Finding Aid for the Gordon D. Shirreffs Papers, 1950-1963

Processed by Phyllis Herzog; machine-readable finding aid created by Alight Tsai

UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections

Manuscripts Division

Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library

Box 951575

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575

Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu

URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/special/scweb/

Finding Aid for the Gordon D. Shirreffs Papers, 1950-1963

Collection number: 876

UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections

Manuscripts Division

Los Angeles, CA

Contact Information

Manuscripts Division
UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Telephone: 310/825-4988 (10:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Pacific Time)
Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/special/scweb/

Processed by:: Phyllis Herzog, 1950-1963
Encoded by:: Alight Tsai
Encoding supervision by:: Caroline Cubé
Text converted and initial container list EAD tagging by:: Apex Data Services
Online finding aid edited by:: Josh Fiala, March 2003

Descriptive Summary

Title: Gordon D. Shirreffs Papers,

Date (inclusive): 1950-1963

Collection number: 876

Creator: Shirreffs, Gordon D.

Extent: 15 boxes (7.5 linear ft.)

Repository: University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Department of Special Collections.

Los Angeles, California 90095-1575

Abstract: Gordon Donald Shirreffs (1914- ) was an author of westerns. He contributed 150 short stories and novelettes to periodicals, and published novels. The collection consists of manuscripts and galley proofs, and paperback and hardbound books by Shirreffs. Manuscripts include: Action front!, Apache Butte, Fort Vengeance, Hangin' pards, Massacre creek, Quicktrigger, Too tough to die, Tumbleweed trigger, and The valiant bugles.

Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Language: English.

Administrative Information

Restrictions on Use and Reproduction

Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Restrictions on Access

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Advance notice required for access.

Additional Physical Form Available

A copy of the original version of this online finding aid is available at the UCLA Department of Special Collections for in-house consultation and may be obtained for a fee. Please contact:

Public Services Division
UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Telephone: 310/825-4988 (10:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Pacific Time)
Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu

Provenance/Source of Acquisition

Gift of Gordon D. Shirreffs, 1965.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Gordon D. Shirreffs Papers (Collection 876). Department of Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

UCLA Catalog Record ID

UCLA Catalog Record ID: 4233776

Biography

Gordon Donald Shirreffs was born on January 15, 1914 in Chicago, Illinois; attended Northwestern University, 1946-49; BA (1967) and MA (1973), California State University, Northridge; clerk, Union Tank Car Company (1935-40, 1946); salesman, Brown & Bigelow, 1946-47; owner, Shirreffs Gadgets and Toys, Chicago, 1948-52; became a writer of westerns, contributing 150 short stories and novelettes to periodicals; published novels include: Rio Bravo (1956), Arizona justice (1956), Swiftwagon (1958), Fort Suicide (1959), Apache Butte (1960), Voice of the gun (1962), The Nevada gun (1964), Torpedoes away (1967), Showdown in Sonora (1969), and Mystery of the haunted mine (1973).

Scope and Content

Collection consists of manuscripts and galley proofs, and paperback and hardbound books by western writer Gordon D. Shirreffs. Manuscripts include: Action front!, Apache Butte, Fort Vengeance, Hangin' pards, Massacre creek, Quicktrigger, Too tough to die, Tumbleweed trigger, and The valiant bugles.

Organization and Arrangement

Arranged in the following series:

Manuscripts arranged in alphabetical order by title (Boxes 1-14).
Paperback and hardbound books by Shirreffs (Box 15).

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Shirreffs, Gordon D.--Archives.

Authors, American--California, Southern--Archival resources.

Manuscripts for publication.

Western fiction.

Box 1

Action front. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 241 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 1

Action front. New York (?). June 15, 1962.

Scope and Content Note

1 set of proof sheets, author's set, uncorrected.

Box 1

Ambush on the mesa. New York. ca. 1957.

Physical Description: 233 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

The original title of this book was Starvation mesa, but the typescript is noted that it was published in 1957 as Ambush on the mesa, by Gold Medal Books, and reprinted in 1960.

Box 1

Apache butte. New York. ca. 1959.

