Records, 1873-1996 (bulk 1945-1980).

ArchivalResource

Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. Records, 1873-1996 (bulk 1945-1980).

Records, 1873-1996 (bulk 1945-1980).

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/36081105

The records of Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1873-1996 (bulk 1945-1980), document the daily activities of an established and prestigious publishing firm. Beyond recording the history of the firm, its founders, editors, and other staff, the collection serves to articulate the publishing process (especially in terms of editorial and promotional practices at Knopf), to offer detailed information on the numerous prominent authors and books published by the firm, and to illuminate the interactions between publishers, authors, editors, literary agents, manuscript readers, translators, and book designers, all engaged in the endeavor to produce quality books. The pervasive influence and hallmarks of the firm's founders Alfred A. and Blanche Wolf Knopf are evident throughout the archive: unwavering commitment to worthy books; introduction of international writers to the American public; insistence on quality book design and manufacture; and the pursuit of books on topics of personal interest to the Knopfs and their editors. The collection also provides a glimpse of the personal lives of the Knopfs, which were closely intertwined with their business conerns. The collection contains chiefly correspondence. Author's manuscripts were generally not kept by the company; however, a selected number were retained. Since the firm is still in existence, important vital documents and financial records are not present in this collection, with the exception of two defunct enterprises.

1526 boxes (635.8 linear feet), plus art work, film, galleys, realia, and video.

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Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center