Helen Follett papers 4078772Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Butler Library, 6th FloorColumbia University, Mail Code 1127535 W. 114th St.New York, NY 10027Business Number: (212) 854-5153Fax Number: (212) 854-1365rbml@libraries.cul.columbia.eduURL:

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Finding aid in repository

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-01-10 11:20:50 -0500.Description is written in: English, Latin script.Describing Archives: A Content Standard2011-05-03File created.2011-05-12XML document instance created by Catherine C. Ricciardi2019-05-20EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration. Rare Book and Manuscript Library Helen Follett papers Follett, Helen 4078772 MS#0440 English . 2.94 linear feet 7 document boxes 1919-1969 1928-1939 Helen Thomas Follett's papers consist primarily of personal letters and business correspondence, manuscripts of published and unpublished works, publicity items for her books, newspaper clippings, photographs, and postcards. In addition, there are manuscripts, correspondence, and newspaper clippings related to her oldest daughter, Barbara Newhall Follett. Arrangement

This collection is arranged in seven series.

 Restrictions on Access

This collection is located on-site.

 Restrictions on Access

This collection has no restrictions.

 Summary

Follett's papers primarily consist of personal letters, manuscripts of published and unpublished works, research materials and notes, publicity and promotional items, educational articles, photographs and postcards of her travels, and newspaper clippings.

 Summary

In addition, the collection contains correspondence, writings, and newspaper clippings of her daughter, Barbara Newhall Follett.

 Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Helen Follett papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

 Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

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.

 Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Follett, Helen Thomas. Method of acquisition--Bequest; Date of acquisition--1970. Accession number--M-70.

 Biographical / Historical

Helen Thomas Follett was born in 1893 and was an early twentieth-century author of young adult books. Her first two books, Magic Portholes and Stars to Steer By, were based on her sailing trip to the Caribbean and the South Seas islands during the late 1920s with her teen-age daughter, Barbara.

 Biographical / Historical

Follett advocated the use of typewriters in elementary schools as a teaching tool for young students to help learn words and form sentences. She had moderate success with her writings and had two more works published, Third-Class Ticket to Heaven and House Afire! in 1939 and 1941 respectively.

 Biographical / Historical

She was married to Wilson Follett, an English professor and writer. They divorced in the early 1930s. They had two daughters, Barbara and Sabra. Barbara was a child prodigy author who disappeared in 1939 at the age of 25.

 Biographical / Historical

Follett died in 1970 in New York City at the age of 76.

 Processing Information

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 06/--/89.

 Processing Information

Papers processed by Marilyn Chin (Queens College, 2011).

 Processing Information

Finding aid written by Marilyn Chin (Queens College, 2011) April 2011.

 Accrual

No additions are expected

 Selected Related Material-- at Columbia

Barbara Newhall Follett Papers, Rare Book & Manuscript Libary, Columbia University.

 Processing Information

Collection is processed to folder level.

 Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

 Follett, Barbara Newhall, 1914-1939 Follett, Wilson, 1887-1963 Sperry, Armstrong, 1897-1976 Series I: Correspondence1919-1969Scope and Contents

This series consists primarily of personal letters from Helen and Wilson Follett to their very close friends, the Meserveys. Other letters are addressed to Helen from Wilson, Alice Dyer Russell, another close friend, and the Meserveys.

Letters from Helen Follett to the Meserveys1928-193111Letters from Wilson Follett to Helen Follett1921-192812Letters from Wilson Follett and Margaret Whipple to the Meserveys1928-193113Letters from the Meserveys to the Folletts1928-193114Letters from Ralph Blanchard to the Meserveys192915Letters from Alice Dyer Russell to Helen Follett1933-195816Letters from Helen Follett to Sabra Follett196217Letters from 4th Grade Class to Helen Follett196118Letters from Fans to Helen Follett1932-194019Business Letters1919-1969110Series II: Published Materials1932-1944Scope and Contents

In this series, the papers are published manuscripts in various versions. The titles are: House Afire!, Magic Portholes, and Third-Class Ticket to Heaven.

House Afire!Published House Afire! Story in Junior Weekly Magzines1941 August-September21Notes and Correspondenceundated22Draftundated23Manuscript, Chap. 1-10undated24Manuscript, Chap. 5-6 Under Different Namesundated25Short Version Manuscriptundated26Short Version Manuscript, Part II, 65 pp.undated27Short Version Manuscript, Part II, 126 pp.undated28Long Version Manuscript, Part II, Book II, 151 pp.undated29Random Chaptersundated210Third-Class Ticket to Heaven Manuscript, Chap. 1-18, circa 1938 (6 Folders)193831 to 6Magazine Articles1932-194437Magic Portholes Historyundated38Series III: Unpublished Materialscirca 1930s-1966Scope and Contents

This series contains unpublished manuscripts of books, short stories, and poems.

Holiday in a CastleManuscript, First Draftundated41Manuscript, Chap. 1-14, undated (2 Folders)undated42 to 3Essays about the Caribbean194644Short Stories, undated (2 Folders)undated45 to 6Poems1947-196647Mrs. Flower's Dog DaysManuscript, Chap. I-XIX, 1957 (2 Folders)195751 to 2Manuscript 1 with corrections, circa195753Manuscript 2 with corrections, circa195754Bill and the Bees Manuscript and Research Materials, 1959 (2 Folders)195955 to 6Calling America Manuscriptundated57Series IV: Publicity/Promotional Materials1932-1939Scope and Contents

These files contain various publicity and promotional items including a radio script, book reviews, newspaper clippings, and book jackets.

Magic Portholes Radio Script1932-193361Third-Class Ticket to Heaven and Magic Portholes Publicity Items1932-193962Book Reviews1932-193863Newspaper Clippings1933-193764Series V: Research Materials1927-1939Scope and Contents

The items in this series consist of photographs, postcards and German newspaper clippings.

German Newspaper Clippings193965Photographs1927-192866Postcards from Germanyundated67Series VI: Educational Materials1919-1935Scope and Contents

This series consists of articles, notes, and a hand-made manual on education using the typewriter for elementary school children.

Articles and Essays on Typewriter Education193271Notes on Typewriter Education1932-193372It's Fun to Write! Handmade Manualundated73Series VII: Barbara Newhall Follett1914-1933Scope and Contents

This series is comprised of a diary detailing Barbara's infancy to early childhood, her writings and correspondence, and newspaper clippings.

Diary and Notes about Barbara1914-191874Barbara's Writings and Letters1924-193375Newspaper Clippings1927-192976