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Vera Dreiser papers

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Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]3420 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6206

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts. 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

Call Number:
Ms. Coll. 1216
Repository:
University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
Extent:
13 linear feet (31 boxes)
Preferred Citation:
Vera Dreiser papers 1899-1961 (bulk: 1928-1952), Ms. Coll. 1216, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania
Date:
1899-1961 (inclusive) and 1928-1952 (bulk)
Creator:
Dreiser, Vera
Form:
Estate records, Clippings (information artifacts), Printed ephemera, Contracts, Legal documents, Correspondence, and Family papers
Abstract:
Vera Dreiser (circa 1908-1998) was a psychologist who practiced first in New York from 1947 to 1961, and later in California until her retirement in 1972. She is the niece of novelist Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945) and of composer Paul Dresser (1858-1906). This collection is comprised of materials from Vera Dreiser's personal and professional life as well as materials related to the musical and literary estates of Paul Dresser and Theodore Dreiser.

Vera Dreiser (birth year documentation varies, but is most commonly 1908, d.1998) was the daughter of actor Edward M. Dreiser (1873-1958) and Mai Dreiser (1881-1955). In 1939 she married Alfred E. Scott (1913-1948) and they had daughter Sheri Scott (later Teri Godard) in 1943. She was the niece of Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945), author of works such as An American Tragedy and The Bulwark and of composer Paul Dresser (1858-1906), who wrote My Gal Sal. Vera Dreiser was a psychologist, educator, and dancer. She earned two degrees from New York University and taught dance at Bryant High School and Queens College before becoming a clinical psychologist. She practiced clinical psychology in New York from 1947 to 1961 and was the head of the Psychiatric Treatment Center at the California Institute for Women until her retirement in 1972. She appeared on television and radio programs to discuss psychology for everyday life, published articles in Dance News, and wrote popular psychology articles, as well as poetry and music. In 1976, she co-authored a family memoir entitled My Uncle Theodore with Brett Howard.

This is a collection of family papers and memorabilia and professional papers of Vera Dreiser, as well as papers related to the estates of composer Paul Dresser and author Theodore Dreiser. The largest components of the collection consist of papers related to Vera Dreiser's psychology practice in New York and those related to Theodore Dreiser's literary estate. The collection is arranged into four series: family and personal papers, memorabilia and artifacts, professional papers (patient records are restricted), and family estate management. For more detailed information regarding the contents of each series, please see the series scope notes.

At Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania:

Theodore Dreiser papers, circa 1890-1965 (bulk: 1897-1955), Ms. Coll. 30

At Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana:

Dreiser mss., 1931, LMC 1286

Dreiser mss. III, 1928-1945, LMC 1288

Dreiser mss. IV, 1894-1951, LMC 1289

Dreiser mss. V, 1871-1945, LMC 2758

At Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University:

Theodore Dreiser collection, 1921-1991, Manuscript Collection No. 753

People
Subject

Publisher
University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts
Finding Aid Author
Rayna Andrews
Finding Aid Date
2016 October 31
Access Restrictions

The bulk of this collection is open for research use, however, access to Series III, Subseries C (box 6, folder 9-box 15, folder 1) is restricted from access until 2030 because it contains personally identifiable information. Researchers interested in the content of these folders should contact the Kislak Center for further information.

Use Restrictions

Copyright restrictions may exist. For most library holdings, the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania do not hold copyright. It is the responsibility of the requester to seek permission from the holder of the copyright to reproduce material from the Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts.

Collection Inventory

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Scope and Contents

Series I is comprised of family medical and financial records, correspondence, letters of condolence for the deaths of Vera's husband, Alfred Scott and her parents Mai Dreiser and Edward Dreiser, greeting cards, ephemera, clippings, scrapbooks, and a baby book with entries for both Vera Dreiser and Sheri Scott. The correspondence in this series includes personal letters between Vera and her husband Alfred, get well soon and assorted business letters addressed to Alfred, and letters of condolence for family members' deaths. Additionally, there are letters to other members of the Dreiser family from other correspondents. They include letters to Mary Frances Brennan, an autograph from President Theodore Roosevelt to Edward Dreiser, praise for Helen Dreiser's book from numerous friends and acquaintances, and a letter about returning music to Theodore Dreiser. These letters are arranged by recipient.

Owl -- Wadleigh H. S. senior number, 1926.
Box 1 Folder 1
Travel diary, [1933].
Box 1 Folder 2
Family medical records, 1942-1960.
Box 1 Folder 3
Letters to Alfred E. Scott, 1943-1948.
Box 1 Folder 4
Letters of condolence following the death of Alfred E. Scott, 1948.
Box 1 Folder 5
Flower cards following the death of Alfred E. Scott, 1948.
Box 1 Folder 6
Personal accounting information, 1947-1952.
Box 1 Folder 7
Rent commission, 1958-1961.
Box 1 Folder 8
Sheri Scott school records, 1951-1961.
Box 2 Folder 1
Letters of condolence and memorial cards following the death of Mai Dreiser, 1955.
Box 2 Folder 2
Letters of condolence following the death of Edward Dreiser, 1958.
Box 2 Folder 3
Letters to other family members (by recipient), 1908, 1935-1936, 1944, 1951.
Box 2 Folder 4
Unidentified photographs (possibly of family) and Theodore Dreiser quote, 1934, undated.
Box 2 Folder 5
Miscellaneous notes, ephemera, vacation materials, meeting materials, early school work, dance cards, etc., circa 1916-1961.
Box 2 Folder 6
Family greeting cards, undated.
Box 2 Folder 7
Clippings concerning Theodore Dreiser, his life, work, adaptations of work, his family/associates, tributes, etc., 1942-1960.
Box 2 Folder 8
Vera Dreiser, scrapbook (possibly created by Vera Dreiser), 1929-1946, 1961.
Box 3 Folder 1-2
Edward Dreiser, scrapbook (possibly created by Vera Dreiser), circa 1899-1958.
Box 3 Folder 3
Paul Dresser Souvenir Book, includes selections of his music, undated.
Box 29 Folder 1
Theodore Dreiser, scrapbook (parts 1 and 2 of 3) (possibly created by Vera Dreiser), 1919-1948.
Box 3 Folder 4-5
Theodore Dreiser, scrapbook (part 3 of 3) (possibly created by Vera Dreiser), 1942-1960.
Box 4 Folder 1
Vera Dreiser and Sheri Scott baby book, 1912, 1943.
Box 29 Folder 2

