Curtis Bok Collection

Bok, Curtis, 1897-1962

Born in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, Curtis Bok became a common pleas court judge in Pennsylvania in 1937 and was elected as a justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 1958. He published a number of books dealing with aspects of law.

The collection contains several versions, reflecting the printing stages, of Backbone of the Herring, Bok's fictionalized look at courtroom justice seen through the eyes of a judge: the typed manuscript (carbon) of the book under its earlier title, Midmost of the Fish; a later typed copy marked for the printer; first galleys with corrections; and partial author's proofs. Also included is a manuscript, a typescript, and printed drafts of Bok's decision involving his definition of obscenity in literature, handed down in the case of Commonwealth v. Gordon et al, tried in the Court of Quarter Sessions, Philadelphia, June, 1948.

Originally, Backbone of the Herring material formed part of Princeton's Archives of American Literature.

Published under same title (New York, N.Y.: Alfred A. Knopf, 1941)

Court case material was the gift of Curtis Bok on April 11, 1950.

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Folder inventory added by Allyse Terrel '2014 in 2013.

No appraisal information is available.

Use

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Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Curtis Bok Collection, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Publisher

Manuscripts Division

Date

2008

Creator

Princeton University. Library. Special Collections

Bok, Curtis, 1897-1962

Subject

American fiction -- 20th century

Judicial process -- United States -- Cases

Judicial process -- United States -- Fiction

Obscenity (Law) -- United States -- 20th century

Occupation

Judges -- United States -- 20th century

Language

English

Form

Manuscripts, American -- 20th century