Special Collections Department
Seymour Lawrence Publishing Files
related to Kurt Vonnegut
Manuscript Collection Number: 259
Accessioned: Gift of Seymour Lawrence, May 1987.
Extent: 3.5 linear ft.
Content: Correspondence, photographs, royalty sheets, sales reports,
advertisements, articles, brochures, press releases, reviews, clippings, itineraries, essays,
speeches, jacket copy, cover designs, menus, guest lists, posters, and self portrait.
Access: The collection is open for research.
Processed: October 1992 by Anita Wellner.
-
Special Collections, University of Delaware Library
Newark, Delaware 19717-5267
(302) 831-2229
Table of Contents
Biographical Note
Following his graduation from Harvard, Lawrence pursued a publishing career in Boston. From 1952 to 1954 he worked as special assistant to the editor at the Atlantic Monthly. In 1954 Lawrence moved to the Atlantic Monthly Press, and a year later became the Press's director and editor-in-chief. Lawrence left this position in 1964 after arguing unsuccessfully for unexpurgated publication of J.P. Donleavy's "A Singular Man."
Lawrence's next position was at Alfred A. Knopf in New York, where he became editorial vice president. Discouraged by the weekly commute to New York, Lawrence started his own publishing house in Boston in 1965.
With the creation of Seymour Lawrence, Inc., Lawrence and his wife, Merloyd, became independent publishers. The Lawrences contacted authors and developed their own list of books, but they published in association with a large New York publishing house, Dell, and its hardcover division, Delacorte. Dell and Delacorte financed production, promotion, and distribution in return for a share of the profits.
Lawrence first contacted Kurt Vonnegut in 1966. Vonnegut, whose then current book had sold only 1,500 copies, did not have a regular hardback publisher. By January 30, 1967, he had signed a three book contract with Seymour Lawrence, Inc. Lawrence served as Vonnegut's editor and publisher for over twenty years.
During their association, Lawrence maintained a non-interference policy and functioned more as a friend than an editor to Vonnegut. Their years of correspondence reveal a relationship characterized by humor, mutual support, and honesty. Lawrence remained Vonnegut's editor until the publication of Bluebeard in 1987.
After a brief association with Dutton, Lawrence moved his imprint to Houghton Mifflin in February 1988. As of November 1990, Lawrence continues his career as an independent publisher, providing an essential link between large publishing houses and his writers.
Sources:
Frede, Richard. "Seymour Lawrence," Publishers Weekly. Volume 205, no. 18. May 6, 1974. pp. 12-13.International Year Book and Statesmen's Who's Who. East Grinstead, England: Kelly's Directories, 1990. p. 368.
Scope and Content Note
The papers document the publication of the following books: Welcome to the Monkey House (1968), Slaughterhouse-Five (1969), Happy Birthday, Wanda June (1971), Between Time and Timbuktu or Prometheus-5 (1972), Breakfast of Champions (1973), Wampeters, Foma and Granfalloons (1975), Slapstick (1976), Jailbird (1979), Palm Sunday (1981), and Deadeye Dick (1982).
Because most of the materials in these files are arranged in chronological order, the list of titles and dates in the previous paragraph may serve as a guideline to finding information related to particular titles written by Vonnegut.
Arrangement Note
Series I is titled Professional Papers and consists of correspondence and business materials toward the publication of Vonnegut's books. Series II is titled Promotional Files and contains material toward the promotion of each of the books and of Vonnegut in general. Series III is titled Vonnegut Works and includes manuscripts of essays and speeches by Vonnegut, as well as material toward book jackets and preliminary matter for books by Vonnegut. Series IV is titled Promotional Events and consists of correspondence, itineraries, photographs, and other material related to special dinners and trips involving Kurt Vonnegut. Series V consists of photographs of Vonnegut. Series VI consists of Vonnegut's painted self-portrait. Some material is housed in the oversize section, including clippings, tear sheets, posters, and advertisements. The material in Series I, II, IV, and VII are arranged chronologically. The material in Series III is arranged alphabetically by title of the book.
