Sherwood Anderson Collection 1923-1941
Access and use
- Location of collection:
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Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections LibraryUniversity of VirginiaP.O. Box 400110160 McCormick RdCharlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
- Contact for questions and access:
- POC: Brenda GunnEmail: bg9ba@virginia.eduPhone: (434) 924-1037Phone: (434) 243-1776Fax: (434) 924-4968
- Restrictions:
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Collection is open to research.
- Terms of access:
- Preferred citation:
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Sherwood Anderson Collection, Accession 6181-a, Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library
Collection context
Summary
Background
- Scope and content:
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[w/autographed corrections]
[w/autographed corrections]
(Blank wrappers of same paper)
[w/autograph corrections]
[w/autograph corrections]
[Sends novel with suggested title The Liarfor publication; promises a shorter tale, "An Ohio Pagan," for the following week; mentions Carl van Doren. ]
[Discusses publication of a story, trouble with the Pictorial Review, and business with Harper. ]
[Discusses a book in progress; sends material for Harper'sserial; asks him to call Mr. Canby about some material he was interested in; asks how he and Harperlike Straws; asks him to wire him, collect, in Renoas soon as has definite word from Harper's. ]
[Hopes to do the "Dreiser Introduction"; needs [Theodore] Dreiser's Free and Other Storiesas well as the "ante biography" to be sent to him in Reno, Nevada; requests copy of a book to which he contributed.]
[Sends Dorothea Radin's translation of The Outpostby Boleslaw Prus; encloses a note to him from Mrs. Radin.]
[Discusses The Outpostwhich has been returned from Putnam, Holt, Scribner's, and Moffat, Yard and Dutton; mentions that an English translation of The Outposthas been published by Oxford University Pressunder the title Selected Polish Tales; wants Anderson to send a copy of the book to Otto Liveright; gives particulars about the copyright, etc.]
[Discusses a financial disappointment; says A Story Teller's Storyhas been turned down by Harperand he prefers for Huebsch to publish novel in book form, rather than submit it to Century; regrets that Henry Canby's efforts have been in vain; feels that the literary world has not decided yet if he is a great man or a "flivver."]
[Discusses A Story Teller's Storyand the possibility of getting it published by Harper; relates Henry Canby's remarks on the book; mentions the American Play Companyand some business with it; makes disparaging remarks on [H. L.] Menckenand [George Jean] Nathanand their possible motivations should they take the book; hints that things in his personal life are at an impasse; feels good about a new story he has in the works.]
[Discusses a letter from Henry Canby, the Harper Publishing Co., the American Play Company, and short stories he has done (which he is putting aside to "ripen"); mentions his personal situation with T.]
[Encloses an ingracious piece about him written by Ms. Gregory from The Dialas well as his reply to it; has received check from Liveright; asks for the February numbers of The American Mercury. ]
[Says she and Sherwood Andersonwill be married the following day; talks about Anderson's improved health, their plans for the immediate future and travel plans if "Phantasms" come through in time; says they will come see Liveright in New Yorkif they are able to travel.]
[Thanks him for the good words about his book and for sending Mr. Wescott's book; says The Loverswill soon be ready and sent to Liveright; inquires about the book's serialization; mentions business with Harper, Century, The Dial; fancies having a story of his made into a play; asks about possibilities regarding this idea; says he and his new wife are happy in Berkeleyand about the reception of the book.]
[Sends a story, the first of three; promises to send the novel in a few days; hopes the novel can be used as a serial.]
[Discusses his desire to switch publishers in order to sell more books; analyzes his feelings toward Ben [Huebsch]who supported him and published his books when everybody else turned him down; looks at his business relationship and friendship with Otto Liveright; feels his loyalty and friendship to his old supporters is stronger than the desire to make more money; urges Liveright to come visit him in New Orleans; mentions a good visit from Konrad, a writer.]
[Discusses his guilty feelings after preparing to leave his publisher Ben [Huebsch]a year ago, how Huebsch accepted the books others rejected ( Winesburg, Many Marriages), his plan to stick with Ben Huebschwith A Story Teller's Story(which was rejected by Harper); realizes that his writing is too experimental to be a money-maker for any publishers; promises to send short story soon; suggests short story to be published in the Christmas number of the Berliner Tagblatt; evaluates Wescott's book; mentions Liverights suggestions for the play.]
[Discusses a new magazine and the possibility of the " Pittsburghpeople" buying his new novel to be serialized; thinks it would be "a peach of a stunt for a new magazine," provided they have money.]
