John Benson Comics interviews, 1965-1974

Summary Information

At a Glance

Call No.:
MS#1973
Bib ID:
13851176 View CLIO record
Creator(s):
Benson, John (John L.), 1940-
Repository:
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Physical Description:
1.25 Linear Feet (12 magnetic-tape reels)
Language(s):
English .
Access:
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 is located on-site.

Description

Scope and Contents

These interviews, conducted by John Benson with comics greats such as William M Gaines, Will Eisner, Harvey Kurtzman, and more, were published in abridged form in fanzines such as SQUA TRONT and ALTER EGO. Originally on reel-to-reel tapes, they will be digitized, giving listeners an unedited glimpse into the views of legends at the heights of their careers.

Inventory (2 pages) is available; boxes are lettered to correspond with the list.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access

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 is located on-site.

Conditions Governing Use

The RBML cannot provide access to original time-based media material which has not been first been reformatted for preservation. Researchers are welcome to examine archival time-based media items and decide whether they wish to place an order for Audio/Video reformatting. If copyright and/or condition restrictions apply, it may not be possible to digitize a requested item. Please note that A/V reformatting is handled by an outside vendor and typically takes 6-8 weeks.

Accruals

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

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of John Benson, 2019.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Biographical / Historical

John Benson is a pioneering figure in comics fandom history, and these interviews fit well with the Hames Ware collection, and the future Bill Schelly bequest. The interviews capture legends of the field, interviewed by a deeply-knowledgeable interlocutor.

Subject Headings

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.

Genre/Form
Interviews CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Subject
Caricatures and cartoons CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID