Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

The permission of Alexandra Ripley is required for access to the collection, copying, and all quotations.

Use Restrictions

See the University of Virginia Library’s use policy.

Preferred Citation

Alexandra Ripley Papers, Accession #10624-h , Special Collections Dept., University of Virginia Library, Charlottesville, Va.

Acquisition Information

This collection was loaned to the Library by Alexandra Ripley, Keswick, Virginia, on December 1, 1992.

Scope and Content Information

This addition to the papers of novelist Alexandra Ripley of Keswick, Virginia, consists of ca. 825 items (17 Hollinger boxes, ca. 7 linear feet), 1966-1967 and 1985-1992, chiefly pertaining to the writing and publishing of Scarlett by Ripley, including autograph manuscripts, typescripts, correspondence with her agency, publishers, and editors, fan mail, newspaper clippings, postcards, photographs, memorabilia, audiotapes, computer disks, a videotape recording, and research material about the historical background of the novel, including folders on Atlanta, Ireland, Charleston, and Savannah

Arrangement

Manuscripts of the book Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley comprise the first series. Also included is a Dove Audio typescript of Charleston , a talk to booksellers in Atlanta by Ripley, and various writing assignments and notes for a night class with Richard Coleman in Charleston, South Carolina by Alexandra Ripley.

The second series consists of miscellaneous and research files, including fan mail; correspondence with her agents, publisher, and friends; the American Booksellers Association Convention in New York City; the promotional tour for Editions Belfond, France; Gone With the Wind Forum , Richmond, Virginia; the Life excerpt from Scarlett , with autograph corrections and changes (1991 Jun); Life photographs of Alexandra Ripley by Lynn Johnson [1988]; newsclippings and articles about Scarlett ; publicity and press releases; photographs and postcards; cassette recordings; promotional material for Scarlett ; and research material, including books used in research and copies of Scarlett and Gone With The Wind .

The correspondence file contains a draft of Ripley's letter to the Atlanta representatives of the Mitchell estate concerning the story line for Scarlett . The letter defends her choice of Ireland in the novel as an outlet for the explosive nature of Scarlett as presented by Mitchell in Gone With The Wind . Ripley contends that Margaret Mitchell effectively closed the familiar scenes of Atlanta, Tara, and Charleston to Scarlett. Ireland provides a largely unknown historical setting that has a rich mythology but which is also violent and stormy enough to furnish a suitable backdrop for the character of Scarlett (1987 Oct 9); a draft of a letter from Ripley to her lawyer in New York, Bob Youdelman, about her difficulties with her agent William Morris, and asking for advice (1988 Feb 27); and two notes from Barbara Mertz about the success of Scarlett and the progress of her next Amelia book (ca. 1992 Jan 1) and auction plans (Fall 1992).