Woolmer Collection of Cormac McCarthy
The Southwestern Writers Collection/Wittliff
Collections holds several additional McCarthy-related collections:
• The Perspectives
on Cormac McCarthy
Collection is comprised of drafts and proofs of essays by various authors
on the works of Cormac McCarthy. The essays were edited by Edwin "Chip"
Arnold and Dianne Luce and appeared in
•
Guide to the
Woolmer Collection of Cormac McCarthy
1969-2006
Collection
092
click here for a PDF version of this finding aid
Descriptive
Summary
Creator: Woolmer,
J. Howard
Title: Woolmer
Collection of Cormac McCarthy
Dates: 1969-2006
Abstract: The Woolmer
Collection of Cormac McCarthy spans 1969-2006 and
documents the professional and personal friendship between the book
collector and McCarthy. The collection is arranged in four series:
Correspondence,
Writings by McCarthy, Writings about McCarthy, and
WoolmerÕs Bibliography Files.
Identification: Collection
092
Extent: 5
boxes (2.5 linear feet)
Language: English.
Repository: Southwestern
Writers Collection, The Wittliff Collections, Alkek
Library, Texas State University-San Marcos
Background Sketch
Book collector and bibliographer, J. Howard
Woolmer, wrote to Cormac McCarthy praising both Outer Dark (1968) and McCarthyÕs first novel, The Orchard Keeper (1965) after reading Robert ColesÕ review of Outer Dark published in the March 22,
1969 issue of The New Yorker. In his July 29, 1969 letter,
Woolmer states his intent to begin collecting all of McCarthyÕs work and asks
if the author would be willing to sign copies of his books. In his August 16 reply, McCarthy
agrees. These letters mark the first of over 120 sent between the two men from
1969 to 2006.
By 1969, Woolmer had been in the book selling
business for almost ten years. Operating out of the literary Mecca of New York
City, he issued his first catalogue in 1961. His early catalogues were of
modern first editions and on the works of literary giants such as James Joyce. Woolmer
soon began issuing catalogues based on single subjects;
the first on the Imagist Poets (1966) and then, in 1969, on the novelist
Malcolm Lowry, author of Under the
Volcano. He has since
published a bibliography on Malcolm Lowry; A
Checklist of the Hogarth Press; and a bibliography of the Leonard L.
Milberg Irish Theatre Collection.
In a 2007 interview, Woolmer stated that he
had initially moved away from modern firsts because ÒI didnÕt get enough of a
kick from the books of contemporary writers.Ó However, with Cormac McCarthy he
had discovered an exception, and over the next thirty years he amassed a
remarkable collection of signed first editions, advance proofs, and foreign
imprints of McCarthyÕs books. The Wittliff Collections purchased these books in
2006 along with the collection of letters between McCarthy and Woolmer.
Scope and Content Note
The
Woolmer Collection of Cormac McCarthy spans 1969-2006 and documents the
professional and personal friendship between the book collector and McCarthy.
The collection is arranged in four series: Correspondence, Writings by
McCarthy, Writings about McCarthy, and WoolmerÕs Bibliography Files.
Series
I: Correspondence, 1996-2006 (box 1), contains 120 letters between McCarthy and
Woolmer. The letters are arranged chronologically. The majority of the letters
discuss McCarthyÕs writing, but other topics include recommendations of books
to read, reviews of McCarthyÕs work, and the book collecting
world. More detailed descriptions of each letter are found in the container
list beginning on page 5.
Series
II: Writings by McCarthy, 1982-1994 (boxes 1-4), includes
photocopies of drafts of Blood Meridian,
The Crossing, Cities of the Plain, The Road,
The Stonemason, and The GardenerÕs Son. The works are
arranged into following subseries: Novels, Plays, and Screenplays.
Series
III: Writings about McCarthy, 1974-2006 (boxes 4-5), comprises
reviews and articles about McCarthy from Esquire,
The New Yorker, Southern Literary Journal, Texas
Monthly, and other publications. The writings are
arranged alphabetically by author. Also included are a number off
clippings files about McCarthy and a small collection of ephemera such as publishers catalogs, flyers, and press packets.
Series
IV: J. Howard Woolmer bibliography files, 1986-2006, (box 5), consists of
WoolmerÕs files and notes on a possible bibliography on McCarthy. Of note are
WoolmerÕs correspondence files regarding collecting McCarthy.
Access
Restrictions
None.
Preferred Citation
Woolmer
Collection of Cormac McCarthy, Southwestern Writers Collection, Texas State
University-San Marcos
Acquisition Information
Purchased
in 2006.
Processing Information
Processed
by Katie Salzmann, 2007.
Notes to
Researchers
Books
in the Woolmer Collection have been cataloged and the records are searchable
through the Alkek Library online catalog, http://catalog.library.txstate.edu/.
Detailed
Description of the Collection
Box Folder
Series
I: Correspondence, 1969-2006.
1 1 Woolmer
to McCarthy. July 29, 1969. Carbon, 1 p.
Praising Outer
Dark and asking if McCarthy will inscribe books.
1 1 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
August 16, 1969. TLS, 1 p, with a holograph addition.
