mss0099_0842.xml Finding aid for Paul Metcalf letters to Ted Wilentz1984–1991(bulk dates 1984–1985) University of Delaware Library, Special Collections University of Delaware Library
Newark, Delaware 19717-5267 Phone: 302-831-2229 Fax: 302-831-6003 URL: http://www.lib.udel.edu/ud/spec/
Date encoded (2009 May 7) Finding aid encoded 2009 May 7 English Paul Metcalf letters to Ted Wilentz1984–1991(bulk dates 1984–1985) Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library
Newark, Delaware 19717-5267 Phone: 302-831-2229 Fax: 302-831-6003 URL: http://www.lib.udel.edu/ud/spec/
 Metcalf, Paul C. Paul Metcalf letters to Ted Wilentz1984–1991 1984–1985 MSS 099, F842 14 items (15 pp.) The collection comprises letters and postcards written from Paul Metcalf, experimental American writer, to Ted Wilentz, former owner of the Eighth Street Bookshop in New York City, between 1984 and 1991. Materials entirely in English. University of Delaware Library - Special Collections Source

Purchase, November 2008.

 Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

 Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Use of materials from this collection beyond the exceptions provided for in the Fair Use and Educational Use clauses of the U.S. Copyright Law may violate federal law. Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. Please contact Special Collections Department, University of Delaware Library, http://www.lib.udel.edu/cgi-bin/askspec.cgi

 Citation

MSS 099, F842, Paul Metcalf letters to Ted Wilentz, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library, Newark, Delaware.

 Shelving Summary F842: Shelved in SPEC MSS 099 manuscript boxes Processing

Processed and encoded by Anita Wellner, May 2009.

 Biographical Note

Paul Metcalf was a writer of poetry, plays and prose, who used an experimental style. Metcalf was born in East Milton, Massachusetts, to a New England family whose ancestors included Herman Melville and Roger Williams. One of Metcalf's best known works is Genoa, a story in which the author alludes to his family's relationship to Melville. In 1987 Paul Metcalf was honored by the American Academy and institute of Arts and Letters. Mr. Metcalf died on January 21, 1999, near Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

"Paul Metcalf, 81; Wrote Experimental Tales." The New York Times. 1999 January 31. http://www.nytimes.com (accessed April 21, 2009).

 Scope and Content Note

The collection comprises letters and postcards written by Paul Metcalf to Ted Wilentz between 1984 and 1991.

This small collection of ten typed letters and one postcard were written by writer Paul Metcalf to his longtime friend Ted Wilentz, who was the former owner of the Eighth Street Bookshop in New York City. Additionally the collection has a postcard announcing a Metcalf reading, a handwritten thank-you letter from Metcalf's wife Nancy, and a photocopy of a Metcalf's review of a Herman Melville documentary.

Many of the letters regard a poetry reading to be given by Metcalf which was sponsored by the Washington Project for the Arts in 1984. The Metcalfs were guests in the Wilentzes' home during this trip to Washington, D. C., for the reading. In other letters Metcalf commented on his longtime friend, poet Jonathan Williams, who also published several of Metcalf's books.

 Arrangement

The letters and postcards are arranged in chronological order.

 Selected Search Terms Personal Names Metcalf, Paul C.--Correspondence.Wilentz, Ted. Topical Terms American literature--20th century--Sources. Authors, American--20th century--Sources.Experimental fiction, American--20th century--Sources. Form/Genre Terms Letters (correspondence) Postcards.Reviews (document genre) Personal Contributors Metcalf, Nancy. Related Materials in this Repository

This item forms part of MSS 099 Miscellaneous Literary and Historical Manuscripts.

 Detailed Contents List Series I. Paul Metcalf letters to Ted Wilentz 1984–1991 57 F842 Typed letter signed 1984 January 10 1 p. with envelope 57 F842 Typed letter signed 1984 February 14 1 p. with envelope 57 F842 Typed letter signed 1984 March 2 1 p. with envelope 57 F842 Typed letter signed 1984 May 7 1 p. with envelope 57 F842 Typed card signed 1984 June 9 1 p. 57 F842 Typed letter signed 1984 July 10 1 p. with envelope

Includes postcard announcement of Metcalf's reading for the Washington Project for the Arts on October 20, 1984.

 57 F842 Typed letter signed 1984 October 12 1 p. with envelope 57 F842 Typed letter signed 1984 October 23 1 p. with envelope

Included with autograph letter signed from Nancy Metcalf to the Wilentzes.

 57 F842 Typed letter signed 1985 April 22 1 p. with envelope 57 F842 Typed letter signed 1985 May 27 1 p. with envelope

Includes photocopy of Metcalf's review of the television program, "Herman Melville: Damned in Paradise."

 57 F842 Typed letter signed 1991 April 23 1 p. with envelope