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, 1906-1989.

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, William, 1907-1999

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.

Access & Use

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research.

Conditions Governing 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.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Credit this material:

William Targ Postcards from Samuel Beckett; Manuscripts Division, Department of Special Collections, Princeton University Library

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