ÒThank you
for your very kind letterÉÓ Mentions stories in Yale
Review and
Sewanee Review. ÒI donÕt write short storiesÉI wonÕt have
another book
finished for a couple of years.Ó He will inscribe the books.
1 1 Woolmer
to McCarthy. August 20, 1969. Carbon, 1p.
Asking about
foreign editions, and promising a complimentary
subscription to Works, a magazine that Woolmer had a
hand in publishing.
1 1 Woolmer
to McCarthy. September 9, 1969. Carbon, 1 p.
Thanking for
inscribed books.
1 1 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
February 17, 1970. TLS, 1 page.
ÒThank you for the letter and noteÉI have an
artist friend who wants to do an illustrated edition of my forthcoming book [Child of God] but it remains to be seen
whether the publisher will take to the idea.Ó Supplies the names of publishers
of foreign editions of his books. Thanks Woolmer for Works: ÒI was really amazed at the quality of material theyÕre
publishing. Most literary quarterlies these days are pretty grim. I
particularly liked Lyn LifshinÕs poems. And Paul
BlackburnÕs Bertran de Born.Ó
1 1 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
January 21, 1972. TLS, 1 p.
ÒThank you for the book of poemsÉThis girl is very good. I particularly liked ÔYou who
rejoice in SymmetryÕ, but of the ones I have had a chance to read there are
none badÉÓ
1 1 Woolmer
to McCarthy. April 28, 1973. Carbon, 1 p.
Inquiring about purchasing manuscripts,
corrected galleys, etc. of The Orchard
Keeper and Outer Dark.
1 1 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
June 28, 1973. TLS., 1 p.
ÒSorry to be so long in answering your
letter. The new book [Child of God]
is on the fall lists and will be out, I am told, in
December. It is not the longer book that I was writing, but a shorter one which
intruded itself in the middle of writing the other one.Ó Replies to WoolmerÕs
inquiry about buying manuscripts saying he has all the ÒstuffÓ and would
consider an offer if Woolmer tendered one.
1 1 Woolmer
to McCarthy. July 23, 1973. Carbon, 1 p.
Asking for
an inventory of manuscripts in order to make an offer.
Correspondence
- continued
Box Folder
1 2 Woolmer
to McCarthy. January 22, 1974. Carbon, 1 p.
Praising Child
of God. Includes duplicates of newspaper clippings enclosed with the
letter.
1 2 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
March 12, 1974. TLS, 1 p.
ÒThanks for you letter and the comments on
the bookÉÓ Sends new address in Tucson and agrees to sign books. HasnÕt had a
chance to go through his manuscripts.
1 2 Woolmer
to McCarthy. March 15, 1973. Carbon, 1 p.
Sending Child
of God for signature. Mentions the possibility of McCarthyÕs papers going
to a university library.
1 2 Woolmer
to McCarthy. November 15, 1976. Carbon, 1 p.
Mentioning
PBS advertisement in NY Times for The Gardeners Son.
Requests a
copy of the script. [Copy of NY Times ad
included.]
1 2 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
December 13, 1976. ALS, 2 pp.
ÒThanks for
your letter. Sorry youÕve been looking for my book without
successÉÓ Is going
to have a copy of the typescript of The
GardnerÕs Son made for Woolmer and would like a copy of The Michael Fraenkel - Henry Miller Correspondence, Called Hamlet in return.
1 2 Woolmer
to McCarthy. January 7, 1977. Carbon, 1 p.
Sending the Miller-Fraenkel book; discussing the reviews of The GardenerÕs
Son; and asking about early works in preparation for a possible
bibliography [as yet unpublished]. Corresponding New York Times advertisement for the PBS
Visions series, and a November / December 1976 issue of Coda: Poets and Writers Newsletter with mention of the series on p.
9.
1 2 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
January 26, 1977. ALS, 1 p.
ÒThank you for the book. It is very exotic
looking. This was the only one of Millers books I didnt
have and IÕve been looking forward to reading it for yearsÉÓ Mentions his early
publications: ÒIÕm afraid theres not much research to
do in the way of bibliography. Think I published a story once in a college ragÉWhen I started writing novels I stopped writing anything
else. Never wrote no poetry.Ó Ends with ÒIÕm in Tucson working on my ÔwesternÕ
[Blood Meridian] Long book supposed
to be out this year but maybe not.Ó
1 3 Woolmer
to McCarthy. January 9, 1979. Carbon, 1 p.
Thanking him for typescript and asking to
have it signed. Suggests Woolmer/Brotherson publish a
limited signed edition of ÒBurialÓ [previously published in Antaeus].
Correspondence
- continued
Box Folder
1 3 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
February 2, 1979. ALS, 1 p.
ÒThank you for the note. Letter, I guessÉÓ
Mentions he did not know that Antaeus had published an excerpt from Suttree. ÒI dont
like to find my name in little magazines, but the idea of a limited edition
sounds interesting. IÕm working on a western [Blood Meridian] – based loosely on historical events in
Mexico in 1849 – illustrated with about 2 dozen
period prints – woodcuts mostly. The book is essentially finished (300
pp) but needs to be completely rewrittenÉÓ
1 3 Woolmer
to McCarthy. March 10, 1979. Carbon, 1 p.
