James Joyce collection

The James Joyce collection formed by Mr. John J. Slocum consists of letters to, by and about Joyce, manuscripts of his writings, clippings, photographs, printed books and pamphlets. The collection is described in A Bibliography of James Joyce by John J. Slocum and Herbert Cahoon, New Haven, Yale University Press, 1953. The Slocum Joyce collection was acquired by Yale in 1951. A part of it was given by Eileen and John J. Slocum; the remainder was given by Edwin J. Beinecke, '07, and Frederick W. Beinecke, '09S. No record was kept of which portion was given by which donor. Subsequent additions to the Joyce collection have been made by purchase, and by gift from John Hay Whitney, Mrs. Herbert Gorman, Herbert Cahoon, and other friends of the Library. The sources of these additions are noted in the register. The manuscript of "Exiles" is the gift of Mrs. Milton Erlanger.

Series I, Correspondence (1900-52), is organized into four subseries: Letters by James Joyce is arranged alphabetically by the last name of the recipient; Letters to James Joyce is arranged alphabetically by the last name of the author of the letter; Letters about James Joyce is arranged alphabetically by the last name of the author and then by the last name of the recipient; Letters About the Publication of Joyce's Works is arranged chronologically. (In the process of writing their bibliography, John Slocum and Herbert Cahoon corresponded with a number of Joyce's friends and relatives. This correspondence is listed in Series IV.) Throughout the list, "ALS" is used to cover all autograph, signed, material. No distinction is made between a postal card and a letter. "TLS" is used for all typed, signed, material. "P" indicates one side of a sheet; if the item is a postal card, "p" indicates one side of the card. Numbers from the Slocum and Cahoon Bibliography (e.g., S & C: E 17 b x) are given where applicable.

Series II, Writings (1903-55), is organized into the following subseries: Manuscripts, Typescripts and Proofs of works by James Joyce (Boxes 3-6) are arranged alphabetically by title. (Parts of works are entered under the title of the whole, e.g., "Anna Livia Plurabelle" is to be found under Finnegans Wake.); Musical Settings and Adaptations of works by James Joyce (Boxes 7-8) are arranged by Slocum Cahoon number; Manuscripts, Typescripts and Proofs of Works About James Joyce (Box 8) are arranged alphabetically by the last name of the author and then alphabetically by title. (Similar material relating to the Slocum and Cahoon Bibliography may be found in Series IV.) Slocum and Cahoon numbers are noted where applicable. Dates are given only when the piece itself is dated. Publication dates are not noted.

Series III, Special Files (1884-1969), is organized into the following subseries: Clippings About James Joyce (Boxes 9-13); Clippings About Members of Joyce's Family (Box 13); Clippings About Works by James Joyce (Box 21); Clippings About Stage, Screen and Musical Adaptations of Works by James Joyce (Box 21); Clippings and Reviews of Works about James Joyce (Boxes 21-22); Lecture Programs, Menus and Recital Programs for Events in which James Joyce took part (Box 22); Programs and Prospecti for Lectures and Classes about James Joyce (Box 22); Photographs and Other Pictures of James Joyce and his family (Box 23); Clippings About Portraits of James Joyce (Box 23); Clippings About People Associated with James Joyce (Boxes 23-24); Clippings About Places Associated with James Joyce (Box 24): Legal documents, Miscellanea (Box 24).

In boxes 9-22, the Clippings are arranged alphabetically by subject and then chronologically. The Lecture programs, etc. (Box 22) are arranged alphabetically by the name of the sponsoring body. Photographs (Box 23) is arranged alphabetically by subject and then chronologically. Reference is made by page number to illustration published in Chester G. Anderson's James Joyce and his World, (New York Viking 1968). [Two original negatives accompanied this collection for prints in folders 448 and 449. These are stored separately.] Clippings About People Associated with Joyce, in Box 23, are arranged alphabetically by the name of the artist, by subject or by place. In Box 24, the Legal Miscellenea is arranged as prescriptions, diplomas and contracts, in that order.

Series IV, Slocum and Cahoon Material (1931-1966), is organized into five subseries: Correspondence (Boxes 25-29); Exhibitions in which Slocum Collection material appeared (Box 30); James Joyce Society material (Box 31); Notes and Miscellaneous Lists made for the Bibliography (Boxes 31-33); Publication details for the Bibliography (Box 34).

Correspondence contains letters to and by John Slocum, Herbert Cahoon, and R.F. Roberts in the preparation of A Bibliography of James Joyce. The letters are arranged alphabetically by the last name of the person corresponding with these three men. The last name of Slocum, Cahoon or Roberts is also given. Dates are given by year only, and the number of letters includes both letters by and letters to Slocum, Cahoon or Roberts. (e. g., "Abbott, Berenice 1947 1 Slocum" indicates that one letter passed between Berenice Abbott and Slocum in 1947.) Exhibition material (Box 30) includes correspondence about, and lists and photographs of exhibitions in which Slocum Collection material appeared. The Paris exhibition material is in Folder 1. Other exhibitions are arranged alphabetically by sponsoring body. Box 30 also contains bylaws, speeches, and correspondence (correspondence arranged as in Boxes 1-9) in that order. The Pubication Material in Box 34 contains correspondence, contracts, typescripts, and proofs, in that order.

Series V, Slocum and Cahoon Material (1967-1993), contains miscellaneous materials collected at the Beinecke Library after the collection was originally processed. It consists of three subseries each arranged alphabetically: Correspondence; Other Material; and Writings About Joyce.

Series VI, Material Removed From Cataloged Printed Items, contains materials which were removed from printed items when a group of Slocum and Cahoon was cataloged in 1998.