Finding Aid for the Wallace Nethery Papers 1931-2000
Processed by Jamie Henricks.
William Andrews Clark Memorial Library
University of California, Los Angeles
2520 Cimarron Street
Los Angeles, CA 90018
Phone: (323) 731-8529
Fax: (323) 731-8617
Email: rfenning@humnet.ucla.edu
URL: http://www.humnet.ucla.edu/humnet/clarklib/
©2009
The Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: Wallace Nethery Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1931-2000
Collection number: MS.2007.017
Creator: Nethery, Wallace
1910-1996
Extent:
4 boxes (1.5 linear feet)
Repository:
University of California, Los Angeles. Library.
William Andrews Clark Memorial Library
Los Angeles, California 90095-1490
Abstract: This collection contains material created and
collected by Wallace and Corry Nethery. Correspondence, drafts, research
notes, and ephemera are included for a number of Nethery's books.
Materials related to Nethery's work as a librarian at the University of
Southern California are included as well. Photocopies of letters to,
from, and about Elisabeth Jungmann are numerous. The subject matter for
most of the books and papers relate to Max Beerbohm, Charles and Mary
Lamb, Elisabeth Jungmann, and miniature books. Materials are in English,
German, and Dutch.
Physical location: Clark Library
Language of Material: Collection materials in English
Access
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the William Andrews Clark Memorial
Library, UCLA. All requests for permission to publish or quote from
manuscripts or printed items must be submitted in writing to the Clark
Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the William
Andrews Clark Memorial Library, UCLA 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.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Wallace Nethery Papers, MS.2007.017,
William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, University of California, Los
Angeles.
Acquisition Information
Gift, Corry Nethery, 2007.
Processing History
Processed by Jamie Henricks, August 2009
Biography
Wallace Nethery born December 29, 1910 on his grandfather's farm
outside the town of Gravity, Iowa. He received his Bachelor of Arts in
English from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1934. He served in
the Navy during World War II on the USS Enterprise, stationed in the
Pacific. Nethery intended to get a PhD in English from the University of
Southern California, but switched over to Library Science and later
started work at the USC library. He eventually married a fellow USC
Library employee, Corry Sprangers.
Corry helped Wallace with his
printing endeavors, which Wallace printed on his Kelsey Co. miniature
press bought in 1955. Over the course of nearly 40 years, the Netherys
printed approximately 51 books and pamphlets, mostly miniatures (and
mostly one page at a time!). Most of the books were miniature books
printed personally, and sold at Dawson's Book Shop. Nethery was friends
with Saul and Lillian Marks of the Plantin Press, as well as Glen Dawson
of Dawson's Book Shop.
Nethery was the librarian at the Hoose
Library of Philosophy at USC until his retirement in 1976. He died in
1996, in the middle of printing his last miniature book "Pastorale".
Scope and Content
This collection contains material created and collected by Wallace
and Corry Nethery, primarily related to books written by the Netherys.
Correspondence, drafts, research notes, newspaper clippings, and
advertisements for publications are included for a number of Nethery's
books. Prints of some journal and magazine articles are included.
Papers, letters, certificates, and other ephemera related to Nethery's
work as a librarian at the University of Southern California are
included as well. There are also a number of photocopies of letters to,
from, and about Elisabeth Jungmann. The subject matter for most of the
books and papers relate to Max Beerbohm, Charles and Mary Lamb,
Elisabeth Jungmann, and miniature books. Materials are primarily in
English, but a fair number of letters relating to Elisabeth Jungmann are
in German. Some letters to Corry Nethery are in Dutch.
Arrangement
The collection remains in original order.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this
collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
Beerbohm,
Max, Sir, 1872-1956
Jungmann,
Elisabeth
Lamb,
Charles, 1775-1834
Lamb, Mary,
1764-1847
Nethery,
Corry
Librarians--California--20th
century
Miniature
books--California--20th century
Printers--California--20th
century
Genres and Forms
Clippings--20th
century
Ephemera--California--20th century
Letters--California--20th century
Container List
Box 1, Folder 1
Engravings
May 23, 1994
Scope and Content Note
Order form for Pall Bohne's "A Miscellany of Thomas Bewick's
Engravings" and letter from Bohne to Nethery.