Scope and Contents

Though it is not reflected in other parts of the collection, Vera Dreiser's Catholic faith appears to have been an important part of her identity. Series II consists primarily of religious memorabilia and religious books and devotionals. It includes a crucifix, religious books, and certificates indicating family members' perpetual membership in purgatorial societies. This series also includes an engraved picture frame and Theodore Dreiser's death mask and plaster bust.

Cross, undated.
Box 4 Folder 2
My Prayer Book: Happiness in Goodness, 1914.
Box 4 Folder 3
Engraved picture frame, undated.
Box 28 Folder 5
Of the Imitation of Christ, undated.
Box 4 Folder 4
Triple Novena Manual of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, undated.
Box 4 Folder 5
Precious Blood Purgatorial Society perpetual membership -- Alfred E. Scott, 1948.
Box 4 Folder 6
Novena Mass League of St. Francis perpetual membership -- Mai Dreiser, [1955].
Box 4 Folder 7
Purgatorial Society of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement perpetual membership -- Edward Dreiser, [1958].
Box 5 Folder 1
Theodore Dreiser death mask.
Box 30 Folder unknown container
Theodore Dreiser bust.
Box 30 Folder unknown container
Lace collars, wax flowers, and clippings (presumably) of family hair, undated.
Box 31 Folder unknown container

Scope and Contents

Series III is comprised of Vera Dreiser's professional papers from her early work as a dance instructor and her clinical psychology practice in New York. It consists of materials from her dance-related work including playbills and librettos, choreography notes, clippings, Dancers' War Fund correspondence, and information related to Pi Lambda Theta (an education honor society/professional association for education). This series also includes personal and professional correspondence and patient records (in many cases the lines here are blurred as professional correspondence and patient records were often combined and regular friendly correspondence frequently included a line or two of treatment information), television and radio appearances and proposals, and publications. Personal and professional correspondence consisting of only a few letters (or, in many cases, a single letter) that did not belong with any named file has been placed in "Miscellaneous Correspondence" folders alphabetized by last name. Materials in subseries C (box 6, folder 9-box 15, folder 1) are restricted from access until 2030 because they contain personally identifiable information. Researchers interested in the content of these folders should contact the Kislak Center for further information.