Series List
I. Professional Papers, 1966-1983 II. Promotional Files, 1966-1982 III. Kurt Vonnegut Works, 1969-1981 IV. Material Related to Promotional Events, 1971-1979 V. Photographs of Kurt Vonnegut, [n.d.] VI. Kurt Vonnegut Self-Portrait, [n.d.]
Contents List
1 Series I. Professional Papers, 1966-1983.
Present are documents from Seymour Lawrence's
files, including correspondence, memoranda,
contract information sheets, sales figures, book
order forms, editorial forms, printing orders,
royalties information, and other papers relating
to his work as Vonnegut's editor and publisher.
Among the correspondence are approximately 65 of
Vonnegut's letters to Lawrence, dating from 1966
to 1980. The presence of Vonnegut's letters is
noted in the appropriate folders. The material
is arranged in chronological order.
F1 1966 Nov-1969 Apr
Two Vonnegut letters present.
F2 1967 May-Sep 18
Three Vonnegut letters present.
F3 1967 Sep 19-Nov
Seven Vonnegut letters present.
F4 1967 Dec-1968 Mar
Two Vonnegut letters present.
F5 1968 Apr-May
One Vonnegut letter present.
F6 1968 Jun-Sep
Two Vonnegut letters present.
F7 1968 Oct-Nov
One Vonnegut letter present and two photographs of
Vonnegut.
F8 1968 Dec-1969 Jan
Three Vonnegut letters present.
F9 1969 Feb
One Vonnegut letter present.
F10 1969 Mar 1-17
Two letters from Joseph Heller present.
F11 1969 Mar 19-Apr
F12 1969 May-Aug
Two Vonnegut letters present.
F13 1969 Sep-Dec
Two Vonnegut letters present and two photographs of
Vonnegut.
F14 1970 Jan-Mar
Two Vonnegut letters present.
F15 1970 Apr-May
One Vonnegut letter present.
F16 1970 Jun-Oct
Two Vonnegut letters present.
F17 1970 Nov-Dec
One Vonnegut letter present.
F18 1971 Jan-Mar
One Vonnegut letter present.
F19 1971 Apr-May
One Vonnegut photograph present.
F20 1971 Jun-Sep
One Vonnegut letter present.
F21 1971 Oct-Dec
One Vonnegut letter present.
F22 1972 Jan-Feb
F23 1972 Mar
F24 1972 Apr
F25 1972 May
F26 1972 Jun
F27 1972 Jul
One Vonnegut letter present.
F28 1972 Aug
F29 1972 Sep 7-11
One Vonnegut letter present.
F30 1972 Sep 13-29
F31 1972 Oct
One Vonnegut postcard present
F32 1972 Nov
F33 1972 Dec 1-17
One Vonnegut letter present.
F34 1972 Dec 20-27
F35 1973 Jan 1-15
F36 1973 Jan 18-30
1 Series I. Professional Papers (cont'd)
F37 1973 Feb 1-22
Includes letters from Harry Levin and Derek Bok.
F38 1973 Feb 23-28
F39 1973 Mar
F40 1973 Apr
F41 1973 May
F42 1973 Jun
One Vonnegut letter present.
F43 1973 Jul
F44 1973 Aug
F45 1973 Sep
One Vonnegut letter present.
F46 1973 Oct
F47 1973 Nov
One Vonnegut letter and one postcard present.
F48 1973 Dec
F49 1974 Jan
F50 1974 Feb
One Vonnegut letter present.
F51 1974 Mar
One Vonnegut letter present.
F52 1974 Apr 1-10
One Vonnegut letter present.
F53 1974 Apr 12-28
F54 1974 May
F55 1974 Jun
F56 1974 Jul
F57 1974 Aug-Sep
One Vonnegut letter present.
F58 1974 Oct
F59 1974 Nov
F60 1974 Dec
F61 1975 Jan-Feb
One Vonnegut letter present.
F62 1975 Mar-Apr
F63 1975 May-Jun
One Vonnegut letter present.
