M. Lincoln Schuster papers, 1913-1976

Creator:

Schuster, M. Lincoln (Max Lincoln), 1897-1970

Extent:

300 boxes (300 boxes)

Language:

English

Scope and content:

Schuster's correspondence including letters from authors Bernard Berenson, Will and Ariel Durant, Max Eastman, Nikos Kazantzakis, Max Lerner, Henry Miller, Bertrand Russell, and Louis Untermeyer; advertisements and other material relating to Pocket Books, Inc. which was owned by Simon & Schuster; and an author and title file containing correspondence, comments, and reviews of Simon & Schuster publications, and miscellaneous notes, clippings, photographs, manuscripts, and printed material.

Biographical / historical:

Max Lincoln Schuster (born March 2, 1897 as Max Schuster in Kalusz, Austria Hungary) was an American publisher who would later become, with Richard L. Simon, a co-founder of the prominent publishing house Simon & Schuster in 1924. Schuster, with Simon, published the first compilation of crossword puzzles, which were taken from the US newspaper New York World, which was successful and helped to establish the publishing house.

Schuster would additionally popularize the paperback format and bring it to mass circulation. He also spearheaded the publication of the widely read and acclaimed popular intellectual history The Story of Philosophy by Will Durant, in addition to the eleven-volume The Story of Civilization by Will and Ariel Durant.

Schuster was a Fellow of the American Geographical Society, a member of the Bibliographical Society of America, the Shakespeare Fellowship, and the Pulitzer School of Journalism Alumni Association. He also served as a trustee of the Montefiore and New York Jewish Hospitals. Schuster passed away December 20, 1970.

Catalog record:: View in CLIO
Local call number:: MS#1138
Processing information:: Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 09/--/89.
Acquisition information:: Source of acquisition--Schuster, Mrs. M. L. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1971. Accession number--M-71.
Arrangement:: Selected materials cataloged remainder listed and arranged.
Accruals:: Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
Alternative form available:: Pearl S. Buck letter is on: microfilm.
Rules or conventions:: Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Preferred citation:: Identification of specific item; Date (if known); M. Lincoln Schuster papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Boxes 1-10, 13V Shared MS 1, 245-251, and 665-667 are located onsite. The remainder of the collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

52 boxes of books are located off-site and require advance notice of intent to use. Email rbml@columbia.edu for more information and the list.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms of access:

Readers must use microfilm of materials specified above.

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:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

RBML Home Page
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:: Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room 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

Collection