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Papers of James Boyd,1938-1941, in the Clifton Waller Barrett Library, Accession #7684 , Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.
Purchase 7684
American writer, 1888-1944, known for historical novels, particularly Drums , Bitter Creek , and Roll River .
The collection contains a manuscript of bibliographical notes by Frank Stone on Boyd, correspondence of Stone and Boyd, and photographs of Boyd.
Blanck discusses corrections for Drums, making Blanck's copy correspond with Stone's.
Collector's Book Shop can offer a first edition of Long Hunt, as new, in dust jacket for $2.50.
Stone requests correct bibliographical information on specific lines of Drums, Marching On, Long Hunt, and Roll River. He also requests the number of copies in the first edition of each title, and any other data in regards to issues, etc.
Poli sends the biliographic information Stone requested and notes that Bitter Creek will probably be published in January or February.
Stone is preparing a checklist of first editions of Boyd's books for publication in Publisher's Weekly. He asks Boyd to read the list for errors and would also appreciate knowing of any short pieces that appeared in book form. He notes that there is a demand for first editions and a need for authoritative information on identifying them.
No checklist enclosed in letter. Scribner's would know better than he how to identify a first edition.
Enclosing the checklist. Needs help on Marching On as he has seen copies in three different states. Includes a description of Bitter Creek and asks about the existence of shorter pieces such as short stories, prefaces, etc.
Hunting Sketches by Anthony Trollope, Gosden Head, 1928, has an introduction by him. As We Are, a collection of short stories edited by Walter B. Pitkin, contains his Shif'less. Miss [June] Cleveland who has an autographed copy of Marching On is not a friend.
Stone thanks Boyd for information on Hunting Sketches and As We Are. Has written Library of Congress for publication dates as well as information on first issue of Marching On. Would Boyd inscribe his first editions? Mr. Poli has promised him a set of galley proofs, a sought after collector's item.
The Trollope was published at $10.00 in 1933. Can get a new copy at that price. Three later English editions all have the Boyd introduction. Pitkin, published in 1923, is out of print. Does he wish them to advertise for it?
Stone writes the Library of Congress Rare Book Curator asking help with the checklist. Needs transcripts of title page and copyright page of Marching On, Hunting Sketches by Anthony Trollope, and As We Are, edited by Walter B. Pitkin.
Encloses a memo prepared by an assistant regarding the requested title pages.
Stone thanks Parma for her letter and memo. Requests transcript of copyright page of Marching On.
Encloses Boyd list. Interested to hear what Blanck has learned about Marching On. Stone is also enclosing a list of typographical errors for future use. Has seen copy in wrapper with no mention of publication date as well as the copy inscribed for June Cleveland, a store buyer. Reminds him not to forget the M.F.H. after Boyd's name in Hunting Sketches.
List arrived. Asks questions regarding Drums and Marching On . Does Stone want to tackle them?
Stone is preparing a checklist of first editions of Boyd's books. Learned from Scribner's that in 1925 Huntting had 250 copies of Drums bound in buckram. Wants to locate and buy one. If that not possible, do they have a copy he could use for comparison purposes? Mentions points he wants to compare in establishing the true first edition.
Copies of Drums are exhausted and have no records of where copies were sold. Suggests he advertise in Publisher s Weekly.
Thanks Bousquet for reply. Says his first letter wasn't clear. Does Huntting have a copy of Drums in their library and would they be willing to compare points? A rare book dealer is advertising for a first edition. Scribner's sent them 250 copies of the first edition. Needs to know if they were distributed before the publication date of March 27, 1925.
A question has arisen on Drums. Does he have a copy of the first edition and would he be willing to compare some points which he lists? Mr. Poli of Scribner's has sent copy of the galleys of Bitter Creek and Stone is getting a cop of the first edition. Offers his congratulations on the fine reviews it is receiving. In an ANS note at the bottom of the page Boyd answers Stone's questions from his own copy but does not know if it is a genuine first edition.
Stone is troubling Parma once more to ask for a transcript of the title page of her copy of Drums.
Two Library of Congress copies of Drums not on shelves. Gives copyright information for third copy. Also includes information for Marching On which is in original binding but greatly worn. Does Stone think it worthy of preservation in the Rare Book Room? Has also found copyright deposit of Long Hunt in original binding. Is that worth transferring?
Scribner's furnished them 250 copies of Drums in 1925 but they kept no sales records. By an understanding with publisher the books were not to be sold before the publication date.
Stone thanks Bousquet for his assistance.
Thanks her for her information which corresponds with copies he has seen. Copies are scarce and an advertisement in Publisher's Weekly brought no response. Scribner's published 2500 copies of Drums but because of its popularity the first edition is rare. First printing of Marching On was supposedly 28,000 copies. In addition to 26,000 copies of Long Hunt there was a limited edition of 260 copies published simultaneously.
Stone sends the revised James Boyd checklist. Blanck should feel free to edit his notes under Drums and Marching On. Reminds him to add M.F.H. under Hunting Sketches and requests ten personal copies.
Thanks him for comparing his copy of Drums which he thinks is the second printing and explains why. Encloses copy of the list he mailed to Publisher's Weekly and will send him a published copy.
Encloses copy of Publisher's Weekly with the checklist of Boyd first editions. Would Boyd be willing to inscribe Stone's personal copies?
Thanks Stone for the list and will be glad to autograph his books.
Is sending the books for autographing except for the elusive first edition of Drums. Thanks him for his trouble.
Encloses a token of appreciation and esteem though Publisher's Weekly does not pay for checklists. Hopes this will enable him to buy more books and produce more checklists.
The box of autogrpahed books arrived. Hopes Boyd will come to New York so he can thank him personally.
Wishes to acknowledge Blanck's letter and check in Stone's absence.
Head and shoulders photograph by Pinchot.
Head and shoulders.
Group photograph of James Boyd, Stephen Vincent Benét, Marc Connelly and Dorothy Thompson.
Photograph of rehearsal of the radio play includes Margo, Sydney Lumet, Betty Field and Myron McCormick.