Compare Constellations

Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Records. : Series I., General Correspondence, 1922-1977 (bulk 1946-1966).

Title: Records. : Series I., General Correspondence, 1922-1977 (bulk 1946-1966).

This series consists of the central editorial files of the Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Company. It contains the correspondence for the day-to-day operations of the firm, including letters from foreign publishers seeking publication and translation rights, contacts with young writers, inquiries from aspiring authors, correspondence on legal matters such as copyright, letters from literary agents, and requests for information about writers. The General Correspondence series also contains correspondence between editors and Knopf authors, many files of which follow the creation of a book from the original idea to its final publication. Taken as a whole, this series offers a comprehensive overview of the activities of the editorial offices. The main strength of the series derives from the individual files devoted to writers published by Knopf. These files typically reveal the writer's first connection with the company, which might have occurred when the firm contacted the writer expressing their interest in her or his work, or when the author submitted a manuscript. Files follow the correspondence between the editor and writer, revealing the relationship between the two as the manuscript progresses, continues once the book is published, and shows how the book is received and how well it sells. Especially interesting is the way the files reveal how an editor would guide the creative process, as she or he suggests changes, additions, or deletions. While the vast majority of files contain correspondence only, some files relate to the inner workings of the firm. These are labelled by department or, more often, by employee name; the most significant are for Blanche and Alfred A. Knopf, and can be found in most years. The files rely on the use of documentation in the form of internal memoranda that were sent from editors and employees of other departments to update the Knopfs on current activities. Folders titled with the name of a trip taken by Alfred or Blanche Knopf in a specific year often include narrative descriptions of the visit, including detailed lists of publishers, scouts, literary agents, and writers with whom they met. Further, information about writers is also available in these folders. For example, internal memos about the rejection of John Knowles' A Separate Peace are in one of Blanche Knopf's European trip folders. Other employee named files, like those of Secretary and later President William A. Koshland, give an overview of the firm's administrative history.

ArchivalResource: 500 boxes (208 linear feet)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122481717 View

English literature mss., 1901-1950

Title: English literature mss., 1901-1950

Consists of individual items acquiredseparately either as a gift, purchase, transfer, or removal from a variety ofsources, relating to English literature. Additions continue to be made.

ArchivalResource: 318 items

http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/findingaids/view?doc.view=entire_text&docId=InU-Li-VAA3047 View

Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Records. : Series II., Alfred A. Knopf Personal, 1874-1984 (bulk 1953-1984).

Title: Records. : Series II., Alfred A. Knopf Personal, 1874-1984 (bulk 1953-1984).