Box 1, Folder 2
Frank Baxter
1958-1963
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence from Frank Baxter to Nethery about Charles Lamb and
Nethery's books. Also newspaper clippings about Baxter.
Box 1, Folder 3
Rounce & Coffin Club -- Beatrice Warde
1932,
1962-1973
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence from Beatrice Warde, Bill Conway, and James Weygand.
Box 1, Folder 4
Saul & Lillian Marks -- Plantin Press
1975
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence from Lillian Marks and Reverend Francis J. Weber about
the passing of Saul Marks. Also included are three copies of a memorial
pamphlet about Saul Marks.
Box 1, Folder 5
The American Book Collector
1959-1968
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence from various individuals about Nethery's
articles in the Amrican Book Collector. Also includes three issues of
the American Book Collector: vol. 14, nos. 2 and 3 and vol. 12, no. 6.
Box 1, Folder 6
Western Books Awards
1960-1994
Scope and Content Note
Includes two letters and five awards of merit from Western Books
Exhibitions hosted by the Rounce & Coffin Club. One letter (1960)
from Edwin Carpenter informs Nethery his book on Charles Lamb was not
picked for the exhibition. The other letter (1966) from Carey Bliss
informs Nethery his book was picked for the exhibition. Awards of Merit
are included for the following books: "Charles Lamb: Bibliophile"
(1966), "Max & G.K.C" (1986), "The Second Lady Beerbohm" (1988), "A
Visit with Dr. R" (1989), and "A Dissertation on Gravity" (1994).
Box 1, Folder 7
Miniature Books
1992-2000
Scope and Content Note
Includes a bibliography of books printed by Wallace Nethery, not
including his 42 miniature books. (The miniature books are detailed in
John Class's compilation "The Miniature Books Printed by Wallace
Nethery" in Miniature Book Society Newsletter, New Series No. 31,
October 1996, p. 7-11.) Also includes catalogs, lists, and
correspondence about miniature books -- many by Nethery. Some letters
are in Dutch and most of the letters are addressed to Corry, Wallace
Nethery's wife.
Box 1, Folder 8
Correspondence misc -- miniature books, etc
1976-1992
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence from various individuals about Nethery's
books, and a selection of Christmas cards sent to the Netherys. Some
letters are in German.
Box 1, Folder 9
Max Beerbohm miscellaneous
ca. 1967-1997
Scope and Content Note
Includes primarily newspaper and magazine clippings about Max
Beerbohm from various sources, including the New Yorker magazine. Some
articles are in German.
Box 1, Folder 10
Chesterton
ca. 1930,
1980-1994
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence to and from the Chesterton Review, a copy of
"Max and G.K.C" by Nethery, a copy of "Mr. Chesterton Indulges in
Autobiograpy", and a photocopy of "The Paradoxes of Mr Pond: Pond the
Pantaloon" by Chesterton. (G.K.C. is Gilbert Keith Chesterton.)
Box 1, Folder 11
Photocopies of Max's drawings and letters
Scope and Content Note
Includes photocopies of title pages of some books of Beerbohm's, and
photocopies of letters written by Beerbohm.
Box 1, Folder 12
Dawson's Book Shop -- miniature books
1966,
1989-1998
Scope and Content Note
Includes a few catalogs of miniature books from Dawson's Book Shop,
articles about miniature books, and a copy of a speech given by Glen
Dawson in 1989 called "Adventures in Miniature Books" about his own life
and experiences with miniature books.
Box 1, Folder 13
In Search of Max Beerbohm
ca. 1984
Scope and Content Note
A typed manuscript with handwritten notes and edits for the miniature
book "In Search of Max Beerbohm" by Wallace and Corry Nethery.
Box 1, Folder 14
Max & G.K.C.
1984-1985
Scope and Content Note
Includes multiple drafts of typed manuscripts for "Max and G.K.C."
and correspondence about the article.
Box 1, Folder 15
Meditations of a Refugee, The Queen's Dolls' House,
etc
1984-1986
Scope and Content Note
Includes letters to Nethery from Clarence House and the Lord
Chamberlain's Office at St. James's Palace regarding miniature books and
Queen Mary's Dolls House. (Nethery was invited to Windsor Castle to view
a miniature Beerbohm; he later published his own copy of the book and
gave a copy to the Queen.) Also includes a souvenir book and articles
about the doll house, and a copy of "Meditations of a Refugee" by
Beerbohm (about pretending to go to the doll house).