Regarding Suttree, which he does not like
as much as McCarthyÕs other works, but feels it is still Òmiles ahead of
anything being written by any other writer.Ó Asks if McCarthy uses a
typewriter; discusses possibility of publishing McCarthyÕs Òwestern.Ó
1 3 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
Undated, [1979], envelope lacking. ALS, 1 p.
ÒThank you for your letter and hereÕs your
bookÉÓ Robert
Coles sent him proofs of a review to appear in the New Yorker. Mentions another review: ÒI suppose by now you may have
seen the thing in Esquire, I enjoyed
the cartoon. Thought it showed a wit and discernment the reviewer [Geoffrey
Wolff] could have used. Also the cartoonist managed to get all the words
spelled right.Ó Answers WoolmerÕs
question about his writing process: ÒI normally use a typewriter (you asked)
and I think you can see why.Ó Mentions that Random House has publishing rights
for Òthe westernÓ but that maybe Woolmer can publish an excerpt.
1 3 Woolmer
to McCarthy. May 18, 1979. Carbon, 1 p.
Providing
details of publishing history.
1 3 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
May 1979. ALS, 2
pp.
ÒThank you very much for the Levertov. It is very handsomeÉÓ mentions KosinkiÕs
book in passing, agrees that Esquire
has fallen on hard times, heÕs seen a number of reviews, some of them nice
ones. Mentions that his editor is Albert Erskine and that Woolmer should
contact him about publishing the excerpt.
1 3 Woolmer
to McCarthy. June 22, 1979. Carbon, 1 p.
Regarding
publishing an excerpt of Blood Meridian.
1 3 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
October 16, 1979. ALS, 1 p.
ÒWhat are you doing? Did you ever hear from Albert
about the limited signed editionÉ?Ó
1 3 Woolmer
to McCarthy. October 31, 1979. Carbon, 1 p.
Regarding cancelled trip to Vanderbilt and
response received from Albert Erskine.
Correspondence
- continued
Box Folder
1 3 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
November 5, 1979. TLS, 1 p.
ÒSorry you didnt
get down to Nashville, would have enjoyed seeing youÉÓ Discusses Random House, ÒAlbert
is semi-retired and probably considered some sort of relic of bygone years by
the functional illiterates now in commandÉÓ Also, Òa short section of the
western is to appear – I am told – in the next issue of Triquarterly. The issue being devoted to the literature of the West. IÕm
branching out.Ó
1 4 Woolmer
to McCarthy. March 5, 1980. Carbon, 1 p.
Informing him that Robert Penn Warren
considers McCarthy a Òmost talented writer.Ó Recommends the film Wise Blood.
1 4 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
April 1, 1980. TLS, 1 p.
ÒThank you for your very nice letterÉÓ
Mentions that Robert Penn Warren and he share the same editor at Random House [Erskine].
ÒInteresting that he [Warren] liked Child
of God. Some people think it a most peculiar book, but lately it has been
receiving a sort of belated enthusiasm in the form of reviews and theses and
such.Ó Mentions that Wise Blood
actors Brad Dourif and Ned Beatty were also both in The GardnerÕs Son.
1 4 Woolmer
to McCarthy. May 19, 1980. Carbon, 1 p.
Sending May
2, 1980 TLS review of Suttree [review
included].
1 4 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
August 12, 1980. ALS, 2 pp.
ÒThanks for the clipping. You were right, I probably would not have seen itÉIÕm getting ready
to head west for the final push on my novel [Blood Meridian]. Hope to get it done by the end of the year.Ó
Erskine and Random House are very negative about a limited edition. ÒI donÕt
have an agent anymore and am in a sort of limboÉÓ All of his books except for
the most recent are out of print; inquires if Woolmer knows of a paperback
house that might be interested.
1 4 Woolmer
to McCarthy. December 18, 1980. Carbon, 1 p.
Received Triquarterly. ÒThe ScalphuntersÓ is
powerful, but confused about characters. Comments on the
stuffing genitals into victimÕs mouths. Mentions
reading John Yount.
1 4 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
January 27, 1981. ALS, 2 pp.
ÒThanks for your letter, it is always nice to
hear from youÉThe characters in the story [Blood Meridian] are a bunch of American
adventurers in Chihuahua in 1849 who have contracted to supply scalps to the
governmentÉÓ Mentions John YountÕs The TrapperÕs Last Shot. Also mentions
getting Òa little windfall from a foundation [MacArthur] so expect to stay in
business a while longer.Ó Might go to Europe.
Correspondence
- continued
Box Folder
1 4 Woolmer
to McCarthy. February 23, 1981. Carbon, 1 p.
Suggests getting together
if McCarthy comes out East.
1 4 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
June 22, 1981. ALS, 4 pp. (1 sheet folded in half).
ÒIÕm looking for a book for a friend of mine
and thought maybe you could help meÉÓ Forty-Four
Years of the Life of a Hunter by Meschach [sic]
Browning. ÒThe western proceeds apace – not a blistering pace, I suppose,
but it goes.Ó Describes getting caught in the middle of a gunfight between
police and criminals in Knoxville, ÒA news lady rushed up to me with a
microphone and a tape recorder and asked me what was going on. I told her I had
no idea, but it certainly seemed like the good old days for a few minutes.Ó
1 4 Woolmer
to McCarthy. July 3, 1981. Carbon, 1 p.