Physical Description: 189 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

The original title of this book was Bold butte, but the typescript is noted that it was published as Apache butte in an Ace Double Novel in 1959.

Box 1

Arizona justice. California. August 25-September 9, 1955.

Physical Description: 205 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

The original title of this book was Hell town, but the manuscript is noted that the work was published by Avalon in 1956, as Arizona justice, and by Ace Books in 1956, as The desperate Donigans. Included also are synopses.

Box 2

Arizona steamboatman. California. April, 1953.

Physical Description: 28 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

The typescript is noted sold, Popular (magazine) May 11, 1953 $105.00.

Box 2

Border booty. California. January 12 and 13, 1954.

Physical Description: 30 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 2

Border man. California. May 6 and 7, 1954.

Physical Description: 20 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 2

The border guidon. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 239 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 2

The border guidon. New York. ca. 1963.

Physical Description: 239 leaves. Typescript.

Scope and Content Note

This typescript has numerous ink and pencil corrections and printer's instructions, and is accompanied by a letter to Gordon Shirreffs from The New American Library of World Literature Incorporated who published the book in 1963.

Box 2

The brave rifles. New York. ca. 1959.

Physical Description: 273 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

The typescript is noted Published Gold Medal 1959.

Box 3

Bugles on the prarie. n.p. ca. 1957.

Physical Description: 253 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

The original title of this book was Desert bugles, but the typescript is noted that the work was published as Bugles on the prarie, by Gold Medal Books, in 1957.

Box 3

Canyon bugles. California. n.d.

Physical Description: 271 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

This is an unpublished manuscript.

Box 3

Code of the gun. California. 1956.

Physical Description: 192 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

The original title of this book was The buscadero, but the typescript is noted that the work was published by Gold Medal Books under the title Code of the gun.

Box 3

The cold seas beyond. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 223 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 3

The cold seas beyond. n.p. April 11, 1963.

Scope and Content Note

1 set of proof sheets, author's set, uncorrected.

Box 4

Colorado riverman. California. 1953.

Physical Description: 17 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 4

Don't tread on me, synopsis. n.p. n.d.

Physical Description: 28 leaves. Typescript, with many pencil corrections.

Box 4

Fort suicide. New York. ca. 1959.

Physical Description: 268 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

The original title of this book was Frontier outpost, but it is noted on the typescript that this work was published by Avon Books in 1959 under the title of Fort suicide.

Box 4

Fort vengeance. California. n.d.

Physical Description: 269 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 4

A gathering of ravens. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 220 leaves. Typescript, with many blue pencil corrections.

Box 4

Glory trail. California. December 2 and 3, 1953.

Physical Description: 31 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Note

Probably published in 1954.

Box 5

The gray sea raiders. New York. 1961.

Physical Description: 202 leaves.

Scope and Content Note

Typescript, with numerous corrections in ink, printers instructions and lay-out notes, and preliminary pages.

Box 5

The gray sea raiders. New York. 1961.

Physical Description: 196 leaves.

Abstract: Typescript (carbon), with a few corrections in blue pencil.

Scope and Content Note

Noted on the first leaf is Published 1961, Chilton Company.

Box 5

The gun hard breed. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 167 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

Noted on the first leaf in blue pencil is Hidden rider of dark mountain.

Box 5

Gunrunners' grave. California. March 11, 1955.

Physical Description: 20 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 5

Gunslingers three. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 150 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 5

Gunswift, synopsis. California. September 26, 1955.

Physical Description: 5 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 5

Gunswift. California. ca. 1956.

Physical Description: 254 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

Noted on the first leaf is Published by Avalon Books 1956, Crest Books 1957, Under pen name of 'Stewart Gordon'. Included at the end of the typescript is a carbon copy of the synopsis. The entire typescript has random ink corrections.

Box 6

The haunted treasure of the espectros. New York. ca. 1962.

Physical Description: 220 leaves. Typescript with extensive ink and pencil corrections, printer instructions and notations.

Scope and Content Note

Included are many proof sheets of preliminary pages.

