Guide to The Reaper Records, 1979-1989
Processed by Patricia White.
Department of Special Collections
Green Library
Stanford University Libraries
Stanford, CA 94305-6004
Phone: (650) 725-1022
Email: specialcollections@stanford.edu
URL: http://library.stanford.edu/spc
© 2002
The Board of Trustees of Stanford University. All rights reserved.
Guide to The Reaper Records, 1979-1989
Collection number: M0512
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Stanford University Libraries
Stanford, California
Contact Information
- Department of Special Collections
- Green Library
- Stanford University Libraries
- Stanford, CA 94305-6004
- Phone: (650) 725-1022
- Email: specialcollections@stanford.edu
- URL: http://library.stanford.edu/spc
- Processed by:
- Patricia White
- Date Completed:
- 1989 Dec.
- Encoded by:
- Steven Mandeville-Gamble
© 2002 The Board of Trustees of Stanford University. All rights reserved.
Descriptive Summary
Title: The Reaper Records,
Date (inclusive): 1979-1989
Collection number: M0512
Extent:
4.5 linear ft.
Repository:
Stanford University. Libraries. Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives.
Abstract: Records pertain to the editorial process of THE REAPER, its production, finiancial management, and other miscellaneous business,
as well as the literary interests and opinions of its editors and contributing authors. Included is correspondence between
the poetry editors Mark Jarman and Robert McDowell; letters received from authors, subscribers, and others; submitted manuscripts;
production files for most issues consisting of original contents, paste up, galleys, artwork, related correspondence, and
printing flats; grant applications; mailing records; clippings and reviews; and other business records.
Language:
English.
Administrative Information
Access
None.
Publication Rights
Property rights reside with the repository. Literary rights
reside with the creators of the documents or their heirs. To
obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the
Public Services Librarian of the Dept. of Special Collections.
Preferred Citation
The Reaper Records. M0512. Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Acquisition Information
Purchased, 1988.
Biography
The Reaper, a small poetry and fiction magazine founded by Robert McDowell and Mark Jarman, was an important voice in the
movement in American poetry known as the New Narrative or the New Formalism, which began in the late seventies. The movement
attacked the free verse poetics of autobiographical experiences that the Beats had espoused in the 1950's . The New Formalists
argued for a return to meter and rhyme, recognition of the importance of narrative, and the inclusion of public as well as
private experience. From Issue #1, published in 1980, to Issue #19/20, the final issue, to be published in 1990 , The Reaper
was strongly committed to narrative poetry and published many of the authors working in this new form including Dana Gioia,
Rita Dove, Frederick Morgan, Liam Rector, Chris Semansky, Chase TWichell, and Rusty White. In addition, The Reaper published
Jarman and McDowell's reviews and critidal essays on modern poetry that prompted reviewers to call it "feisty and iconoclastic."
Collection Scope and Content Summary
The records of The Reaper, dating from 1979 to 1989 , are arranged in three series : correspondence, issue files, and business
files. They document the editorial process of the journal, its production, financial management, and other miscellaneous business
aspects, as well as the literary interests and opinions of its editors and contributing authors.
Access Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Carter, Jared.
Cervantes, James.
Dove, Rita.
Eberhart, Richard, 1904-.
Flynn, Richard.
Gioia, Dana.
Haas, Barbara.
Hall, Donald, 1928-.
Hilton, David, 1938-.
Jarman, Mark.
Joselow, Beth.
McDowell, Robert, 1953-.
Mastro, Mark Anthony.
Morgan, Frederick, 1922-.
Rector, Liam, 1949-.
Semansky, Chris.
Twichell, Chase, 1950-.
Wilhemous, Tom.
American literature--20th. century.
Poetry, modern--20th. century.
Collection Contents
Series 1: Correspondence,
1980-1989
Scope and Content Note
Series I , Correspondence, is divided into two sections . The first contains correspondence of the editors, Mark Jaxman, Robert
McDowell, and Tom Wilhemus. The bulk of this section is letters between Jarnian and McDowell, poetry editors, 1980-1989, discussing
poems submitted, production details, financial matters, their joint articles, and general literary matters, with some personal
news included. Manuscripts are included with some of the letters ; in addition there are photocopies of a typescript poem
and a letter from Robert Bly to Robert McDowell, 1985. There are also other letters of Robert McDowell and a small number
of letters from Tom Wilhemus, fiction editor. Correspondence in this section is separated by editor and then arranged chronologically.
The second section consists of letters to The Reaper from potential and published authors, subscribers, and readers, including
a special file of correspondence with British poets. These letters are arranged alphabetically, with the general alphabet
preceding files for specific authors. Some of the letters from authors include poetry manuscripts submitted for consideration.