Box 1, Folder 16
The Second Lady Beerbohm -- notes, photocopies, Berlin &
Marbach
Scope and Content Note
Includes notes and photocopies of letters about Max Beerbohm and his
former secretary Elisabeth Jungmann who he married shortly before his
death. Some notes and letters are in German.
Box 1, Folder 17
The Second Lady Beerbohm -- correspondence
1985-1991
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence to and from Wallace and Corry Nethery about
Elisabeth Jungmann. Letters are primarily to and from Eva Reichmann (a
sister of Elisabeth), and Kenneth Rose. Some letters are in Dutch and
German.
Box 2, Folder 1
Elisabeth Jungmann -- misc. hauptmann -- binding c.s
ca. 1980-1990
Scope and Content Note
Notes, newspaper clippings, and articles primarily in German relating
to Elisabeth Jungmann, Rudolf Binding, and Gerhart Hauptmann.
Box 2, Folder 2
The Second Lady Beerbohm -- text
ca. 1987
Scope and Content Note
Includes typed drafts with annotations and edits of "The Second Lady
Beerbohm" by Corry Nethery. Copies are in various stages of editing, and
one copy is annotated by Eva Reichmann.
Box 2, Folder 3
Schiller-Nationalmuseum Staatsbibliothek Preussischer
Kulturbesitz; re: Second Lady Beerbohm
1986
Scope and Content Note
Includes notes, letters, photocopies for the Netherys' research into
Elisabeth Jungmann. Also includes information about the Staatsbibliothek
in Berlin, and reader cards for the Netherys. Most of the material is in
German.
Box 2, Folder 4
Photographs, cuts; Max, Elis. Jungmann; re: Second Lady
Beerbohm
photos ca. 1931
Scope and Content Note
Includes prints of photographs of Elisabeth Jungmann with notes
towards "The Second Lady Beerbohm".
Box 2, Folder 5
Beach-la-Mar
Scope and Content Note
Includes a heavily edited draft with bibliography of "Beach-La-Mar"
by Wallace Nethery. Beach-La-Mar (also known as Bislama) is a creole
language spoken on Vanuatu in the South Pacific (also previously known
as Melanesia).
Box 2, Folder 6
Las Colondrinas
Scope and Content Note
Drawings by Margaret Class.
Box 2, Folder 7
A Dissertation on Gravity
1992-1993
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence with help for writing "A Dissertation on Gravity" and
letters sent in praise of its publication. "A Dissertation on Gravity"
relates to the town of Gravity, Iowa.
Box 2, Folder 8
Grandmother in Peace & War
1993-1994
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence praising Nethery's miniature book "Grandmother in
Peace & War" about his grandmother.
Box 2, Folder 9
The Poet & His Books
1994
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence to Nethery praising his printing of Max Beerbohm's
"The Poet and His Books".
Box 2, Folder 10
Little Books & Big Men
ca. 1994
Scope and Content Note
Handwritten drafts of "Little Books and Big Men" by Nethery, also
titled "Big Authors and Little Books" in the notes.
Box 2, Folder 11
Pastorale
1997
Scope and Content Note
Includes a handwritten draft, a typed draft, and copies of the layout
for "Pastorale", the last miniature book Nethery wrote. He died in the
middle of printing it; his wife printed it in his honor. Also included
is correspondence to Corry praising the book and consoling her on the
loss of her husband.
Box 2, Folder 12
Charles Lamb Society (bulletin)
1958-1996
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence and papers related to the Charles Lamb
Society. Also includes articles Nethery wrote in the Charles Lamb
Society Bulletin. Correspondence includes letters sent to and from
Nethery to members of the Society, as well as a few letters between
Corry Nethery and David Wickham (chairman of the Society) after
Nethery's death.
Box 2, Folder 13
Charles Lamb Collection (Dawson) -- Lamb in America
1994
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence about the sale of Nethery's collection of
Charles Lamb materials through Dawson's Book Shop. Also includes a list
of books in the Nethery's collection of Lamb materials.
