Series II: Author, Publisher, and Subject Files, 1949-2024
- Scope and content:
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This series primarily consists of files of correspondence with authors and publishers on a variety of issues including agreements, contracts, copyright, editing, financial issues, manuscripts, offerings to publishers, permission requests, rights, submissions, and translations. These files also include other records such as author event information, book jackets, catalogs, clippings, publicity items, reviews, and personal communications such as holiday cards, invitations, and postcards. . Files with records related to contracts, copyright, permissions, rights, and related royalty statements are often filed separately in "contract" files.
Additional clipping files for authors are filed in Series V: Tear-Sheet Files.
Additional photographs for authors are filed in Series VI: Photographs.
Series II also contain subject files on such topics as American Authors, American Publishers, Association of Authors' Representatives, Authors Encouraged and Discouraged, Contracts (General), Movies, Permissions, Publishers (General), Société des auteurs et compositeurs dramatiques, Society of Authors Representatives, and Translators.
- Processing information:
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This series was previously divided into two series: one for English language and one for French language. As more records were received, however, this division became less clear, and the series is currently arranged alphabetically in one series for all author, publisher, and subject files.
Contents
Access and use
- Parent restrictions:
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The following boxes are located off-site: Boxes 1-1098. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least five business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.
There are no access restrictions for records dated 1980 or earlier. There are access restrictions for all records dated 1981 or later. These restrictions will expire at ten-year intervals. The expiration schedule is as follows: Records dated 1981-1990 will become unrestricted in 2029; Records dated 1991-2000 will become unrestricted in 2039; Records dated 2001-2010 will become unrestricted in 2049; Records dated 2011-2020 will become unrestricted in 2059; Records dated 2021-2030 will become unrestricted in 2069, and so forth. For undated records, restrictions on access shall expire no later than 40 years from the date of delivery of the material to Columbia University. Researchers must obtain permission from Georges Borchardt, Inc. in order to use restricted records.
- Parent terms of access:
- Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.
- Location of this collection:
- Before you visit:
- Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
- Contact:
- rbml@library.columbia.edu