Paul Bowles papers, 1940-1988

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

Arrangement

Cataloged.

• Series I: Correspondence
• Series II: Manuscripts and Printed Material
• Series III: Audio Material

Description

Summary

Correspondence and manuscripts of Bowles. Most of the letters in the collection are from Bowles to his friend, Ira Cohen, and pertain to Bowles' life in Morocco and his interest in the music of Morocco and Thailand. Bowles was particularly interested in Moroccan hypnotic music and made a commercial recording of it. His notes for an insert booklet to be included with the record are in this collection. There are also eight letters from Bowles to Frank Roberts, his friend and collaborator on the screenplay adapted from Bowles' novel, LOVE WITH A FEW HAIRS. There are also 4 letters from Bowles to Irving Stettner and 1 letter from Mohammed Mrabet to Stettner. The Bowles manuscripts also include three short stories, some poems, an interview with Bowles by Ira Cohen, and several pages (thermofax copies) from a notebook. In addition, a reel of tape with one of Bowles' compositions"Wet and Dry" and a short story by Mohammed Mrabet are in the collection.

• Series I: Correspondence

• Series II: Manuscripts and Printed Material

• Series III: Audio Material

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 is located on-site.

This collection has no restrictions.

Unique time-based media items have been reformatted and are available onsite via links in the container list. Commercial materials are not routinely digitized.

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); Paul Bowles papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Related Materials

There are also Paul Bowles materials at the University of Delaware and at the Ransom Center.

Accruals

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

Alternate Form Available

Partly available on microfilm. Entire collection has been microfilmed except for a reel of tape with one of Bowles' compositions, "Wet and Dry," and a short story by Mohammed Mrabet.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Date of acquisition--03/20/1973. Accession number--M-73-03-20.

5 letters: Source of acquisition--2293B (General). Method of acquisition--Purchase; Date of acquisition--05/27/1998. Accession number--M-98-05-27.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Cataloged Christina Hilton Fenn 04/07/1989.

5 letters Cataloged HR 06/19/1998.

Revision Description

2019-07-23 EAD created. kws

2020-03-05 Added link to digitized audio. kws

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.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form

Subject

History / Biographical Note

Biographical / Historical

American author and composer.