Collection Guide
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H. N. Swanson Agency records
221
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Table of contents
Title: H. N. Swanson Agency records
Date (inclusive): 1920s-1980s
Date (bulk): 1934-1969
Collection number: 221
Creator:
H. N. Swanson Agency
Extent:
127 linear feet of papers.
Repository:
Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Languages:
English
Important Information for Users of the Collection
Available by appointment only.
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are
responsible for obtaining all necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies
or individuals before quoting from or publishing materials obtained from the library.
H. N. Swanson Agency records, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences.
Gift of H. N. Swanson, Inc., 1990
The H. N. Swanson Agency, an American literary agency that represented book authors and screenwriters,
was formed in 1934 by H. N. Swanson in Los Angeles. Harold Norling Swanson (1899-1991), known as Swanie,
was an American literary agent active in film from 1934 to 1989. He came to California in 1931, and
within a few years he set up shop representing fiction and screen writers for Hollywood films. Pearl S.
Buck, Raymond Chandler, William Faulkner, and F. Scott Fitzgerald were among his clients. In 1989,
Swanson's stepson, Thomas Shanks, became operations chief.
Collection Scope and Content Summary
The H. N. Swanson Agency records span the years 1920s-1980s (bulk 1934-1969) and encompass 127 linear
feet. The collection consists of the agency's client files, including correspondence and contracts; and
office files, including advertising, client lists, clippings, form letters, playbills, and publicity. In
addition there are four scrapbooks.
Arrangement
Arranged in the following series: 1. Correspondence; 2. Subject files; 3. Scrapbooks
Swanson, H. N. (Harold Norling) , 1899-1991.
H. N. Swanson Agency
agent (literary)