Main content

Alzina Stone Dale Papers

Notifications

Held at: Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College [Contact Us]500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania 19081

This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College. 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:
RG6.R3.007
Repository:
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Extent:
3.5 linear ft. (7 boxes)
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
[Indicate the cited item or series here], RG6/R3/007, Swarthmore College Archives, Alzina Stone Dale Papers, Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Date:
1939-2012 (inclusive) and 1997-2008 (bulk)
Creator:
Dale, Alzina Stone, 1931-
Abstract:
This collection primarily contains records related to the writing and publishing of Alzina Stone Dale's book, When the Postwar World was New. The book was based on her 1952 trip diary of her summer spent in Finland working at an AFSC work camp and the letters she wrote home.

Mary Alzina Stone was born in Chicago Feb. 23, 1931. She married Charles Herrick Dale and is a freelance writer and lecturer known professionally as Alzina Stone Dale. Her nickname to family and friends is "Maryal." After graduating from Swarthmore in 1952, she spent the following summer volunteering with AFSC at a work camp in Finland. She spent most of her time helping to clear wooded fields for farms with volunteers from all over Europe. After her time at the work camp, she traveled through Europe with friends before returning to the United States. She subsequently returned to the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago and earned an M.A. at the University of Chicago Divinity School. Her book, When the Postwar World Was New (2009) describes her experiences abroad. The collection also reflects her lifelong interest in mysteries.

This collection primarily contains records related to the writing and publishing of Dale's book, When the Postwar World was New. The book was based on her 1952 trip diary and the letters she wrote home. The collection includes her correspondence with friends and co-participants in the work camp about their experiences, questionnaires completed by participants, email correspondences with potential publishers, and materials related to marketing and publication. The collection is organized into two series, When the Postwar World was New and Miscellaneous. The first series includes original materials from 1952 which Alzina used in writing the book and more recent correspondence and copies of the manuscript. The second series, Miscellaneous, contains other writings by Alzina Dale, material concerning her alma mater Swarthmore College, and subjects of interest.

Gift of Mary Alzina Dale, FHL 2014.028.

The collection arrived in seven cartons and was sorted into two series. Duplicates were removed from the collection as well as non-related published materials such as editing guidelines and newspaper clipping on recent news topics.

Cassette tape of interview with Helen Frederickson removed to FHL audiovisual collection. 1952 Halcyon, Swarthmore College Bulletins, and other duplicates of Swarthmore College publications removed to duplicates. Correspondence with Christopher Densmore, Curator of Friends Historical Library, concerning donation of papers transferred to RG 6/R3/007 Accession file.

Publisher
Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College
Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Copyright has not been assigned to Friends Historical Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in to the Director. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Friends Historical Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by reader.

Collection Inventory

Scrapbook, 1952.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Scrapbook of Alzina's time abroad, including at workcamp

Fragment of a scrapboook and correspondence, 1939 - 1952, 2001, 2002.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Includes early childhood photos of Alzina and family, and copy photos from workcamp

Family correspondence while a student and later reflections on work camp summer, 1950-1952, post 1997.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Alzina's letters home to her family from Swarthmore College, and family letters received. Reflections Alzina wrote after her 1997 College reunion about the summer she spent at a Finnish work camp in 1952

Journal, 1952.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Ms. and typed diaryremoved from a small black leather binder. Also includes Alzina's passport, address book, small notebook, song book, post card and newspaper 1998 Re: ocean liner

Italy 1952 and manuscript draft, 1952, 2005.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Typed drafts to chapters with postcards and letters from 1952 with transcripts

"Memoir", undated.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Typed fragments of 1952 reflections and correspondence

Typed excerpts and copy photos from 1952, undated.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Includes photocopies of photos from work camps and of diary entries of workcamp participants

Komea Koillis-Suomi (book), 1952.
Box 1
Scope and Contents

Travel book written in Finnish. North East Finland.

"My European Diary, 1952-1955. Typed transcripts of 1952 journal, undated.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Typed diary for her parents

Correspondence with Carltons, 1952.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Postcards sent by Alzina to family in Radnor, Pa.

