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George Haven Putnam Papers
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Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
George Haven Putnam (1844-1930) was an American publisher and author, and the eldest son of the co-founder of Wiley & Putnam, George Palmer Putnam, and Victorine Haven Putnam. Putnam served in the Union Army during the Civil War. He was captured following the Battle of Cedar Creek and held prisoner at Libby Prison and Danville before being returned to the Union Army as part of a prisoner exchange in 1865. After his father's death in 1872, he and two of his brothers, John Bishop Putnam and Irving Putnam, took over the publishing company, renaming it "G. P. Putnam's Sons." In 1887, Putnam was involved in establishing the American Publishers' Copyright League.
Consists of business and personal papers of Putnam. Included are fully-indexed letterbooks (1879-1910); typescripts of Putnam's writings (ca. 1905-1929); scrapbooks of letters received and press clippings (1878-1917); and other clippings and printed material (1891-1917). The collection also contains a letterbook dealing with the estate of Putnam's mother, Victorine Haven Putnam (1891-1908); a 1923 memoir of Theodore Roosevelt, who was Putnam's partner in the 1880s; and a pencil portrait of Putnam by Henry Van der Weyde, drawn while both Union soldiers were imprisoned in Danville, a Confederate prison, during the Civil War.
Purchased from Joseph J. Felcone in 2009 (AM2010-27).
For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.
This collection was processed by Regine Heberlein in September 2010. Finding aid written by Regine Heberlein in September 2010.
No appraisal information is available.
People
Organization
Subject
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Author
- Regine Heberlein
- Finding Aid Date
- 2010
- Access Restrictions
-
The collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
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Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.
Collection Inventory
The Correspondence series contains six letterbooks of private correspondence, 1879-1910, and one letterbook of business correspondence, 1898-1901. It also includes one letterbook of correspondence concerning the estate of Victorine Haven Putnam, George Putnam's mother, 1901-1908, and one folder of miscellaneous letters received between 1892-1928.
Arranged chronologically. The letterbooks are fully indexed by correspondent.
Physical Description3 boxes
3 boxes
2 boxes
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
The Scrapbooks series consists of eight scrapbooks of news clippings and related correspondence, 1878-1917. Topics include literary and general publishing issues, intellectual property, and a selection of George Haven Putnam's writings. The scrapbooks are two- and three-column books of Mark Twain's patented self-adhesive scrapbook brand.
Researchers interested in the clippings contained in the scrapbooks are advised to consult the Clippings series for additional information.
Arranged by topic. Scrapbooks concerning Putnam's writings are arranged alphabetically by title of the work.
Physical Description1 linear foot
(2 scrapbooks)
Physical Description1 box
(3 scrapbooks)
Physical Description3 boxes
(1 scrapbook)
Physical Description1 box
(1 scrapbook)
Physical Description1 box
(1 scrapbook)
Physical Description1 box
The writings series consists mainly of typescripts of George Haven Putnam's writings. It includes articles and editorials, publisher's notes, speeches and addresses, and tributes and memoirs. In addition, the series contains clippings of Putnam's published articles and letters to the editor.
Arranged alphabetically by type of material.
Physical Description1 linear foot
1 box
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
The Biographical and Genealogical Material series consists largely of news clippings documenting Putnam's activities and public appearances as well as the lives of other members of the Putnam family, 1905-1929. In addition, the series includes several published genealogical trees chronicling George Haven Putnam's ancestry.
Subdivided into biographical material concerning George H. Putnam; biographical material concerning members of the Putnam family; and genealogical material.
Physical Description1 linear foot
2 folders
1 folder
1 folder
The Clippings series consists of news clippings provided by various clipping services, 1888-1929. They concern copyright and intellectual property issues as well as a number of George Haven Putnam's writings.
Researchers interested in the news clippings are advised to consult the Scrapbooks series for additional information.
Subdivided into clippings regarding copyright issuesand clippings regarding Putnam's publications. Clippings regarding publications are arranged alphabetically by title of the publication.
Physical Description2 linear feet
2 folders
1 box
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Contains miscellaneous writings and other printed materials as well as various news clippings. Also present is a drawing of Putnam by his fellow soldier and "chum," the photographer Henry Van der Weyde. In his war memoir, A Prisoner of War in Virginia, 1864-65, Putnam writes that the portrait was drawn while both Union soldiers were imprisoned in Danville, a Confederate prison, during the Civil War.
Subdivided into Writings; Clippings; List of Contributors to Putnam's Monthly Magazine; and Henry Van der Weyde, Pencil Drawing of George Haven Putnam.
Physical Description2 linear feet
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder