Irving Stone papers, 1945-1985

Summary Information

Abstract

This collection consists of correspondence between Irving Stone and his literary agency, Laurence Pollinger, Ltd. Also included is correspondence between Lucy Moorehead (Alan Moorehead's wife and executor of Moorehead's estate) and Laurence Pollinger, Ltd.

At a Glance

Call No.:
MS#1560
Bib ID:
6915380 View CLIO record
Creator(s):
Stone, Irving, 1903-1989
Repository:
Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Physical Description:
.5 linear feet (1 document box)
Language(s):
English .
Access:
You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Description

Summary

The collection consists of correspondence between Irving Stone and his literary agency, Laurence Pollinger, Ltd, as well as related materials such as book reviews, receipts and letters from publishers. The majority of the correspondence is between Irving Stone and either Gerald or Laurence Pollinger. There are also letters from Jean Stone, Irving Stone's wife, written on behalf of her husband. This collection contains six autograph letters signed by Stone, 66 typed letters signed by Stone and 220 carbons of letters from Laurence Pollinger, Ltd. Also included is a collection of correspondence from 1973 between Laurence Pollinger and Lucy Moorehead, wife and estate administrator to Alan Moorehead. This collection consists of six typed letters signed by Moorehead and 14 carbons of letters from Laurence Pollinger.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in 1 series.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

This collection has no restrictions.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Irving Stone Papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Selected Related Material-- At Other Repositories

The Irving Stone Papers, University of California, Berkeley, Bancroft Library.

Accrual

No additionsexpected

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

1995.1996.M001: Source of acquisition--Betram Rota, Ltd. Method of acquisition--Purchase; Date of acquisition--1995.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Papers processed Ellen Reece, Pratt Institute, 2011 3/18/2011.

Finding aid written Ellen Reece, Pratt Institute, 2011 3/18/2011.

Revision Description

2011-04-22 xml document instance created by Carrie Hintz

2019-05-20 EAD was imported spring 2019 as part of the ArchivesSpace Phase II migration.

Biographical / Historical

Irving Stone (born Irving Tennenbaum) was an American author born in San Francisco, CA on 1903 July 14. Stone was known for writing biographical novels depicting the lives of famous historical personalities such as Vincent Van Gogh (Lust for Life). Stone received his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley in 1923 and a Master's Degree in Economics from University of Southern California in 1924.

Stone began his writing career in 1926 as a playwright and supported himself by submitting stories to pulp magazines. In 1928, Stone began to write his first biographical novel, Lust for Life, based on the life of Vincent Van Gogh. The novel was published in 1934 and immediately became a bestseller. He would go on the publish works based on the lives of other famous historical figures such as Michelangelo (The Agony and the Ecstasy), Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln (Love is Eternal), Charles Darwin (The Origin), and Sigmund Freud (Passions of the Mind).

Stone's biographical novels have the reputation of being thoroughly researched and based primarily upon source materials such as journals and collections of letters written by the subjects. Stone died in 1989 at the age of 86 in Los Angeles.

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches for other collections at Columbia University, through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, and through ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Genre/Form
Autographs (manuscripts) CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Commercial correspondence CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Contracts CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Name
Laurence Pollinger, Ltd CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Moorehead, Alan, 1910-1983 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Moorehead, Lucy CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Stone, Irving, 1903-1989 CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Subject
Authors and publishers CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Criticism CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID
Literary agents CLIO Catalog ArchiveGRID