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Finding Aid of the Sun Publishing Company records, 1969-1999

University of New Mexico, University Libraries, Center for Southwest Research

Email: cswrref@unm.edu
URL: http://elibrary.unm.edu/cswr/



© 2010

The University of New Mexico



Collection Summary

Title Sun Publishing Company records
Dates (Inclusive) 1969-1999
Creator Sun Publishing Company
Collection Number MSS 851 BC
Size 1 box (1 cu. ft.)
Repository University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research

Biography / History

Skip Whitson, a long time New Mexico resident was President and Editor-in Chief of Sun Publishing Company and Sun Books.

During the late 1960’s and early 1970’s, The Astral Projection, The Tribal Messenger, and The Old Town Gazette were published by Sun Publishing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The Astral Projection was the most popular of the three. This tabloid newspaper/magazine was published sporadically from November 1968 - October 1973, with national and international sales and subscriptions. The Tribal Messenger, intended for a more local audience, was published and distributed biweekly from November 1969 – December 1973. It reported news that could not be found in local dailies or on the local radio and TV stations. Whitson published The Old Town Gazette, a tourist newspaper, during the summers of 1971, 1972, and 1973. In 1974, Whitson combined Astral Projection and Tribal Messenger into The Sun and started Sun Publishing to publish books. He eventually gave up the newspaper business, turning his focus to publishing books on meditation and the occult, travel, art, and a series of reprints from 19th Century American magazines, called The Old 100 Years Ago Series. Sun Books/Sun Publishing relocated from Albuquerque to Santa Fe in the mid 1980s. Publication topics expanded to include: American Indians, Astrology, Crystals/Minerals, Earth Changes, General Occult, Healing, Historical, Inspiration/Positive Thinking, Kundalini, Longevity, Oriental, Prophecy, Religions, and Western Mysticism.

As of 2010, Whitson continues to publish and sell self-help, motivational, inspirational, leadership, and recovery books by authors such as James Allen, Orison Swett Marden, Christian D. Larson, Lily L. Allen, Prentice Mulford, Ralph Waldo Trine, Emile Coue, etc. He is currently the owner of Abooksource.com.


Scope and Content

This collection documents the business of Sun Publishing and Sun Books. It illuminates issues pertaining to the New Age movement and the interests of people involved in mysticism and counterculture. The bulk of the collection consists of general correspondence files. Catalogs and price lists document the products of Sun Publishing. The Astral Projection provided subscriptions to prisoners free of charge, thus, some of the correspondence from the 1970’s consists of letters expressing thoughts and views of prison inmates. Event flyers and the assortment of advertisements document the counterculture and New Age movement in Albuquerque and beyond.


Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of print and photographic material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publications or distribution.


Preferred Citation

Sun Publishing Company records (MSS 851), Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections, University of New Mexico Libraries


Separated Material

Publications have been catalogued for the University Libraries book collection.


Related Material

Underground Newspaper Collection University of New Mexico, Center for Southwest Research


Access Terms

Astral projection

Authors and publishers -- United States -- History -- 20th century

Counterculture

New Age movement

Small presses -- New Mexico -- History -- 20th century

Sun (Albuquerque, N.M. : 1974)

Sun Publishing Company (N.M.)

Tribal messenger

Whitson, Skip


Contents List

Description Container

Correspondence  1969-1970

Events; protests; "The Astral Projection"; articles; national advertising; information about astrological forecasts and activities.

Box 1 Folder 1

Correspondence  1971-1973

Circulation of "The Tribal Messenger" and "The Astral Projection"; advertising (head shops); submissions of essays and poetry; issues and events; campaign advertising.

Box 1 Folder 2

Correspondence  1974

Submissions; the Neo-American Church, advertising correspondence; copyright protection.

Box 1 Folder 3

Correspondence  1975-1978

Orders; reviews

Box 1 Folder 4

Correspondence  1979

"Illinois 100 years ago" and "Texas 100 Years Ago" published by Sun Books; manuscript submissions; customer satisfaction; price lists; announcements of forthcoming books, requests for information; book orders.

Box 1 Folder 5-6

Correspondence  1980

Holistic research for the Sun Historical Series; questions about publishing, manuscript submission; purchase requests.

Box 1 Folder 7

Correspondence  1981-1985

Orders; distribution of books; queries concerning reprint of books

Box 1 Folder 8

Correspondence  1986-1988

Correspondence about edited manuscripts; corrections and illustrations in publications; purchase requests, research and reviews; information about current events in the publishing world.

Box 1 Folder 9

Correspondence  1989-1999

Accounting; purchases; royalties, payments; research and ideas for book topics; invoices; records of orders.

Box 1 Folder 10

Bill Portch Correspondence  1984-1985

Astronomical research; business negotiations for "A Book of Prophecy;" publishing; finances, reprints.

Box 1 Folder 11

Catalogs, Price Lists, Book Lists   1976-1997

Box 1 Folder 12-14

Advance Book Information - Lists and orders  1996-1997

Box 1 Folder 15

Order Forms, Sales Reports, Invoices  1977-1990

Box 1 Folder 16

Publishing Ideas - Drafts of news releases, title announcements  1969

Box 1 Folder 17

Super Ad Ideas - List of witty quotes   n.d.

Box 1 Folder 18

Astral Projection - Advertising and order blanks  1973

Box 1 Folder 19

World News - Ads, income, expenses   1977-1980

Box 1 Folder 20

News/Press Release  1972-1974

Box 1 Folder 21

College Press Service - Graphics bundle no. 4  1970

Box 1 Folder 22

Newspaper Clippings   1974-1977

Box 1 Folder 23

Newsletters  1970-1981

Box 1 Folder 24

Local Events and Activities - Flyers  1970-1979

Box 1 Folder 25

Book Covers  1988-1989

Box 1 Folder 26

 
 
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