|
One and a half document boxes highlight I. R. Brussel's career as a book
scout. Containing mainly correspondence, the collection also includes
clippings, illustrations, invoices, printed materials, and a very few
photographs. The collection is arranged into three series: I. Individual
Correspondence, 1925-1969 (bulk 1929-1935); II. General Correspondence,
1930-1972 (bulk 1950-1970); and III. Other Materials, 1903-1973. Although the
date range of the collection spans seventy years, only a single printed item
dates from earlier than 1929. |
|
The I.R. Brussel papers consist mainly of incoming correspondence from
the many authors, book dealers, and book collectors who were both colleagues
and friends of Brussel, with very few responses by Brussel present. Taken as a
whole, the collection highlights Brussel's work in the book trade over five
decades. The papers illustrate Brussel's varied activities within the literary
community, from his attempts to bring together authors and illustrators such as
James Branch Cabell and Frank C. Papé for literary ventures, to his work
tracking down rare and unique items on behalf of collectors and scholars.
Particularly well illustrated in this collection is Brussel's connection with
the book scene in London, although he was based in Brooklyn. A small amount of
printed materials relating to the book trade is also found in this collection.
Little, if any, documentation pertaining to Brussel's personal life is
present. |
|
Series I and II contain correspondence from book designers, collectors,
writers, bookstores, bibliographers, libraries, and other dealers. The
correspondents in Series I had relatively long-term connections with Brussel;
their letters are arranged alphabetically by name, and chronologically within
each folder. Found in this series are letters from author James Branch Cabell
and his wife, novelist Dorothy Richardson, illustrators Frank C. Papé and Alan
Odle, collectors William White and Clark Wikle, and literary contacts Francis
and Grace Norman. Most of the correspondence in this series tends to be rather
perfunctory and business-like; for example, the correspondence from Dorothy
Richardson generally pertains to the dispersal of her manuscript and book
collection, with some references to literary rights and new editions of her
work. The Normans, however, wrote chatty letters, describing their recent
activities and those of mutual acquaintances. Most of the letters in this
series date from the early 1930s. The correspondence in Series II consists
mainly of single or short exchanges with Brussel, and these letters have been
arranged alphabetically within two folders. Most of these letters date from the
1950s to 1970, and pertain largely to business matters, with an emphasis on
Brussel's ability to track down rare materials. Correspondence with a few
authors of some renown, such as A. E. Housman, Sir Hugh Walpole, and Sylvia
Townsend Warner, is present in this series, but their letters tend to be very
short replies to requests from Brussel. |
|
Series III, Other Materials, contains printed materials, notes,
clippings, reprints, and cards relating to books, the book trade community, and
travel. Of note in this series is a photocopied typed note on Brussel's
letterhead relating the disappearance of a manuscript by his father. It seems
to reflect his speaking style, and is one of the only items in the collection
to offer insight into Brussel's personality. Two pen and ink illustrations by
Frank C. Papé, one a bookplate design, are also part of Series III. |
