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Sam Levitz Photographic Collection 1941-1955

MS 570

Biographical Note

Sam Levitz was born February 17, 1914 in Lebanon, Pennsylvania above the general store his father, R. B. Levitz, opened in 1910. His family had roots in Lithuania and Sam had trouble coping with harsh winters in Pennsylvania. After working in the family retail business with his siblings, Sam moved to Tucson in 1941 in the hopes that a drier climate would help his pleurisy. New to Tucson, Levitz met Bob Burns, the staff photograph-reporter for the Arizona Daily Star at the time, who told Sam he was looking for an assistant. Levitz had experience taking photographs and working in a darkroom and quickly applied for the job. Initially, Levitz handled commercial photograph that Burns needed help with. However, when Burns took a job with the Associated Press in Phoenix, he encouraged Sam to remain on as a photographer part time with the Arizona Daily Star.

In 1953, Levitz opened Tucson’s first television store in downtown Tucson. In 1955, with the family business expanding in Pennsylvania, Ralph and Leon Levitz came to Tucson to help Sam open a furniture warehouse at 815 East 18th Street. The store’s concept was the world’s first Direct-to-You Furniture Warehouse. The store as a huge success, drawing crowds from across Arizona. Before expanding his own enterprise, Sam aided his brothers in opening a similar concept store in the Phoenix area under the Levitz Furniture chain—while Sam Levitz Furniture remained a privately held Tucson company. This turned out to be a wise business decision, as Levitz Furniture chain filed bankruptcy and liquidated in 2008.

In 1963, Sam met the love of his life, Lee Levitz. Lee, a Ford Agency model, Coca-Cola girl, television commercial actress, and backups in famous Hollywood films, recalls that Levitz told her he was in love with her on their first encounter. Lee told Sam he was “an idiot” and reminded him, “I don’t know you, you don’t know me.” However, the couple was married a year later and remained together throughout their lives. The couple enjoyed learning new hobbies, which included learning to play guitar for Sam, flying planes, traveling, hunting and fishing, painting, and enjoying life. The couple’s family includes six children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Sam passed away on December 17, 2005 at his home in Tucson of natural causes at the young age of 91. He was survived by his wife, Lee, who later passed away from natural causes surrounded by family on New Year’s Day, 2013. The family business remains a popular Tucson staple, and in 1991 the third generation Levitz, Sam R. Levitz, took over as the company President. The company remains one of Tucson’s largest employers.

Scope and Content Note

This collection is comprised of 47,330 negatives pertaining to Arizonan photographer Sam Levitz. A majority of the collection are professional work photograph negatives taken by Sam Levitz, Jack Sheaffer, and other associates that worked with Sam Levitz and the Arizona Daily Star newspaper. Most of the photographs were taken from 1941 to 1955. Negatives include both 4x5 and 3x3 inch sizes.

Arrangement

Restrictions

Restrictions

There are no restrictions on this collection.

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for the University of Arizona, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Access Terms

Administrative Information

Credit Line

Sam Levitz Photographic Collection (MS 570). Special Collections, University of Arizona Libraries.

Processing History

Processed by Michelle Nicole Boyer-Kelly, 2016-2017.

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