Tony Spina Oral History
Item
Identifier: UOH002196
Scope and Content
Collection consists of audio recordings of four interviews conducted between February 21 and September 1, 1994. Spina talks about his life and work as a photographer for the Detroit Free Press. The August 25 tapes include an interview with Detroit Free Press editor-publisher Neal Shine about Spina. Some interviews span two tapes. A December 6, 1993 interview was also conducted, but the recording contains no audible sound.
The interviews can be divided approximately as follows: Neal Shine talks about Tony Spina and his work with an unidentified interviewer (recording begins with interview in progress), Philip Mason begins his series of interviews with Spina: Spina’s early life, family, growing up in Detroit (August 25, tape 1); management of his photographic archive including editing and digital preservation, his work process, sports coverage and Detroit teams, early career up to World War II (August 25, tape 2); “The Navy”: enlistment and assignment as a photographer for the War Department, wartime service in Detroit and Grosse Ile (August 29, tapes 1 and 2); 1946 and on: working for the Detroit Free Press through present day as chief photographer emeritus, setting up and running Free Press Photography Department, newspaper staff he worked with, equipment and methods used, changes in photojournalism over the decades, technological improvements, notable assignments and individuals photographed including the Detroit 1967 uprising, Martin Luther King Jr., Jimmy Hoffa, and Pope John Paul II (September 1, tape 1); further reminiscences on photographic career, notable assignments including wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana and the fall of the Berlin Wall, processes and equipment, emerging technologies, advice to anyone considering photojournalism as a career (September 1, tape 2; interview ends at first half of first side of tape).
Dates
- 1994-02-21 - 1994-09-01
Creator
- Mason, Philip P. (Philip Parker Mason) (Interviewer, Person)
Language of Materials
Material entirely in English.
Access
Collection is open for research.
Use
Refer to the Walter P. Reuther Library
Rules for Use of Archival Materials.RESTRICTIONS: Due to the personal nature of oral history, the Library prohibits use of the material in any way that infringes on individual right to privacy, or results in libelous statements or slander, in accordance with U.S. law. Permission to publish or quote must be obtained from the interviewee or interviewee heirs or assigns.
History
In 1994, Philip Mason conducted a series of interviews with noted photojournalist Tony Spina.
Extent
1 Linear Feet ((1 OS). ) : Consists of 24 audiocassettes.
9.04 Gigabytes ((22 files). ) : Consists of MP3s and WAVs.
Abstract
In 1994, Philip Mason conducted a series of interviews with noted photojournalist Tony Spina. Collection consists of audio recordings of four interviews conducted between February 21 and September 1, 1994. Spina talks about his life and work as a photographer for the Detroit Free Press. The August 25 tapes include an interview with Detroit Free Press editor-publisher Neal Shine about Spina.
Arrangement
Audiocassettes are arranged chronologically by interview date.
Acquisition
Donated by Philip P. Mason, Walter P. Reuther Library, and Tony Spina, circa 1994.
Other Copies
Recordings are available in digital format. Duplicate copies of the recordings are available on 16 audiocassettes.
Processing History
Processed and finding aid written by Rebecca Bizonet on July 1, 2016.
Creator
- Mason, Philip P. (Philip Parker Mason) (Interviewer, Person)
- Spina, Tony (Interviewee, Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Tony Spina Oral History
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Processed by Rebecca Bizonet.
- Date
- 2016-07-01
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
- Sponsor
- Description made possible by funding from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
Repository Details
Part of the Walter P. Reuther Library Repository
Contact:
5401 Cass Avenue
Detroit MI 48202 USA
5401 Cass Avenue
Detroit MI 48202 USA