Promising to
look for the Browning book. Asks if McCarthy couldnÕt use
a good agent.
1 4 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
July 15, 1981. ALS, 4 pp. (1 sheet folded in half).
ÒThanks for the letter. Yes, the Meschach [sic] Browning book is what I needÉÓ States his
literary affairs are Òa long and tiresome tale at bestÉ. My agent for several
years was Candida Donadio...she expressed her
satisfaction at representing me personally and negotiated the contract for the
book with which I am now occupied. That was the last I ever heard of herÉI
wrote and told her IÕd like to make official what already existed in fact and
we amicably partedÉAfter this I wrote some other agents whoÕd been recommended
to me by a friend but the one or two who wrote back seemed less than jubilant
about the prospects of representing me. So Random House is now my agentÉÓ
1 4 Woolmer
to McCarthy. October 6, 1981. Carbon, 1 p.
Has asked John Malcolm Brinnin
[Gertrude Stein and Dylan Thomas biographer] about agents and his is Dorothy Olding of the Harold Ober Associates,
Inc. Waiting for Òthe westernÓ to come out; is buying up copies of Orchard Keeper to hand out to friends.
1 4 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
October 28, 1981. ALS, 1 p.
ÒGood to hear from you. Thank you for your
inquiries on my behalfÉÓ Planning a trip to New York at beginning of new year. Random House has sold the paperback rights to his
early books to the Ecco Press.
1 4 Woolmer
to McCarthy. November 23, 1981. Carbon. 1 p.
Congratulations on receiving the MacArthur
grant. Wall Street Journal clipping
about the grant from November 19, 1981 included.
Correspondence
- continued
Box Folder
1 4 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
December 9, 1981. ALS, 1 p.
ÒThank you for the letter and the good wishesÉThe
MacArthur people just call you up and ask where to send the checks. It was
something of a shock...My creditors seem much gratifiedÉI am still struggling
with my mss, but it goes okÉÓ
1 5 Woolmer
to McCarthy. May 4, 1983. Carbon, 1 p.
Recommending agent Peter Shepherd who handles
Muriel Spark in the U.S. and suggests McCarthy contact him.
1 5 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
May 24, 1983. ALS, 1 p.
ÒThanks for the letter. Please dont apologize for trying to find readers for my booksÉIn the same mail came a letter from Peter Shepherd asking
that I call him – which IÕve doneÉÓ
1 5 Woolmer
to McCarthy. May 28, 1983. Carbon, 1 p.
Gave copy of Orchard Keeper to neighbor who is reading it for a second time.
Sending photo for inscription.
1 5 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
Undated [1983]. ALS on HausmanÕs laundry ticket, NYC.
ÒHereÕs your
photoÉÓ [Photo not included].
1 5 Woolmer
to McCarthy. June 20, 1983. Carbon, 1 p.
Thanks for
signing the photograph.
1 5 Woolmer
to Albert Erskine, Jr. June 25, 1983. Carbon, 1 p.
Asking for publication information on all of
the printings of McCarthyÕs books.
1 5 Lane,
Sharon [Random House] to Woolmer. July 25, 1983. TLS, 1 p.
Sending some
publication information on McCarthy books.
1 5 Woolmer
to McCarthy. November 29, 1984. Carbon, 1 p.
Asking when western will be published; inquires about status of agent search
1 5 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
December 10, 1984. ALS, 1 p.
ÒThanks for your letter, Ôtwas good to hear
from youÉ the western - entitled Blood
Meridian or The Evening of Redness In
the West is set and proofread
and will appear – I am told – in MarchÉÓ More about his search for
an agent; Ecco Press has
brought out his early books.
1 5 Woolmer
to McCarthy. December 16, 1984. Carbon, 1 p.
Glad Blood
Meridian is coming out; offers $100 to buy Xerox copy McCarthy had sent to
Peter Shepherd [copy in box 1 folders 10 & 11].
Correspondence
- continued
Box Folder
1 5 Woolmer
to McCarthy. February 1, 1985. Carbon, 1 p.
Received the Xerox copy from Peter Shepherd;
surprised at ShepherdÕs lack of response to McCarthy. Praises Blood Meridian; asks if McCarthy
actually traveled the country described. Endorsed/canceled check to McCarthy
included, as is a Spring 1985 advertisement for Random
House.
1 5 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
Undated [1985]. ALS, 1 p., envelope
lacking.
ÒGlad that you got the XeroxÉÓ and refunds
$50.00. ÒTo answer your question, I spent several years in the country
described. IÕve taken the train to Mochos a couple of
times and it is a great tripÉÓ
1 5 Woolmer
to McCarthy. February 16, 1985. Carbon, 1 p.
Received his copy of Blood Meridian; likes the Dali painting. Will send copy for
inscription if McCarthy agrees.
1 5 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
March 12, 1985. ALS, 1 p.
ÒBy all means send the book and I will be
happy to scribble in it and return itÉSaw a nice review in USA Today (national newspaper) this past week-end but nothing
other. Book in a few stores friends tell meÉÓ
1 5 Woolmer
to McCarthy. March 18, 1985. Carbon, 1 p.
