Papers, 1938-1957.

ArchivalResource

Papers, 1938-1957.

Letters, photographs, typescripts (with manuscript corrections) of his novels, short stories, articles, and non-fiction works, scrapbooks of reviews and other material related to his works, radio scripts, plot outlines, research materials, sketches, prints, and clippings. Some carbons and galley & page proofs are also included, as are portions of the manuscript of Gumbo Ya-Ya, which Tallant co-authored with Lyle Saxon and Edward Dreyer. The research material consists mostly of typed copies of articles relating to voodoo, spiritualist churches, and murder cases. Also included are transcripts of interviews (conducted by other Writers' Project staff members) with blacks of various professions (including prostitutes, cooks, and cane cutters) and a selection of songs, some described as "bawdy." The small correspondence series includes letters to and from his publishers along with congratulatory communications from friends, colleagues, and fans. Of special interest are: a letter from the Board of Commissioners of City Park crediting Tallant with authorship of their New Orleans City Park, the First Fifty Years; and his correspondence with and application to the Julius Rosenwald Fund for a fellowship in creative writing. Additional correspondence relating to specific works is included in the scrapbooks for those works. Correspondents include John Hall Jacobs, Edwin A. Davis, Governor Robert Kennon, Harry Stephen Keeler, Lucius Beebe, Bennet Cerf, Essae Mae Culver, Dorothy Quick, Thyra Samter Winslow, Gwen Bristow, and Hobert Skidmore. Among the photographs are views of private gardens in New Orleans, Mardi Gras and other city scenes, portraits of Tallant and of his friends (including Saxon), and reproductions of voodoo paintings. Additional photographs may be found in the scrapbooks. The papers also include several original sketches, some signed by Tallant and others, and some unsigned. There is also a small group of prints depicting miscellaneous scenes and subject matter.

Manuscripts, 3 1/2 cu. ft.Scrapbooks, 10 v.Photographs, 71 items.

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 6952756

New Orleans public library

Related Entities

There are 3 Entities related to this resource.

Dreyer, Edward L

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6p59x8x (person)

Tallant, Robert, 1909-1957

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w65159w0 (person)

Author. Born in New Orleans, April 20, 1909. Educated in local public schools. Worked as an advertising copywriter, bank teller, and clerk before "drifting" into writing. His friendship with Lyle Saxon led to a position as editor on the Louisiana Writers' Project of the WPA. In this position he completed the writing of Gumbo Ya Ya, the Project's compilation of Louisiana folklore. By 1946 his career was fully launched and over the next eleven years he produced eight novels and six full-length wor...

saxon, Lyle, 1891-1946

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w68p5zcm (person)

Saxon, an LSU alumnus, was a resident of Baton Rouge, La. He was a historian as well as a writer of fiction. From the description of Lafitte the pirate, 1930-1932. (Louisiana State University). WorldCat record id: 262161478 Saxon, an LSU alumnus, was a resident of Baton Rouge. He was a historian and writer of fiction. From the description of Children of strangers, 1930-1937. (Louisiana State University). WorldCat record id: 262161476 Lyle Saxon was a fea...