Box 2, Folder 14
Charles Lamb: Mr. H. in America, or, Anonymus redivivus / by
Wallace Nethery
1955-1956,
1998
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence and copies of pages from "Mr. H in America,
or, Anonymus Redivivus", as well as photograph negatives for two pages
in the book.
Box 2, Folder 15
Charles Lamb Bibliophile
ca. 1965
Scope and Content Note
Includes copies of a catalog from Dawson's Book Shop and typed notes
regarding "Charles Lamb: Bibliophile", Nethery's first miniature book. Also contains hand-drawn mock-ups for "Charles Lamb:
Bibliophile."
Box 2, Folder 16
Lamb & Poe
1953,
1958,
1970-1971
Scope and Content Note
Includes a copy of the article "Poe and Charles Lamb" in the Poe
Newsletter (1970). Also includes correspondence to Nethery about Charles
Lamb and Poe.
Box 2, Folder 17
The Pioneer & Charles Lamb
1958-1959
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence regarding "The Pioneer and Charles Lamb".
Box 2, Folder 18
Lamb's Town & Country
ca. 1980-1983
Scope and Content Note
Includes notes and ephemera related to Hertfordshire (England) for
use in researching and writing "Charles Lamb's Town and Country
Revisited".
Box 2, Folder 19
Charles Lamb in America to 1848
1963-1964,
1974
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence for the publication of, and handwritten
manuscript pages of "Charles Lamb in America to 1848". Also includes
advertisements for the sale of the miniature book.
Box 2, Folder 20
Eliana Americana
1958-1972
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence praising "Eliana Americana" by Nethery, as
well as advertisements for the book, and a registration to claim
copyright certificate for the book.
Box 2, Folder 21
A Victorian Idyll; Robert Balmanno and Mary Cowden
Clarke
Scope and Content Note
Includes primarily photocopies of correspondence between Robert
Balmanno and Mary Cowden Clarke (ca. 1825-1852). Presumably used in the
writing of "A Victorian Idyll", a miniature book by Nethery.
Box 2, Folder 22
Note on Emma Isola
1953
Scope and Content Note
Include a letter from Ernest C. Ross and a letter from French Fogle
regarding the relationship of Charles Lamb and Emma Isola. (Lamb adopted
Emma Isola, an orphan.)
Box 3, Folder 1
Charles Lamb to Janus Weathercock
1962
Scope and Content Note
Includes a typed copy and a printed copy of an article in Notes &
Queries titled "Charles Lamb to Janus Weathercock".
Box 3, Folder 2
Midnight Darlings on Broadway
ca. 1959-1960
Scope and Content Note
Includes a letter and two pages about "Midnight Darlings on Broadway"
by Nethery. Also includes an envelope of what appear to be book plates
reading "Midnight Darlings on Broadway".
Box 3, Folder 3
Witches & Other Night-Fears
1968-1969
Scope and Content Note
Includes three letters praising Nethery on his printing of Charles
Lamb's "Witches & Other Night-Fears".
Box 3, Folder 4
Charles Lamb / Potgieter Translation (Dutch)
1961-1962
Scope and Content Note
Includes notes in Dutch and a photocopy of a Dutch translation of
Lamb, "Proeven van een Humorist".
Box 3, Folder 5
Edwin W. Marrs -- The Letters of Charles & Mary
Lamb
1967,
1975
Scope and Content Note
Includes letters from Marrs about letters of Charles Lamb to include
in his book; a description of the book's effort is also included.
Box 3, Folder 6
Charles Lamb misc.
1834-1835,
1958-1976,
1983
Scope and Content Note
Includes articles and letters about Charles and Mary Lamb, also
included are two issues of the New York Mirror (1834-5) with articles
about Lamb.
Box 3, Folder 7
Wallace Nethery misc.
1938,
1956-1975,
1994
Scope and Content Note
Includes correspondence from various individuals to Nethery, two
photographs of Nethery (1976 and 1990), membership certificates, and
Nethery's annual contract (1972 and 1975) for his post at the University
of Southern California. Also includes a preliminary inventory of a
Wallace Nethery Collection (accession #199606.02) donated by Corry
Nethery to USC (though not found via USC's catalog).
