Gramercy Bookshop records, 1931-1979

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

Arranged.

• Series I: Cataloged Correspondence and Manuscripts
• Subseries I.1: Cataloged Correspondence
• Subseries I.2: Cataloged Manuscripts
• Series II: Uncataloged Correspondence (Routine Letters) and Miscellaneous Ephemera
• Series III: General Files--Series 1, 1940-1949
• Series IV: General Files--Series 2 "Finished", 1950-1959
• Series V: General Files--Series 3, 1950-1965
• Series VI: General Files--Series 4, 1952-1962
• Series VII: General Files--Series 5, 1960-1969
• Series VIII: General Files--Series 6, 1965-1975
• Series IX: Financial Records, 1960-1987
• Series X: Printed Materials

Description

Summary

Correspondence, book orders, invoices, bills, and receipts dealing with the purchase of books by American, Canadian, British, Australian, and a few Western European institutions and individuals. There are approximately 100 letters from writers and critics such as John Ciardi, Leon Edel, Wallace Fowlie, Robert McAlmon, Alfred E. Smith, William Carlos Williams, and Edmund Wilson. Financial records for the years, 1960-1975, document the operating costs of the shop. Included among these records are many bills from booksellers and auction houses for Gramercy's purchases.

• Series I: Cataloged Correspondence and Manuscripts

• Series II: Uncataloged Correspondence (Routine Letters) and Miscellaneous Ephemera

• Series III: General Files--Series 1, 1940-1949

• Series IV: General Files--Series 2 "Finished", 1950-1959

• Series V: General Files--Series 3, 1950-1965

• Series VI: General Files--Series 4, 1952-1962

• Series VII: General Files--Series 5, 1960-1969

• Series VIII: General Files--Series 6, 1965-1975

• Series IX: Financial Records, 1960-1987

• Series X: Printed Materials

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

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.

This 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.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Single photocopies 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.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Grammercy Bookshop records; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accruals

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

Existence and Location of Copies

William Carlos Williams letters are also available on microfilm MN# 11638-7.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Source of acquisition--Wilbur, Robert L. Method of acquisition--Gift; Date of acquisition--1960. Accession number--M-60.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 06/--/1989.

Revision Description

2020-04-03 EAD finding aid created by CCR.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

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Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

The proprietors of the Gramercy Bookshop in New York City are Robert L. and Lorraine Wilbur. The majority of Gramercy's customers are academic and public libraries and to a lesser extent university and college departments of instruction, professors and other individuals.