Playbills, librettos, notes, etc. -- The Mikado, The Spanish Grandee, 1936-1937.
Box 5 Folder 2
Dance technique, choreography, publications, 1938, 1941, 1950, undated.
Box 5 Folder 3
Your Own Book of Favorite Waltzes, 1941.
Box 5 Folder 4
Dancers' War Fund -- correspondence and accounting, 1942-1944.
Box 5 Folder 5
Dance-related clippings, Dance News, 1939-1942, 1949.
Box 5 Folder 6
Pi Lambda Theta -- information and mailing lists, 1949-1960.
Box 5 Folder 7
Certificates and records of education and career, 1922-1961.
Box 5 Folder 8
Clinics, psychiatrists and hospitals, undated.
Box 5 Folder 9
Criminology -- Police Department mug shots, 1933-1942, undated.
Box 5 Folder 10
Conferences and speaking engagements, 1950, 1954.
Box 5 Folder 11
Industrial psychology, undated.
Box 6 Folder 1
Mental health after retirement -- information, undated.
Box 6 Folder 2
Miscellaneous medical information, 1939-1960, undated.
Box 6 Folder 3
Office record, undated.
Box 6 Folder 4
Psychological techniques, 1948-1952, 1957.
Box 6 Folder 5
Research proposal, undated.
Box 6 Folder 6
State of New York Department of Mental Hygiene -- forms, undated.
Box 6 Folder 7
Therapy materials, 1942, undated.
Box 6 Folder 8
Therapy materials -- Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, 1943.
Box 28 Folder 3
Alamo, Elizabeth, 1948-1949.
Box 6 Folder 9
Albert, Dora and Prentice-Hall, 1959.
Box 6 Folder 10
Alpert, Irwin, 1953.
Box 6 Folder 11
Anglim, Thomas, 1952.
Box 6 Folder 12
Barajikien, Aram, 1948.
Box 6 Folder 13
Bernstein, Coleman, 1955-1957, undated.
Box 6 Folder 14
Bebrowski, Henry (Brent), 1945-1948, 1952.
Box 6 Folder 15
Bloch, Julia and Arthur, 1946, 1953.
Box 6 Folder 16
Bombero, Stephen and Ronnie, 1954.
Box 7 Folder 1
Brittain, Gloria and Chuck, 1958-1960.
Box 7 Folder 2
Butcher, Myrtle, 1953, 1958-1960.
Box 7 Folder 3
Campbell, W. Fred, undated.
Box 7 Folder 4
Casey, Edith (Mrs. George), 1949-1950, undated.
Box 7 Folder 5
Chujoy, Anatole, 1946, undated.
Box 7 Folder 6
Courtney, David, 1944-1946.
Box 7 Folder 7
Costello, Mary, 1948, undated.
Box 7 Folder 8
Dana, Gertrude, 1948, undated.
Box 7 Folder 9
Daniel, Bruno, 1945-1946, 1960.
Box 7 Folder 10
de Maio, Rose, 1945, undated.
Box 7 Folder 11
de Sola, Candelaria, 1945-1952, undated.
Box 7 Folder 12
Del Valle, Ethel McLane, 1946-1947, 1958, undated.
Box 7 Folder 13
Del Valle, Phil, 1948, undated.
Box 7 Folder 14
Devery, Miriam, 1951-1955, undated.
Box 7 Folder 15
Dillon, Elizabeth (Betty) and Kenneth P., 1944-1945, 1950.
Box 7 Folder 16
di Pasquale, Ann, 1952-1960, undated.
Box 7 Folder 17
Donohue, Edward, 1947, undated.
Box 7 Folder 18
Dreiser, Helen and Theodore, 1940-1952.
Box 7 Folder 19
Dresser, Louise, 1928-1929, 1939, 1959-1961.
Box 7 Folder 20
Ebel, Rose and Alfred, 1952, 1955, 1957.
Box 8 Folder 1
Farber, Ann L., 1944-1947, undated.
Box 8 Folder 2
Farinella, Frances, 1951-1954, undated.
Box 8 Folder 3
Farrell, James T., 1946-1961.
Box 8 Folder 4
Fergerson, Madeline, 1952, undated.
Box 8 Folder 5
Forbes, Marthel, undated.
Box 8 Folder 6
Ford, Virginia, undated.
Box 8 Folder 7
Foster, Dan, 1955, 1957.
Box 8 Folder 8
Fox, Paula, 1946-1947.
Box 8 Folder 9
Geismar, Maxwell, 1959-1961.
Box 8 Folder 10
Gersten, Monroe, 1948-1949.
Box 8 Folder 11
Goodman, Lillian Rosedale, 1961, undated.
Box 8 Folder 12
Gormley, Paul D., 1960-1961.
Box 8 Folder 13
Gurfein, Barbara, 1945, 1948-1949, undated.
Box 8 Folder 14
Gurfein, Sidney, 1947-1955, undated.
Box 8 Folder 15
H., Theodor, undated.
Box 8 Folder 16
Harris, Maude, 1952.
Box 8 Folder 17
Hopp, Alma, 1946-1952, undated.
Box 8 Folder 18
Horsley, J. Stephen, 1957-1958.
Box 8 Folder 19
Ish-Kishor, Sulamith, 1946-1948, 1954, 1960-1961, undated.
Box 8 Folder 20
Izaguirre, Miguel Dorian, 1946.
Box 8 Folder 21
Jacques, Dede, 1947, 1952, undated.
Box 9 Folder 1
Johnston, Alice, 1944-1946, undated.
Box 9 Folder 2
Kies, John, 1948-1950.
Box 9 Folder 3
Kimbark, Myrtle, 1947-1948, 1952, undated.
Box 9 Folder 4
Klapper, Paul, 1937-1938, 1941, 1943.
Box 9 Folder 5
Klar, Estelle Gurfein, 1950-1951, 1953, undated.
Box 9 Folder 6
Kleemoff, Anna, undated.
Box 9 Folder 7
Kloper, Jennie, 1947, undated.