Sending copy of Blood Meridian for signature; discusses
reviews and mentions meeting Dali once.
1 5 Woolmer
to McCarthy. May 2, 1985. Carbon, 1 p.
Sending
Xerox of Times review. Mentions
meeting Albert Erskine at a
fugitive poets
exhibit at The University of Virginia. Newspaper clipping from April 28, 1985 Times included.
1 5 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
June 28, 1985. ALS, 2 p.
ÒThank you very much for sending the Southern Literary Journal. Discusses
Erskine. ÒMostly these days IÕm trying to get a film script produced into a
film. The MacArthur largess expires in a little over a year and IÕve gotten
used to eating regularly and dont know what will
happen when the money stops. Other than that I have 2 or 3 novels that I have
notes and a few sections for but I dont know which
one to hone in on. Probably the most difficult oneÉÓ
1 5 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
October 16, 1985. ALS, 1 p.
ÒThanks for sending the review (Images of the Southern Writer)ÉÓ Just
back from a week-long rafting/hiking trip in Big Bend.
ÒIÕm working on a couple of stories in filmscript
form. Very good form for conserving the wordÉÓ
Correspondence
- continued
Box Folder
1 5 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
November 4, 1985. ALS, 1 p.
ÒMy good friend and attorney here - Bobby Perel - has an opportunity to buy an original set of CurtisÕs
Indian photographsÉÓ Asks if Woolmer knows what they might be worth. McCarthyÕs
brother and wife visited and they went rafting down the Rio Grande ÒVery
beautiful country. It rained in the night and the river came up 5 feet and we
brought out refugees with usÉÓ
1 5 Woolmer
to McCarthy. November 20, 1985. Photocopy with holograph addition, 1p.
CurtisÕ The
North American Indian valued at about $50,000. Advises about what attorney
should look for; offers to help auction it.
1 5 Woolmer
to McCarthy. November 23, 1985. Carbon, 1 p.
Follow-up on
Curtis book. Recent auction at only $22,000 but not a fine
set.
1 5 Woolmer
to McCarthy. December 17, 1985. Carbon, 1 p.
Christmas
greetings.
1 5 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
December 17, 1985. ALS, 2 pp.
ÒEcco sent me about
a half dozen of these [advance cover for paperback Blood Meridian] and I was just [martialing]
all forces for a note to you I should I would send you oneÉÓ The Curtis book Òhas
escaped.Ó Asks what book Woolmer is working on. Included: advance cover inscribed ÒGuaranteed to be the first autographed copy.
All the best, Cormac.Ó
1 5 Woolmer
to McCarthy. December 24, 1985. Photocopy, 1 p.
Thanks for Blood Meridian cover. Working on
checklist of Leonard and
Virginia
WoolfÕs Hogarth Press.
1 6 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
February 25, 1986. ALS, 2 pp.
ÒThank you very much for the book
[Bibliography of Malcolm Lowry]. I think is quite elegant and IÕve enjoyed
looking through it. I think Under the
Volcano is an amazing book and Lowry a genuinely tragic figureÉÓ Discusses
Malcolm Lowry and Albert ErskineÕs relationship with him. ÒThank you also for
the excerpt from RubinÕs book on Southern literatureÉI see these excerpts come
from pages as advanced as #581. How long does this tome continue? I didnt know there was that much Southern LiteratureÉÓ
Mentions he is back from New Orleans where friend has been filming a movie with
Richard Gere.
1 6 Woolmer
to McCarthy. March 19, 1986. Carbon, 1 p.
Sorry he
missed McCarthyÕs phone call; Asks about status of
Curtis book.
Correspondence
- continued
Box Folder
1 6 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
June 3, 1986. ALS, 1 p.
ÒSorry I
missed you on the telephone. Perel was stirring about
the Curtis
again, but it has
subsided again sinceÉRandom House sends the proof cover of their paperback
issue of Suttree
– due out in October. A ÔVintage ContemporaryÕ the jacket says. Do you
love it? Gallimard has bought the rights to Blood Meridian.Ó HeÕs written a play.
1 6 Woolmer
to McCarthy. July 15, 1986. Carbon, 1 p.
Sending
a Òhave-listÓ of
his CMcC collection [not included];
offers to
buy anything
McCarthy has thatÕs not on the list.
1 6 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
July 15, 1986. ALS, 1 p.
ÒAint you a good
chap to send the play? I thought it quite goodÉÓ Mentions that his agent has
banned him for showing anyone a copy of his new play ÒSomething to do with his
strategyÉÓ
1 6 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
August 27, 1986. ALS, 3 pp. (2 sheets)
ÒThanks for the correspondence – The WriterÕs Choice is something I would
not have seen otherwise. Tobias Wolff is a very agreeable chapÉI was pleased to
see I remain in his good gracesÉÓ Lists McCarthy editions that Woolmer might
not have in his. ÒMy translator was here a few weeks ago. Charming gentleman
who loved the desert and kept crying out ÔformidŽble!Õ
at everythingÉIÕm working on a whale story. May go to Argentina in the fall
with a biologist friend who studies themÉÓ Asks whom else Woolmer collects.
Mentions Michael Ondaatje and Guy Davenport.
