Call Number:

C0673

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

• 14 boxes
• 5.4 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Bruce and Beatrice Blackmar Gould Correspondence, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1909-1969 (inclusive) and 1927-1967 (bulk)

Creator:

Gould, Beatrice Blackmar and Gould, Bruce.

Form:

Correspondence -- 20th century and Speeches (documents) -- 20th century.

Abstract:

Bruce and Beatrice Blackmar Gould were co-editors at the Ladies' Home Journal in the mid 20th century. Bruce Gould also worked with the Saturday Evening Post. Their correspondence includes letters between Bruce and Beatrice about their co-editorship and co-authorship, letters with writers for the Ladies' Home Journal, and letters from actresses about the Ladies' Home Journal. Also included is a collection of letters about Marion Crawford's book The Little Princesses, some of Beatrice's speeches, speeches by others, and printed matter.

Beatrice Blackmar Gould was an editor of the Ladies' Home Journal in collaboration with her spouse Bruce Gould from 1935 to 1967. During the 1920s and 1930s, Gould was a contributing editor for the New York World and a short story writer. She also collaboratively published plays, articles, short stories, and an autobiography with her husband.

Bruce Gould was an editor of the Ladies' Home Journal in collaboration with his spouse Beatrice Blackmar Gould from 1935 to 1967. During the 1920s and 1930s, Gould was a reporter and literary and aviation editor for the New York Evening Post, drama critic for the Wall Street News, and associate editor (1934-1935) of the Saturday Evening Post. He authored two books on aviation, Sky Larking (1929) and The Flying Dutchman (1931), as well as collaboratively published plays, articles, short stories, and an autobiography with his wife.

The collection consists primarily of correspondence of Bruce Gould and Beatrice Blackmar Gould relating to their co-editorship (1935-1967) of the Ladies' Home Journal, published by the Curtis Publishing Company. There is some early correspondence (1920s-1930s) concerning Bruce Gould's work for the Saturday Evening Post, and the Goulds' co-authorship of various short stories and plays, including Man's Estate. However, most of the correspondence is with writers and associates concerning articles and stories for the Ladies' Homes Journal and various trips taken by the Goulds to India, Russia, Japan, and Europe, often on behalf of the Ladies' Homes Journal.

During the Goulds' editorship of the Ladies' Home Journal, they boosted the once languishing magazine to the one having the highest paid circulation of the day. In addition to promoting the family and women's concerns, coining the phrase "Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman," they also dealt with many other social and political issues, while at the same time publishing top literary authors.

Correspondents include Daphne Du Maurier, William Benton, Dorothy Thompson, Rebecca West, Lady Nancy Astor, Karen Blixen, Dorothy Black, and Ethel Barrymore. There are letters by a number of actresses, including Helen Hayes, Gloria Swanson, Loretta Young, Vivien Leigh, Mary Pickford, and Debbie Reynolds, as well as first ladies, including Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Pat Nixon, Mamie Eisenhower, and Eleanor Roosevelt. Also present is a large file of correspondence relating to the writing and publication of The Little Princess (1950), about Queen Elizabeth II, by Marion Crawford.

In addition, there are small groups of speeches (1946-1961) by Beatrice Blackmar Gould and speeches by others, as well as some miscellaneous clippings and printed matter.

Materials are arranged into the following four series: Series 1. Correspondence; Series 2. Speeches by Beatrice Blackmar Gould; Series 3. Speeches by Others; and Series 4. Printed Matter.