Material is unprocessed. Please contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
This collection has no restrictions.
This collection is located on-site.
This collection is located on-site.
This collection consist of the papers, manuscripts, correspondence, notes, audiotapes, and photographs of Vera Blackwell. The collection relates both to her translations, as well as to her writing, poetry, TV/radio scripts, and personal travels. There is a significant amount of personal correspondence and photographs.
The material is generally loose paper including correspondence, notes, manuscripts, news clippings, bound items including magazines, pamphlets, and playbills. Also included are seven audiotapes related to Radio Free Europe, and large number of photographs, slides, and negatives.
Significant amount of material related to Vaclav Havel (especially survey units #3,4,5,30); autographed correspondence with Vaclav Havel in survey unit #5; books inscribed by Havel in survey unit #56.
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.
Material is unprocessed. Please contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
This collection has no restrictions.
This collection is located on-site.
This collection is located on-site.
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.
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Vera Blackwell Papers; Box and Folder; Bakhmeteff Archive, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.
Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.
accn no: 338.
Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Collection-level record describing unprocessed material made public in summer 2018 as part of the Hidden Collections initiative.
Vera Blackwell (July 23, 1924-Nov. 20, 1995), a Czech émigré to the UK, served as a translator for Vaclav Havel. Between 1968 and 1984, Blackwell was not only Havel's translator, but also his "eyes and ears in England." Blackwell promoted Havel's works, struck a unique fifty-fifty copyright agreement with Havel, and even enjoyed power of attorney. She produced versions of The Garden Party, The Memorandum and Increased Difficulty of Concentration, which were produced in the UK.
The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.
All links open new windows.