
He launched Primavera Press with the goal of producing finely crafted books and also co-established the Rounce & Coffin Club, an organization dedicated to promoting high-quality printing in Southern California. Over a career spanning six decades as a rare book dealer, Zeitlin and his associates—collectively known as the "Zeitlin circle"—significantly influenced the cultural and intellectual fabric of Los Angeles. In 1963, he provided testimony during a California Supreme Court case addressing obscenity charges related to Henry Miller’s novel Tropic of Cancer.
Zeitlin was an early promoter of woodcut artworks by fellow Echo Park artist Paul Landacre and photographic works by Edward Weston. He was also the first American to showcase pieces by German artist Käthe Kollwitz. Additionally, he served as editor for Opinion, a brief but impactful intellectual journal based in Los Angeles. Politically progressive, Zeitlin managed the 1950 senatorial campaign for Helen Gahagan Douglas and took an active role opposing the La Cienega Boulevard highway project by organizing demonstrations that included participation from artists such as actor and art dealer Joan Ankrum.
Personal life and death
Jacob Zeitlin was married to Josephine Ver Brugge, who also collaborated with him professionally. Together they had four children. He passed away on August 30, 1987, in West Hollywood, California.
Archival collections
His comprehensive archive and personal papers are housed within the Special Collections at the UCLA Library.
References
External links
- Articles, speeches, and essays authored by and concerning Jacob Zeitlin at HistoryofScience.com
- Interview of Jake Zeitlin, Center for Oral History Research, UCLA Library Special Collections
- Interview with Jacob Zeitlin (1975) at California State University, Northridge