Finding Aid for the Collection of Material About Eden Phillpotts, 1890-1960

Processed by Manuscripts Division staff; machine-readable finding aid created by Caroline Cubé

UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections

Manuscripts Division

Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library

Box 951575

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575

Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu

URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/special/scweb/

Finding Aid for the Collection of Material About Eden Phillpotts, 1890-1960

Collection number: 651

UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections

Manuscripts Division

Los Angeles, CA

Contact Information

Manuscripts Division
UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Telephone: 310/825-4988 (10:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Pacific Time)
Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu
URL: http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/special/scweb/

Processed by:: Manuscripts Division staff
Encoded by:: Caroline Cubé
Text converted and initial container list EAD tagging by:: Apex Data Services
Online finding aid edited by:: Josh Fiala, April 2002

Descriptive Summary

Title: Collection of Material About Eden Phillpotts,

Date (inclusive): 1890-1960

Collection number: 651

Extent: 8 boxes (4.0 linear ft.)

Repository: University of California, Los Angeles. Library. Department of Special Collections.

Los Angeles, California 90095-1575

Abstract: Eden Phillpotts (1862-1960) published over 250 works including some 150 novels plus poems, essays, plays, short stories, and mysteries. The collection consists of about 900 letters from Phillpotts to his literary agent, W. Morris Coles, various publishers, and to friends and admirers, as well as signed publishers agreements, corrected manuscripts, and clippings.

Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Language: English.

Administrative Information

Restrictions on Use and Reproduction

Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Restrictions on Access

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Advance notice required for access.

Additional Physical Form Available

A copy of the original version of this online finding aid is available at the UCLA Department of Special Collections for in-house consultation and may be obtained for a fee. Please contact:

Public Services Division
UCLA Library, Department of Special Collections
Room A1713, Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575
Telephone: 310/825-4988 (10:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m., Pacific Time)
Email: spec-coll@library.ucla.edu

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Collection of Material About Eden Phillpotts (Collection 651). Department of Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.

UCLA Catalog Record ID

UCLA Catalog Record ID: 4232761

Biography

Phillpotts was born on November 4, 1862 in Mount Aboo, Rajputana, India; attended private school in Plymouth, England; worked as a clerk for Sun Fire Insurance Company, London; published over 250 works including some 150 novels plus poems, essays, plays, short stories, and mysteries; best known as author of the play, The Farmer's Wife (1916); his works were often based on life in the west of England, particularly Devon; published works include the Dartmoor novel series and the Human boy series; he died on December 29, 1960 at Broad Clyst, near Exeter, Devon, England.

Scope and Content

Collection consists of about 900 letters from Phillpotts to his literary agent, W. Morris Coles, various publishers, and to friends and admirers, as well as signed publishers agreements, corrected manuscripts, and clippings. Includes a letter from Phillpotts to Clarence Darrow and letters from Arnold Bennett to Phillpotts. Manuscripts include an appreciative essay of Phillpotts' novels, a draft introduction to the Widecombe edition of Phillpotts' novels, The Price of Milly Bassett, and the play, The Secret Women, by Phillpotts.

Expanded Scope and Content

The Eden Phillpotts Collection contains about 900 letters from Phillpotts to W. Morris Coles, his literary agent, and two file boxes of correspondence from Coles to Phillpotts' various publishers.

In addition to this there are smaller groups of letters to friends and admirers, signed publishers' agreements, corrected manuscripts and clippings.

This collection of papers supplements the collection of printed works by Phillpotts housed in this department.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Phillpotts, Eden, 1862-1960--Correspondence.

Authors, English--20th century--Archival resources.

Manuscripts for publication.

Letters from Eden Phillpotts to W. Morris Colles, ca.1892-1926

Physical Description: 1,165 items in 6 scrapbook vols.

Creator/Collector: Lasarus Collection.

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence chiefly with W. Morris Colles, Phillpott's literary agent contained in 6 scrapbooks. There are approximately 1,100 holograph letters signed by Phillpotts, as well as 55 signed receipts, 10 letters to Phillpotts from various publishers, with holograph notes by Phillpotts in margins. A few letters are addressed to Messrs. Metcalfe, Johnson and Grey, presumably associates of Mr. Colles. Letters are written in London, Torquay, Sam Remo, Rome and other places.

Box 4

1892-1899.

Box 4

1900-1901.

Box 5

1902-1904.

Box 5

1905-1906.

