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Alejandro Rossi 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
Alejandro Rossi [1932-2009] was born in Florence, Italy, to an Italian father and a Venezuelan mother. His early life was peripatetic in nature; his family fled Italy during World War II for Venezuela, and then later moved to Buenos Aires, where Rossi spent his adolescence. He studied philosophy in Mexico, Germany, and England, before settling in Mexico City, where he became professor of philosophy at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México in 1958. His book on analytical philosophy, Lenguage y significado (1968), confirmed his status as a philosopher, but when Octavio Paz asked Rossi to contribute articles to the literary magazine Plural, Rossi began to enter the world of letters.
The writer Juan Villoro has described Rossi as the consummate conversationalist, a quality that characterizes his prose writing. With his friends Octavio Paz, Salvador Elizondo, and Juan García Ponce, Rossi helped found the literary journal Vuelta in 1978. Member of Mexico's El Colegio Nacional since 1996, and winner of the Premio Xavier Villaurruita for his novel Éden, vida imaginada in 2007, Alejandro Rossi enjoyed a long career, and became a Mexican citizen in 1994. He died in Mexico City in 2009.
The Alejandro Rossi Papers contains a wide range materials, including notebooks, drafts of writings, correspondence with writers, editors, philosophers, and artists, and materials related to conferences and lectures in Mexico and abroad. There is a small grouping of materials that Rossi kept together in a folder entitled "important documents"; among the materials are three black-and-white photographs, a letter and document related to Rossi's ancestor, the Venezuelan general José Antonio Páez, and several items related to his involvement with the founding of Vuelta. For more material related to this literary journal, the researcher is encouraged to consult Rossi's correspondence files with authors such as Octavio Paz, José Bianco, Carlos Fuentes, and others.
Manuscripts of all Rossi's literary works, photographs, diaries, notebooks, and correspondence, including letters from Octavio Paz (26), Jose Bianco (14), Carlos Fuentes (5) , Guillermo Cabrera Infante (4), Mario Vargas Llosa (1), and many others.
Organized into the following series and subseries:
Purchased from Olbeth Hansberg in March 2012 (AM 2012-80).
This collection was processed by Jill Baron in 2012 with the assistance of Lauren Hoffman '15. Finding aid written by Jill Baron in 2012.
No appraisal information is available.
People
Subject
- Essayists, Latin American -- History and criticism
- Latin American literature -- 20th century
- Mexican essays -- 20th century
- Mexican literature -- 20th century -- History and criticism
- Philosophers -- Mexico -- 20th century
Place
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Author
- Jill Baron
- Finding Aid Date
- 2012
- Access Restrictions
-
The collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
-
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
This series represents Rossi's scholarly and literary output over a span of nearly five decades. Among the most compelling materials are a group of notebooks which he called "Cuadernos," in which he recorded almost daily diary entries over a thirty-year period. Other materials include drafts of writing, notes, and photocopies of published articles.
This series is arranged into seven subseries: "Cuadernos", Notes and Notebooks, Books, Essays, Newspaper Articles, Interviews, and Conferences and Events.
Physical Description20 boxes
The "cuadernos" consist of bound notebooks in which Rossi recorded daily entries concerning intellectual and personal matters. In them Rossi comments on ideas, works of art, and his writing activities, but also on domestic activities, his health, social engagements, friends, and the like. These diaries paint a robust biographical portrait of Rossi, but also depict Rossi's literary and social milieu in great detail, which will be invaluable to researchers interested in the cadre of intellectuals who contributed to the literary magazine Vuelta, among other projects. Along with the original handwritten notebooks, there are typed surrogates spanning the time period 1993-2003. The "Noveno Cuaderno," (Box 2, Folder 2) and its typed surrogates (Box 4, Folder 1) have been restricted until June 15, 2022.
Arranged chronologically.
Physical Description5 boxes
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 box
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
The typescript pages begin with the "Séptimo Cuaderno."
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 box
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Consists of notes, notebooks, and "Filosofías personales."
Arranged by genre of material.
Physical Description4 boxes
1 box
1 folder
Writings in English and Spanish.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
First few pages include a Socratic dialogue, copied out in Greek by Rossi.
Physical Description1 folder
Includes raffle ticket for campaign to support political prisoners in Guatemala, circa 1963.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
First entry entitled "Sartre."
Physical Description1 folder
Notes in German and Spanish.
Physical Description1 folder
3 boxes
1 folder
1 folder
First entry entitled "Sakai."
Physical Description1 folder
Contain drafts of letters.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
First entry entitled "La historia del mundo."