1 6 Woolmer
to McCarthy. October 29, 1986. Photocopy, 1 p.
Trying
to get French translations. Discusses book collecting (Yount,
Gilbert
White Graham Swift) and bibliography writing.
1 6 Woolmer
to Robert Penn Warren. November 3, 1986.
TLS, 1 p. with WarrenÕs
holograph answer.
Inquiring
about McCarthy excerpt in text book. WarrenÕs response
indicates that he did
not publish an excerpt in Understanding
Fiction, but there might be a reference to McCarthy.
1 6 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
November 5, 1986. Postcard.
ÒThis, as the card says, comes to you from Ushuzia [Argentina], the southernmost city in the worldÉÓ.
1 6 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
Undated [1986],
ALS, 1 p., envelope lacking.
ÒJust back from the Argentine – a good
trip. Spent about 3 weeks among the whales at peninsula ValdezÉ[Guy] Davenport
is supposed to have a new collection of essays out from North Point. I thought
the first collection was just a first rate piece of workÉJust finished a very
interesting book called The Body in Pain
by Elaine ScannyÉÓ Sending a Yount
book found for 50 cents.
Correspondence
- continued
Box Folder
1 6 Woolmer
to McCarthy. December 24, 1986. Photocopy, 1 p.
Thanking
him for Yount book. Recommends Robert Herring books.
Enclosing Anatole Broyard New York Times Book Review article, ÒTo Squalor, With LoveÓ that references Suttree. [clipping included].
1 6 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
February 28, 1987. ALS, 1 p.
ÒGood to hear from you. I see IÕm going to
have to start proofreading my letters before I send them offÉÓ Spent Christmas
with his brother in Knoxville then went to California for a week. ÒIÕm now
holed up and back to work. My whale biologist friend Roger is in the
Seychelles. I think IÕm in the wrong businessÉÓ
1 7 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
January 5, 1988. ALS, 2 pp.
ÒThank you for the clipping from the NY
Times. IÕm just back from California, where a theatre group did a reading of a
play I wroteÉIÕve finished a rough draft of a novel [All the Pretty Horses] – Mexico & Texas in the 1940Õs –
and started another one with much the same settingÉÓ
1 7 Woolmer
to McCarthy. January 9, 1988. Photocopy, 1 p.
Asking
if McCarthy has an extra copy of the play script.
1 7 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
March 21, 1988. ALS, 2 pp. (one sheet of paper)
ÒI aint forgot youÉÓ Is hesitant to send copy of script Òbecause
I intend
some time to do
some more work on it. There are elements that are just not cleanÉÓ Recommends
[Bruce ChatwinÕs] Songlines.
1 7 Woolmer
to Ken Lopez. April 4, 1988. Carbon, 1 p.
Inquiring
about advance copies of Outer Dark
and Child of God.
1 7 Woolmer
to McCarthy. May 19, 1988. Photocopy, 1 p.
Passing
along compliment from Bruce Chatwin. Also inquiring
about
selling his papers;
is establishing a relationship with a university library that would be in
position to purchase his archives. Advises to never throw anything away.
1 7 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
November 17, 1988. ALS, 2 pp.
ÒIÕve been in my non communication mode for
some time but I have to write and thank you for the very handsome bookÉI
appreciate your inquiry about my manuscripts. IÕve got – I suppose –
most of them packed away in a storage locker along with corrected proofs and
galleys and such. I dont really propose to do any
thing with this junk except keep itÉAnyway IÕm still at work on my little
projects IÕve finished rough rafts of 2 novels and started a third. They are
all three connectedÉÓ
Correspondence
- continued
Box Folder
1 7 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
April 8, 1989. ALS, 3 pp.
ÒSorry for
the long hiatus in our correspondenceÉÓ Just received a batch
of reviews [All the Pretty Horses]. ÒI was very
distressed over ChatwinÕs death. A talented and
honest man and a decent human being – the perfect candidate, in other
words for the fates to single outÉIÕve lost another writer friend two weeks ago
– Ed Abbey. I think he came across in his writing as some thing of a curmudgen [sic] but he was a kind and generous man –
qualities, sad to say, not common to writersÉÓ Refers to WoolmerÕs comments
about selling his manuscripts, ÒI get requests from institutions wanting me to
send them my manuscripts. I sometimes wonder vaguely what they think I use for
money. IÕve been a full time professional writer for 28 years and IÕve never
received a royalty check. That, IÕll betcha,
is a recordÉÓ
1 7 Woolmer
to McCarthy. April 27, 1989. Photocopy, 1 p.
Shocked
over ChatwinÕs death; discusses Henry Miller and Saul
Bellow
manuscripts sales;
advises not to give away his papers.
1 7 Woolmer
to McCarthy. August 22, 1989. Carbon, 1 p.
Inquiring
how to pronounce ÒSuttree.Ó Arguing with friend that
it is
ÒSuhtree.Ó
1 7 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
September 6, 1989. ALS, 2 pp. (1 sheet of paper).
ÒThanks for your note. You win the wager. It
never occurred to me that folks would pronounce Suttree
to rhyme with shoe tree but they doÉÓ
1 7 Woolmer
to McCarthy. March 14, 1990. Photocopy, 1 p.
