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H. L. Mencken collection

 Collection
Call Number: YCAL MSS 794

Scope and Contents

The H. L. Mencken Collection consists of writings, correspondence, and other material by and relating to the American author H. L. Mencken. Works documented in the collection include early poems, short works of opinion and journalism, and longer books such as The American Language (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1919) and Treastise on the Gods (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1930). Writings consist of drafts in various stages, setting manuscripts, and proofs, many of which are corrected. Several manuscripts are signed and inscribed by Mencken to journalist and collector Bradford F. Swan. Correspondence is chiefly outgoing and relates to the themes that are prominent in Mencken's writings (American politics, language, and society) as well as to the business of Mencken's writing. In addition to writings and correspondence by Mencken, the collection includes writings about Mencken, particularly the work of Margaret Lappin, sister of his longtime secretary, Rosalind Lohrfinck.

Dates

  • 1905 - 1972

Creator

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection is primarily a gift of Bradford F. Swan, 1947-1952, and bequest of Margaret R. Lappin, 1973. For further information consult the appropriate curator.

Arrangement

Organized into two groupings: I. Acquisitions Prior to 1973. II. 1973 Acquisition.

Related Materials

Associated material: Margaret Lappin papers relating to H.L. Mencken (YCAL MSS 376). Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

Extent

9.09 Linear Feet (26 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/beinecke.mencken

Abstract

The H. L. Mencken Collection consists of writings, correspondence, and other material by and relating to the American author H. L. Mencken. Works documented in the collection include early poems, short works of opinion and journalism, and longer books such as The American Language (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1919) and Treastise on the Gods (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1930). Writings consist of drafts in various stages, setting manuscripts, and proofs, many of which are corrected. Several manuscripts are signed and inscribed by Mencken to journalist and collector Bradford F. Swan. Correspondence is chiefly outgoing and relates to the themes that are prominent in Mencken's writings (American politics, language, and society) as well as to the business of Mencken's writing. In addition to writings and correspondence by Mencken, the collection includes writings about Mencken, particularly the work of Margaret Lappin, sister of his longtime secretary, Rosalind Lohrfinck.

H. L. Mencken (1880-1956)

Henry Louis Mencken (1880-1956), American journalist and author; his books include The American Language (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1919) and Treatise on the Gods (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1930).

Processing Information

Former call numbers: Za Mencken, Uncat Za Ms Mencken, Uncat Za File Mencken, Za M524 +G1.

Collections 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 [as they are acquired], 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 2014. Various acquisitions associated with the collection have not been merged and organized as a whole.

Information included in the Description of Papers note and Collection Contents section is drawn from information supplied with the collection and from an initial survey of the contents. Folder titles appearing in the contents list below are often based on those provided by the creator or previous custodian. Titles have not been verified against the contents of the folders in all cases. Otherwise, folder titles are supplied by staff during initial processing.

This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.

Title
Guide to the H. L. Mencken Collection
Author
by Beinecke Staff
Date
2014
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

Contact:
P. O. Box 208330
New Haven CT 06520-8330 US
(203) 432-2977

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.