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Finding Aid to the Don Carpenter Papers, 1950-1993
BANC MSS 2003/224 c
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Table of contents
Collection Title: Don Carpenter papers
Date (inclusive): 1950-1993
Collection Number: BANC MSS 2003/224 c
Creator :
Carpenter, Don
Extent:
Number of containers: 9 cartons
Linear feet: 11.25
Repository: The Bancroft Library
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/
Abstract: The Don Carpenter Papers, 1950-1993, consist of writings, and a small amount of correspondence and biographical materials.
The bulk of the collection consists of writings, including drafts, short stories, novels and screenplays, both published and
unpublished. The materials found in the collection includes his drafts and final revisions of
Hard Rain Falling,
Getting Off,
The True Life of Story of Jody McKeegan,
Blade of Light and
A Couple of Comedians.
Languages Represented: Collection materials are in English.
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information
on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Collection is open for research.
All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in
writing to the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley, 94720-6000.
Consent is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to
include or imply permission from the copyright owner. Such permission must be obtained from the copyright owner. See:
http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html .
Restrictions also apply to digital representations of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted toresearch
and educational purposes.
[Identification of item], Don Carpenter Papers, BANC MSS 2003/224 c, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
There are no alternate forms of this collection.
Videotapes/sound recordings have been transferred to the Microforms Collection of The Bancroft Library.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Carpenter, Don--Archives
Mailer, Norman--Correspondence
Whalen, Philip--Correspondence
Authors, American--California
Manuscripts for publication.
The Don Carpenter Papers were purchased by The Bancroft Library in 2002.
No additions are expected.
Arranged to the folder level.
Processed by Chinda Xayarath in 2007.
Don Carpenter was born in Berkeley, California on March 16, 1931 and died in Mill Valley, California on July 28, 1995. Carpenter
grew up in northern California with his family, and completed high school in Portland, Oregon before serving in the military
during the Korean War. After the war, Carpenter returned to Portland, Oregon where he completed his B.S. at Portland State
College. In 1956, Carpenter married Martha Ryherd and had two daughters, Bonnie and Leha. Carpenter eventually received his
M.A. from San Francisco State College. While in northern California, Carpenter taught English but eventually discontinued
teaching and spent most of his life writing fiction, which included short stories, novels, and screenplays. He also wrote
for different publications and magazines, writing short book and novel reviews and also publishing his own short fiction.
Carpenter is known for his first novel,
Hard Rain Falling, which lead him to write more novels such as
A Couple of Comedians. Though he was known greatly for his novels, Carpenter also wrote many short stories and several novels that remained unpublished,
such as his novel
Friday's At Enrico's . Carpenter's novel,
Payday, was made into a movie in 1973.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Don Carpenter Papers, 1950-1993, consist of writings, and a small amount of correspondence and biographical materials.
The bulk of the collection consists of writings, including drafts, short stories, novels and screenplays, both published and
unpublished. The materials found in the collection includes his drafts and final revisions of
Hard Rain Falling,
Getting Off,
The True Life of Story of Jody McKeegan,
Blade of Light and
A Couple of Comedians.
Writings include notes, drafts, edited drafts, and the final versions of Carpenter's works. It also includes the work done
for his famous novel and Hollywood move,
Payday. A majority of the collection consists of materials related to his novel
Blade of Light, which also includes the screen play and galley proofs. The collection also includes his unpublished novel
Friday's at Enrico's.
Correspondence includes letters written to his family and friends; notable correspondents include Norman Mailer and Philip
Whalen. The biographical materials consist of interviews given by Carpenter about his life and work.