[Discusses a clipping for [Konrad] Bercoviawith a photo to follow, sad events in Liveright's life and rewriting of some chapters of the novel; comments on the book.]
[Discusses refusal to review a book by his friend Alfred Kreymborg; does not like the book and would like to stay out of it; suggests review of new book by Ernest Hemingway, due to be published in fall; discusses work on a new novel to be ready for publishing in the fall.]
[Discusses Vanity Fair"matter," progress with Tar: A Midwest Childhood, work on a new novel, imminent move to Virginiafarm and health of his brother.]
[Discusses acceptance of offer from Vanity Fairto write an article for a special issue (150 year anniversary of American) for $400.]
[Discusses Vanity Faircheck and interesting letter from Donald Freeman, editor of Vanity Fairregarding future articles; suggests that Liveright negotiate for more per article from Vanity Fair. ]
[Discusses short story, "Another Wife"; hope Liveright can sell it.]
[Tries to buy story of Sherwood Anderson's for $325; discusses Anderson's support for The American Mercuryin its early days and friendship between the two men.]
[Discusses signing agreements for articles for Vanity Fair, ideas for future articles and his idea of what Donald Freemanexpects him to write about; mentions his relative isolation on the farm and his not reading many papers and magazines; mentions another story almost finished and the "Childhood Book."]
[Mentions receipt of check, his writing form.]
[Discusses statement of money, made in 1927, for income tax and the endeavor to publish the best weekly in America. ]
[Discusses the writing of "perfectly sexless story" for a female editor of a magazine for $500.]
[Discusses one of his stories which is in the possession of Arthur Vanceand the possibility of it being published in The Caravan. ]
[Discusses a "real" story; suggests sending it to "our prize lady magazine editor" and trying to get "some real money out of her."]
[Discusses returning the Vanity Faircontract to Liveright; refuses to write on just any subject suggested by editors; wishes to have wider latitude by having lots of subjects suggested; discusses "The Last Novel," to be used by Liveright for $500.]
[Discusses articles for Vanity Fair, preference to reserve his own book rights, work in progress and a short story ready for sale.]
[Discusses Goodman's request that Anderson explain himself as an artist; offers to print both Goodman's letter and his reply in his local weekly paper, the Marion Democrat; promises to send copy when printed.]
[Discusses a story to be sold to Harper's if possible, another story to be sent shortly; reminds Liveright to try to sell stories to The American Mercuryand Scribner's. ]
[Discusses $600 sent to Liveright by Donald Freeman; requests that the money be sent without delay.]
[Mentions receipt of a check; discusses story "Among The Drifters" to be sent to H. L. Menckenand story "Fred" to be sold elsewhere.]
[Discusses check from Donald Freemanfor $600; requests that Liveright forward it to him immediately.]
[Discusses Grant Overton's request for Anderson's permission to use Anderson's photos for The Worlds Fifty Best Short Novels; Anderson replies on same sheet granting request.]
[Discusses his upcoming trip to New Yorkand possibility of seeing Liveright.]
[Discusses Alfred Dashiellof Scribner's , "The Last Novel," and Vanity Fairrelated business.]
[Discusses a prose poem, written on the train; suggests selling the poem to McCall's; says his recent interest is in doing stories in a lighter vein; hopes that Liveright might be able to sell them to magazines that pay "real money."]
[Discusses Grant Overton; suggests that he get permission from Viking Press; states that Viking Presscharges for all reprints.]
[Discussing Grant Overtonand Viking Press; says he is working hard and steadily.]
[Speaks of his feelings for them, what their friendship means to him; quotes D. H. Lawrence; says he will not sell Ripshin Farm (as was planned?) but will live there in the coming spring; says access to the farm will be easier as paved road from Marionto Troutdaleis under construction; says he has lived alone for two years and will go to the farm with a woman he loves, Eleanor, perhaps marry her, even if the idea is absurd; talks about difficulties with himself, human relationships; suggests possibility that the four of them live on the farm.]
[Invites Sergel familyto come to Troutdaleto talk about the play and other things; gives travel instructions; discusses attempt, apparently failed, to dramatize Winesburg, Ohioin collaboration with Arthur Bartonand Louis Gruenberg; mentions living arrangements at Ripshin Farm, difficulties he had with Barton, and his upcoming marriage to Eleanor Copenhuaer. ]
[Requests that a review copy of No Swank,be sent to Bill Stewart, editor of To-Day; states that, instead of expected 12, he only got 6 copies of the ordinary edition.]