Authors represented by more than one or two letters were separated from the general alphabet and include Jared Carter, Rita
Dove, Dana Gioia , Donald Ha, Liani Rector, and Chase Twichell . AU of the correspondence is open to researchers except for
two letters by Donald Hall which were pulled from the collection due to their confidential nature.
Box 1, Folder 1
Jarman, Mark to Robert McDowell, 1980-1982
Box 1, Folder 2
Jarman, Mark to Robert McDowell, 1983-1986
Box 1, Folder 3
Jarman, Mark to Robert McDowell , 1987-1989 and undated
Box 1, Folder 4
McDowell, Robeit to Mark Jarman, 1980-1984
Box 1, Folder 5
MCDcwell, Robert to Mark Janiian, 1985
Box 1, Folder 6
McDowell , Robext to Mark Jarman, 1986
Box 1, Folder 7
McDowell, Robert to Mark Jarmnan, 1987
Box 1, Folder 8
McDowell, Robert to Mark Jarman, 1988-1989 and undated
Box 1, Folder 9
Dowel, Robert. Letters, 1985-1987 and undated
Box 1, Folder 10
Wilheinus, Toni. Letters, 1985 and undated
Box 1, Folder 11
Letters to The Reaper: A-B, 1981-1989
Box 1, Folder 12
Letters to The Reaper: C-D, 1981-1989
Box 1, Folder 13
Letters to The Reaper: Carter, Jared, 1981-1983
Box 1, Folder 14
Letters to The Reaper: Ceivantes, James, 1981-1983
Box 1, Folder 15
Letters to The Reaper: Dove, Rita, 1981-1984
Box 1, Folder 16
Letters to The Reaper: E-G, 1981-1986
Box 1, Folder 17
Letters to The Reaper: Eberhait, Richard, 1981
Box 1, Folder 18
Letters to The Reaper: Flynn, Richard, 1984-1986
Box 1, Folder 19
Letters to The Reaper: Gioia, Dana, 1982-1986
Box 1, Folder 20
Letters to The Reaper: H, 1981-1989
Box 1, Folder 21
Letters to The Reaper: Haas, Barbara, 1982
Box 1, Folder 22
Letters to The Reaper: Hall , Donald, 1983-1985
Box 1, Folder 23
Letters to The Reaper: Hall, Donald, 1986-1988
Box 1, Folder 24
Letters to The Reaper: Hilton, David, 1981-1984
Box 1, Folder 25
Letters to The Reaper: I-K, 1981-1988
Box 1, Folder 26
Letters to The Reaper: Joselow, Beth, 1981-1984
Box 1, Folder 27
Letters to The Reaper: L, 1981-1988
Box 1, Folder 28
Letters to The Reaper: Ma-Mh, 1981-1986
Box 1, Folder 29
Letters to The Reaper: Mastro, Mark Anthony, 1982
Box 1, Folder 30
Letters to The Reaper: Mi-Mz, 1982-1988
Box 1, Folder 31
Letters to The Reaper: Morgan, Frederick, 1981-1988
Box 1, Folder 32
Letters to The Reaper: N-P, 1980-1986
Box 1, Folder 33
Letters to The Reaper: Q-R, 1981-1982
Box 1, Folder 34
Letters to The Reaper: Rector, Liam, 1983 and undated
Box 1, Folder 35
Letters to The Reaper: S-T, 1981-1985
Box 1, Folder 36
Letters to The Reaper: Semansky, chris, 1985 and undated
Box 1, Folder 37
Letters to The Reaper: Twichell, chase, 1980-1985
Box 1, Folder 38
Letters to The Reaper: U-Z, 1981-1982 and undated
Box 1, Folder 39
Letters to The Reaper: [No last name], 1981-1985
Box 1, Folder 40
Correspondence with British poets, 1980-1981
Scope and Content Note
Graham Chainey, Tony Curtis, Douglas Dunn, D.J.Enright, Duncan Forbes, Mike Jenkins, Kevin Porter, Jon Silkin, David Sweetnian,
and D.M.Thornas.
Series 2: Issue files,
1979-1988
Scope and Content Note
Series II, Issue Files, documents the production of The Reaper, and is primarily arranged by issue number; photocopies of
the table of contents from each issue are included with this guide. Each issue may or may not include the following files:
original contents, photocopies of contents, paste up, photocopy of paste up, galleys, artwork, related correspondence from
authors, artists, and between the editors, and miscellaneous items such as backgrOund materials, revisions of lead essays,
and extra covers. Oversized and non-paper items such as paste up sheets, printing flats, and printing plates have been boxed
separately. Issues 1 through 11 are especially well documented; there are partial files on Issues 12 , 13 , 16 , and 18 .
Issues 14 , 15 , and 17 are not represented in the collection at all. The remainder of this series consists of accepted poems
that were never published and other miscellaneous manuscripts.
