Scope and Contents
The collection contains letters, manuscripts, and printed material related to the life and work of James Branch Cabell. The letters in Series I were written by Cabell to his publishers, literary collaborator, and colleagues; in most cases the folders include carbon copies of responses sent back to Cabell. Writings in Series II are typescripts and proofs of several works, and include correspondence related to their publication, as well as designs by John O'Hara Cosgrave for Cabell's work There Were Two Pirates. Series III holds biographical material and published reviews of Cabell's work in the form of clippings, pamphlets, and other ephemera, along with portrait photographs of Cabell by Carl Van Vechten and by the Foster Studio, Richmond.
Dates
- 1912 - 1971
- Majority of material found within 1927 - 1954
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The James Branch Cabell Collection is the physical property of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult the appropriate curator.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was assembled by library staff and was acquired by gift and purchase from various sources. Source information is recorded at the folder level in the contents list. For further information, consult the appropriate curator.
Arrangement
Organized into three series: I. Correspondence, 1918-1958. II. Writings, 1928-1949. III. Printed Material and Photographs, 1912-1971.
Extent
2.1 Linear Feet (6 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Abstract
The collection contains letters, manuscripts, and printed material related to the life and work of James Branch Cabell. The letters in Series I were written by Cabell to his publishers, literary collaborator, and colleagues; in most cases the folders include carbon copies of responses sent back to Cabell. Writings in Series II are typescripts and proofs of several works, and include correspondence related to their publication, as well as designs by John O'Hara Cosgrave for the cover and end papers of Cabell's work There Were Two Pirates. Series III holds published material about Cabell, including reviews of his work, in the form of clippings, pamphlets, and other ephemera, and portrait photographs by Carl Van Vechten and Foster Studio, Richmond.
James Branch Cabell (1879-1958)
James Branch Cabell, American author of works of fiction and non-fiction, including novels, comedies, short stories, essays, poetry, and writings on genealogy. He was a native of Richmond, Virginia, and a graduate of the College of William and Mary.
For a full biography and bibliography of his work, see Cabell's entry in the online Encyclopedia of Virginia at http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Cabell_James_Branch_1879-1958 (accessed November 12, 2012).
Processing Information
Collection are processed to a variety of levels, depending on the work necessary to make them usable, their perceived research value, the availability of staff, competing priorities, and whether or not further accruals are expected. The library attempts to provide a basic level of preservation and access for all collections, and does more extensive processing of higher priority collections as time and resources permit.
This collection received a basic level of processing, including rehousing and minimal organization, in 2012.
This finding aid was produced from previously existing cards in the Manuscripts Catalog. All pertinent bibliographical information has been retained.
This collection includes materials previously identified by the following call numbers: Za Cabell, Za C109 +1, Za C109 +S1, Za C109 +G1, and Za Obj Art.
- Authors -- Virginia -- 20th Century
- Authors, American -- Virginia -- 20th Century -- Archives
- Babb, James T. (James Tinkham), 1899-1968
- Cabell, James Branch, 1879-1958
- Canby, Henry Seidel, 1878-1961
- Cosgrave, John O'Hara, II, 1908-1968
- Farrar & Rinehart
- Farrar, John Chipman, 1896-1974
- Foster Studio
- Galley proofs
- Hanna, Alfred Jackson, 1893-
- Layouts (printer matter)
- Machen, Arthur, 1863-1947
- Page proofs
- Photographs -- United States -- 20th Century
- Studio portraits -- United States -- 20th Century
- Swan, Bradford F. (Bradford Fuller)
- Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964
- Title
- Guide to the James Branch Cabell Collection
- Author
- by Beinecke Staff
- Date
- 2012
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Repository
Location
121 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Opening Hours
Access Information
The Beinecke Library is open to all Yale University students and faculty, and visiting researchers whose work requires use of its special collections. You will need to bring appropriate photo ID the first time you register. Beinecke is a non-circulating, closed stack library. Paging is done by library staff during business hours. You can request collection material online at least two business days in advance of your visit, using the request links in Archives at Yale. For more information, please see Planning Your Research Visit and consult the Reading Room Policies prior to visiting the library.