Box 9 Folder 8
Knapp, Rue and Mary Ellen Thompson (See also: Thompson, Mary Ellen), 1952-1961, undated.
Box 9 Folder 9
Knapp, Sally, 1954-1961.
Box 9 Folder 10
Kramer, Alex (See also: Whitney, Joan), 1947-1948, 1958, undated.
Box 9 Folder 11
Kramer, Sally, 1947-1949, undated.
Box 9 Folder 12
Kuchinskas, Lillian, 1950, undated.
Box 9 Folder 13
Kuhl (nee Ulrich), Dorothy, 1947-1957.
Box 9 Folder 14
Kuhl, Edward, 1951, undated.
Box 9 Folder 15
Lane, Angelo, 1949-1953, undated.
Box 9 Folder 16
Lawton, Shailer Upton, 1937-1952, 1956, 1961, undated.
Box 9 Folder 17
Lay, Elizabeth, 1947, undated.
Box 9 Folder 18
Lockwood, M., Mrs., undated.
Box 9 Folder 19
Mahoney, John H., 1947, undated.
Box 9 Folder 20
Mann, Claire, undated.
Box 9 Folder 21
Marchese, Mildred (Mrs. Galeano), 1948-1954, undated.
Box 10 Folder 1
Markley, Edwin (Robert), 1952-1953, undated.
Box 10 Folder 2
Mauceri, Jennie and Anne, 1947, 1950-1951, undated.
Box 10 Folder 3
McCoy, Esther, 1946-1948, undated.
Box 10 Folder 4
McCullough, Theresa (Terry Mac), 1944-1945, 1959, undated.
Box 10 Folder 5
McFall, Bill, 1959, 1961, undated.
Box 10 Folder 6
McFall, Eve, undated.
Box 10 Folder 7
Megohan, Norman, 1959.
Box 10 Folder 8
Mendus, Philomena, 1947, undated.
Box 10 Folder 9
Micali, Fortunata (nee Marigliano), 1946-1955, undated.
Box 10 Folder 10
Molnar, Anthony, 1947-1948, 1960, undated.
Box 10 Folder 11
Moss, Patt, Miss, 1953.
Box 10 Folder 12
Murphy, Wm. Jones, 1954, undated.
Box 10 Folder 13
Nakhai, Ali Asghar and Mozi, 1953-1958, undated.
Box 10 Folder 14
Nase, Geralyn, 1949-1954.
Box 10 Folder 15
Nash, Helen, 1946-1948, undated.
Box 10 Folder 16
Nelson, Elizabeth Fernalld, 1944, 1947.
Box 10 Folder 17
Neubauer, Helen, 1947-1955, undated.
Box 10 Folder 18
Obermeyer, Irma, undated.
Box 10 Folder 19
O'Connor, Loretta, 1946-1947.
Box 10 Folder 20
Oglesby, Florence, undated.
Box 11 Folder 1
Olivas, Edna, undated.
Box 11 Folder 2
O'Reilly, Ethel (Mrs. Farrell), 1946-1947, 1952, undated.
Box 11 Folder 3
Oughton, Beth, 1952-1956.
Box 11 Folder 4
Park, Lewis C., Dr., 1946-1947, 1954-1956, undated.
Box 11 Folder 5
Pennington, Edgar T., 1946, 1948.
Box 11 Folder 6
Pike, Eugene, 1944-1947, undated.
Box 11 Folder 7
Pope, John, 1947.
Box 11 Folder 8
Purcell, Kathleen, 1945.
Box 11 Folder 9
Raedler, Dorothy, 1953-1960.
Box 11 Folder 10
Reichl, Loretta (later Lumer), 1947-1948, 1956.
Box 11 Folder 11
Richards, Stanley, 1956, 1959-1961.
Box 11 Folder 12
Rishell, Edith, Mrs., undated.
Box 11 Folder 13
Rishell, Paul, Rev., 1947.
Box 11 Folder 14
Robitchek, Emily, 1944-1945, undated.
Box 11 Folder 15
Rodgers, Eliza, Dr., 1944.
Box 11 Folder 16
Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1948.
Box 11 Folder 17
Rosenberg, Celia, 1951-1954, undated.
Box 11 Folder 18
Rosner, Lawrence, 1944-1945, undated.
Box 11 Folder 19
Rosner, Miriam, 1945, undated.
Box 11 Folder 20
Rossnick, Charles, Minnie, and Larry, 1953-1954, 1959.
Box 11 Folder 21
Rubinski, Meyer, undated.
Box 11 Folder 22
Rudnick, Harriet, 1950, undated.
Box 11 Folder 23
Runch, Elaine, 1947, undated.
Box 11 Folder 24
Russell, Pauline, 1946-1947, undated.
Box 11 Folder 25
Schildh[ran]t, Lillian, 1944, undated.
Box 12 Folder 1
Schiller, Ruth, 1946-1947.
Box 12 Folder 2
Schlichting, Charlotte, undated.
Box 12 Folder 3
Schulman, June, 1940, 1945-1949.
Box 12 Folder 4
Schwartz (nee Kruger), Evelyn, 1952-1959, undated.
Box 12 Folder 5
Schwartzbaum, Abraham, 1954.
Box 12 Folder 6
Schwendimann, Camilla, undated.
Box 12 Folder 7
Scott, Alfred E., 1938-1944, 1947-1948, undated.
Box 12 Folder 8
Seibold, Elizabeth, 1946-1947, undated.
Box 12 Folder 9
Seymour, Anne and [May Davenport] Seymour, 1960-1961.
Box 12 Folder 10
Sigman, Carl T., 1953.
Box 12 Folder 11
Sigmund, Rose, 1947, undated.
Box 12 Folder 12
Smith, Clifford, 1950-1952.
Box 12 Folder 13
Smith, Lorraine, 1948-1955, 1958-1959, undated.
Box 12 Folder 14
Smith, Stanley, 1947.
Box 12 Folder 15
South, Mary E., 1960.
Box 12 Folder 16
Sparks, Gerald, 1951-1954, 1959.
Box 12 Folder 17
Spiro, Sol. Patty, 1947.
Box 12 Folder 18
Stanley, John, 1945, undated.
Box 13 Folder 1
Stark, Charles, undated.
Box 13 Folder 2
