Laurence Pollinger Ltd. Files Concerning D. H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover 1931-1979

Summary

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Overview

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Abstract

Consists of manuscripts, correspondence, contracts, and clippings of the literary agency Laurence Pollinger Ltd. relating to the firm's involvement with the literary estate of D. H. Lawrence.

Description

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Description

The collection consists of typed manuscripts of the first and second editions of D. H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover, correspondence between Laurence Pollinger Ltd. and the major players involved in the contentious publication of the first unexpurgated American edition of the novel, fourteen contracts regarding English and foreign language versions, and newspaper clippings documenting the obscenity trial against Lady Chatterley's Lover in England. Laurence Pollinger Ltd. served as the executor of Lawrence's literary estate and maintained the copyrights for his writings beginning in the 1950s, represented his widow Frieda, and later served as her literary executor. The correspondence is the most interesting portion of the collection, as it illustrates in detail the numerous controversies over the publication of Lady Chatterley's Lover, including censorship over the novel's alleged obscenity.

The following standard abbreviation, or its variation, is used to identify materials in this collection: TMs = typed manuscript

Collection Creator History

D. H. (David Herbert) Lawrence (1885-1930) was an English novelist, poet, storywriter, playwright, and essayist.

Collection History

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Acquisition

Purchased in 2003 with funds from the Richard M. Ludwig Endowment donated by Michael Spence.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Karla J. Vecchia in 2004. Finding aid written by Karla J. Vecchia in 2004.

Access and Use

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Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research use.

Use Restrictions

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Associate University Librarian for Rare Books and Special Collections. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.

Preferred Citation

Laurence Pollinger Ltd. Files Concerning D. H. Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover; 1931-1979, Manuscripts Division, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Find More

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Topics

• British literature

Subject Terms

• Authors and publishers
• Censorship
• English literature
• Literary agents
• Obscenity (Law)

Genre Terms

• Clippings
• Contracts
• Correspondence

Contents and Arrangement

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Series 1: Manuscripts, undated

Series 2: Correspondence, 1954-1979

Series 3: Contracts, 1931 February 27-1959 September

Series 4: Clippings, 1960