Contents and Arrangement

Wright, Richard: Black Boy, 1945-1988

1 folder

Collection Overview

Collection Description & Creator Information

Description:

The collection consists of the British publisher Victor Gollancz's author files on Miguel Ángel Asturias, Edith Sitwell, and Richard Wright.

The Miguel Ángel Asturias files regard his book El Señor Presidente (1946), and contain the original contract signed by Asturias; several readers' reports by A. L. Lloyd, J. Garcia Pradas, Gwyn Thomas, and Harriet de Onis; a 3-page typed author's questionnaire/biography; correspondence with potential translators, including several letters from Gwyn Thomas, letters and a signed contract from Frances Partridge, and postcards from V. S. Pritchett; as well as copious correspondence with Asturias's agent, Luisa Daniel. Also included are post-Nobel Prize correspondence regarding reprints and an author jacket photograph.

The Richard Wright files deal with four books: Uncle Tom's Cabin (1939), including the original contract with Harper & Brothers (not signed), 2 reader's reports, and a letter from Curtis Brown; Native Son (1940), including the original contract with Harper & Brothers (not signed), 2 reader's reports, and a letter from Curtis Brown; Black Boy (1945), including the original contract signed by Wright, reader's report, and libel correspondence with Rubinstein; and American Hunger (1978), including the original contract (not signed), reader's report, and original dust jacket photograph.

The Edith Sitwell files consist of correspondence, primarily from Edith Sitwell to Victor Gollancz Ltd., regarding her works issued under the firm's imprint, which include I Live under the Black Sun (1937), Edith Sitwell's Anthology (1940), To the Dark Tower (alternatively titled Spring Torrents, unpublished), Look! The Sun (1941), and The Atlantic Book of British and American Poetry (1958), which she edited. In addition to correspondence, the files also contain contracts and other correspondence with Sitwell's literary agent, American publishers, legal advisors, and others.

Collection History

Acquisition:

AM 2014-58

Archival Appraisal Information:

Nothing was discarded or transferred in the processing of this collection.

Access & Use

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research use.

Conditions for Reproduction and Use:

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. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.

Credit this material:

Wright, Richard: Black Boy; Victor Gollancz Author Files, C1467, Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

Location:
Firestone Library
One Washington Road
Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
(609) 258-3184
Storage Note:
Firestone Library (mss): Box 1