Box 6

1907-1908.

Box 6

1909-1926.

Box 1

Letters from Eden Phillpotts to W. Morris Colles. 1892-1928.

Physical Description: 234 items. Holograph. (3 folders: Folder 1, 72 items; Folder 2, 57 items; Folder 3, 105 items).

Creator/Collector: 1. Colles, William Morris, 1855-1926. 2. Authors' Syndicate, London.

Correspondence of W. Morris Colles, Phillpotts' literary agent, regarding the marketing of Phillpotts' works, ca.1892-1927.

Physical Description: 900 items in two cloth boxes, 30 × 24 cm.

Creator/Collector: Lasarus Collection.

Scope and Content Note

Correspondence with Methuen, Nelson, MacMillan, Baron Tauchnits, The Graphic, Pall Mall and many other publishing companies. The papers include letters, telegrams, receipts, 1 check, some clippings. A number of letters annotated by Phillpotts.

Box 7

1892-1903.

Box 8

1904-1915.

Box 1

Letters to Harold Kamp. Torquay. April 29, 1927-December 31, n.d.

Physical Description: 6 holograph letters signed.

Creator/Collector: Purchase: Chiswick Bookshop.

Scope and Content Note

Letters to an American admirer containing evaluations of other writers: Sherwood Anderson, E.M. Forster.

Box 1

Letters to Ernest Benn, publishers. Letters and postcards. 1926-1931. Broad Clyst.

Physical Description: 19 pieces.

Creator/Collector: Purchase: Rota.

Box 1

Letters to Philip Ridgeway. 1929-1930.

Physical Description: 30 pieces.

Scope and Content Note

27 pieces and two telegrams concerning production of the play The Secret Woman and contract with producer Ridgeway.

Box 1

Letters to Holbrook Jackson. 1911-1920.

Physical Description: 16 pieces.

Note

Some pieces addressed to To-day, which Jackson edited.

Box 1

Letters to The Bookman, Hodder and Stoughton. 1917-21.

Physical Description: 4 pieces.

Box 1

Letter to Adam L. Gowans, Jr. June 28, 1911.

Physical Description: 1p. holograph, signed. In folder.

Creator/Collector: Purchase: Drake, 1956.

Box 1

Letters to various people. 1894- .

Physical Description: 36 pieces.

Scope and Content Note

Letters to Secker, Orage and others.

1 letter to Sir Algernon Methuen, December 23, 1907.

1 letter to Henry Woodd Nevinson, June 10, 1910.

1 letter to Frances Mary Peard, October 8, 1906.

Box 1

Letter to Clarence Darrow. Kerswell, Broadclyst. October 18, 1933.

Physical Description: In folder.

Creator/Collector: Gerson Collection and extracted from book For Remembrance.

Scope and Content Note

Together with letter from Adelaide Phillpotts to Darrow. 1933.

Box 1 & 2

Publishers agreements. London, ca.1892-1908.

Physical Description: 80 pieces.

Creator/Collector: Purchase: Powell, England.

Creator/Collector: Purchase: Rota, October 1955.

Scope and Content Note

Drawn up between the Authors' Syndicate and various publishers concerning the publication of Phillpotts' books. Printed documents signed.

Box 2

Bill Parker's Legacy (and) In the Water-Cress Bed.

Physical Description: Typescript with corrections in the author's hand in red ink. 20 and 33 leaves. In folder.

Creator/Collector: Purchase: Rota, 1952.

Note

Bill Parker's Legacy bears the stamp of Kennedy and Livingstone, Incorporated, New York City. In the Water-Cress Bed has the name of Messrs. Hughes and Massie & Company, London, typed on top page.

Box 2

Circe's Island and the Girl and the Faun. London, G. Richard. 1926.

Physical Description: With holograph corrections by the author.

Box 2

Farm of Dagger. Short 60,000 word Serial.' 1902.

Physical Description: Holograph manuscript signed. 2pp.

Creator/Collector: Purchase: Rota, October 1955.

Scope and Content Note

Abstract of short story with pencilled in title Farm of Dagger. Story to take place in Dartmoor in 1813. 2 farmers are mortal enemies and the love interest is to be provided by the daughter of one farmer, the nephew of the other.

Box 2

The Messenger Flower. 1919(?).

Physical Description: Typescript. 10pp. In folder.

Scope and Content Note

Box 2

My Devon Year Book.

