A Guide to the Papers of Don Marquis 1917-1934 Marquis, Don, Papers of 7887

A Guide to the Papers of Don Marquis 1917-1934

A Collection in the
Clifton Waller Barrett Library
The Special Collections Department
Accession Number 7887

Special Collections Department, University of Virginia Library

Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4110
USA
Phone: (434) 243-1776
Fax: (434) 924-4968
Reference Request Form: https://small.lib.virginia.edu/reference-request/
URL: http://small.library.virginia.edu/

Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Processed by: Special Collections Department

Repository

Special Collections, University of Virginia Library

Accession number

7887

Title

Papers of Don Marquis, 1917-1934

Physical Characteristics

This collection consists of 33 items.

Language

English

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Papers of Don Marquis, Accession #7887 , Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

This collection was given the the Library on April 13, 1965.

Scope and Content Information

The papers, 1917-1934, of Donald Robert Perry Marquis contain manuscripts for fifteen stories, plays, poems, and an outline. Letters to various publishers, editors, writers, actors, and directors chiefly concern Marquis's creative endeavors. He solicits the opinions of Robert Bridges, Vincent McCafferty and William Lingel on several pieces. In other letters Marquis encourages young writers, describing the influence of his journalism career and giving advice on marketing poetry. He explains why the "Evening Sun" dismissed H. L. Pangborn and regrets his failure to review Christopher Morley's "Shandygaff". Personal letters convey news of family, finances and health and ideas for novels.

Contents List

Manuscripts

"As Thomas Might Have Seen It" n.d.

TMsS, 3 p. on 3 1.

Signed with comments by Don Marquis
"Bogumil Dawison" n.d.

TMsS, 19 p. on 15 l.

Signed with corrections and several autograph pages or sectons. AMs on back of 5 and 6: Unrelated poem: "As It Looks to Archy."
"Bogumil Dawison" n.d.

TMs, 3 p. on 3 l.

Incomplete Text with autograph corrections
"Bogumil Dawison" n.d.

TMs, 7 p. on 7 l.

Text with autograph corrections and additions
"Bogumil Dawison" n.d.

TMs, 11 p. on 11 l.

Text with autograph corrections
Poem: "A Certain Club" n.d.

TMs, 2 p. on 2 l.

Includes carbon copy
"Dogs and Boys" n.d.

TMs, 23 p. and 23 l.

Autograph corrections 1-9 and 12, remainder in autograph; sketch of dog on last page
"Floretta Crashes the Movies" n.d.

TMs, 16 p. on 16 l.
Poem: "History of Life" n.d.

AMs, 4 p. on 2 l.
"Mayme" n.d.

TMsS, 10 p. on 10 l.

Signed with autograph corrections
"Mr. Piffle's Ghosts" n.d.

TMsS, 17 p. on 17 l.

Signed but with erased signature; with autograph corrections
Poem: "Ragnarok was out of luck - - -" n.d.

AMs, 12 p. on 12 l.
Poem: "Technocracy" n.d.

AMs, 11 p. on 11 1.

With 3-page carbon typescript uncorrected
"Notes on Being Fat" n.d.

AMs, 3 p. on 3 l.
Outline: "Story About Klan" n.d.

AMs, 2 p. on 2 l.
Miscellaneous Notes n.d.

AMs, 2 p. on 2 l.

Letters

Editor of Ladies Home Journal (?) to D.M. 1917 Sept 28

TL, 1 p.

Writer expresses his interest in including the poem "A Women's if" that appeared in the Sun Dial a year ago, signed F. H. H. on the "That Reminds Me" page and questions D.M. as to its author. Says he has sent "Willie Applewhite" to Churchill Williams of The Saturday Evening Post for his consideration.
D.M. to Mr. Skiff 1918 March 7

ALS, 1 p.

Will be glad to autograph the books.
D.M. to to [Christopher] Morley [1918] May 28

TLs, 1 p.

Signed and with autograph comments by H. L. Pangborn, Dana Burnett and Winfield S. Moody. The editors apologize for letting the Evening Sun go to press without mention of his book, Shandygaff .
D.M. to Don C. Seitz 1919 October 17

ALS, 3 p.

Thanks Mr. Seitz for lending him his copy of "Reuben Davidger (?)." Mentions the letters of recommendation he and Mr. Moody are writing to Mr. Seitz and Mr. Cobb regarding H. L. Pangborn. Explains the reasons behind Pangborn's recent dismissal as an editor at The Evening Sun .
D.M. to Mr. Johnson 1922 June 20

TLS, 2 p.

