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Stanley G. Weinbaum Papers
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Held at: Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
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In 1934, in what is now regarded as the Golden Age of Science Fiction publishing, "A Martian Odyssey" by Stanley G. Weinbaum appeared in Wonder Stories. It was the first published science fiction story of the author and the first alien story to probe the alternative psyche of beings from extra-terrestrial bodies and explore the eco-systems of other planets all from a non-earth based view. It was also the first of the author's stories to appear during his short two year period of publishing before he died prematurely of cancer in 1935.
Prior to the initial acceptance of his science fiction stories Weinbaum wrote numerous manuscripts for the freelance romantic and mystery market under the pseudonym Marge Stanley, the majority unsold.
Following Weinbaum's death, the demand from readers of his fiction in the science fiction pulp magazines of the period continued unabated. Posthumously published short stories and novels of Stanley G. Weinbaum only enhanced the reputation gained in his short years of active publication. His contemporary agents, his widow, and later Forrest J. Ackerman, as agent, continued to publish new stories from Weinbaum's legacy of typescripts, that Weinbaum anthologies were issued, and that his work continued to appear in general anthologies throughout the world.
Stanley Weinbaum wrote in longhand without extensive revision, his manuscripts typed by his wife for submission. The drafts and holograph manuscripts described in this inventory exhibit his clarity of description and plot as he wrote, only occasionally and for major novels (such as The New Adam) did he approach writing with extensive planning: most of his work was created and revised before placing on paper.
The Stanley G. Weinbaum collection contains manuscripts, photographs, correspondence, fan letters, published stories, and other materials by and about Weinbaum. Manuscripts include science fiction stories and novels as well as for Weinbaum's romance and mystery fiction. Correspondence is primarily with Weinbaum's agents-particularly Lurton Blassingame-editors, publishers and lawyers. Fan letters in response to his stories on his work prior to and following his is also preserved in this collection, as well as responses to his death. Published stories in Series 6 are within full, original copies of the publishing magazine. Several later articles about Weinbaum, including several by Eric Leif Davin, are also included within the collection.
Series 2: Non-Science Fiction Manuscripts, undated
Series 3: Photographs, 1930s, undated
Series 4: Correspondence, 1933-1980
Series 5: Fan Letters, Obituaries, Other Materials, 1922-1992
Series 6: Published Stories, 1934-1994
Series 7: Microfilm and Other Publications, 1923-1997, undated
Series 8: 2012 Addition, undated
Gift of Margaret Kay, 1993. Three books inscribed to Kay by Weinbaum (Box 8) were gift of Margaret Kay, 1994. Kay also provided funding for the microfilming of the collection, which was completed in November 1996. The 2012 addition was a gift Eric Leif Davin.
Microfilm of the parts of the collection is available in Box 8.
Finding aid revised according to contemporary archival standards in July 2014 by Katy Rawdon, Coordinator of Technical Services.
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- Publisher
- Temple University Libraries: Special Collections Research Center
- Finding Aid Author
- Machine-readable finding aid created by: Rajkumar Natarajan, Sky Global Services India (P) Ltd.
- Finding Aid Date
- May 2024
- Access Restrictions
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Collection is open for research.
- Use Restrictions
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The Stanley G. Weinbaum Papers are the physical property of the Special Collections Research Center, Temple University Libraries. Temple University holds intellectual property rights only for material donated to the university with such rights specifically assigned. For all other material, intellectual property rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Researchers are responsible for determining the identity of rights holders and obtaining their permission for publication and for other purposes where stated.
Collection Inventory
This is the portrait used by Fantasy Press on the dust jacket for The Black Flame and in The Dawn of Flame and Other Stories.
v.1, no.1
v.8, no.3
v.8, no.1
v.13, no.3
v.14, no.5
v.17, no.1
v.15, no.2
v.16, no.4
v.14, no.6
v.16, no.2
v.7, no.7
v.17, no.6
v.7, no.1
v.8, no.2
v.16, no.3
v.17, no.1
v.12, no.6
v.16, no.5
v.6, no.6
v.7, no.3
Photocopy of a copy sent by Everts to A. Langley Searles, now in the Searles H.P.L. Files, Temple