Physical Description: 1p. holograph signed abstract of a promised book.

Creator/Collector: Purchase: Rota, October 1955.

Scope and Content Note

Suggesting a series of 52 papers one for each week in the year... taking every phase of our Mother Nature in Devon-moorlands, valley, woods...

Box 2

A State department for the unborn.

Physical Description: 8 pp. holograph manuscript.

Scope and Content Note

(An open letter to the Editor: New Age).

Box 2

Bennett, Arnold. Introduction to the Widecombe edition of Phillpotts novels.

Physical Description: 12 holograph pages. Draft with many corrections. Bound in full red morocco with many blank 1.

Creator/Collector: Lasarus collection. Bookplate by Arthur Rackham. Purchase: L.C. Powell. I. Rackham, Arthur, 1867-1939.

Box 2

Arnold Bennett. The novels of Eden Phillpotts: an essay in appreciation.

Physical Description: 42pp. holograph manuscript with title page and 3 illuminated letters in the style of an old manuscript. Bound in red morocco.

Creator/Collector: Gift from Bennett to Phillpotts: the original draft--if you please. Lazarus collection. Bookplate by Arthur Rackham. I. Rackham, Arthur, 1867-1939.

Box 2

Letters, signed, to Sir and Lady John Martin-Harvey. 1915-1942.

Physical Description: 33 items.

Scope and Content Note

Letters discuss the writing of plays by Phillpotts for Sir and Lady John Martin-Harvey to produce and act in. I. Harvey, Sir John Martin-, 1863-1944.

With these: 1 letter (carbon) and a synopsis of a projected play from Sir John Martin-Harvey to Eden Phillpotts, January, 1916. 2 items.

Box 2

Letters, signed. 1913.

Physical Description: 13 pp. 3 items, mounted and bound in red cloth.

Creator/Collector: Ex libris: C.K. Ogden.

Scope and Content Note

1. to C.A. Bang, Torquay. November 6, 1913.

2. to Montague, Torquay. September 16, 1913.

With these: Scenario of new novel by Eden Phillpotts [original typescript]. n,p. n.d.

Box 2

Letters, signed, to Curtus Brown. Torquay. 1917-1919.

Physical Description: 9 items.

Creator/Collector: Ex libris: C.K. Ogden.

Note

Brown was an agent of Phillpotts, and these letters mainly relate to business transactions in connection with Phillpotts 's writing.

Box 3

Letters, signed, to James Nicol Dunn. v.p. 1897-1911.

Physical Description: 22 items, mounted and bound with typescripts of letters in cloth with brown leather spine.

Creator/Collector: Ex libris: C.K. Ogden.

Creator/Collector: 1. Dunn, James Nicol, 1856-1919.

Note

James Nicol Dunn, 1856-1919, was a newspaper man, who, at various times was editor of the Morning Post, London, editor of the Manchester Courier, editor of the Star, Johannesburg, and London editor of the Glasgow News.

Box 3

Letters, signed, to Florence Emily Hardy [Mrs. Thomas Hardy]. v.p. 1915-1926.

Physical Description: 9 items.

Creator/Collector: 1. Hardy, Florence Emily (Dugdale).

Scope and Content Note

Phillpotts was a close friend of the Hardys, and touches on many subjects in his letters.

Box 3

Six poems v.p. 1928-1948.

Physical Description: 6 leaves. Holograph.

Scope and Content Note

To Adelaide [a sonnet, signed E.P.] March 29, 1928.

Branscombe (1932) [a poem of 20 lines, signed E.P.] September 12, 1932.

Exeter [a sonnet, signed E.P.] August 1948.

Generoso [a sonnet, unsigned] n.d.

The Flower-Girls [a poem of six stanzas of four lines each, signed Eden Phillpotts] n.d.

Eviction [a poem of two stanzas of four lines each, signed Eden Phillpotts] n.d.

Box 3

Letters, signed, from Adelaide Eden Phillpotts to various persons. v.p. v.d.

Physical Description: 2 items. Holograph.

Box 3

Letters, signed, to Arthur Morrison. Exeter, Devon. 1940-1945.

Physical Description: 17 items. Holograph.

Creator/Collector: 1. Norrison, Arthur, 1863-1945.

Box 3

Bennett, Arnold, 1867-1931. v.p. 1900-1930.

Physical Description: 18 items. Holograph. With typescripts.

Creator/Collector: 1. Bennett, Arnold, 1867-1931.