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Unpublished manuscript.
Physical Description1 folder
Many of the folders entitled "Notes, various" contain a rough inventory of the contents provided by Rossi.
Physical Description2 boxes
Includes autograph and typewritten drafts of poems, speeches, etc.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
Includes drafts, lists of projects, and notes related to "Un tío escribe una novela" and "Historia del mundo."
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Consists of works such as "Tésis: A-Rossi Guerrero," Manual del distraído, and Edén, vida imaginada, as well as others.
Arranged by title.
Physical Description8 boxes
156 pages, TM with autograph edits.
Physical Description1 folder
2 boxes
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
2 folders
Includes postcard dated September 5, 1973.
Physical Description2 folders
TMss, including essays by Adolfo Castañón, Octavio Paz, Juan Villoro, Juan Nuño.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 box
1 folder
1 folder
Includes TLS from Héctor Libertella (accompanying Libertella's review).
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 box
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
2 boxes
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes correspondence from Álvaro Mutis.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Draft sent to Jorge Herralde for edits.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes Rossi's autograph edits.
Physical Description1 folder
Includes correspondence with Martha Canfield.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 box
1 folder
1 folder
Includes notes on Juan Villoro. Another grouping consists of the origins of "Juego de Magia."
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
Includes "Saludo a Luis Villoro"; "La tentación del filósofo."
Physical Description1 folder
Includes "El sentido actual de la filosofía en México"; "Cumpleaños de un amigo"; "Cátedra Octavio Paz"; "Aquellos años."
Physical Description1 folder
Includes "Venezuela a la vista"; "Reloj de Atenas"; "Entre libros."
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes correspondence with Fabienne Bradu.
Physical Description1 folder
2 boxes
1 folder
1 folder
Consists of 4 notebooks.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Contain autograph corrections.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes compact disc.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes correspondence with Gustavo Guerrero.
Physical Description1 folder
Includes correspondence from Joaquín Díez-Canedo Flores.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 box
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Consists of essays such as "América sintaxis," "Respuesta a Enrique Krauze," and "Texto de las conferencias del maestro Alejandro Rossi," as well as others.
Arranged alphabetically by title.
Physical Description2 boxes
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Speech given when Rossi was inducted into El Colegio Nacional.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes TM of English translation.
Physical Description1 folder
Talk conducted with Juan Villoro. In addition to a TM with autograph corrections of speech, the folder includes a black-and-white photograph of Rossi and Villoro and a flyer from the event.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Accompanying note reads "texto anónimo, probablemente trad. al Inglés 'Lenguage Privado' de A.R."
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
Prologue to an anthology of José Gaos.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
Transcript of lecture on José Gaos.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
Includes correspondence with ABC Cultural (Spain).
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes TM draft and pamphlet from the Instituto Cultural Mexicano in Israel.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes mulitple speechs given upon receiving Mexican citizenship.
Physical Description1 folder
Folders include multiple TM drafts, some with autograph corrections.
Arranged chronologically.
Physical Description1 box
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Consists of interviews with Adolfo Castañón and José Alberto Castro, as well as others.
Arranged alphabetically by title.
Physical Description1 box
Interview by Gustavo Guerrero.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes correspondence with Adolfo Castañón, interviewer.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Consists of varied materials related to conferences, lectures, symposia, and the like. Some files include notes or drafts of essays, clippings, ephemera, all related to the named event.
Not arranged according to any arrangement scheme.
Physical Description2 boxes
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
The correspondence files reveal the depth and breadth of Rossi's involvement in a variety of intellectual circles in Mexico and abroad. While the format may have changed over the years from typed or handwritten letters to faxes and emails, the regularity and discipline with which Rossi corresponds with his friends and associates does not at all diminish. If anything, it even flourishes in later years.
In general, letters are filed together by correspondent, which includes letters to Rossi and copies of his replies. If the volume of letters between Rossi and a correspondent is significant, then the letters are separated into separate folders, just as Rossi retained his own materials. With email, the volume of email print-outs is sometimes so large that all of the materials, emails to and from Rossi, are kept together, in chronological order.
Among the correspondence includes letters from Octavio Paz (22), José Bianco (16), Carlos Fuentes (7), Guillermo Cabrera Infante (5) and Mario Vargas Llosa (1).
Filed alphabetically by correspondent.
Physical Description11 boxes
1 folder
Includes correspondence from Alejandro Rossi
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes 3 TLss from Alejandro Rossi (1997).
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Faxes
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes correspondence from Enrique Lynch.
Physical Description1 folder
Random House Mondadori. Includes correspondence with Munoz Figueros, Luis Alberto.
