LOS ANGELES, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Mayme Clayton, who traveled throughout Los Angeles to gather what experts regard as a valuable collection of black Americana, has died of pancreatic cancer.
For decades Clayton, 83, salvaged thousands of unusual books, movies, records, pictures and letters, the Los Angeles Times said. One notable treasure was a signed copy of the first book published by an African American, former slave Phillis Wheatley's "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral," the Times said.
Clayton, who earned a doctorate in humanities, stored her collection in her home and garage, but hoped to share it with the public. Last week, her hope came closer to reality when local officials toured the future home of the Mayme A. Clayton Library, Museum and Cultural Center, a former courthouse in Culver City. Officials said the move would be temporary, but would allow the collection of approximately 30,000 items to be cataloged and properly stored.
The Clayton family's long-term goal is to build a museum and research center in Los Angeles, the Times said.
Clayton, who died Oct. 13 in an Inglewood, Calif., hospital, is survived by three sons, two grandsons and four great-grandchildren.