Suggests
bringing Dr. Thomas F. Staley, Director of the Harry Ransom
Center
at the University of Texas to El Paso to meet McCarthy.
1 7 Woolmer
to McCarthy. June 10, 1990. Carbon, 1 p.
Woolmer
and Staley thinking of coming out in to El Paso in October.
1 7 Woolmer
to McCarthy. August 15, 1990. Photocopy, 1 p.
Sending
Paul Watkins novel; more about October trip
possibility.
1 7 Woolmer
to McCarthy. August 31, 1990. Photocopy, 1 p.
Staley
suggests October 15, 16, or 17.
1 7 Woolmer
to McCarthy. May 18, 1991. Carbon, 1 p.
Attended
American Academy awards and disappointed McCarthy was a
no-show. Hopes
to see him in El Paso in fall.
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. January 15, 1992. Photocopy, 1 p.
Thanking
for proof copy of All the Pretty Horses; praises book. Will be in
Austin for
dinner for Elizabeth Hardwick, but wonÕt make it to El Paso.
Correspondence
- continued
Box Folder
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. April 21, 1992. Photocopy, 1 p.
Asking
about McCarthy signing copies of books; offers to
broker deal for
his papers with
the HRHRC.
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. June 4, 1992. Photocopy, 1 p.
Thanking
for signed books. Inquires about scripts for The Stonemason and
The GardnerÕs Son.
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. September 11, 1992. Photocopy, 1 p.
Inquiring
about The Stonemason.
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. October 3, 1992. Photocopy, 1 p.
Recently
spent the day with Guy Davenport; went to The University of
Tennessee library and found ÒWake for SusanÓ
and ÒA Drowning IncidentÓ published in the Phoenix.
1 8 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
December 7, 1993. Printed invitation, 1 p.
ÒCormac
McCarthy invites you – on the occasion of his receiving the
National Book Award for 1992 – to a
party to be held on Saturday December 19th at the law offices of
Malcolm McGregor and Bobby Perel.Ó
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. December 10, 1993. Carbon, 1 p. with typed
annotation.
Sending Thomas StaleyÕs review of All the Pretty Horses for Harper & Queen. TMs included,
inscribed: ÒTo Howard Woolmer, IÕve cut and cut for Harper and Queen. I
could write a book on this fine novel. Best wishes, Tom 12/7/92Ó
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. January 1, 1993. Photocopy, 1 p.
Thanking
for party and lunch; Suggests limited edition of The
Stonemason.
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. March 10, 1993. Photocopy, 1 p.
Thanking
for Stonemason; sending check for
$100; congratulations on
National
Book Critics Circle Award.
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. April 10, 1993. Photocopy, 1 p.
Sending article in Firsts.
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. May 1, 1993. Photocopy, 1 p.
Reporting
on purchase of French editions during Paris trip.
1 8 Woolmer
to Editions Robert Laffont. May 4,
1993. Photocopy, 1 p.
Inquiring
about French editions.
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. May 25, 1993. Photocopy, 1 p.
Update
on All the Pretty Horses printings.
Correspondence
- continued
Box Folder
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. July 13, 1993. Carbon, 1 p.
Complimenting
ÒThe Wolf Trapper.Ó
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. November 21, 1993. Photocopy, 1 p., annotated.
More
about collecting foreign editions; asking to publish
limited edition
of The Stonemason.
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. February 20, 1994. Carbon, 1 p.
Regarding
a photograph Woolmer had given McCarthy.
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. March 24, 1994. Carbon, 1 p.
Sending
books for signature; read in a London Times
poll that both John
Banville and Roddy Doyle listed McCarthy as one of Òthe greatest living
novelists writing in English.Ó
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. July 13, 1994. Carbon, 1 p.
Thanking
for signed books.
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. February 6, 1995. Photocopy, 1 p.
Regarding
John Sheddan and McCarthyÕs desire to purchase back
letters
heÕd sent to Sheddan. Corresponding note (TMs, 1 p.) from Woolmer
about his
dealings with Sheddan.
1 8 Woolmer
to Dennis McCarthy. May 15, 1995. Photocopy, 2 pp.
Proving
fair market appraisals of three signed McCarthy books.
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. August 20, 1995. Carbon, 1 p.
Had
coffee with Marisa and Sylvia Erskine.
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. September 8, 1995. Photocopy, 1 p.
Alerting
McCarthy to bookmarks quoting him. Inquires about future
limited editions.
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. November 22, 1995. Photocopy, 1 p.
Heard
that Thomas Staley met McCarthy in El Paso; urges McCarthy to
consider the HRHRC
as home for his papers.
1 8 Woolmer
to McCarthy. September 24, 1996. Photocopy, 1 p.
Thanking
for inscribed GardenerÕs Son; just back from Vancouver.
1 9 Woolmer
to McCarthy. September 14, 1997. Carbon, 1 p.
Inquiring
about a proof copy of Cities of the Plain.
1 9 Woolmer
to McCarthy. May 14, 1998. Carbon, 1 p.
Asking
McCarthy to inscribe Cities of the Plain.
Correspondence
- continued
Box Folder
1 9 Woolmer
to McCarthy. July 24, 1998. Carbon, 1 p.
