James B. Pinker letters, 1903-1934

Collection context

Summary

Creators:
Pinker, James B.
Abstract:
A collection of letters addressed to the British literary agent James Brand Pinker.
Extent:
1.2 Linear Feet (1 box)
Language:
Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. James B. Pinker letters, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of 61 letters addressed to the literary agent James Brand Pinker or to his sons, Eric (1891-1973) and Ralph (1900-1959), from a number of literary figures. The letters mostly discuss business matters handled through Pinker's London or New York offices. The collection includes letters from Freda Uhl Strindberg concerning the legal and financial affairs of Russian writer Mikhail Petrovich Art︠s︡ybashev (1878-1927); there are also letters in the collection concerning the affairs of writer Arnold Bennett.

Biographical / historical:

James Brand Pinker (1863-1922) was an English literary agent. Pinker was born in east London, England, and had little formal schooling; he worked as a shipping clerk, newspaper correspondent and agent, and reader and assistant editor. In 1896, he established an office in London, England, as a literary agent; he negotiated rights and contracts for authors in both the American and British markets and was established as one of the leading literary agents of his time. Among his clients were Joseph Conrad, Henry James, Jack London, Henry Lawson, Stephen Crane, Ford Madox Ford, James Joyce, George Gissing, Violet Hunt, and Arnold Bennett. Pinker died at the Biltmore Hotel, New York, New York, on 8 February 1922 from influenza and pneumonia-related complications contracted on the boat voyage from London.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from W. A. Myers, January 1974.
Processing information:

Processed by Huntington Library Staff, February 1976. In 2020, Gayle Richardson created the finding aid derived from legacy in-house summary report.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. James B. Pinker letters, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191