Stewart, Marion and Barbara, 1946, 1949, undated.
Box 13 Folder 3
Thompson, Mary Ellen (See also: Knapp, Rue and Mary Ellen Thompson), 1952-1956.
Box 13 Folder 4
Toigo, Lucy, 1945-1947, 1950, undated.
Box 13 Folder 5
Tupper, Elsie, 1947.
Box 13 Folder 6
University of Pennsylvania, 1950.
Box 13 Folder 7
Valando, Patricia (Peale), 1959.
Box 13 Folder 8
Vallen, Rita, 1946, undated.
Box 13 Folder 9
Vardell, Washington, 1944.
Box 13 Folder 10
Voeth, Harold (Hal) (See also: Whitney, Joan), 1948-1949, 1954.
Box 13 Folder 11
Vogel, Jerry, 1936, 1938, 1953, 1959.
Box 13 Folder 12
Vogel, Jerry, oversized card, undated.
Drawer 108 Folder unknown container
Vollmer, Edna and Mathilde/Matilda, 1946-1955, 1959, undated.
Box 13 Folder 13
Wald, Hattie, 1944.
Box 13 Folder 14
Wallach, Ida, undated.
Box 13 Folder 15
Whitney, Joan (AKA Mrs. Kramer, Zoe Voeth) (See also: Kramer, Alex and Voeth, Harold), 1948, undated.
Box 13 Folder 16
Woodward, Hazel, 1946.
Box 13 Folder 17
Yeandle, Eleanor, undated.
Box 13 Folder 18
Yodell, Esther, 1950, 1952, undated.
Box 13 Folder 19
Zaiff, Pauline, 1945, 1947, undated.
Box 13 Folder 20
Ziesenheim, Thelma, 1948-1949, undated.
Box 13 Folder 21
Zion, Ruth (later Frischer), 1946, 1948.
Box 13 Folder 22
Zizza, Anna, 1950.
Box 13 Folder 23
Zwovenko, Vera (See also: Park, Lewis C., Dr.), 1948-1954, undated.
Box 13 Folder 24
Miscellaneous correspondence A, 1939, 1945, undated.
Box 13 Folder 25
Miscellaneous correspondence B, 1946, 1951, 1959.
Box 13 Folder 26
Miscellaneous correspondence C, 1939, 1949, undated.
Box 13 Folder 27
Miscellaneous correspondence D, 1944, 1946, 1951, 1952.
Box 13 Folder 28
Miscellaneous correspondence E, 1946-1947, undated.
Box 14 Folder 1
Miscellaneous correspondence F, 1939, 1951, 1953, 1955-1956, undated.
Box 14 Folder 2
Miscellaneous correspondence G, 1953-1954, 1956.
Box 14 Folder 3
Miscellaneous correspondence H, 1946-1947, 1951, 1959.
Box 14 Folder 4
Miscellaneous correspondence I, 1961.
Box 14 Folder 5
Miscellaneous correspondence J, 1957, 1959.
Box 14 Folder 6
Miscellaneous correspondence K, 1943, 1945, 1947, 1953, 1956, 1961.
Box 14 Folder 7
Miscellaneous correspondence L, 1947, 1950-1951, undated.
Box 14 Folder 8
Miscellaneous correspondence M, 1941, 1946, 1952, 1960-1961.
Box 14 Folder 9
Miscellaneous correspondence N, 1942, 1960, undated.
Box 14 Folder 10
Miscellaneous correspondence O, 1954, 1960.
Box 14 Folder 11
Miscellaneous correspondence P, 1959-1960, undated.
Box 14 Folder 12
Miscellaneous correspondence R, 1928, 1946, 1948, 1951-1953, 1960, undated.
Box 14 Folder 13
Miscellaneous correspondence S, 1938, 1943, 1947, 1950, 1960, undated.
Box 14 Folder 14
Miscellaneous correspondence T, 1943, 1955.
Box 14 Folder 15
Miscellaneous correspondence W, 1960-1961.
Box 14 Folder 16
Miscellaneous correspondence Y, undated.
Box 14 Folder 17
Miscellaneous correspondence Z, 1952.
Box 14 Folder 18
Unidentified correspondence, 1943, 1948, 1952, 1955, 1959, undated.
Box 14 Folder 19
Personal and professional calendar 1956, 1956.
Box 14 Folder 20
Personal and professional calendar 1957, 1957.
Box 14 Folder 21
Personal and professional calendar 1958, 1958.
Box 14 Folder 22
Personal and professional calendar 1959, 1959.
Box 15 Folder 1
About You magazine, radio, and related correspondence, 1947-1949.
Box 15 Folder 2
TV shows -- notes, scripts, proposals, 1952-1953, undated.
Box 15 Folder 3
TV and radio appearances -- scripts, planning, correspondence, 1948-1949, 1952-1955.
Box 15 Folder 4
Works by Vera Dreiser -- NYU assignments including personal essays and essays on education, psychology, and sociology, 1939.
Box 15 Folder 5
Works by Vera Dreiser -- music, copyright, and related correspondence, 1935, 1938-1939, 1942-1943.
Box 15 Folder 6
Works by Vera Dreiser -- materials and correspondence related to SELF Magazine and Family Circle Magazine and "Suggestions for Writing a Motion Picture Life History", 1946, 1957, undated.
Box 15 Folder 7
Works -- by Vera Dreiser and others -- poetry and stories, 1922-1924, 1928, 1931-1933, 1937-1939.
Box 15 Folder 8
Works/Publications -- by Vera Dreiser and others -- Horizons, undated.
Box 15 Folder 9

