William Targ Postcards from Samuel Beckett, 1972-1987

Contents and Arrangement

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Collection Overview

Creator:

Beckett, Samuel (1906-1989)

Collector:

Targ, William (1907-1999)

Title:

William Targ Postcards from Samuel Beckett

Repository:

Manuscripts Division

Permanent URL:

http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/9306t4601

Dates:

1972-1987

Size:

1 box

Storage Note:

Firestone Library (scamss): Box B-001343

Language:

English

Abstract: Consists of 47 postcards from Irish author Samuel Beckett (1906-1989) to American book editor and publisher William Targ (1907-1999).

Collection Description & Creator Information

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of 47 postcards from Irish author Samuel Beckett (1906-1989) to American book editor and noted Beckett collector William Targ (1907-1999). Some of the correspondence is jointly addressed to Targ's wife, Roslyn Targ (1925-2017), Beckett's long-time American literary agent. Written in a succinct style, the correspondence dates from Beckett's time in Paris and Berlin. Some subjects that are covered include arrangements for Beckett to inscribe copies of his works for Targ's collection; meetings in Paris; mentions of travel, health matters, forthcoming Beckett publications, and references to other writers, including James Joyce and Saul Bellow.

Collection Creator Biography:

Beckett

Samuel Barclay Beckett (1906–1989) was an Irish novelist, playwright, short story writer, theatre director, poet, and literary translator. A resident of Paris for most of his adult life, he wrote in both English and French.

Targ

American editor William Targ (1907-1999) was editor-in-chief at World Publishing Company, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and later publisher of Targ Editions. Targ was also a bookseller, collector (including a noted Beckett collector), and writer. After the death of his first wife, Anne Jesselson, in 1965, Targ married Roslyn Siegel, a literary agent, who represented Samuel Beckett, among others.

Collection History

Acquisition:: Purchased from Peter Grogan in 2019 . AM 2020-17
Appraisal: No materials were removed from the collection during 2019 processing beyond routine appraisal practices.
Processing Information: This collection was processed by Faith Charlton in September 2019 with assistance from Alia Wood '20. Finding aid written by Faith Charlton in September 2019.

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Open for research.

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