The Edith Head papers span the years 1911-1981 (bulk 1950s-1970s) and encompass 16 linear feet. The collection contains subject files, contracts, correspondence, scrapbooks, awards (including 24 Academy Award nomination certificates and all of Head's Oscar statuettes), tape recordings, and costume sketches. With the exception of production material, including a wardrobe plot for DEAD MEN DON'T WEAR PLAID (1982), the collection provides little documentation on how Head functioned as a costume designer.

The subject files contain clippings, programs, material related to fashion shows and tours, studio biographies, articles written by Head, material related to books authored by Head, and material related to "Vogue" patterns (Head designed evening dresses exclusively for "Vogue" beginning in 1976). Items of interest include an American Film Institute seminar transcript; clippings related to Edith Head's Beverly Hills home (Casa Ladera) and events held there; and a 1948 letter regarding the formation of the Costume Designers Group. The earliest item in the collection is Head's 1911 grammar school diploma.

Contracts with Paramount (1932-1965), Universal (1965-1968), the William Morris Agency (1961-1968), and miscellaneous parties (1942-1972) document Head's career. The correspondence dates from 1951 (bulk 1962-1981) and is primarily non-film related. Much of the correspondence deals with various fashion shows and Head's other outside activities, including personal appearances.

Six scrapbooks contain various clippings on Edith Head. Among the open-reel tape recordings are numerous broadcasts of Head's CBS radio show, Fashion Notes (1963-1965). There are a number of small costume sketches for A DOLL'S HOUSE (1973), DEAD MEN DON'T WEAR PLAID, GABLE AND LOMBARD (1976), and THE LAST MARRIED COUPLE IN AMERICA (1980).

There are 16x20 costume sketches for some two dozen films (1940s-1970s). The earliest sketches are from MASQUERADE IN MEXICO (1945) and the latest from W. C. FIELDS AND ME (1976). With the exception of THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956), most films are represented by only one or two sketches. Other titles represented include ALL ABOUT EVE (1950), ROMAN HOLIDAY (1953), TO CATCH A THIEF (1955), SWEET CHARITY (1969), MYRA BRECKINRIDGE (1970), THE STING (1973), and THE GREAT WALDO PEPPER (1975). Of particular interest are a small number of sketches collected by Head from such designers as Travis Banton, Cecil Beaton, Howard Greer, Harold Grieve, Rene Hubert, and Robert Kalloch.

Items relating exclusively to Head's second husband have been removed and placed in the Wiard Ihnen papers. An oak hexagonal table and chairs from Head's dining room, an antique Mexican chest, and pottery have been placed in the library's Special Collections reading room.

Radio scripts (most three pages in length, many drafts, carbons, variant versions, etc.): No. 1, March 25, 1963-No. 485, January 5, 1965; No. A-1, January 25, 1965-No. 130, July 30, 1965 [incomplete set]

Edith Head (1897-1981) was born Edith Claire Posener in San Bernardino, California. At a young age she adopted her stepfather's surname and was known as Edith Spare until she married Charles Head. She retained Head's surname even after her 1940 marriage to art director Wiard Ihnen. Edith Head graduated from Los Angeles High School in 1917 and went on to earn a B.A. degree from University of California at Berkeley and an M.A. degree in romantic language from Stanford University. After college, she taught Spanish at the Bishop School in La Jolla, California, then French at the Hollywood School for Girls. Coursework at the Otis Art Institute and Chouinard Art School led to a job as a sketch artist for Paramount in 1923. Her first film as solo designer was SHE DONE HIM WRONG (1933). By 1938 she was head designer at Paramount. Her credits there include HOLIDAY INN (1942), THE HEIRESS (1949), SAMSON AND DELILAH (1949), A PLACE IN THE SUN (1951), THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH (1952), ROMAN HOLIDAY (1953), SABRINA (1954), and BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S (1961).

When her Paramount contract expired in 1967, Head became chief costume designer at Universal, where her credits include MARNIE (1964), TORN CURTAIN (1966), and THE STING (1973). Bette Davis, Marlene Dietrich, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Merle Oberon, Elizabeth Taylor, and Natalie Wood are among the stars for whom she designed costumes. Head appeared as herself in LUCY GALLANT (1955) and THE OSCAR (1966), and was a frequent guest on Art Linkletter's CBS television show HOUSE PARTY. She authored two books, "The Dress Doctor" and "How to Dress for Success." An unfinished autobiography was completed by Paddy Calistro and published posthumously as "Edith Head's Hollywood." Over the course of her career, Head was involved with more than 750 productions. DEAD MEN DON'T WEAR PLAID (1982) was her last. Head was nominated by the Academy 35 times in the costume design category. She received Academy Awards for her work on THE HEIRESS, ALL ABOUT EVE (1950), SAMSON AND DELILAH, A PLACE IN THE SUN, ROMAN HOLIDAY, SABRINA, THE FACTS OF LIFE (1960), and "THE STING.