Box 6

The haunted treasure of the espectros. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 219 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

Included is 1 leaf of chapter titles.

Box 6

The haunted treasure of the espectros. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 219 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

This is another copy, but with many ink corrections.

Box 7

Hangin' pards. New York. ca. 1961.

Physical Description: 190 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

The original title of this work is The long rider, but the manuscript is noted that the book was published as Hangin' pards, by Ace Double Novels, in 1961.

Box 7

A hanging at dawn. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 237 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

There are many ink corrections on the typescript, and a note on the first leaf Blood justice, which perhaps is an alternate title.

Box 7

The hollow hero. California. April 22 and 23, 1953.

Physical Description: 29 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Note

Probably published in 1954.

Box 7

The hostile beaches. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 230 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 7

The hostile beaches. n.p. n.d.

Scope and Content Note

1 set of proof sheets, author's set, uncorrected.

Box 8

Last man alive. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 522 leaves. Typescript (carbon). 2 copies.

Box 8

Last train from gun hill. New York. ca. 1959.

Physical Description: 205 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

Included are two versions for some of the leaves at the end of the typescript. The original title of the book is Showdown at gun hill, but it is noted on the typescript that the work was published by Signet Books in 1959 under the title Last train from gun hill.

Box 8

The lonely gun. New York. ca. 1959.

Physical Description: 208 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

The original title of the book is Ride the lost trail, but the typescript is noted that the work was published by Avon Publications in 1959 under the title The lonely gun.

Box 8

The lure of the espectro mine. n.p. n.d.

Scope and Content Note

2 sets of proof sheets, 1 uncorrected, 1 corrected.

Box 9

Huntress returns to Lake Mead. n.p. n.d.

Scope and Content Note

1 set of proof sheets, author's set, uncorrected.

Box 9

Massacre creek. California. ca. 1957.

Physical Description: 258 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

The original title of the work is Galvanized yankee, but the typescript is noted that the work was published by Popular Publications in 1958 under the title Massacre creek.

Box 9

The mosquito fleet. New York. ca. 1961.

Physical Description: 222 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

Note on the first leaf reads Published 1961, Chilton Company.

Box 9

The mosquito fleet. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 224 leaves.

Scope and Content Note

Typescript, with extensive ink corrections, printer's instructions, and various other indications.

Box 10

Mystery of lost canyon. New York. ca. 1963.

Physical Description: 250 leaves.

Scope and Content Note

Typescript, with extensive ink corrections, instructions to the printer and many preliminary leaves.

Box 10

Mystery of lost canyon. New York. 1963.

Scope and Content Note

1 set of proof sheets with many corrections.

Box 10

The Nevada gun. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 162 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 10

The proud gun. New York. ca. 1961.

Physical Description: 188 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

The original title of this book is Shadow at sundown, but the typescript is noted that the work was published by Avon Publications in 1961 under the title The proud gun.

Box 10

Powder boy of the monitor. New York. ca. 1961.

Physical Description: 219 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Note

This work was published by Westminster Press in 1961.

Box 10

Prowler in the dark. n.p. n.d..

Scope and Content Note

2 sets of proof sheets, 1 set uncorrected, and the other set with a few corrections

Box 11

Quicktrigger. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 165 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 11

Range rebel. California. September, 1955.

Physical Description: 180 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

The original title of this book is The outlier, but the typescript is noted that the work was published by Pyramid Books in 1956 under the title Range rebel.

Box 11

Renegade lawman. California. 1955.

Physical Description: 149 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

The original title of this book is Darkness trail, but the typescript is noted that the work was published by Avon Books in 1959 under the title Renegade lawman.

Box 11

Retribution. California. 1954.

Physical Description: 19 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

This is a rewrite of the story, and is dated February 23, 1954, sold in March, 1954.

Box 11

Ride a lone trail. New York. ca. 1961.

Physical Description: 188 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

The original title of this work is The lobo trail, but the typescript is noted that the work was published by Ace Double Novels in 1961, under the title Ride a lone trail.

Box 11

Rio bravo. California. n.d.

Physical Description: 227 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Note

Gold Medal Books is the publisher of this work.