F64 1975 Jul-Sep
F65 1975 Oct-Dec
Three Vonnegut letters present.
2 F66 1976 Jan-Feb
F67 1976 Mar
One Vonnegut letter present.
F68 1976 Apr
F69 1976 May
One Vonnegut letter present.
F70 1976 Jun
Two Vonnegut letters present
F71 1976 Jul
One Vonnegut letter present.
F72 1976 Aug
F73 1976 Sep
F74 1976 Oct
Includes a letter from John Irving.
F75 1976 Nov
One Vonnegut letter present.
F76 1976 Dec
F77 1977 Jan
F78 1977 Feb
F79 1977 Mar
F80 1977 Apr
One Vonnegut letter present.
2 Series I. Professional Papers (cont'd)
F81 1977 May
F82 1977 Jun
F83 1977 Jul
F84 1977 Aug
F85 1977 Sep-Oct
F86 1977 Nov-Dec
F87 1978 Jan-Feb
F88 1978 Mar-Apr
F89 1978 May
F90 1978 Jun
Two Vonnegut letters present.
F91 1978 Jul
F92 1978 Aug-Sep
Two Vonnegut letters present.
F93 1978 Oct-Dec
F94 1979 Jan
One Vonnegut letter present.
F95 1979 Feb
Two Vonnegut letters present.
F96 1979 Mar
F97 1979 Apr
F98 1979 May-Jun
Three photographs of Vonnegut present.
F99 1979 Jul-Sep
One Vonnegut letter present.
F100 1979 Oct-Dec
Two Vonnegut letters present.
F101 1980 Jan-Mar
One Vonnegut letter present.
F102 1980 Apr-Jul
2 Series I. Professional Papers (cont'd)
F103 1980 Aug
F104 1980 Sep-Dec
F105 1981 Jan-Mar
F106 1981 Apr-Jul
F107 1981 Aug-Oct
F108 1982 Feb-Apr
F109 1982 May-Jul
F110 1982 Oct
F111 1983 Mar-Sep
Series II. Promotional Files, 1966-1982.
Includes advertisements, advertising schedules,
articles, brochures, flyers, best-sellers lists,
reviews, press releases, radio transcripts, and
other materials relating to the promotion of Kurt
Vonnegut's works. The materials are arranged
chronologically.
F112 1966 Oct-1968 Dec
F113 1969 Jan-Mar 29
F114 1969 Mar 30-31
F115 1969 Apr 1-6
F116 1969 Apr 7-13
F117 1969 Apr 14-19
F118 1969 Apr 20-24
F119 1969 Apr 25-30
F120 1969 May 1-10
F121 1969 May 11-20
F122 1969 May 21-31
F123 1969 Jun 1-15
F124 1969 Jun 16-30
2 Series II. Promotional Files (cont'd)
F125 1969 Jul
F126 1969 Aug
F127 1969 Sep-Dec
F128 [1969]
F129 1970 Feb-Jul
F130 1970 Aug-Sep
F131 1970 Oct-Dec
3 F132 1971 Jan
F133 1971 Feb-Apr
F134 1971 May
F135 1971 Jun-Dec
F136 [1971]
F137 1972 Mar
F138 1972 Apr-Jul
F139 1972 Aug-Dec
F140 1973 Jan
F141 1973 Feb
F142 1973 Mar
F143 1973 Apr
F144 1973 May 1-10
F145 1973 May 11-31
F146 1973 Jun
F147 1973 Jul
F148 1973 Aug
F149 1973 Sep-Oct
F150 1973 Nov-Dec
F151 [1973]
3 Series II. Promotional Files (cont'd)
F152 1974 Jan-Apr
F153 1974 May
F154 1974 Jun
F155 1974 Jul
F156 1974 Aug-Sep
F157 1974 Oct-Dec
F158 [1974]
F159 1975
F160 1976 Jan-Feb
F161 1976 Mar-May
F162 1976 Jun
F163 1976 Jul-Sep
F164 1976 Oct-Dec
F165 [1976]
F166 1977 Jan-Mar
F167 1977 Apr-Nov
F168 1978
F169 1979 Jan-Aug
F170 1979 Sep 1-10
F171 1979 Sep 11-30
F172 1979 Oct 1-14
F173 1979 Oct 15-30
F174 1979 Nov
F175 1979 Dec
F176 [1979]
F177 1980
3 Series II. Promotional Files (cont'd)
F178 1981 Jan-Mar
F179 1981 Apr-Oct
F180 1982
F181 [n.d.]