Scope and Contents

Series IV consists of materials from the estates of composer Paul Dresser (1858-1906) and author Theodore Dreiser (1871-1945). Paul Dresser's estate materials include contracts and agreements, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) notes and publisher correspondence, and information about the Paul Dresser memorial in Indiana. Additional materials concerning Paul Dresser's estate can be found in the Theodore Dreiser estate materials. A significant part of this collection is comprised of the papers related to Theodore Dreiser's estate. These materials include correspondence with publishers and agents related to contracts, royalties, and US and foreign rights, royalty statements, contracts, film and reproduction rights, typescript materials, interviews, correspondence, and real estate and financial information. These papers also include personal financial information of Helen Dreiser, interviews about her book My Life With Dreiser, and materials related to her management of the estate. Some materials concerning Paul Dresser's estate can also be found in the Theodore Dreiser estate materials and materials regarding one subject can be found in multiple locations (for example, tax information can be found in box 21, folders 6 and 9; box 22, folder 2; box 27, folder 1; and box 28, folder 1). Due to the nature of Dreiser's filing system, these records are inextricably mixed and researchers will find that they may have to look through more materials.

Agreements, ASCAP, notes, related materials and correspondence, 1926, 1929, 1933, 1939-1940, 1952-1955.
Box 15 Folder 10
ASCAP, Shawnee Press Music Publishers -- notes, agreements, correspondence, 1945-1960.
Box 16 Folder 1-2
Contracts, agreements, copyright, ASCAP television agreement, Paul Dresser day, etc., 1932, 1937-1941, 1944-1945, 1950.
Box 27 Folder 8
Estate -- accountings, 1948-1951.
Box 16 Folder 3
Memorial -- Terre Haute, Indiana, 1945, 1949, 1951.
Box 16 Folder 4
Song information, 1933, 1936-1952.
Box 16 Folder 5
A -- General correspondence, 1942, 1944, 1949, 1951-1952.
Box 16 Folder 6
Agents -- Curtis Brown, Ltd., 1940, 1943-1952.
Box 16 Folder 7-9
Agents -- Jacques Chambrun, 1941-1951.
Box 17 Folder 1
Agents -- Alvin Manuel -- Manuel - Geller - Baird Agency, 1945-1951.
Box 17 Folder 2
Other agents, 1950-1952.
Box 17 Folder 3
B -- General correspondence, 1945, 1948, 1951-1952.
Box 17 Folder 4
C -- General correspondence, 1949-1952.
Box 17 Folder 5
D -- General correspondence, 1939-1951.
Box 17 Folder 6
Dedication of the Lilly Library, Indiana University, 1960.
Box 28 Folder 2
Dreiser family correspondence and photographs, 1942, 1948-1952.
Box 17 Folder 7
Dreiser personal correspondence (letters returned to writers), 1950-1951.
Box 17 Folder 8
Vera Dreiser correspondence and photographs, 1946-1950.
Box 17 Folder 9
Theodore Dreiser bibliography -- related correspondence and materials, 1941-1949.
Box 17 Folder 10
Theodore Dreiser biography -- related correspondence and materials, 1903, 1944-1951.
Box 17 Folder 11
Theodore Dreiser -- books -- book shops, 1945-1948, 1950-1952.
Box 18 Folder 1
Theodore Dreiser -- books -- copyrights (expiration dates, etc.), 1933, 1939-1952.
Box 18 Folder 2
Theodore Dreiser book plates and books in storage, 1942-1949.
Box 18 Folder 3
Theodore Dreiser -- The Bulwark -- publication and related materials and correspondence, 1944-1946.
Box 18 Folder 4
Theodore Dreiser -- The Stoic -- U.S. Publication and related correspondence and materials, 1943, 1945-1947, 1951.
Box 18 Folder 5
Theodore Dreiser -- poem typescripts "from Moods" and To Oscar Wilde, 1928, 1938.
Box 18 Folder 6
Theodore Dreiser -- correspondence regarding manuscripts, manuscript listings, etc., 1928, 1939, 1941-1943, 1946-1951.
Box 18 Folder 7
Theodore Dreiser -- plays -- correspondence concerning An American Tragedy and others, 1930-1931, 1940, 1942, 1947, 1949-1950.
Box 18 Folder 8
Theodore Dreiser -- typescripts of short stories Individualism in the Jungle, The Total Stranger, Solution, Tabloid Tragedy, A Start in Life, and The Tithe of the Lord, synopsis of the novel The Financier, and an outline for The Genius, 1928, 1931, undated.
Box 18 Folder 9
Theodore Dreiser works -- contracts, agreements, etc for books, articles, stories, radio, stage and screen, 1908, 1926-1935, 1940-1941, 1946, 1949-1952.
Box 27 Folder 11
Theodore Dreiser works -- contracts and agreements -- treatments, representations, etc. for books, music, stage, radio, and screen, 1932, 1934, 1940-1951.
Box 27 Folder 12
Theodore Dreiser works -- expired contracts and related correspondence, 1926-1952, undated.
Box 19 Folder 1
Theodore Dreiser works -- rights -- international, domestic, reprint, quotation, and broadcast, 1951-1952.
Box 19 Folder 2
Theodore Dreiser works -- French language rights and correspondence -- An American Tragedy, 1946-1947.
Box 19 Folder 3
Theodore Dreiser works -- Slovak rights and correspondence -- Svojet -- An American Tragedy, 1946.