[Discusses a hat of hers she left in his car; his memory of "Twelfth Night"; wishes to see [Yeats].]
[Discusses the beauty of Ripshin farm in June; invites her and Jap [ Jasper Deeter] and Joe to visit; mentions his last visit to Hedgerow Theater, rumors about an amateur theater group in New Orleansand the possibility of its closing down because of homosexual involvement of the director with actors.]
[Mentions his presence at farm, their possible visit, her trip to Harrisburg; discusses the New Orleans Theater Company, possibility of their doing one of his plays, Mark Antony's scheduled visit to Ripshin, his almost finished book of three plays, the use of an essay he wrote on Jap [ Jasper Deeter] as an introduction to the book in the way of a dedication, possibility of the Winesburgplay going into a repertory at the Hedgerow theater, the marketing of a new book; mentions his wife Eleanor's activities (attending "working girls conference"), and Mary Emmet's visit to the farm.]
[Discusses praise for Robert Nathan's [ Autumn], gratitude for Feis having given him the book, Feis' stay in [ Lawrence]; makes statements about himself; mentions his purchase of a Ford and delight in owning it and plans to go to Mexico Cityafter Christmas to paint if the money comes through.]
[Describes trip from Virginiato New Orleansand the towns he saw on the way and theater scene in New Orleans; plans to travel to Mexicovia Brownsvillefrom New Orleans; mentions the dedication of Puzzled Americato Sergel, if Sergel does not object.]
[Describes the trip to Mexico, the impression the country and the people made on him and the country's history; discusses the exploitation by British and American companies, the anti-American feelings of the Mexican people and acquaintances they looked up in Mexico; mentions the Baron matter and his leaving it to the Author's Leagueand his expectation to have to pay for having been foolish.]
[Describes being a professor at Olivet Collegefor three weeks and his class schedule; plans to go to Antioch Collegenext; says he enjoys the experience.]
[Replies to [Maconnahey's] request that he name his favorite books for his students to read; finds answering difficult; suggests The Triumph of the Eggand A Story Teller's Story. ]
[Discusses traveling to the Midwest for Moley's magazine To-Day, his absence from "Ripshin" farm when Feis visits; says his books have been translated into Russian, but he has received no royalties; wishes to talk to Bullett about it; discusses the dramatization of Winesburg, Ohio, the production of it that summer, his plans to go to New York, possible interest of the Russians in the play and movie "poor White" after his book with same name.]
[Discusses his new novel which Liveright did not like at first, likelihood that it will grow on him, sale of a short story and possible sale of serial rights of the new novel; says he has a story, "Come Again Man," in the works intended for The Dial; says he is under financial stress because of money that did not come through; mentions ideas for two new books, tentatively called Another Man's Houseand The Man of Business. ]
[Mentions amusing story he hopes Liveright can sell for him, receipt of a "nice letter from Konrad"; finds himself in a recurrent state of depression which undermines his productivity; hopes that the worst is over for Liveright in his personal life.]
[Sends a short story which he has "lifted" out of one of his books.]
[Discusses income tax statement; intends to write something suitable for Harper's , after they turned him down several times in the past; mentions winter climate around Marion; describes article on "sleigh-riding in the old days of the horses" he sent to Vanity Fair, which will be published the next winter and another article he is going to send to Vanity Fair,. ]
[Discusses possibility that Vanity Fairhas sent money to Liveright, his need of funds to cover building expenses at Ripshin Farm which will be the most charming stone house when completed; mentions progress of novel.]
[Gives his opinion of her short story; says it "does not quite get up and walk"; disapproves of mixing themes in a short story, how she throws things out of gear, etc.]
["Certainly I wish you grand success with [ The Outsider]. Sincerely, Sherwood Anderson. "]
[Declines request to analyze one of his own stories; he finds the idea unappealing.]
[Finds himself unable or unwilling to advise him in a matter so vital.]
[Agrees with her suggestion.]
[Mentions his upcoming trip to South Americaon February 28; plans to study small towns in South Africaand to write about them for Reader's Digest; requests passport applications and necessary information from Feis.]
[Sent from Anderson to Robley Durham Stevensin Philadelphia; in Anderson's writing; includes two United States2 cent stamps.]
- Acquisition information:
- Deposit [ 17 Dec 1963 shipment] 13 Feb 1964
- Processing information:
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Funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities
- Physical location:
- Physical description:
- ca. 77 items