4 Series III. Kurt Vonnegut Works, 1969-1981.
Includes manuscripts of essays and speeches
written by Kurt Vonnegut, some of which contain
autograph notes and corrections. Also present is
editorial material toward some of Vonnegut's
published books.
Series III.1. Speeches by Vonnegut, 1974-1980.
Includes the manuscripts for various public
presentations given by Vonnegut, including
graduation addresses, a sermon, an award
presentation, several speeches, and tributes.
Topics range from anti-nuclear sentiments to a
sermon based on the Sermon on the Mount. Most of
these speeches were published in Palm Sunday.
F182 Graduation Address at Hobart & William Smith Colleges,
1974 May 26.
Photocopy of typescript. 15 pp.
F183 "Lavina - A Tribute," 1976 Mar 25
Printed copy of eulogy for Lavina Lyon. 2 pp.
F184 Speech at Dedication of the New Library at Connecticut
College in New London, 1976 Oct 1
Photocopy of typescript of speech which Vonnegut calls
"The Noodle Factory." 9 pp.
F185 Tribute to Erica Anderson, 1976 Nov 28
Photocopy of typescript of a speech delivered at the
dedication of the Albert Schweitzer Friendship House,
Great Barrington, Massachusetts. 2 pp.
F186 Graduation Address at Fredonia College, Fredonia,
New York, 1978 May 20
Photocopy of typescript. 9 pp.
F187 Citation for Jugoslavian Writer, Mihajlo Mihajlov,
1978 Jun 12
Photocopy of typescript of speech presenting Mihajlov
with an award from The International League for Human
Rights. 3 pp.
F188 Speech at the Anti-Nuclear Rally, Washington, D.C.,
1979 May 6
Typescript. 2 pp.
F189 "The Necessary Miracle," 1979 Jul 7
Tear sheet from The Nation of this speech delivered in
the Spring of 1979 at the Mark Twain House in Hartford.
1 p.
F190 Address at an American Civil Liberties Fund-raiser at
Sands Point, New York, 1979 Sep 16
Photocopy of typescript. 3 pp.
F191 Speech at Irwin Shaw "Pipe Night" at Player's Club,
New York, 1979 Oct 7
Typescript. 3 pp.
F192 Speech at The First Parish Church (Unitarian), Harvard
Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1980 Jan 27
Photocopy of typescript of speech delivered on two-hundredth
anniversary of the birth of William Ellery
Channing. 10 pp.
F193 Sermon, St. Clement's Episcopal Church, New York,
1980 Mar 30
Typescript and photocopy pages of this Palm Sunday
sermon. 7 pp.
Series III.2. Reviews, Essays, and Other Short
Pieces Written by Vonnegut, 1969-1980
Consists of tear sheets, typescripts, and
photocopies of reviews, introductions, forwards,
essays, and letters to the editor written by
Vonnegut. Also includes the story-line for a
musical. Some of these pieces were published in
Palm Sunday. Arranged in chronological order.
F194 "Excelsior! We're Going to the Moon! Excelsior."
1969 Feb 13
Photocopy of an essay published in the New York Times
Magazine. 3 pp.
F195 "A New Scheme for Real Writers," 1974 Jul 14
Photocopy of an essay published in the New York Times
and a second photocopy of the same essay as published
in the Minneapolis Tribune as "Creative Writing Course
for Gifted Wanderers and Articulate Hoboes." 2 items
2 pp.
F196 Review of Joseph Heller's Something Happened, 1974
Oct 6
Photocopy of printed review. 2 pp.