Box 19 Folder 4
Theodore Dreiser works -- international rights and correspondence -- An American Tragedy, 1928-1929, 1943, 1945-1948.
Box 19 Folder 5
Theodore Dreiser works -- international rights and correspondence -- An American Tragedy, 1946-1948, 1952.
Box 19 Folder 6
Theodore Dreiser works -- Danish rights and correspondence -- Aschehoug Dansk Forlag -- The Bulwark, 1946-1947.
Box 19 Folder 7
Theodore Dreiser works -- Dutch language rights and correspondence -- The Bulwark, 1943, 1945, 1947.
Box 19 Folder 8
Theodore Dreiser works -- Dutch rights and correspondence -- C. V. Allert de Lange -- The Bulwark, 1946-1948.
Box 19 Folder 9
Theodore Dreiser works -- Finnish rights and correspondence -- Dr. Berthold Laszlo -- The Bulwark, 1946.
Box 19 Folder 10
Theodore Dreiser works -- Hungarian rights -- Dante -- The Bulwark, 1946-1950.
Box 19 Folder 11
Theodore Dreiser works -- Rumanian rights and correspondence -- Editura Forum -- The Bulwark, 1946-1947.
Box 19 Folder 12
Theodore Dreiser works -- Swedish language rights -- P. A. Norstedt & Soner -- The Bulwark, 1946-1948.
Box 19 Folder 13
Theodore Dreiser works -- international rights and correspondence -- The Bulwark (Bulk), 1945-1947.
Box 19 Folder 14
Theodore Dreiser works -- international rights and correspondence -- The Bulwark, 1946-1947.
Box 19 Folder 15
Theodore Dreiser works -- rejected requests for international rights and related correspondence -- The Bulwark, 1946-1948.
Box 19 Folder 16
Theodore Dreiser works -- international rights and correspondence -- The Bulwark, The Stoic, 1947-1948.
Box 19 Folder 17
Theodore Dreiser works -- German language rights and correspondence -- The Bulwark, The Stoic, 1946-1950.
Box 20 Folder 1
Theodore Dreiser works -- international rights and correspondence -- The Stoic, 1946-1948.
Box 20 Folder 2
Theodore Dreiser works -- Serbo-Croat rights and correspondence -- Knaje -- Sister Carrie, 1946.
Box 20 Folder 3
Theodore Dreiser works -- Dutch rights and correspondence -- A. J. G. Strengholt, 1946.
Box 20 Folder 4
Theodore Dreiser works -- Italian language rights and correspondence, 1945-1946.
Box 20 Folder 5
Theodore Dreiser works -- Norwegian and Danish rights and correspondence -- Gyldendal Norsk Forlag, 1946-1950.
Box 20 Folder 6
Thedore Dreiser works -- Norwegian rights and correspondence -- Brann Forlag, 1946-1948, 1950.
Box 20 Folder 7
Theodore Dreiser works -- Spanish language rights -- Saturnino Calleja, 1946-1948.
Box 20 Folder 8
Theodore Dreiser works -- Spanish language rights, 1940, 1942, 1946-1947.
Box 20 Folder 9
Theodore Dreiser works -- international rights and correspondence, 1946, undated.
Box 20 Folder 10
Theodore Dreiser works -- international rights and correspondence, 1946.
Box 20 Folder 11
Theodore Dreiser works -- international rights and correspondence, 1948.
Box 20 Folder 12
Theodore Dreiser works -- international rights and correspondence, 1925, 1938, 1943-1947.
Box 20 Folder 13
Theodore Dreiser works -- international rights and correspondence, 1926, 1929, 1934-1935, 1937-1948.
Box 20 Folder 14
Theodore Dreiser works -- international rights and correspondence, 1948-1949.
Box 20 Folder 15
Theodore Dreiser works -- international rights and correspondence, 1949-1950.
Box 21 Folder 1
Theodore Dreiser works -- international rights and correspondence -- Publix Publishers, 1949.
Box 21 Folder 2
Theodore Dreiser estate, 1945-1948.
Box 21 Folder 3
Theodore Dreiser estate -- Zivnostenska Bank, 1940, 1945-1947.
Box 21 Folder 4
Theodore Dreiser wallet and wallet contents, 1944-1945, undated.
Box 28 Folder 3
E -- General Correspondence, 1939, 1942, 1948-1950.
Box 21 Folder 5
Employment records, 1941-1942, 1948-1952, undated.
Box 21 Folder 6
Encyclopedia Britannica -- subscription and related correspondence, 1943-1950.
Box 21 Folder 7
F -- General correspondence, 1948-1952.
Box 21 Folder 8
Finances -- taxes, ASCAP notices, book consignment, invoices, foreign banks, and payment for foreign rights, 1951-1952.
Box 21 Folder 9
Financial and legal agreements, correspondence, etc., 1929-1930, 1938, 1940-1941, 1948.
Box 27 Folder 10
Foreign consulates, 1949.
Box 21 Folder 10
Foreign correspondence (non-agent/publisher), 1945, 1950.
Box 21 Folder 11
G -- General correspondence, 1944, 1949-1952.
Box 21 Folder 12
Gifts -- manuscripts, sculptures, masks, etc., 1946-1948.
Box 21 Folder 13
H -- General correspondence, 1948-1952, undated.
Box 21 Folder 14
Household bills -- for tax deductions, 1952.
Box 21 Folder 15
I -- General correspondence, 1947, 1949-1952.
Box 22 Folder 1
Income tax information -- William H. Crawford & Co., tax accountants, 1942-1951, undated.
Box 22 Folder 2
Inquiries -- Theodore Dreiser works, source material, etc., 1945-1946, 1949-1950.
Box 22 Folder 3
Interviews -- Helen Dreiser, 1947, 1950, undated.
Box 22 Folder 4
Insurance, 1941-1955.
Box 22 Folder 5
Investments, 1950.
Box 22 Folder 6
