Argus Book Shop correspondence 1857-1955 1930-1944

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Argus Book Shop correspondence 1857-1955 1930-1944

http://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/beinecke.argus

The Argus Book Shop Correspondence consists of the shop's "author correspondence" files holding letters between Ben Abramson and his staff and more than four hundred writers, artists, printers, critics, and illustrators. While some of the folders hold single or just a few letters, Abramson had more extensive relationships with many writers and artists, including John Austen, Faith Baldwin, March Cost, Frederic Dannay, Norman Davey, Rhys Davies, August Derleth, Robin Douglas, Joan Marshall Grant, W. G. Hardy, Claude Houghton, William McFee, Henry Miller, Frank Cheyne Papé, Louis Paul, Frederic Prokosch, William Saroyan, Harold Sinclair, and John Steinbeck. Hundreds of Abramson's typed carbon replies are present in the files; in them, he discusses business and literary concerns, along with his philosophies and opinions on a wide range of topics. While the lack of financial, inventory, vendor, and publishing records keep the collection from being a complete record of the Argus Book Shop, the correspondence files present reveal how Ben Abramson developed business and personal relationships with authors, illustrators, and shop patrons, and in particular with British authors, the obstacles he encountered while conducting business during World War II. The collection also includes, in Series II, more than forty undated literary essays, poems, and book reviews which may have been submitted for an "Argus miscellany" that Abramson often discussed in his correspondence but apparently never produced. The writings do not appear in Abramson's journal Reading and collecting, and likely date after 1938. The Argus Book Shop correspondence files were acquired by Philip D. Sang (1902-1975), a Chicago businessman, philanthropist, and collector of historical and literary manuscripts, who then donated the material to Yale.

7.0 linear feet (18 boxes)

eng,

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 6348863

Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Related Entities

There are 33 Entities related to this resource.

Argus Book Shop (Chicago, Ill.)

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6326ks2 (corporateBody)

The American book seller and publisher Ben Abramson was born in Lithuania in 1898, and immigrated to the United States with his parents after the turn of the century. The family settled in Chicago, where Abramson attended the Jewish Training School, a special academic and manual training program for underprivileged children of refugees. In 1916 he took a job as a clerk at the Economy Bookstore, where he learned enough about the trade to establish his own business, the Argus Book Sho...

Papé, Frank Cheyne (1878-1972).

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6959kmv (person)

British illustrator. From the description of Letters and drawings, ca. 1921-1931. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122289303 Biographical Note British illustrator. From the guide to the Frank Cheyne Papé Letters and drawings, ca. 1921-1931, (Stanford University. Libraries. Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives.) ...

Morley, Christopher, 1890-1957

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w69z94jh (person)

American author and journalist. From the description of Letter to unidentified recipient [manuscript], 1940 October 25. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647810653 Christopher Morley was an American editor, an author, and a Rhodes scholar. Morley was one of the founders of the "Saturday Review of Literature," of which he was an editor from 1924 to 1940. A prolific author, he wrote more than 50 books. His novels include PANASSUS ON WHEELS (1917), THE HAUNTED BOOKS...

Houghton, Claude, 1889-1961

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6mw3hg0 (person)

"Claude Houghton" was the name used by Claude Houghton Oldfield, who was an English writer of prose, verse and drama. He was born in Kent and educated at Dulwich College. The University of Victoria Libraries Special Collections has a mandate to acquire literary papers. From the description of Claude Houghton collection. [1951-1953]. (University of Victoria Libraries). WorldCat record id: 646006328 English author and poet; b. Claude Houghton Oldfield; d. 1961. Fro...

Abramson, Ben

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w64q82hw (person)

Ben Abramson was proprietor of the Argus Book Shop in Chicago, Illinois. From the guide to the Ben Abramson correspondence, 1930-1940, (The New York Public Library. Manuscripts and Archives Division.) ...

Cost, March, d. 1973

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6x125sp (person)

Dannay, Frederic, 1905-1982

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6w09hb0 (person)

BIOGHIST REQUIRED Mystery writer, editor, critic of crime fiction, and coauthor with Manfred B. Lee of the Ellery Queen mystery novels and stories. From the guide to the Frederic Dannay Papers, ca.1920-1982., (Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library, ) Mystery writer, editor, critic of crime fiction, and coauthor with Manfred B. Lee of the Ellery Queen mystery novels and stories. From the description of Papers, ca.1920-1982. (Columbia University In ...