Box 3, Folder 8
Wallace Nethery misc writing
1988
Scope and Content Note
Includes a typed copy and tentative front page of a book that does
not appear to have been published: "Max Beerbohm: Three Letters to Grant
Richards" (1988), including a foreward, three letters from Beerbohm to
Richards, and notes on the three letters. Includes a letter from Rupert
Hart-Davis relaying the news that one letter for the book is held in
copyright and not likely able to be reprinted. Includes notes about
Thoreau and Lamb, an edited typed copy of "Letter on Charles Lamb &
America by a Friend of Elia", and a "Biblio-Index of American
Publications Relating to Charles Lamb 1805-18468". Also includes many
pages of handwritten notes for use in various miniature books of
Nethery's.
Box 3, Folder 9
Letters from William James to W.T. Harris (The
Personalist)
1968
Scope and Content Note
Includes a copy of "Pragmatist to Publisher: Letters of William James
to W.T. Harris" edited by Wallace Nethery from the 1968 volume of The
Personalist.
Box 3, Folder 10
Big E -- James Michener
1995
Scope and Content Note
Includes a copy of a newspaper article from the July 4, 1995 Los
Angeles Times entitled "Perspectives on World War II: Sea Battles for
the Ages" by James Michener. Also includes a photocopy of a letter from
Nethery to the editor of the Times with his comments about the article
and makes note about disputes in the facts of a battle.
Box 3, Folder 11
Retirement -- June '76
1976
Scope and Content Note
Includes cards and letters sent to Nethery congratulating him on his
retirement from the University of Southern California.
Box 3, Folder 12
Wallace Nethery bibliography and biography
Scope and Content Note
Includes multiple bibliographies of books published by Wallace
Nethery. Also includes a short biography about Nethery written by Muir
Dawson in 1998.
Box 3, Folder 13
Wallace Nethery -- articles about W.N & reviews (Charles
Lamb)
1934,
1960-1984
Scope and Content Note
Includes a page from the Clock Tower (a Union College publication)
with a blurb about Nethery's graduation and a picture (1934). Includes
many newspaper clippings about Nethery's work at USC and his miniature
books. Also includes a letter from CBS Radio thanking Nethery for
appearing on "This is Los Angeles".
Box 3, Folder 14
Massimo Bacigalupo
1991-1995
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence from Massimo Bacigalupo (primarily yearly Christmas
letters about the family and cards), friends of the Netherys.
Box 3, Folder 15
Ann Bahar
1987-1988
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence from Ann Bahar to Corry and Wallace Nethery; primarily
about miniature books and the Beerbohm book the Netherys made for the
Queen Ann's Dolls House.
Box 3, Folder 16
Tom & Charlotte Smith -- Tamazunchale Press
1987-1992
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence from Tom and Charlotte Smith to Wallce and Corry
Nethery about the exchange and printing of miniature books. The Smiths
operated the Tamazunchale Press.
Box 3, Folder 17
George L. Barnett
1960-1976
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence to Wallce Nethery from George Barnett regarding
Charles Lamb.
Box 3, Folder 18
Mark Samuels Lasner
1986-1988
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence from Mark Lasner to the Netherys regarding Max
Beerbohm.
Box 3, Folder 19
Aidan Mackey
1984-1996
Scope and Content Note
Correspondence from Aidan Mackey to the Netherys; some are personal
letters, others are general letters for the G.K. Chesterton Study Centre
(Mackey was the administrator).
Box 4, Folder 1-16
Photocopied letters relating to Elisabeth Jungmann
ca. 1933-1960,
2007
Scope and Content Note
These folders include photocopies of letters primarily to and from
Elisabeth Jungmann. Some letters are between mutual friends of hers.
Letters are in English and German. Also included is a photocopy of a
memorial for Jungmann (folder 16), and her work history (folder 6). Also
included is a letter from Corry Nethery to Bruce Whiteman describing the
donated photocopies -- "primarily from the Staatsbibliothek Preussischer
Kulturbesitz in Berlin, some from the Deutsches Literaturarchiv in the
Schiller National Museum in Marbach, and a few sent to [the Netherys] by
Mark Samuels Lasner."
Box 4
George Hoyningen-Huene brochure
1970
Scope and Content Note
A brochure about George Hoyningen-Huene (fashion photographer) after
a collection was received by USC's Doheny Library and an exhibit was put
on at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. The brochure was edited by
Wallace Nethery.
