MSS 0099. Miscellaneous Literary & Historical Manuscripts

The Robert E. Spiller collection consists of twenty-six letters, reviews, articles, or printed items related to or collected by the professor and scholar of American literary history.

Forty-three letters from American poet Sara Teasdale to Orrick Johns, friend, fellow poet, and editor, as well as one letter to Teasdale from Wilfred Funk, author, poet, and famed dictionary publisher.

Letters or cards addressed by poet Abbie Huston Evans to Pulitzer Prize winner Odell Shepard. Additionally, the collection has three poems written by Evans and a letter to Shepard from Jean Schiesser.

Eight etters written to English children's writer, novelist, and dramatist Lucy Lane Clifford from several English literary figures from 1886-1890: W. F. Pollock, C. T. Newton, James Russell Lowell, James Joseph Sylvester, Joseph Cotter Morison, J. Herbert Stack, E. Ray Lankester, and one unidentified sender.

Letters of British poet and clergyman Thomas Agar Holland to George Reid. Enclosed with the letters are two autograph poems, a printed supplement of poems, and an essay.

Twenty-one letters from American novelist and playwright Anita Loos to her agent and friend, Ray Pierre Corsini, between 1962 and 1979. The letters discuss the writing and editing of Loos' later works, her travels and social life, and her relationship with Ray.

Sent by American clergyman, biographer, and autograph collector William Buell Sprague between 1836 and 1874, these letters document both Sprague's writing of Annals of the American Pulpit and his efforts at collecting autographs.

Reflective compositions written by student Mary B. Griggs during 1861-1864, while she attended Rutland Union High School in Vermont.

The eight letters in this small collection are together as a result of Hugh Ford's 1968 volume Nancy Cunard: Brave Poet, Indomitable Rebel. Two letters are from Ford to English author David Garnett regarding Nancy Cunard; six letters from Cunard to Garnett describe her literary and printing activities with the Hours Press and invite him to submit work to be printed.

The Toasts of the New Jersey Society of the Cincinnati collection contains holograph manuscripts of eight lists of toasts for the traditional Fourth of July meetings for eight years from 1782 through 1804. The Society of the Cincinnati was founded in 1783 by officers in the Continental Army and French officers who fought in the American Recolution.

English actor and dramatist of Irish descent J. Hartley Manners wrote these seven letters and one telegram to his friend Philip Troup. The items were originally laid in a first American edition of Manner's novel, Peg O' My Heart.

Correspondence between American short story writer Guy Davenport and admirer and collector of his books Matthew Weseley, as well as a letter to students in Wesley's English class.

American film writer and producer Lew Lipton worked on the ultimately unproduced story and screenplay for “Black America” from 1935 until his death in 1961. Originally titled “Harlem Cavalcade,” it follows the story of African American life from 1626 to the 1930s.

British-born screenwriter Gavin Lambert (1924-2005) wrote the screenplay I Never Promised You a Rose Garden based on the 1964 novel by Joanne Greenberg (using pen name Hannah Green).

In this letter dated June 11, 1971, American biographer Arthur Mizener (1907-1988) responded to a letter from U. S. Congressman, John S. Monagan (1911-2005), who had written regarding Mizener's recently published book,The Saddest Story: A Biography of Ford Madox Ford.

British-born screenwriter Gavin Lambert (1924-2005) wrote Such a Gorgeous Kid Like Me as a screen adaptation of Henry Farrell's 1967 novel of the same title.

In 1959, British-born screenwriter Gavin Lambert (1924-2005) wrote the screenplay Son and Lovers based on the novel by D. H. Lawrence.

British author, bibliographer, and antiquarian bookseller Percy H. Muir (1894-1979) wrote these two drafts of a review of the third edition of John E. T. Clark's, Musical Boxes: A History and Appreciation, published in 1961 by G. Allen and Unwin.

British author, bibliographer, and antiquarian bookseller Percy H. Muir (1894-1979) corresponded with Church of Scotland minister and book collector Rev. James Brown regarding the purchase of books and illustrations which reflected Brown's collecting interests.

American poet, publisher, and book artist Charles Alexander (1954-) wrote to American poet Tom Clark (1941-) discussing what he had learned from American book designer and papermaker Walter Hamady (1940-).

Amy Gerstler (1956-) is an American poet and writer who won the National Book Critics Circle Award for her volume of poetry, Bitter Angel in 1991. Gerstler sent two postcards and a letter to American poet Tom Clark (1941-) between 1982 and 1988 in which she provided news, sought his advice on professional matters, and asked after his family.

The Gloria Frym publicity materials and typescripts comprise seven poetry typescripts by award-winning American poet, lecturer, and writer Gloria Frym (1947-), as well as publicity material relating to her receipt of the San Francisco State University Poetry Center's 1982 Book Award for Back to Forth. These items were originally laid into American poet Tom Clark's (1941-) copy of Back to Forth, which was inscribed to him by Frym.

British poet and novelist C. (Cecil) Day Lewis (1904-1972) was Poet Laureate of the United Kingdom from 1968 until his death in 1972. Day Lewis wrote five short letters to poet and broadcaster Terence Tiller in 1955 and 1963 to accompany poems [not present] intended for radio broadcast.

British poet Bernard Gutteridge has handwritten the note: "the poem I promised you," above the title of this signed typescript of "The Ladies of St Leonards."

American Catholic poet Raymond Larsson (1901-) wrote to his friend, American poet and physician William Carlos Williams (1883-1963), seeking assistance in gaining release from Rockland State Hospital.