Grant, Joan Marshall, 1907-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6g001mn (person)

Miller, Henry, 1891-1980.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6tb16w7 (person)

Novelist. From the description of Papers, 1952-1957. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 155457225 Henry Miller (1891-1980) was an American author. He was known for his experimental, surrealist novels, such as Tropic of Cancer, which mixed fiction and autobiography. His writing was controversial for its graphic depictions of sexuality, leading to a 1964 obscenity trial in the United States, Grove Press, Inc. v. Gerstein. From the guide to the Henry Miller Letter, unda...

Eisenschiml, Otto, 1880-1963

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6hm618z (person)

Chemist, author, and Civil War/Lincolniana expert. From the description of Papers, 1936-1963. (Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library). WorldCat record id: 21204274 ...

Sang, Philip D.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6d63bd8 (person)

Hardy, W. G. (William George), 1895-1979

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6bp8vsh (person)

Dr. W.G. Hardy (1895-1979) was a classics scholar with his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. He joined the University of Alberta Classics Dept. in 1920, became head of the dept. in 1938 and retired in 1964. Author of novels, historic and scholarly works, Hardy played an active role in Canadian literature, serving three times as president of the Canadian Author's Association. Dr. Hardy was also a well known hockey executive serving for seven years as the president of the International Ice Hoc...

Davies, Rhys, 1901-1978

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6cc2d33 (person)

Rhys Davies was an Anglo-Welsh novelist and short story writer. From the description of Rhys Davies collection. [1928]. (University of Victoria Libraries). WorldCat record id: 667848426 Rhys Davies was born on 9 November 1903 in the Rhondda Valley, Wales. He was educated at Porth County School. Davies published his first novel The Withered Root in 1927 and continued to publish books until the mid 1970s. Davies died in London on 21 August 1978. From the guide to t...

Paul, Louis, 1901-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6ff5b7h (person)

Louis Paul (1901-1970), a short story author, was born Leroy Placet and often wrote under the pen name of Louis Paul. He won the O. Henry Award for short story authorship in 1934 and taught at Columbia University during the late 1940s and early 1950s. From the description of Papers, 1904-1971. (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 29950185 ...

Bailey, J. O. (James Osler), 1903-1979

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6gb2rrb (person)

James Osler Bailey was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, 12 August 1903. He received his BA, MA, and PhD degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the PhD in 1934. He was a high school teacher for one year, was an assistant professor at Wofford College, Spartanburg, South Carolina, and advanced from instructor to Alumni Distinguished Professor in the English Department, UNC-CH, 1927-1971. Under the auspices of the U. S. State Department, Bailey taught in Istanbul,...

Baldwin, Faith, 1893-1978

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6tq6c1s (person)

New York-born American novelist. From the description of Autograph letters signed (2) : Norwalk, Connecticut, to Edward Wagenknecht, 1965 Jan. 18 and [no year] Nov. 22. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 270862667 American author. From the description of The west wind [manuscript], 1962. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 647806212 Faith Baldwin enjoyed an unusually long and prolific career as a popular romance writer. Her works generally portray ...

Nin, Anaïs, 1903-1977

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6t72h6b (person)

The complex and diverse prose of Anaïs Nin mirrors her life. She published nonfiction, journals, short stories, novels, and erotica, and worked as a model, a dancer, and a psychoanalyst. Most of her prose was influenced by surrealism, and features an experimental style and psychological themes. The publication of her diaries, begun at the age of eleven as an open letter to her departed father, brought her fame and made her a sought-after lecturer. Her artistic prose, colorful life, and relation...

Sinclair, Harold, 1907-1966

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6f484qb (person)

Fraenkel, Michael, 1896-1957

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w60s1rt0 (person)

Michael Fraenkel was an American poet and critic. Jasper Wood was a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, and operated the Otsota Press, a literary publishing house. The University of Victoria Libraries Special Collections has a mandate to acquire literary papers. From the description of Michael Fraenkel collection. [1945-1951]. (University of Victoria Libraries). WorldCat record id: 660197432 Author. From the description of Papers, 1939-1941. (Washington State University...

