Frederic W. Goudy Correspondence Collection MS-0546
Christopher Pappas
Special Collections & University Archives
04/26/2018
5500 Campanile Dr. MC 8050
San Diego, CA 92182-8050
askscua@sdsu.edu
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & University Archives
Title: Frederic W. Goudy Correspondence Collection
Creator:
Goudy, Frederic W.
Identifier/Call Number: MS-0546
Physical Description:
0.20 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1929-1946
Language of Material:
English
.
This collection consists of correspondence from Goudy to his close friends and family. The majority of the letters are addressed
to Grace Gray, a family friend who lives in Omaha, Nebraska, who lives in Goudy's deceased Aunt Alice's home. The dated letters
have been placed in alphabetical order. Letters lacking a posted date, as well as miscellaneous items, such as newspaper clippings,
have been placed at the rear of the stack.
In 1939, Goudy's printing press, the Village Letter Foundry, was destroyed by a fire and much of his work was lost. He sends
a printed letter to hundreds of friends, family members, and acquaintances who sent him their condolences: "What a comfort
it is to realize the wealth of friendship that is mine, to have the regard & affection of so many manifested so patently by
them; it softens the blow greatly." He mentions that he had the shop for 31 years and lost over 20 new typefaces in the fire.
Goudy frequently travels between Berkeley, Chicago, New York, and other cities giving lectures to book clubs and universities.
He shares with Grace his receiving his doctorates from Syracuse University, and becoming a guest lecturer within the university's
School of Journalism. He also receives the highest honorary degree that the University of California (UC) system has to offer,
commenting to Grace, "Pretty nice for a mere high school graduate without any college or university training?" Several book
clubs, including the Grolier Club, grant him awards and permanent memberships.
His association with Grace becomes increasingly intimate. One early letter highlights his desire for a closer affiliation:
"Is there any way I can make you stop addressing me as 'Mr.' – why can't I be just 'Fred' instead?" He invites Grace to social
events and fairs, often pressing her on the matter: "We're not getting younger, you know." His travels frequently send him
through Omaha, allowing him to visit Grace regularly. In one letter, he writes, "I love you and wouldn't do anything to hurt
you."
Another acquaintance often mentioned in his letters to Grace is Florence Elizabeth. In 1940, Goudy arranges for Florence and
Grace to meet in a hotel in Omaha: "You'll know her by her smiling countenance and golden brown hair, and you'll like her."
He also adds, "I remember you said you were going to 'make her jealous' so go to it."
Goudy often reflects on his life and updates Grace on his current projects and endeavors. In one letter, he shares how his
29-year old son, Frederic T. Goudy, works in his shop but lacks the desire to follow in his footsteps; he wants to construct
radios instead. Goudy also comments on his sister, Josie's, preference to travel by airplane: "Things have certainly changed
since she lived on a Dakota prairie and travelled by horse and wagon." Goudy publishes a new book,
Hypologia, which he sends a copy of to Grace and agrees to sign it when he visits Omaha. He is also working on a new "American" type
for book use, which will be showcased in new publication of Rip Van Winkle.
He often writes about his failing health, from illnesses to physical injuries. In one letter, he apologizes to Grace for not
writing more frequently due to recently tearing the ligaments in his right arm after slipping on the lower step of a street
car: "The surgeon says I'll never have more than 50% use of it again." A growing fatigue becomes increasingly prevalent in
his letters to Grace.
There are a few miscellaneous items, namely newspaper clippings, with information pertaining to Goudy's professional achievements.
One piece comments on Goudy's early success in typography, having won acclaim with his type used in H.G. Wells' 1911 book
of short stories. One Nebraska newspaper article, entitled "Here, Mr. Goudy is One of Your 110 Type Faces," writes on Goudy's
frequent visits to Miss Gray's home in Omaha.
Chronological.
This collection is open for research.
The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with
the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections
is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine. Requests for permission to publish must be
submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission
is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission
of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available
for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including
but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.
9999-218
Dick Yale Papers, 1913-2002
Identification of item, folder title, box number,
Frederic W. Goudy Correspondence Collection, Special Collections and University Archives, San Diego State University Library.
Frederic Goudy was born March 8, 1865, in Bloomington, Illinois. He was an American printer and type designer whose typefaces
include Copperplate Gothic, Goudy Old Style, and Kennerley. He was widely known for the success of his typefaces between 1915
and 1940, and often gave speeches regarding his passion for letter forms.
He was married to Bertha Matilda Sprinks, a typographer and fine press printer, from 1897 until her death in 1935. Frederic
Goudy died on May 11, 1947, in Marlborough, New York.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Typographers--United States
Goudy, Frederic W. (Frederic William), 1865-1947
box 1, folder 1
box 1, folder 2
box 1, folder 3
box 1, folder 4
box 1, folder 5
box 1, folder 6
Letters to Grace Gray Folder 6 1939
Scope and Contents note: 6 letters total. Letter contents include: Updates on visit from Florence while in Berkeley, California,
various arrangements to visit Omaha, updates on home rennovations, weather, and studio furnishings, and a mass-printed message
regarding the burning down of Goudy's printing shop around February or March of 1939.
box 1, folder 7
box 1, folder 8
box 1, folder 9
Letters to Grace Gray Folder 9 1942-1944
box 1, folder 10
Newspaper Clippings Folder 10 1939; 1946
Scope and Contents note: Clippings relate to Goudy's professional printing history, beginning in 1896 with his first major
success in 1911 when he designed the typeface for a book of short stories written by H. G. Wells. Clippings also include information
related to Goudy's friendship with Grace Gray. The National Graphic Arts Education Association News Bulletin (1946) includes
articles re Goudy's election to Honorary Life Membership.
box 1, folder 11
Postal Service Reciepts Folder 11 1938; 1940
box 1, folder 12
Collection Gift Reciept from San Diego State University Folder 12 1977