F197 [Untitled] Essay, 1976 Mar 24
Photocopy of a typescript of an essay for the editorial
page of the Long Island edition of the New York Times,
with a TNS from Vonnegut to Lawrence. 2 items 3 pp.
F198 Movie Review for "All the President's Men," 1976 Apr
Photocopy of a typescript for More. 2 pp.
F199 Introduction to The Incomplete Mark Twain, 1976 Apr 24
Photocopy of the typescript introduction to this
Running Press edition. 7 pp.
F200 Forward to the Franklin Library Edition of Vonnegut's
Slaughterhouse-Five, 1976 Oct
Photocopy of typescript. 2 pp.
F201 Citation for Parthian Shot, 1976
Photocopy of typescript for a citation for Loyd
Little's Parthian Shot, as winner of The Ernest
Hemingway Prize for Fiction in 1976.
F202 Message to Members of The First Edition Society of
Slapstick, 1976
Photocopy of letter to the membership by Vonnegut.
3 pp.
F203 "Your State of Mind," 1977 Mar
Tear sheet of Vonnegut's response to the question,
"What keeps you up?" for Vogue. 1 p.
F204 Introduction for the Book of the Month Club Edition of
Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels, 1977
Photocopy of typescript for this introduction. 5 pp.
F205 "Only Kidding, Folks?" 1978 May 13
Photocopy of essay for The Nation on Stanislaw Lem.
1 p.
F206 "Shilling Shocker," 1978 Jun 15
Photocopy of typescript of a story line for a seven
scene musical titled "Shilling Shocker." The musical
is based on the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Includes a photocopy of letter from Vonnegut to Lee
Guber describing the material. 2 items 4 pp.
F207 [Untitled] Essay, 1978 Jul 30
Typescript of an essay concerning Vonnegut's daughter,
Nanette. The essay was rejected by the New York Times
opinion editor.
4 Series III. Kurt Vonnegut Works (cont'd)
Series III.2. Reviews, Essays (cont'd)
F208 Comment on Leaked Cabinet Minutes, 1978 Aug 18
Photocopy of typescript of an untitled essay which
comments on leaked cabinet minutes. The essay was
written for The Nation. A photocopy of the proof for
the printed essay is also present. 2 items 3 pp.
F209 "The Happy Conservative," 1979 Jan-Feb
Tear sheet of Vonnegut's review of William F. Buckley,
Jr.'s A Hymnal, the Controversial Arts, published in
Politics Today. 1 p.
F210 Essay on Literary Style for an International Paper
Company Literacy Campaign, 1980 Apr
Photocopy of typescript with autograph note. 9 pp.
F211 Forward to the Franklin Library Edition of Jailbird,
[n.d.]
Photocopy of typescript with autograph corrections.
2 pp.
F212 Introduction to Celine's Rigadoon, [n.d.]
Tear sheets of Vonnegut's introduction to the Penguin
paperback edition of Louis-Ferdinand Celine's Rigadoon.
9 pp.
Series III.3. Material Toward Books Written by
Vonnegut, 1967-1981
Includes magazine excerpts, jacket copy, flap
copy, page proofs, cover designs, typescripts of
introductions, revised ending, and other material
related to the publication of some of Vonnegut's
books. Arranged alphabetically by book titles and
then chronologically within each folder.
F213 Between Time and Timbuktu, 1972
Includes typescript of Vonnegut's introduction, as well
as material for the copyright page, jacket copy, title
page, and other preliminary matter for the published
playscript.
F214 Breakfast of Champions, 1972 Sep
Typescript and typescript carbons of preliminary
matter, jacket copy, as well as proofs for two
different jackets. Also includes jacket for the
Editorial Extemporaneos, Mexico edition. See also
F236.
F215 Happy Birthday, Wanda June, 1971-1977
Includes a Playbill for the Edison Theatre production
of this play. Also includes preliminary matter, jacket
copy, and a photocopy of a revised ending (1977).
F216 Mother Night, [n.d.]
Jacket proof for the Dell paperback edition.
F217 Palm Sunday, 1980-1981
Tear sheets of excerpts of Palm Sunday as published in
Book Digest Magazine, promotional ads, and a typescript
of the table of contents.