Prokosch, Frederic, 1908-1989

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w60g3r2s (person)

Frederic Prokosch (1908-1989), poet and novelist, was born in Madison, Wisconsin, on 17 May 1908. He spent his childhood in the United States, Germany, France and Austria, and attended Haverford College and Yale. His most famous work is his first novel, The Asiatics (1935). He also wrote poetry, translations and an autobiography. From the early 1930s, Prokosch printed copies of his own work and that of other writers. He was involved in a forgery scandal following the Sotheby's sale of his pamphl...

Rascoe, Burton, 1892-1957

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6nz89ws (person)

American drama critic, journalist. From the description of Correspondence, 1924-1955. (Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center (HRC); University of Texas at Austin). WorldCat record id: 122494186 ...

Sang, Philip D.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6kr0s3j (person)

Derleth, August, 1909-1971

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6m3368n (person)

August William Derleth, 1909-1971, was an author. Although Derleth's literary strengths are exemplified in his nostalgic writings about the Midwestern prairies, he is best remembered for his "weird" fiction, fantasy, and science fiction works. From the guide to the Derleth mss., 1958-1965, (Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington) http://www.indiana.edu/~liblilly) American author. From the description of Typed letters signed (108) : Sauk City, Wis., to Edw...

Tice, Clara, 1888-1973

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6bv7w90 (person)

Clara Tice was an American artist, best known for her depictions of animals, especially dogs, and her erotic illustrations for such works as La Fontaine's Tales and novels and Boccaccio's Decameron. From the description of Clara Tice papers, 1922-1942. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 41502449 ...

Walton, Evangeline

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6xh16c5 (person)

Born Evangeline Ensley in 1907 in Indianapolis, Indiana, she published the first volume of her "Mabinogion" trilogy based on the book of Welsh legends, "The Virgin and the Swine," in 1936. It was published in 1970 as "The Island of the Mighty" and was followed by "The Children of Llyr," "The Song of Rhiannon," and "The Prince of Annwn." Known as a fantasy writer with a large following in America and Europe, Ensley also published "Witch House" (1945), "The Cross and the Sword" (1956), and "Son of...

Steinbeck, John, 1902-1968

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6js9rqn (person)

Margaret Gemmell, later van Judah, was a friend of Steinbeck's during their stay at Stanford University, 1925-26. Included with the papers is a manuscript in her own hand describing her friendship with Steinbeck. From the description of John Steinbeck papers, 1925-1978. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 754866392 This is the producer's copy, property of Oscar Serlin; the play ran from 7 Apr. to 6 June, 1942. From the description of The moon is down, a play in 3 acts...

Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset), 1874-1965

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w65m63m5 (person)

British novelist, playwright, and short story writer, most well-known for his autobiographical novel "Of Human Bondage". From the description of Letter, signed : St. Jean-Cap Ferrat (France), to James R. Parish, Brockton, Mass. 16 June 1961. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 62718967 William Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) was a British author. From the description of W. Somerset Maugham letters, 1919-1927. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 144652236 ...

Davey, Norman, b. 1888

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w68q8q99 (person)

Saroyan, William, 1908-1981

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w680528m (person)

Frances Ring was Editor at WESTWAYS in Los Angeles. From the description of Letters (and manuscripts and photos) to Frances Ring, 1970-1980. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 754863419 Goldie Weisberg was a fellow writer whose work Saroyan had discovered in a literary magzine. Saroyan initiated the correspondence, which focuses on their respective reading, writing, and work lives. From the description of Correspondence with Goldie Weisberg, 1930-1938. (Unknown). Wor...

Welch, Patrick

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6bd6p0m (person)

McFee, William, 1881-1966

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w65147hv (person)

20th century American author. From the description of William McFee writings, [ca.1913-1928]. (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 122599069 William McFee was an English novelist, essayist, and literary critic. From the description of William McFee collection of papers, [1914]-[1954]. (New York Public Library). WorldCat record id: 122626277 William McFee, a marine engineer and novelist, was born in London, England. He served as appre...

Douglas, Robin, b. 1902

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6s59gnd (person)

Austen, John

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w69x0pvd (person)

Epithet: of Dereham Buckinghamshire Baronet British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001124.0x0002dc Epithet: MP for county Middlesex British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001294.0x0000d3 ...