J -- General correspondence, 1948, 1950-1951.
Box 22 Folder 7
K -- General correspondence, 1930, 1949-1952.
Box 22 Folder 8
L -- General correspondence, 1946, 1948-1951.
Box 22 Folder 9
Legal -- Stanley M. Moffat, Moffat & Sanford, Attorneys, 1933-1934, 1946-1952.
Box 22 Folder 10
Literary contacts, 1947-1949, 1951, undated.
Box 22 Folder 11
M -- General correspondence, 1942-1952.
Box 22 Folder 12
John Maxwell -- correspondence concerning his manuscript on Shakespeare, 1938, 1941-1942, undated.
Box 22 Folder 13
Miscellaneous papers -- personal correspondence, finance and taxes, international rights and related correspondence, correspondence related to contracts, ASCAP, interview transcripts, etc., 1946, 1951-1953, undated.
Box 28 Folder 1
Motion pictures, ideas for, 1942, 1948, undated.
Box 22 Folder 14
Movie prospects and general correspondence -- Columbia Pictures Corp., 1942-1945, 1948.
Box 23 Folder 1
Movie prospects and general correspondence -- Paramount Pictures Corp., 1931, 1948-1951.
Box 23 Folder 2
Movie prospects and general correspondence -- Paramount Motion Pictures -- A Place in the Sun, 1951.
Box 23 Folder 3
Movie prospects and related correspondence -- Paramount Motion Pictures -- Carrie, 1950-1951.
Box 23 Folder 4
Movie prospects and general correspondence -- RKO Radio Pictures, Inc., 1943-1945, 1947.
Box 23 Folder 5
Movie prospects and general correspondence -- Samuel Goldwyn Productions, Inc., 1942, 1948.
Box 23 Folder 6
Movie prospects and general correspondence -- Twentieth Century Fox, 1942-1944, 1949.
Box 23 Folder 7
Movie prospects and general correspondence -- Other studios, 1942-1950.
Box 23 Folder 8
My Gal Sal Motion Picture Agreements, 1940-1941.
Box 23 Folder 9
My Gal Sal representation and agreements, 1940.
Box 27 Folder 9
My Life With Dreiser -- related materials and correspondence, 1924, 1931-1932, 1938-1940, 1948-1951, undated.
Box 23 Folder 10
My Life With Dreiser -- reviews, criticism, etc., 1951.
Box 23 Folder 11
N -- General correspondence, 1950-1952.
Box 23 Folder 12
"Negro institutions", 1948-1949.
Box 23 Folder 13
O -- General correspondence, 1945.
Box 23 Folder 14
"Of a Great City" by Wharton Esherick -- prints, 1927.
Box 28 Folder 4
P -- General correspondence, 1947-1951.
Box 23 Folder 15
University of Pennsylvania, 1939-1952.
Box 23 Folder 16-17
Philosophy -- Theodore Dreiser -- correspondence and material concerning, 1947-1949, undated.
Box 24 Folder 1
Psychic phenomena, 1946-1947, undated.
Box 24 Folder 2
Political, 1947-1948.
Box 24 Folder 3
Protests to literary and dramatic criticisms -- letters to newspapers, periodicals, etc., 1947-1948.
Box 24 Folder 4
Publishers -- Doubleday & Company -- Theodore Dreiser's works and current correspondence, 1946, 1947.
Box 24 Folder 5
Publishers -- The World Publishing Co. -- William Targ, editor, 1945-1952.
Box 24 Folder 6
Publishers -- other USA publishers, 1940-1952.
Box 24 Folder 7
Publishers -- foreign -- general correspondence, 1931, 1936, 1938-1952.
Box 24 Folder 8
Quotation permissions -- Helen Dreiser, 1949.
Box 24 Folder 9
Quotation permissions -- Theodore Dreiser works, 1941-1952.
Box 25 Folder 1
R -- General correspondence, 1920, 1945, 1949-1952.
Box 25 Folder 2
Radio -- programs, Theodore Dreiser works, related correspondence, etc., 1938-1951.
Box 25 Folder 3
Rationing board -- OPA Hollywood, California, 1943-1945.
Box 25 Folder 4
Real estate -- deeds, abstracts of title, and contracts, 1923-1941.
Box 25 Folder 5
Real estate -- New York, Florida, Oregon, and California, 1926-1929, 1939-1952, undated.
Box 25 Folder 6
Real estate -- rentals, 1943-1944, 1950.
Box 25 Folder 7
Religion -- controversy, criticisms, etc., 1945-1946.
Box 25 Folder 8
Reprint rights -- Helen Dreiser, 1951.
Box 25 Folder 9
Roosevelt -- Dreiser letters, photostats, 1939-1941, 1950.
Box 25 Folder 10
S -- General correspondence, 1942, 1944, 1947-1952.
Box 26 Folder 1
Schnepp/Snepp -- family data, genealogy, correspondence, etc., 1901, 1905, 1913, 1915, 1939-1948, undated.
Box 26 Folder 2
Song information, 1945, 1947-1949.
Box 26 Folder 3
Sponsorship -- organizations, causes, etc., 1945, 1947-1948.
Box 26 Folder 4
Statements -- foreign, 1941-1952.
Box 26 Folder 5
Statements -- foreign banks, 1949-1952.
Box 26 Folder 6
Statements -- USA, 1939, 1946-1952.
Box 26 Folder 7
Storage -- books, plates, etc., 1947-1950.
Box 26 Folder 8
Storage, insurance, and shipping, 1946-1949, 1952.
Box 26 Folder 9
T -- General correspondence, 1949-1951.
Box 26 Folder 10
Taxes, 1940-1944, 1948-1952.
Box 27 Folder 1
U -- General correspondence, 1946.
Box 27 Folder 2
U. S. S. R., 1944-1951.
Box 27 Folder 3
V -- General correspondence, 1951.
Box 27 Folder 4
W -- General correspondence, 1949-1951.
Box 27 Folder 5
Who's Who Publications -- correspondence, inclusion of Theodore Dreiser's biography, 1941-1947.
Box 27 Folder 6
Y Z -- General correspondence, 1949, 1951, undated.
Box 27 Folder 7

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