Physical Description3 folders
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes correspondence from Fernando Solana.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes correspondence with Maria Cortes and Jorge Herralde. Please refer to correspondence files for Jorge Herralde for more material.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes correspondence with Héctor Libertella.
Physical Description1 folder
Includes correspondence with Adolfo Castañón.
Physical Description1 folder
2 TLsS, 3 ALsS, 2 telegrams
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
Includes correspondence with Guillermo Sheridan.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Letter from Rossi to García Márquez.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes mss of other
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Gallimard
Physical Description1 folder
Faxes, mostly from Rossi to Guerrero
Physical Description1 folder
Rossi to Guerrero
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Bulk from 1967-1968
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes correspondence from Rossi to Aurelio Major and Hans Meinre.
Physical Description1 folder
Faxes from AR to JH.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes TMS
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes exhibit catalogue
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes writings, TMsS
Physical Description1 folder
Clippings
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
14 ALss, 6 TLss, 2 postcards, and 1 TM poem, signed by Paz and inscribed to Alejandro Rossi and Olbeth Hansberg.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
Correspondence from Rossi to Paz.
Physical Description1 folder
Written by AR, various drafts.
Physical Description1 folder
Includes clippings, notes, condolence letters sent to Rossi after Paz's death.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes mss from 1953.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes photograph of Vila-Matas.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
See also Series III: Box 31, Folder 1, "Writings Dedicated to Alejandro Rossi" for more materials from Xirau.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
Includes a signficant number of postcards, cards, and some letters.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Consists of email sent to Olbeth Hansberg. This grouping was removed from the scrapbook materials located in Box 32.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes materials that Rossi considered important, such as founding documents of Vuelta and two items related to his ancestor, the Venezuelan general José Antonio Páez [1790-1873]. This series also includes several scrapbooks that were assembled around the time of Rossi's death.
For preservation purposes, the documents and photographs are kept together in one box, and the scrapbooks are contained in another.
Physical Description2 boxes
Includes poems by Ramón Rodríguez and a TL of a poem by Ramón Xirau, "Mar endins."
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
Folder includes signed memorandum from Gabriel Zaid to founding members of Vuelta.
Physical Description1 folder
Signed by Octavio Paz and Enrique Krauze.
Physical Description1 folder
1 box
Document bears multiple signatures, including that of King Fernando VII of Spain. Along with the names, there are also multiple dates and locations in autograph hand, indicating that the document had circulated.
Physical Description1 folder
ALS. Folder also contains a photocopy of the "Testamento de General Páez" published by the Archivo Nacional (Venezuela) in 1967.
Physical Description1 folder
Three portraits: two of Rossi, and one of Rossi and his wife, Olbeth Hansberg.
Physical Description1 folder
The scrapbooks, assembled around the time of Rossi's death, contain clippings, inkjet photographs, email correspondence and other materials celebrating his life.
Physical Description1 box
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Consists primarily of materials related to publishing efforts, including contracts and royalty statements. There is some correspondence from Rossi's agent and publishers.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Physical Description2 boxes
1 box
1 folder
Includes correspondence with literary agency, Mercedes Casanovas.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 box
1 folder
1 folder
1 box
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 box
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes clippings, catalogs, and related correspondence.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Files include materials related to prizes and awarded received by Rossi.
Arranged alphabetically by title.
Physical Description2 boxes
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Member of council of honor.
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
Documents related to Rossi's citizenship process in Mexico.
Physical Description1 folder
Includes photographs of Rossi (2) with Felipe de Borbón y de Grecia, Prince of Asturias (prince of Spain).
Physical Description1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Consists primarily of articles about Rossi from publications worldwide. The magazines in this series feature articles written by Rossi.
This series is arranged into three subseries: Clippings, Writings of Others, and Magazines.
Physical Description1.0 linear foot
Consists of articles by or about Rossi.
Not arranged according to any arrangement scheme.
Physical Description1 box
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Consists of published essays by Víctor Li Carrillo.
Not arranged according to any arrangement scheme.
Physical Description1 box
1 folder
Consists of magazines such as La Gaceta and Letras Libres, as well as others.
Arranged alphabetically by magazine title.
Physical Description3 boxes
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
1 folder
Includes: ABCD, Boletín de Enlaces, Camp de L'arpa, Casa del Tiempo, Círculo, Criticarte, Cuentos, La Calle, La Quinzaine, Lecturas, Presente, Revista de la Universidad de Mexico, Semana, El Semanario, La Tempestad, Radar
Physical Description1 box