Abstract
The Carolyn V. Hamilton Papers (1966-2024) consist of advertisements, press releases, correspondence, newspaper articles, awards, and event programs. The materials primarily document Hamilton’s work as a graphic designer and advertising executive in Las Vegas, Nevada from the early 1980s into the 2000s. Some of the materials in this collection pertain to the late comedian Cork Proctor, Hamilton’s former spouse, including performance advertisements and magazine articles.
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Scope and Contents Note
The Carolyn V. Hamilton Papers (1966-2024) consist of advertisements, press releases, correspondence, newspaper articles, awards, and event programs. The advertisements and press releases highlight the graphic design and copywriting work of Carolyn V. Hamilton for clients throughout Las Vegas, Nevada during her time as an advertising executive from the early 1980s into the 2000s.
Some of the materials in this collection pertain to the late comedian Cork Proctor, Carolyn Hamilton’s former spouse, including performance advertisements, magazine articles, an engraved printing plate, and a fan art drawing.
Access Note
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
This material is made available to facilitate private study, scholarship, or research. The donor, Carolyn Hamilton, transferred all right, title and interest they had in the Carolyn V. Hamilton Papers (MS-00338) to UNLV. However, some material may be protected by copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity rights, or other interests not owned by UNLV. Users are responsible for determining whether permissions are necessary from rights owners for any intended use and for obtaining all required permissions. Acknowledgement of the UNLV University Libraries is requested. For more information, please see the UNLV Special Collections policies on reproductions and use or contact us at special.collections@unlv.edu.
Arrangement
Materials are arranged by material type.
Biographical / Historical Note
Carolyn V. Hamilton is a former Las Vegas advertising executive and graphic designer. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Hamilton left her hometown in 1964 to be a Playboy Bunny in Detroit, Michigan. After obtaining a degree in commercial art, Hamilton worked in advertising in Los Angeles, California before relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1973. Hamilton continued her career in Las Vegas at Jerry May Advertising, but when that firm dissolved in late 1973, she began working as a cocktail waitress at the newly-opened MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. She resumed her work in advertising in the late 1970s.
In 1980, Hamilton met business partner Rich Newman and the two formed the advertising agency, Newman ‘n Hamilton. Carolyn Hamilton handled all graphic design work for the company’s clients, in addition to copywriting and executive duties. She sold her interest in Newman ‘n Hamilton in 1984 and later established the agency, Graphic Communications. She was involved in local civic organizations including the Greater Las Vegas Foundation and the Greater Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, as well as professional organizations such as the American Advertising Federation.
In the late 1980s, Hamilton married comedian Cork Proctor. Although they divorced in 2009, they remained close friends until Proctor’s death on June 6, 2024. Carolyn V. Hamilton is a graduate of Antioch University Seattle and is the author of several fiction and non-fiction books. As of 2025, Hamilton lives in Ecuador.
Sources:
Dye, Tom. “Business as usual.”
Hamilton, Carolyn V.
Katsilometes, John. “Veteran Las Vegas comedian dies at 91.”
Morrison, Jane Ann. “Ex-Playboy bunny finds a life in LV.”
Preferred Citation
Carolyn V. Hamilton Papers, 1966-2024. MS-00338. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Acquisition Note
Materials were donated in 2024 by Carolyn V. Hamilton; accession number 2025-004.
Processing Note
In 2025, Landon Paljusaj rehoused and arranged the materials and created the description in ArchivesSpace.
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Appraisal Note
Acquired in 2024 by Su Kim Chung, curator, as part of UNLV Special Collections and Archives holdings in Las Vegas history, women, and entertainment. All material that formed the original gift has been retained.