H. N. Swanson Agency records, 1920s-1980s, bulk 1934-1969

Collection context

Summary

Creators:
H. N. Swanson Agency
Extent:
127 linear feet of papers.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The H. N. Swanson Agency records span the years 1920s-1980s (bulk 1934-1969) and encompass 127 linear feet. The collection consists of the agency's client files, including correspondence and contracts; and office files, including advertising, client lists, clippings, form letters, playbills, and publicity. In addition there are four scrapbooks.

Biographical / historical:

The H. N. Swanson Agency, an American literary agency that represented book authors and screenwriters, was formed in 1934 by H. N. Swanson in Los Angeles. Harold Norling Swanson (1899-1991), known as Swanie, was an American literary agent active in film from 1934 to 1989. He came to California in 1931, and within a few years he set up shop representing fiction and screen writers for Hollywood films. Pearl S. Buck, Raymond Chandler, William Faulkner, and F. Scott Fitzgerald were among his clients. In 1989, Swanson's stepson, Thomas Shanks, became operations chief.

Acquisition information:
Gift of H. N. Swanson, Inc., 1990
Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series: 1. Correspondence; 2. Subject files; 3. Scrapbooks

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Location of this collection:
333 S. La Cienega Blvd
Beverly Hills, CA 90211, US
Contact:
(310) 247-3036 extension 2226