Scope and Content Note

Letters to Mr. and/or Mrs. Eden Phillpotts, and their daughter, Adelaide.

Box 3

Letters to William Repton. v.p. 1924-1942.

Physical Description: 65 items. Holograph. (2 folders: Folder 1, 44 items; Folder 2, 21 items)

Creator/Collector: 1. Repton, William

Note

William Repton, a poet, is listed in the New British Museum Catalogue.

Box 3

Letters to Isaac Foot. v.p. 1924-1955.

Physical Description: 12 items. Holograph.

Creator/Collector: 1. Foot, Isaac, 1880-1960.

Scope and Content Note

With these: 2 letters from Waveney Girvan on stationery of The West Country Magazine (September 30, 1952) and T. Werner Laurie, Limited, Publishers, (October 26, 1953) to Isaac Foot, re Eden Phillpotts.

Box 3

Letters to William Harold Maas. Torquay. 1918-1920.

Physical Description: 9 items. Holograph.

Creator/Collector: 1. Maas, William Harold

Scope and Content Note

With these: Warner's King, [a poem by Phillpotts] n.p., n.d. (2 leaves. Typescript with holograph corrections in ink). Enclosed in a letter dated September 12, 1920.

Box 3

Letters to John William Robertson Scott. Kerswell, Broadclyst, Devon. 1947-1957.

Physical Description: 9 items. Holograph.

Creator/Collector: 1. Robertson Scott, John William, 1866- .

Scope and Content Note

With these: 2 Christmas cards from Mr. and Mrs. Phillpotts to Robertson Scott; a four-line poem (typescript, signed) by Robertson Scott, sent to Phillpotts on his eighty-sixth birthday; Obit of Phillpotts (1 leaf, typescript); quotations from Phillpotts in the hand of Robertson Scott (1 leaf).

Box 3

Tyche in Park Lane, by Eden Phillpotts. Torquay. n.d.

Physical Description: 5 leaves. Typescript (carbon) with holograph corrections in red ink.

Creator/Collector: Publishing history unknown.

Box 3

Letters to the Cornhill Magazine. London. 1884-1887.

Physical Description: 4 items. Holograph.

Creator/Collector: 1. The Cornhill Magazine.

Scope and Content Note

These letters accompenied the manuscripts of short stories submitted to Cornhill Magazine.

Box 3

Letters to Adrian Brunel. Kerswell, Broadclyst, Devon. 1949-1950.

Physical Description: 2 items. Holograph.

Creator/Collector: 1. Brunel, Adrian, 1892-

Scope and Content Note

With these: Letters (carbons) from Brunel to Phillpotts. n.p., 1949-1950 (2 items. Typescript).

Box 3

Letters to George Morley of Leamington, England, London. 1895-1897.

Physical Description: 3 items. Holograph.

Creator/Collector: 1. Morley, George, of Leamington, England.

Box 3

Letters to T. Werner Laurie. Torquay and Princetown, Devonshire. 1924-1925.

Physical Description: 19 items. Holograph.

Creator/Collector: 1. Laurie, T. Werner.

Box 4

Letters to Bache Matthews. 1922-1936. Kerswell, Broadclyst, Torquay.

Physical Description: 8 items. Holograph.

Creator/Collector: 1. Matthews, Bache, 1876- .

Box 3

Letters to Eden Phillpotts from various persons. v.p. v.d.

Physical Description: 3 items. Holograph.

Scope and Content Note

Dunn, James Nicol, 1856-1919. 1 letter, January 1, 1898.

Lutz, Robert. 1 letter, September 9, 1906.

Box 3

The Secret Woman: A Play in Five Acts, by Eden Phillpotts. London, Duckworth & Company. 1912. 90, [1]p. Inscribed, Direction, Eden Phillpotts, Torquay, on the blank leaf before the title page. Interleaved copy, bound in red cloth, with author's corrections and directions in red ink for a stage production. Also contains pencil notes in another hand.

Box 3

Phillpotts, Eden, 18-1960. The Price of Milly Bassett by Eden Phillpotts. n.p. n.d.

Physical Description: 23 leaves, 21.5 × 28 cm. Typescript with holograph corrections in red ink.

Physical Description: Signed on the title page by the author.

Physical Description: In beige paper cover.

Creator/Collector: Ex libris: Paul Jordan Smith.

Creator/Collector: Gift of Wilbur J. Smith, 1980.