F218 Player Piano, [n.d.]
Jacket proof for the Dell paperback edition.
F219 The Sirens of Titan, [1970]
Proof of cover design.
F220 Slapstick, 1976
Includes tear sheets of excerpts as published in
Playboy, typescript and carbon copies of the flap copy
and copyright page. See also F236.
F221 Slaughterhouse-Five, 1968
Typescript of flap copy written by Vonnegut, typescript
and carbon copies of preliminary matter, proofs of
title and sample pages, tear sheets of excerpts
published in Ramparts, and two different cover designs
for the Dell paperback edition. See also F236.
F222 Wampeters, Foma & Granfalloons, 1973-1974
Tear sheets of excerpts as published in Book Digest
Magazine, proof of cover design, photocopies of
preliminary matter and jacket copy.
F223 Welcome to the Monkey House, 1967-1968
Carbon copy of typescript of copyright page and jacket
copy, as well as proofs of cover design, title page and
preface.
4 Series IV. Material Related to Promotional Events,
1971-1979
Includes material documenting dinners honoring the
publications of several of Vonnegut's books, as
well as items related to tours promoting his
publications in Europe and the Soviet Union.
Material is arranged chronologically.
Series IV.1. Dinners, 1971-1979
Includes guest lists, invitations, menus, seating
charts, correspondence, photographs, and other
material relating to five dinners planned by
Seymour Lawrence. Three of the dinners were held
in honor of the publication of new Vonnegut books;
the other two dinners were held in Germany in
honor of Vonnegut's foreign publishers.
F224 Dinner in Germany for Vonnegut's Foreign Publishers,
-225 1971 Aug-Nov
Held at the Schlosshotel Kronberg in Taunus on October
15, 1971. Includes photographs of Vonnegut.
F226 Dinner Marking the Publication of Wampeters, Foma &
Granfalloons, [1974]
Held May 20, [1974] in New York.
F227 Dinner Marking the Publication of Slapstick, 1976
Held October 6, 1976 in New York. Includes a note from
Vonnegut.
F228 Dinner in Germany for Vonnegut's Foreign Publishers,
1976-1977
Held October 14, 1977 at the Schlosshotel Kronberg.
Includes note from Vonnegut.
F229 Dinner Marking the Publication of Jailbird, 1979
Held September 18, 1979 in New York. Includes a letter
from Vonnegut.
Series IV.2. Promotional Tours of Europe and the
Soviet Union by Vonnegut, 1974-1977
Includes material related to trips taken by
Vonnegut to promote his books. Includes
correspondence, itineraries, photographs, etc.
F230 Trips to the Soviet Union, 1974-1977
Includes pamphlets related to the Soviet Union, a copy
of the 1977 USSR Travel Agents' Manual, and a portion
of an essay about Vonnegut and Russia.
F231 European Tour, 1976-1977
-233 Includes itineraries, correspondence, photographs,
clippings, and other material related to the September
25-October 15, 1977 promotional trip to Europe.
Includes a letter from Vonnegut.
4 Series V. Photographs of Kurt Vonnegut, [n.d.]
Consists of twelve photographs of Vonnegut taken
by Jill Krementz and Bossi. Photographs are also
found throughout this collection.
F234 Photographs, [n.d.]
Series VI. Kurt Vonnegut Self-Portrait, [n.d.]
Consists of one painting done by Vonnegut of
himself. The image was used for one cover design
of Breakfast of Champions (Delacorte Press).
Stored in the safe.
F235 Vonnegut Self-Portrait, [n.d.]
Oil on board painting (14 inches x 17.5 inches) by Kurt
Vonnegut of himself.
Oversize
F236 Oversize Material, 1966-1982
-239 Consists of posters, brochures, booklists, clippings,
tear sheets, and design copy for advertisements. The
material relates promotions for various books by
Vonnegut, articles about Vonnegut, information on the
1977 European trip, and other material. Preservation
copies are available in the appropriate folders in
Series II-IV.
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