Autograph postscript in D.M.'s hand dated July 1. Thanks Mr. Johnson, Dr. Van Dyke, and Mr. (Irving Addison) Bacheller for asking him to join the Author's Club. Requests that he delay presenting his name to the board until October because of his present financial condition due to just buying a house. Says he owes a debt of gratitude to Dr. Johnson for his recognition as a serious poet.
D.M. to Murray Phillips 1927 May 13

TLS, 1 p.

Compliments Mr. Phillips on his revival of "Kempy" at the Hudson Theatre as well as the performances of both Elliot Nugent and "the Senior Nugent." Suggests that Mr. Phillips consider reviving "The Old Soak" with D. M. in the leading part.
D.M. to Mr. Sinsabaugh 1927 October 1

TLS, 5 p.

Comments on style and saleability of Mr. Sinsabaugh's story, "Henry." Atlantic Monthly , The Bookman , and Outlook are more likely to express an interest than Saturday Evening Post or Liberty , he believes. Discusses what to expect as a writer from the publishing industry. Advises him on story craft and formula with lengthy examples. "Who? What? When? Where? and Why?" are questions, he says, that every good story must address. Discusses his years as a journalist.
D.M. to Robert Bridges 1928 January 21

TLS, 2 p.

Requests permission to include stories contributed to Scribner's Magazine in a book to be published by Doubleday, Doran and Company next autumn. Compliments Mr. Bridges on Scribner's new type. Relates his exasperation with the theatre company he has been working with for eight months and tells him he has no new short fiction to send him. Asks if R. B. will be interested in a novel he will finish in about eight months. Discusses the novel's predominant theme (theology) and literature in general.
[R.B.] to D.M. n.y. or [1928 ?] January 26

TL (carbon), 1 p.

R. B. grants D. M. permission to use the stories that Scribner's Magazine published in 1927 in his collection. Expresses his interest in D. M.'s novel in progress, complimenting him on his good characterization.
D.M. to R.B 1928 Feb 15

TLS, 1 p.

Requests information on total money paid to him by Scribner's in 1927. Explains that he needs the information for income tax purposes.
[R.B.] to D.M 1928 Feb 16

TL (carbon), 1 p.

In response to his letter, R. B. informs D. M. that he was paid $2,250 for his stories, "A Keeper of Tradition," "The Flea, the Pup and the Millenium," and "O'Meara, the Mayflower and Mrs. MacLirr," @ $750 each.
D.M. to R.B. 1928 Mar 21

TLS, 1 p.

Writes that he is enclosing a story for his consideration for publication in Scribner's Magazine . The story, he says ("Getting a Show On") was written with Collier's Magazine in mind but returned to him because of its length.
[R.B.] to D.M. 1928 Mar 27

TL (carbon), 1 p.

Enjoyed his story ("Getting a Show On") and regrets that its concern with the production aspects of small theatres is not general enough for his readers. The magazine is inundated with accepted fiction.
D.M. to Miss O'Brien 1930 Jul 23

ALS, 6 p.

Compliments Miss O'Brien on the verses she has sent him. Encourages her to keep sending her work off and in the meantime he suggests that she contact John Gallishaw or Edmund Leamy. Informs her of the Bulletin which can be secured from the Author's League listing magazines and publisher.
D.M. to William Lingel 1934 Nov 12

TLS, 1 p.

Requests a quick decision on his submission to Liberty Magazine so he can send it off to others.
D.M. to Vincent McCafferty 1934 Dec 19

TLS, 1 p.

Sends story which has been turned down by Saturday Evening Post and Collier's Weekly to see if McCafferty can use it. Note on assignment sheet indicates this letter refers to "Floretta Crashes the Movies."
D.M. to C.[M.] n.y. Sep 23

TLS, 2 p.

Writes that he has Morley's book and will say something about it in his column. Also that he has two half finished novels that he doesn't find time to finish. He mentions in the letter Walnut, Bureau County, Illinois, his newspaper column and his children.
D.M. to C.[M.] n.d.

ALS, 1 p.

Asks if he will lend him his scrap book of columns.
D.M. to [Conrad Milliken] n.d.

TLS, 1 p.

Mentions his misfortunes of the last 7 or 8 months. Expresses his gratitude for friends like Oliver, David, and Bill Footner.

Miscellaneous

Bears autograph handwriting by D.M. n.d.

Envelope

Notes on his play that he needs help in producing. Mentions someone's wife, Reina, the Lord's Prayer and the Twenty Third Psalm.