This series consists of Alfred A. Knopf's personal files and papers, which were maintained at his office in New York City and at his home at Purchase, New York. Sent to the Ransom Center over a period of years, the arrangement has been recreated from Knopf's personal file system. Generally, the first two subseries consist of correspondence and subject files from Knopf's office, while the Purchase files were kept at his home and used for his memoirs. The last subseries consists of materials sent to the Ransom Center that were not originally present in either his office or home file systems. Consisting largely of correspondence, generally an original letter with a blue carbon of Knopf's response, the series also includes manuscript drafts, clippings, photographs, minutes, memoranda, diaries, programs, artwork, menus, awards, account books, slides, and other printed materials. Subseries A. Alfred A. Knopf's Personal Correspondence contains correspondence with some of Knopf's earliest literary contacts, such as Kay Boyle, Joseph Conrad, Clarence Day, Theodore Dreiser, W.A. Dwiggins, Joseph Hergesheimer, and Vachel Lindsay. Also present are the beginnings of what would become life-long literary friendships with such notables as Warren Chappell, Felix Frankfurter, and Carl Van Vechten. Early folders contain fragments of Knopf's editorial correspondence from the late 1910s and the 1920s. Also, his later interest in such subjects as conservation, politics, Latin America, the American West, and fine wine is well documented. A smaller group of files contains letters from Knopf's fiance and wife, Blanche Wolf Knopf from the 1910s and 1920s. Many of the letters were sent to Knopf as he traveled on business, and Blanche often mentions the daily business of the new firm, revealing how closely the two worked together in the early years of the firm. Subseries B. The Office/Subject Files, originally maintained in Alfred Knopf's office and arranged alphabetically by subject, include a broad range of subjects representing Knopf's work in the publishing industry as well as his personal interests. The correspondence, memoranda, internal reports, and staff records in these files offer a view of the inner workings of the company and of Knopf's management style. The large number of files containing reports, correspondence, and minutes from publishing groups, charitable boards, committees, and social clubs attests to Knopf's participation in the literary, business, and philanthropic worlds. Among Knopf's personal interests, the best documented is the natural environment. Most of the files on this subject are found under the titles "Conservation" and "National Park Service," but they are also scattered elsewhere. These files contain correspondence, clippings, news releases, bulletins, reports of nature societies, legislative materials, and board meeting minutes and reports. A highlight from these files is Knopf's participation in the campaign to save the Dinosaur National Monument in 1950-57. Other personal files are present, such as travel files, covering daily activities, meetings, impressions, and a report describing his first trip to Brazil in 1961-62. Subseries C. The Purchase Files were maintained at Knopf's home in Purchase, N.Y. Among these are files pertaining directly to the writing of Knopf's unpublished memoir, containing correspondence, clippings, menus, programs, and other materials Knopf gathered together and referred to as he was writing the narrative drafts. These files offer the most comprehensive survey of Knopf's life, especially his early years as a publisher. They consist of documents that date from the period about which he was writing and are augmented by contemporary lists, correspondence, and memoranda confirming dates, giving lists of books published, and offering reminders to Knopf of these years. A strength of these files are the early letters he pulled from other sources, including files that were subsequently destroyed, or photocopied to keep in these files. Also supplementing the memoir are a large collection of Knopf's diaries and appointment books, 1919-1984 (some gaps between 1920-1933), detailing Knopf's day-to-day activities. Knopf also wrote about the memorable friendships he made as a publisher. One folder contains manuscript drafts recounting his relationship with Willa Cather, bolstered by copies of their correspondence and associated clippings. An additional twenty folders chronicle Knopf's close friendship and professional association with H.L. Mencken. The Purchase Files also include a group of alphabetical subject files which overlap Knopf's Office/Subject Files maintained at his office: both include files on the environment, typography, food and wine, and politics. However, these files also contain a number of folders pulled from the firm, including some author files that Knopf saved to use for his memoir. Early editorial correspondence with writers such as Conrad Aiken, Thomas Beer, W.H. Hudson, and Ernest Newman appears in these files. Other files contain records relating to dogs, cemetery plots, and family material. Subseries D. The Other Subjects and Interests files include materials that Knopf saved and donated to the Ransom Center, but that were not a part of any existing file system. The range of materials found is very broad and although some of the materials are ephemeral in nature, such as a large collection of clippings about people and publishing, many of the files contain papers that reflect the interests in Knopf's daily life. Non-textual materials, such as artwork, photographs and portraits, a small collection of films (including "A Publisher is Known by the Company He Keeps"), dictaphone recordings, and phonograph records are also present. Many files relate directly to Knopf's home at Purchase and reflect his interest in fine dining. Other materials relating to his home include guest books, gardening records, and an inventory of his library. This subseries also features financial and personal documentation, such as account books, covering such expenses as home costs, investments, daily expenditures, club dues, and taxes, over a 40-year period. Personal and family documents are present, as well as a folder of early internal documents from the firm. This subseries also contains the many awards and honors given to Knopf over his lifetime.

ArchivalResource: 185 boxes (77 linear feet)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/145406139 View

Paul Johnston papers, 1918-1979, 1930s-1950s

Title: Paul Johnston papers 1918-1979 1930s-1950s

Paul Johnston (1899- ) was an American book designer and printer. In addition to founding several small presses, he edited, designed and printed books for various publishers. He wrote the standard work on typography, Biblio-Typographica, and his work as a printer and book designer was exhibited in the U.S. and abroad. Collection consists of correspondence, samples of art work, writings, photographs, and printed matter. Correspondence, 1928-1979, is with publishers and book designers relating to specific projects and publications and reflecting Johnston's work and interest in printing and book design. Samples include his bookjackets, mockups and lettering. Writings are on typography, history of printing and manuscript preparation. Also, personal photographs, journals, monographs, and dummies.

ArchivalResource: 2.7 linear feet (7 boxes)

http://archives.nypl.org/mss/1580 View

Johnston, Paul, 1899-. Paul Johnston papers, 1918-1979, bulk (1930s-1950s).

Title: Paul Johnston papers, 1918-1979, bulk (1930s-1950s).

Collection consists of correspondence, samples of art work, writings, photographs, and printed matter.

ArchivalResource: 2.7 linear feet (7 boxes)

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122576160 View

Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Records. Series III., Blanche W. Knopf, 1918-1966 (bulk 1940-1966).

Title: Records. Series III., Blanche W. Knopf, 1918-1966 (bulk 1940-1966).

