Series 03: Everett D. Graff papers, 1921-1964, bulk: 1930-1960
Scope and Contents
Correspondence and financial records relating to Graff's purchases of and research on Western Americana. Includes some annotated auction catalogs, incoming and outgoing correspondence with bookdealers, book collectors, scholars and librarians (Storm, Wagner, Howes, Edward Eberstadt & Sons); also telegrams, published reports of historical societies, news clippings, typescripts, membership cards, photographs, photostats, and a bound volume of auction catalogs, 1921-1926. There are also photocopies of Graff's manuscripts describing his book seeking expedition/vacations with Wright Howes, 1941-1950.
Dates
- Creation: 1921-1964
- Creation: Majority of material found within 1930-1960
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
The Newberry Library Archives are open for research in the Special Collections Reading Room; 1 box at a time (Priority III).
Unprocessed records are available by appointment only. Advance notice is necessary, particularly for administrative files, so that files may be screened for personnel records that are removed when records are processed.
Files containing personal or confidential information about individuals (including individual files on members of the Board of Trustees, individual donor files and records reporting the donations of an individual, personnel records, payroll records, and individual accepted fellows files) are closed for 30 years.
Biography of Everett D. Graff
Chicago steel company executive, philanthropist, Western Americana book collector, and Newberry Library President of the Board of Trustees, 1953-1964. Under Graff's leadership, the Newberry Library modernized its facilities and refined its collecting policies. In 1960, Graff bequeathed his Western Americana books, pamphlets, manuscripts, and maps, which he had acquired over a fifty year period, to the Newberry Library. Graff was also active in numerous library associations and historical societies (American Antiquarian Society, Caxton Club) around the country.
Extent
8.2 Linear Feet (20 boxes)
Arrangement
Correspondence arranged alphabetically, manuscripts arranged chronologically.
Repository Details
Part of the The Newberry Library - Modern Manuscripts and Archives Repository
60 West Walton Street
Chicago Illinois 60610 United States
312-255-3512
reference@newberry.org