Box 1, Folder 1
Issue #1: Original contents
Box 1, Folder 3
Issue #1: Photocopy of paste up
Box 1, Folder 4
Issue #1: Essays from "After the Flood" Workshop,1979
Box 1, Folder 5
Issue #2: Original contents
Box 1, Folder 6
Issue #2: Photocopy of contents
Box 1, Folder 7
Issue #2: Typeset galleys
Box 1, Folder 8
Issue #2: Photocopy of paste up
Box 1, Folder 9
Issue #2: Miscellaneous items
Box 1, Folder 10
Issue #3 : Original contents
Box 1, Folder 11
Issue #3: Photocopy of contents
Box 1, Folder 13
Issue #3: Photocopy of paste up
Box 1, Folder 14
Issue #4 : Original contents
Box 1, Folder 15
Issue #4 : Photocopy of contents
Box 1, Folder 17
Issue #4 : Related correspondence
Box 1, Folder 18
Issue #5 : Original contents
Box 2, Folder 2
Issue #5 : Photocopy of contents
Box 2, Folder 2
Issue #5 :Related correspondence
Box 2, Folder 4
Issue #6 : Original contents
Box 2, Folder 5
Issue #6 : Photocopy of contents
Box 2, Folder 6
Issue #6 : Related correspondence
Box 2, Folder 7
Issue #7 : Original contents
Box 2, Folder 8
Issue #7 :Photocopy of contents
Box 2, Folder 9
Issue #7 : Photocopy of galleys
Box 2, Folder 10
Issue #7 : Related correspondence
Box 2, Folder 11
Issue #8: Original contents
Box 2, Folder 12
Issue #8: Photocopy of contents
Box 2, Folder 13
Issue #8: Related correspondence
Box 2, Folder 14
Issue #8: Revisions of lead essay
Box 2, Folder 15
Issue #9 : Original contents (partial)
Box 2, Folder 16
Issue #9 : Photocopy of contents
Box 2, Folder 17
Issue #9 : Related correspondence
Box 2, Folder 18
Issue #9 : "The Dogtown Letters" version 1
Box 2, Folder 19
Issue #9 : "The Dogtown Letters" version 2
Box 3, Folder 1
Issue #10: Original contents
Box 3, Folder 2
Issue #10: Photocopy of contents (partial)
Box 3, Folder 4
Issue #10: Related correspondence
Box 3, Folder 5
Issue #11: Original contents
Box 3, Folder 7
Issue #11:Related correspondence
Box 3, Folder 8
Issue #11: "How to Write Narrative Poetry: A Reaper checklist" - earlier version of lead essay
Box 3, Folder 9
Issue #12 : Original contents (partial)
Box 3, Folder 10
Issue #13: "Forever Young: A Survey, Conducted, by The Reaper" - typescript, letter, notes
Box 3, Folder 11
Issue #13: "Narrative and Awareness" by Barbara Haas
Box 3, Folder 12
Issue #16: Original contents (partial)
Box 3, Folder 13
Issue #16:Related correspondence
Box 3, Folder 14
Issue #18 : Original contents (partial)
Box 3, Folder 15
Issue #18 : Thotocopy of contents
Box 3, Folder 16
Issue #18 : Related correspondence
Box 3, Folder 17
Accepted poems, unpublished
Box 3, Folder 18
Miscellaneous manuscripts
Oversize 4, Folder 6
Miscellaneous paste up sheets
Oversize 5, Folder 2
Issue #2 : Printing flats
Oversize 5, Folder 4
Issue #7 : Printing flats
Oversize 5, Folder 5
Miscellaneous printing flats
Oversize 5, Folder 6
Issue #1: Printing plates
Series 3: Business files,
1980-1988
Scope and Content Note
Series III, Business Files, concerns the non-literary side of The Reaper, primarily its financial affairs. Included are grant
applications to the Coordinating Council of Literary Magazines, the Indiana Arts Commission, and the National Endowment for
the Arts ; notes and records of printing and publication costs ; and purchase orders from libraries and bookstores. Non-financial
materials in this series include mailing records, clippings and reviews, and a resume of Robert McDowell.
Box 1, Folder 1
Bulk rate mailing records and address lists, 1981-1984
Box 1, Folder 3
Coordinating Council of Literary Magazines, grant applications , 1981-1983
Box 1, Folder 5
Indiana Arts Conmiission, grant applications, 1980-1982
Box 1, Folder 6
Indiana State University Evansville, memoranda, 1982
Box 1, Folder 7
Miscellaneous business records
Box 1, Folder 8
National Endowment for the Arts, grant applications, 1984-1987
Box 1, Folder 9
Printing and publication costs, 1980-1982
Box 1, Folder 10
Resume, Robert McDowell , 1988
Box 1, Folder 11
Retail and library orders, 1983-1986
Box 1, Folder 12
Reviews of The Reaper, 1980-1987