Photo album, England, 1952.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Photos taken in England

Letter from Mrs. Spencer Rae Goetz, circa 1952.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

ALS

Correspondence with Kent State University Press, 1997-2001.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Correspondence to find a publisher

Correspondence with Elspeth Reagan, 1997-2006.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Participated in work camp. Includes questionnaire about experience

Dale's Swarthmore Bulletin Article, "Abroad with the Quakers in the Summer of '52", 1998.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

With drafts

Letters and questionnaire, 1998.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Concerning 1952 experience

Correspondence with Lena Bergman Ekenberg, 1953-1955, 1999 - 2008.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Correspondence between Mary Alzina Stone Dale and Lena Ekenberg, of Sweden. Lena's comments on Alzina's manuscript, 2000 draft of the manuscript, letter addressed to Lena, Jochen, and Leo (all 3 of whom were co-participants in the workcamp, not from the U.S.)

Correspondence with Jochen Wesseloh, 1999.
Box 2
Correspondence with co-participants in workcamp about book, 1999.
Box 2
Scope and Contents

Alzina's attempts to participants to share their experience

Correspondence with Dorothy Strang/Thomas Waring, 1999.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Includes questions for Dorothy

Correspondence and questionnaires, 1999-2000.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Correspondence with other Swarthmore graduates and workcamp participants and questionnaires

Correspondence with Helen Frederickson, 1999-2001.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Tape recording of Alzina's interview with Helen removed to FHL Audiovisuals

Correspondence and 50th Reunion questionnaire, 1999-2002.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Proposal for 'The Summer of 1952:The Making of an American,"

Correspondence with Lars Eriksson, 1999-2007.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

His edits on Alzina's manuscript

Correspondence with Esther Nef-Werthmuller, 1952, 1999-2010.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Correspondence with Esther, letters to Vreni Naess.

Correspondence with Kerttu Barnett, 1999-2010.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Includes questionnaire

Correspondence with Alix Cole Hansen, 2010.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Announcement of book publication

Correspondence with Joanna Saresvuo, 1999-2010.
Box 3
Correspondence with Leo Tynkkynen and Lena, 1999-2000.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Included a copy of her draft with minor corrections to Finnish spellings

Correspondence with Pirkko Viljanen-Zulaica, 2000-2009.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Participant in the workcamp

Correspondence concerning Marie de Kiewiet Hemphill, 1953, 2001.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Class of 1952, and participant

Correspondence with Esther Doherty, 2001-2006.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Much of correspondence concerns Alzina's efforts to be published

Correspondence with Jon Pott, Eerdmens' Publishing Company, 2001-2006.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Publishing

Concerning David Richie, 2001-2006.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Mostly about his death

Miscellaneous - comments on mss, articles, 2002-2005.
Box 3
General Correspondence, 2002-2005.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Correspondence with friends

United Kingdom and the Royal Family, 2002-2005.
Box 3
Scope and Contents

Notes on the English and the Royal family. General reference clippings discarded

Book synopsis, 1952, 2003.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Afterword for book about coming of age in 1950s, drafts. General reference newspaper clippings discarded.

Correspondence with Danna Cole Spielman, 1952, 2003-2006.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Personal correspondence with classmate and Class Secretary

Correspondence with Alice Nelson, 2004-2010.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Correspondence with Alice Nelson who also wrote a memoir of her post college experience in 'Postwar Europe Through the Eyes of Youth'

Correspondence with Pam Wetzels, 2004-2010.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Swarthmore classmate

Miscellaneous Correspondence, 2004-2010.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Includes letters with Joanna Saresvuo, Vilianen Zolaica, and Jo Sage Seraso - about the book

Correspondence with Caroline Walker, 2005.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Also copy of Alzina's book manuscript with Caroline's edits

Marketing Strategy for 'When the Postwar World was New', circa 2005.
Box 4
Correspondence about publication, 2006.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Efforts to find a publisher

Acknowledgements, 2006.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Correspondence with contributors participants from work camp before publication and with Christopher Densmore concerning depositing her papers on the subject.

