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Guggenheim (Felix) papers
0312
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Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries Special Collections
Title: Felix Guggenheim papers
Creator:
Guggenheim, Felix
Identifier/Call Number: 0312
Identifier/Call Number: 137
Physical Description:
104 Linear Feet
203 boxes
Date (inclusive): 1941-1976
Abstract: This collection comprises the business and private archives of literary agent and Pazifische Presse co-founder Felix Guggenheim
(1904-1976).
The collection includes private and business correspondence, and contracts with publishers, authors and other business associates
between 1925 and 1986 (bulk 1940-1976). The collection also includes manuscripts, some photographs and book reviews of works
by many of the authors Guggenheim represented. Authors of the German-speaking Exile community in Los Angeles are particularly
well represented.
Language of Material:
English
, German
.
Felix Guggenheim was born June 6, 1904 in Constance, Germany. He studied economics and law in Munich and Hamburg, earned his
doctorate in economics and politics in Zurich in 1925, and his doctorate in law in Leipzig in 1926. Guggenheim began his career
as a journalist, and then worked briefly in a banking institution. In 1930 Guggenheim took over the directorship of the Seydel
A.G. printing house in Berlin and the Deutsche Buch-Gemeinschaft, beginning his long career in the literary and publishing
field.
Although Jewish, Guggenheim was able to keep a position as member of the board of the printing house and book club until 1938,
when he and his wife, actress Evelyn Holt, emigrated via Switzerland and England to the USA. The Guggenheims settled in Los
Angeles, California, where they became a part of the large German emigre community. In 1942 Guggenheim and Ernst Gottlieb,
a fellow emigre, co-founded the Pazifische Presse. This small press served as a forum for the German immigrant authors in
Southern California who were without publishing contracts. Writers published by Pazifische Presse between 1942 and 1948 included
Lion Feuchtwanger, Thomas Mann, Franz Werfel and Bruno Frank. Guggenheim would maintain contact with these writers throughout
his later career as a literary agent.
After World War II ended, Germans again had access to a free press. With the outlet of the Pazifische Presse no longer needed,
Guggenheim turned his talents elsewhere. Guggenheim's experience in the publishing business, as well as his relationships
with many talented and prominent authors, served as the basis for a new career as a literary agent, and sometimes financial
and legal advisor. He worked with his friends Feuchtwanger, Mann, Werfel, and Frank, as well as authors Vicki Baum, Paulette
Goddard, Thor Heyerdahl, Frederick Kohner, Heinrich Mann, Kurt Marek (Curt Ceram), Alfred Neumann, Erich Maria Remarque, Max
Tau, Alma Mahler-Werfel, Victoria Wolff, and Arnold Zweig. Guggenheim remained active professionally until his death in Los
Angeles on June 21, 1976.
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Exile Studies Librarian
at ullmann@usc.edu. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items
and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.
[Identification of item], Felix Guggenheim papers, Collection no. 0312, Feuchtwanger Memorial Library, Special Collections,
USC Libraries, University of Southern California.
Business archives of literary agent and Pazifische Presse co-founder Felix Guggenheim (1904-1976). The collection includes
private and business correspondence, and contracts with publishers, authors and other business associates between 1925 and
1986 (bulk 1940-1976). The collection also includes manuscripts, some photographs and book reviews of works by many of the
authors Guggenheim represented. Authors of the German-speaking Exile community in Los Angeles are particularly well represented.
SERIES DESCRIPTION
Correspondence
The Correspondence is divided into 5 sub-series: General, Authors, Business, Enemy Alien Issues, and London.
General correspondence includes private correspondence as well as correspondence with authors and publishers with whom Guggenheim
worked less closely, communication with other prominent literary agents, and simple business transactions including purchases
and refunds, as well as donations to charity organizations and clubs. There are many different people and companies represented
on a smaller scale in this series.
Correspondence Authors includes correspondence with authors represented by Guggenheim and correspondence to publishers regarding
the authors.
Business correspondence consists of communication with agents, personal business partners, publishing houses and financial
and legal advisees with whom Guggenheim worked closely together, mostly over many years or even decades. Correspondence about
film rights for authors' works is also represented here. Two subseries called Publishers A-Z and Film-related exist within
the general business correspondence.
Correspondence Enemy Alien Issues consists of correspondence during the World War II period. It includes correspondence with
emigration organizations and government departments regarding enemy alien laws and restrictions. Topics include protest against
possible internment of German emigrants and movement for lessoning travel and curfew restrictions. Los Angeles emigrant organizations
are best represented.
Correspondence London consists of correspondence while Guggenheim lived in London. Materials in this series still need further
organization.
Manuscripts
This series consists of manuscripts of novels and screenplays from authors Guggenheim worked for as a literary agent.
Contracts
Includes contracts between authors and publishers. Book rights are best represented, including much about rights to foreign
versions of publications and translations. Film rights are also represented.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Jews, German -- California, Southern -- Archival resources
Photographs
Motion pictures -- Archival resources
Legal instruments
Jewish refugees -- California, Southern -- Archival resources
Jewish refugees -- Europe -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Clippings
Exiles' writings, German -- California -- Archival resources
Exiles -- Germany -- History -- 20th century -- Archival resources
German literature -- Archival resources
Jews -- California -- Los Angeles -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Galley proofs
Correspondence
German language -- Archival resources
Germany -- Emigration and immigration -- History -- 1933-1945 -- Archival resources
Contracts
California, Southern -- Emigration and immigration -- Archival resources
California, Southern -- Archival resources
Typescripts
Scripts
Manuscripts
Authors -- 20th century -- Archival resources
Authors, German -- 20th century -- Biography -- Archival resources
Goetz, Curt -- Correspondence
Heyerdahl, Thor -- Correspondence
Neumann, Alfred, 1895-1952 -- Correspondence
Deutsche Buch Gemeinschaft -- Correspondence
Bamm, Peter -- Correspondence
Guggenheim, Felix -- Archives
Ceram, C. W. -- Correspondence
Baum, Vicki -- Correspondence
Remarque, Erich Maria -- Correspondence
Simmel, Johannes Mario -- Correspondence
Tau, Max -- Correspondence
Mann, Thomas, 1875-1955 -- Correspondence
Thorwald, Jurgen -- Correspondence
Feuchtwanger, Marta -- Correspondence
Mahler, Alma -- Correspondence
Wolff, Victoria -- Correspondence
Zweig, Stefan -- Correspondence
Jewish Club of 1933 -- Correspondence
Feuchtwanger, Lion -- Correspondence