Box 11

Rio desperado. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 150 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 12

Roanoke raiders. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 202 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

Included are several pages of corrections added at the end of the typescript. The original title of this book is The blockaders, but the typescript is noted that the work was published by Westminster Press in 1959 under the title Roanoke raiders.

Box 12

Roy Rogers, king of the cowboys. New York. ca. 1958.

Physical Description: 235 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

Noted on the first leaf: Sold Whitman 1958, unpublished as of 1961.

Box 12

Secret of the Spanish desert. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 231 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 12

Shadow of a gunman. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 169 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 12

Showdown at gun hill. n.p. March 25, 1958.

Physical Description: Typescript.

Scope and Content Note

This is a screenplay by James Poe that was novelized by Gordon D. Shirreffs and later retitled Last train from gun hill.

Note

The book was published by Signet Books, 1958 (?).

Box 12

Shannon's strike. California. April 1954.

Physical Description: 46 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

Noted on the first leaf is: Apr 12, 13, 14, 1954, sold Columbia Apr 24, 1954.

Box 13

The silent death. California. August 17, 1953.

Physical Description: 18 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 13

The snake den. California. n.d.

Physical Description: 20 leaves. Typescript, with pencil corrections.

Box 13

Son of the thunder people. New York. ca. 1957.

Physical Description: 222 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Note

This work was published by Westminster Press in 1957.

Box 13

Spanish skeleton. California. January 4 and 5, 1953.

Physical Description: 15 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 13

Swiftwagon. n.p. ca. 1958.

Physical Description: 186 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Note

This work was published by Westminster Press in 1958.

Box 13

They met danger. New York. ca. 1960. ca.

Physical Description: 150 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

The original title of this book is The medal of honor, but the typescript is noted that the work was published as They met danger, by Whitman in 1960.

Box 13

Too tough to die. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 157 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 13

Top gun. California. ca. 1957.

Physical Description: 228 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

Included is a short synopsis. The original title of the book is Lawman's brand, but the typescript is noted: Top gun, published 1957, Avalon Books, Crest Books, under pen name Gordon Donalds.

Box 14

Trail of vengeance. California. March 18 and 19, 1954.

Physical Description: 32 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

The first leaf is noted: Sold Columbia Apr. 24, 1954.

Box 14

Trail's end. New York. February 13, 1957.

Physical Description: 200 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Note

This work was published by Avalon Books in 1959.

Box 14

Tumble weed trigger. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 140 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Scope and Content Note

The original title of this wook is Wind-devil, but the cover of the typescript shows this title crossed out, and the title Tumble weed trigger written in its place.

Box 14

Undercover marshal. California. n.d.

Physical Description: 44 leaves. Typescript, with many pencil corrections.

Box 14

The valiant bugles. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 255 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 14

Voice of the gun. New York. n.d.

Physical Description: 175 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Box 14

Whiplash. California. April 26, 1955.

Physical Description: 14 leaves. Typescript (carbon).

Paperbacks:

Box 15

The brave rifles. Gold Medal Books 876.

Box 15

Fort suicide. Avon Books T-352.

Box 15

Hangin' pards. Ace Double Novels D-514.

Scope and Content Note

[With this: Ride a lonely trail by Gordon D. Shirreffs]

Box 15

The lonely gun. Avon Books T-312.

Box 15

The proud gun. Avon Books T-515.

Box 15

Too tough to die. Avon Books F214.

Box 15

Voice of the gun. Ace Double Novels F-152.

Scope and Content Note

[With this: Rio desperado by Gordon D. Shirreffs]

Books:

Box 15

[Stewart Gordon, pseudonym of Gordon D. Shirreffs] Gunswift. New York: Avalon Books. c. 1956.

Paperbacks:

Box 15

Bugles on the prairie. Greenwich, Connecticut, Fawcett [c. 1957].

Physical Description: 160pp.

Box 15

Fort Vengeance. New York, Popular Library [c. 1957].

Physical Description: [160pp.]

Box 15

Massacre Creek. New York, Popular Library [c. 1958].

Physical Description: 160pp.