This series contains Blanche W. Knopf's correspondence files, which illuminate the perspective of a founding member and key administrator of the Knopf firm, and an important American woman in publishing. Although relatively small, the series highlights the most important authors of the Knopf collection, and also covers routine publishing business such as copyediting, payment of royalties and advances, syndication and reprint rights, productions costs, and sales figures. Important correspondents include Elizabeth Bowen, Albert Camus, Willa Cather, Kahlil Gibran, Langston Hughes, and Thomas Mann. Mrs. Knopf's correspondence with an individual writer discussed not only her or his own work, but that of other writers as well. For example, Carl Van Vechten, a close friend of the Knopfs, wrote to Blanche about the need for writing and publishing "on the Negro question," suggesting Langston Hughes, Walter White, and Richard Wright. Correspondence with Raymond Postgate is especially valuable for its detailed descriptions of publishing in the context of World War II. Mrs. Knopf also encouraged experts in their fields to write specific books and helped authors choose appropriate book titles. Documentation of some of Blanche Knopf's European and South American travels is located in files named "Trips," which are further broken down by destination. The files include lists of people Mrs. Knopf visited or intended to visit, correspondence about the writers, and occasional personal reflections on the trip. Her travels on behalf of the firm not only brought in a rich variety of writers, but often cemented personal relationships with authors, literary agents, artists, ambassadors, and other influential people. Handwritten and typed letters between Alfred and Blanche Knopf that reveal their working relationship can be found throughout the series. In this correspondence, they convey their opinions of various manuscripts, make plans for future business travel, and divide the responsibility of contacting authors to solicit their work. There are occasional personal remarks, such as Blanche Knopf's 1962 letter suggesting that she did not feel "whole," and feared she would not live much longer. A rare autobiographical account reveals Blanche Knopf's perspective on the founding years of the firm, and in particular, her intense frustration regarding Samuel Knopf's participation in the firm's business. Additionally, correspondence regarding important events such as the Knopfs' fiftieth wedding anniversary celebration, Mrs. Knopf's induction into the French Legion of Honor, and the honorary Doctorate of Letters she received from Franklin and Marshall College is located in this series.

ArchivalResource: 12 boxes (5 linear feet).

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122492270 View

Papers of Robert Graves: Correspondence (arranged by correspondent), c1909 to 2004

Title: Papers of Robert Graves: Correspondence (arranged by correspondent) c1909 to 2004

ArchivalResource: 63 boxes

http://archiveshub.ac.uk/data/gb473-rg/j View

Cleverdon mss. II, 1926-1988

Title: Cleverdon mss. II 1926-1988

The Cleverdon mss. II, 1926-1988, consists of the papers of bookseller, publisher, and BBC producer and director, Douglas Cleverdon, 1903-1987.

ArchivalResource: ca. 22,000 items

http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/findingaids/view?doc.view=entire_text&docId=InU-Li-VAA9464 View

Sir Archive Michael Redgrave

Title: Sir Archive Michael Redgrave

Scripts for plays in which Michael Redgrave appeared, as well as a number of typescripts for the various readings and recordings which he made throughout his career.

ArchivalResource: 204 boxes (1411 files)

http://archiveshub.ac.uk/data/gb71-thm/31 View

Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1938-1979.

Title: Miscellaneous manuscripts, 1938-1979.

Consists of letters and other items from Professor Mark Longaker, several of which pertain to his research on Ernest Dowson. Includes the following letters to Longaker: one letter dated 1938 from Fred Millett, enclosing a 1935 newspaper clipping discussing Longaker's book Contemporary Biography (Phila.: U. of Penn. Press, 1934) and his other work on English biography; three letters from Desmond Flower (1949, 1964, and 1967) concerning research on Dowson; a portion of a program of poetry by Trean Benfer Matz (a former student of Longaker's), inscribed by Matz to Longaker in 1968; two letters from Robert Pepper (1977 and 1978), in the second of which he encloses xerox copies of an article that appeared in a 1937 English newspaper concerning the writer Robert Sherard; and a 1978 Christmas card to Longaker from Pepper and his wife. Also includes the following: a xerox copy of an undated letter from Ernest Dowson to "Smithers," the original of which is cataloged in the Miscellaneous manuscript collection under "Dowson, Ernest;" a letter from Mrs. Dillon-Jones (Robert Sherard's first wife) to "Dear Doctor" complaining about her confinement in an institution; an envelope addressed to Mrs. Dillon-Jones and postmarked 1939 at Penzance, which contained the previous letter; a typed copy of John Masefield's poem "On the coming marriage of Her Royal Highness Princess Elizabeth," with ms. annotations; several sheets and cards of ms. notes; a clipping with a photograph of Dr. Daniel Longaker's family in their car early in the 20th century; and an undated, unidentified sepia-toned photograph, 3.125 x 4.125 in., possibly of Dr. Daniel Longaker of Prof. Mark Longaker. Also includes a 1985 letter concerning the accession of these items by the University Library.

ArchivalResource: 17 items (32 leaves)

https://franklin.library.upenn.edu/catalog/FRANKLIN_9913869033503681 View

Browne, Maurice, 1881-1955. Morley's First Sketch of English Literature papers, 1909 and 1936.

Title: Morley's First Sketch of English Literature papers, 1909 and 1936.

The papers relate to Browne's preparation, commissioned by Cassell & Co., of an augmented edition of Henry Morley's A first sketch of English literature. They consist of letters and brief bio-bibliographical sketches by and about authors, and drafts, galley proofs, and page proofs of new sections by Browne. The last section on living authors was unfinished when the project was halted by Browne's illness. The 1912 "new and enlarged edition" contains none of Browne's material, and none was ever. published. Also included is correspondence from 1936, with Desmond Flower and H.F. Morley, concerning the possible publication of a small textbook on Victorian literature based largely on a portion of his old manuscript.

ArchivalResource: 55 items.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/34491672 View