Publishers, Waterbrook, 2006.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Notes, correspondence with Waterbrook Press

Correspondence with Ivan Dee publisher, 2006.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Includes reaction to his rejection letter

Marketing Strategies, 2006.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Trying difference marketing approaches

Correspondence re dedication of book to Judy, 2006.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Julia Morrow Rogers, her cousin, one of the first readers of her manuscript

Correspondence with potential publishers, 2006-2007.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Approaching from the mystery angle

Correspondence with Betty Nicholas, 2006-2007.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Betty's advice on publication of Alzina's book

Correspondence, edits and comments on book manuscript, 2006-2008.
Box 4
Book-related correspondence, 2006-2010.
Box 4
Correspondence with potential publishers, 2007.
Box 4
Copies of Alzina Dale's bio for book, 2000-2007.
Box 4
General correspondence and Author's Guild materials, 2007-2010.
Box 4
Correspondence with Sarah Bonnen, 2008.
Box 4
Correspondence re marketing and design of Dale's book, 2008-2010.
Box 4
Scope and Contents

Also includes letter from 1952

Signed Permissions, 2008-2010.
Box 4
Correspondence with Tate Publishers, 2009-2010.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Includes blurbs for book jacket and discussion of publication/marketing, contracts

Book Public Relations, 2009-2010.
Box 5
Correspondence with Esther Doherty, 2009-2010.
Box 5
Correspondence with Esther and Vreni and Alzina, Lars Eriksson, Sally Metzer, 2010.
Box 5
Correspondence with Lars Eriksson, 2010.
Box 5
Scope and Contents

Letters and emails between Alzina and Lars, who was a Swedish work camper and one of Alzina's travel companions

General Correspondence, 2000-2010.
Box 5
Correspondence with Joanne Sage Ceraso and memorial, 2010.
Box 5
Copy photos for book, undated.
Box 5
Correspondence with Tate about payments, 2012.
Box 5
Correspondence with friends, contributors and Author's Guild, 2010-2012.
Box 5
Computer printed copies of the book manuscript, 2003-2007.
Box 5

"If You Don't Succeed," by MaryAl Stone, 1950-07.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Short story published in Seventeen Magazine

Manuscript of "The Innocent American," a novel by Alzina Stone Dale, circa 1962.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Typed edited ms for a novel, not published

Manuscripts of short stories and feature articles, 1965-1966.
Box 6
AFSC research and correspondence, 1997-2006.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Visited AFSC in Philadelphia to use limited archives on her workcamp.

"The Game's Afoot", 1997.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Feature article by Alzina and Barbara Sloan Henderson published in Swarthmore College Bulletin, April 1997

Swarthmore College Reunion 1997, 1997-1998.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Reunion materials and correspondence from classmates

Obituary for Margaret Cox, circa 2001.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Written by her husband

Fabian Society, 2002.
Box 6
Scope and Contents

Alzina's research on the Fabian Society - she attended a workshop there in 1952

Swarthmore College Reunion 2002, 2002.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Reunion materials

University of Chicago correspondence, Dorothy Sayers Society, 2003-2010.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Alzina was a member of the Library Society. Also miscellaneous correspondence

Excerpts from Swarthmore College Bulletin, 2003-2010.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Concerning Alzina

Divinity School questionnaire and emails, 2006-2007.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Alzina attended Fall 1957-Spring 1997

Rachel Goetz Papers, University of Chicago, 2007.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

Alzina visited the collection

Correspondence with Susan Breen and Janet Rudolph, 2007-2010.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

College bookstore, mysteryreaders.org

Correspondence with Chris Densmore, 2008-2013.
Box 7
Correspondence with Friends Historical Library, 2010.
Box 7
Correspondence with friends, contributors and Author's Guild, 2010-2012.
Box 7
Miscellaneous Email Correspondence, 2011.
Box 7
Miscellaneous Email Correspondence, 2012.
Box 7
Sophie Stone calendar, etc., 2013.
Box 7
Scope and Contents

granddaughter

Print, Suggest