Summary
Overview
1864-1898 (mostly 1891-1894)
0.2 linear feet, 1 half-size archival box
Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special Collections
Manuscripts Division
One Washington Road
Princeton, New Jersey 08544 USA
Abstract
Consists primarily of letters by James Payn, the English novelist and editor, to William Morris Colles, his literary agent, regarding the possible sale of his stories and books.
Description
Description
The collection consists primarily of letters (122) by Payn to William Morris Colles concerning the possible sale of his stories and books. Some of the letters deal with editorial changes to Payn's books or articles, copyrights, and publishing in American journals such as Harper's Magazine; in others Payn complains of not being compensated enough for his work. There are 6 letters, undated but probably written between 1888-1894, from Payn to his friend Walter Herries Pollock, editor of the Saturday Review, referring to Chaloner's best opera, the meetings of the Rabelais Club, Sir Walter Besant, and a review of George Eliot's MEMOIRS. Also Included is correspondence from other friends and authors, such as Grant Allen (1848-1899), Robert Buchanan, Anstey Guthrie, Sir James Knowles (1831-1908), William Edward Norris (1847-1925), Mrs. Margaret Oliphant (1828-1897), Sir Leslie Stephen (1832-1904), and Edmund Yates (1831-1894). In addition, there are some newspaper clippings with articles, Payn's obituary, and portrait engravings, including a full page from the 2 April 1898 issue of The Illustrated London News.
Collection Creator
Biography
James Payn, an English novelist and editor, was born at Cheltenham, England. He contributed regularly to The Illustrated London News, Household Words, and Chamber's Journal, and became editor to the latter. It was in the " Journal that Payn published his most popular story, Lost Sir Massingberd (1864). Some of his other popular works include Married Beneath Him (1865), Carolyn's Year (1868), By Proxy (1878), and The Talk of The Town (1885). In 1883 he became editor of Cornhill Magazine which published some of his writings, such as a Handbook of the English Lakes (1859), Maxims by a Man of the World (1869), Some Private Views (1881), and Some Literary Recollections (1884), which was later collected in several volumes.
William Morris Colles was an author's agent and the founder and managing director of "Authors' Syndicate" in London, England.
Collection History
Acquisition
122 letters to William Morris Colles were purchased on November 9, 1965.
Six letters to W. Pollock were purchased on December 20, 1982.
Letters from authors, newspaper clippings, and engravings, source unknown.
Custodial History
The collection was formed as a result of a Departmental practice of combining into one collection material of various accessions relating to a particular person, family, or subject.
Processing Information
Folder inventory added by Nicholas Williams '2015 in 2012.
Access and Use
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
James Payn Collection; 1864-1898 (mostly 1891-1894), Manuscripts Division, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
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