Battan (David) Research Correspondence, ca.1938-1984 (bulk 1981-1984)

Printable guide [HTML]

Summary

Title:
David Battan Research Correspondence
Dates:
ca.1938-1984 (bulk 1981-1984)
Creators:
Battan, David, 1938-
Abstract:
Extent:
1 folder or 32 scanned digital items
Language:
Preferred citation:

David Battan Research Correspondence. Forever Saroyan, LLC

Background

Scope and content:

The bulk of this collection includes correspondences from the 1980s between researcher David Battan and various people associated with author William Saroyan, including Aram Saroyan, Al Hirschfeld, Manuel Tolegian, Herbert Gold, and others. There are also other correspondences, notes, drawings, postmarked envelopes, manuscripts, and galleys collected by Battan. Related letters are available in outside collections, including the Williams College William Saroyan Collection, not affiliated with Forever Saroyan, LLC.

Biographical / historical:

David Battan (1938-1987) was a Fresno handwriting expert and a collector and dealer of original manuscripts and autographs. In 1984, he published the book Handwriting Analysis, and at his death was writing a biography about William Saroyan that was never completed or published. He was a member of the board of trustees of the International Manuscript Society and was a prominent collector on the West Coast. He also served as the personnel director of the Fresno County Welfare Department. In the 1980s, while the UC Berkeley Bancroft Library processed Saroyan’s papers on behalf of the William Saroyan Foundation, all items within the collection were blocked from access. More than five years of this embargo kept Battan from performing research on the many unpublished manuscripts, journals, and correspondences within the Saroyan collection, and he died before access opened. Battan collected individual records relating to Saroyan and befriended Saroyan while they both lived in Fresno.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Charles Nelson, 2016

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Forever Saroyan, LLC staff.
Date Prepared:
ca.1938-1984 (bulk 1981-1984)
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open and available for use. Digital scans of all records are available on request.

Terms of access:

Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.

Preferred citation:

David Battan Research Correspondence. Forever Saroyan, LLC

Location of this collection:
San Jose, CA 95112, US