Nathan Halper papers, 1923-1986

Summary Information

Description

Scope and Content

Correspondence, manuscripts, notes, word lists, documents, photographs, clippings, periodicals, and other printed materials concerning his writings, translations, and criticism. Most of the manuscript drafts and notes are for his critical and analytical studies of Finnegans Wake and of other works by James Joyce.

There are also draft translations from the Yiddish of various authors, early autobiographical articles and chapters for an autobiographical novel, general literary criticism, articles on chess, as well as notes and drafts for his research in 1938 into the history of the Indians of New England and of the Mashpee Indian Reservation on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.

There are many periodicals and other printed materials about Provincetown where he maintained his art gallery. Some years before his death, he began a study of Jewish-American family names; there are many notes, drafts, and clippings for his projected book on the subject which was not completed. Among the correspondents are John Cage, Richard Ellmann, Norman Mailer, Robert Motherwell, Lionel Trilling, and Edmund Wilson.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in twelve series.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on 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.

This collection has no restrictions.

The following boxes are located off-site: 2-28. You will need to request this material from the Rare Book and Manuscript Library at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Curator of Manuscripts, Rare Book and Manuscript Library (RBML). The RBML approves permission to publish that which it physically owns; the responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

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

Related Archival Materials

Materials relating to Halper's art gallery were given to: The Archives of American Art in: Address--National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C. 20560.

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

Papers: Source of acquisition--Halper, Marjorie Windust. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1984.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers Processed HR 02/--/86.

Revision Description

2012-02-14 xml document instance created by Carrie Hintz

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Biographical sketch

Nathan Halper, 1907-1983 (Columbia A.B. 1927; Ph.D. 1973), author, translator, and art dealer, was an authority on the writings of James Joyce. He also translated and published much Yiddish literature, reviewed books and operated an art gallery in Provincetown, Massachusetts where he lived for half the year.

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.

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