Sending
Cities of the Plain for inscription;
congratulations on wedding
and wifeÕs
pregnancy.
1 9 Woolmer
to McCarthy. September 9, 1998. Photocopy, 1 p.
Thanking
for Cities of the Plain; recommends The Bandana, a new opera
with a libretto
written by Paul Muldoon.
1 9 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
January 6, 1999. Christmas card.
Signed, and
with a print-out of a digital image of the John Francis
McCarthy,
5 months.
1 9 Woolmer
to McCarthy. January 29, 1999. Photocopy, 1 p.
Inquires
about screenplays ÒWhales and MenÓ and ÒCities of the Plain.Ó
1 9 Woolmer
to McCarthy. November 21, 1999. Carbon, 1 p.
Working on a
new collection; going to Morocco.
1 9 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
November 28, 1999. Printout of digital image with
holograph annotation ÒJohn
Francis McCarthy 15 months/Nov Õ99 All best, Cormac.Ó
1 9 Woolmer
to McCarthy. December 4, 1999. Carbon, 1 p.
Thanking
for photograph
1 9 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
January 28, 2001. Printout of digital image with
holograph annotation ÒJohn
Francis McCarthy, Age 2.Ó
1 9 Woolmer
to McCarthy. January 30, 2001. Photocopy, 1 p.
Thanking
for photograph; Comments on All the Pretty Horses film.
1 9 Woolmer
to McCarthy. August 11, 2005. Printout, signed, 1 p.
Asking
McCarthy to sign No Country for Old Men;
meeting with Phillip
Murray
in New York.
1 9 McCarthy
to Woolmer.
December 13, 2005. ALS, 1 p.
ÒSorry to be
so late answering your nice letterÉÓ Has been in Ireland.
1 9 Woolmer
to McCarthy. December 22, 2005. Printout, 1 p.
Sending
book for signature; working on Irish Theatre Collection for
Princeton.
1 9 Woolmer
to McCarthy. January 25, 2006. Printout, 1 p.
Thanking
for inscribing No Country for Old Men; is reading Blood
Meridian again.
Series
II: Writings by Cormac McCarthy, 1982-1994.
Box Folder
Novels
Blood Meridian
Photocopy of
the original typescript reproducing holograph corrections that
appeared in the
original. 468 pp, annotated at bottom right of epilogue page, ÒCuidad de Chihuahua December 1982Ó and ÒOct 83 revisionÓ on
top left of same. Holograph inscription on the title page: ÒFor
Howard with all best wishes Cormac McCarthy.Ó
1 10 pp.
1-228 of
Ms, plus title page, acknowledgements, and quotes. Also
included is a
photocopy of a January 22, 1985 TL from Peter Shepherd to McCarthy. Pagination
is continuous with additional numbered pages: 24a; 169a, b, and c; and 172a.
1 11 pp.
229-451 of Ms, plus 1 p. epilogue.
Pagination is continuous from
229-319 with
the exception of 254, 255, and 256 on same page. After p.
319, pagination is as follows: 310, 311x, 312, 313, 314x, 315x, 316x, 317,
318x, 319, 320. Pagination is continuous from 320-451 with the exception of 394
and 395 on same page.
The Crossing
Photocopy of page proofs, 513 pp. complete,
printed on rectos only. Preceded by 3 information pp,
the first ÒCormac McCarthy JuneÓ in green felt pen. The second, title page, ÒVolume
Two of The BorderÓ reproduced holograph. The third, the copyright page with Ò2nd
of 3 book contract untitledÓ with holograph note re the material published in
Esquire and a note indicating to whom copies of this typescript should be sent,
January 21, 1994. This is a proof for Knopf salesmen.
2 1 pp.
1-200 plus 3 information pp.
2 2 pp.
201-400
2 3 pp.
401-513
Photocopy of page proofs ready for book printing with line numbering on left
side of each page. Loose sheets, 421 pp., printed on rectos
only, March 21, 1994. Printed note: ÒThis pass was done in the ÔRough
PageÕ format as requested. Please be advised that standard paging
specifications such as window, number lines of the of the last page of a
chapter are purposely ignoredÉÓ Holograph inscription, ÒSent to me for review
by McCarthyÕs editor Gary Fisketjon, Michael Mewshaw.Ó
2 4 pp.
1-200 plus publication information proofs.
2 5 pp.
201-421
Writings
by Cormac McCarthy - continued
Box Folder
The Crossing, continued
Photocopy of final typescript, 556 pp., loose sheets printed on rectos only. Prepared for limited
distribution to Knopf salesmen, with two pages of Òkey selling points.Ó May
1994.
3 1 ÒKey
selling pointsÓ fact sheet from Knopf for sales. Includes
marketing
plans, book
description, author information, and previous book sales history. 2 pp.
3 2 pp.
1-200
3 3 pp.
201-400
3 4 pp.
401-556
3 5 Photocopy
of final typescript, 556 pp., printed on verso and rectos and bound in
cloth. Prepared
for limited distribution to Knopf salesmen, with two pages of Òkey selling points.Ó May 1994.
Cities of the Plain
3 6 Photocopy
of page proofs, 291 pp. March 5, 1998.
The Road
4 1 Photocopy
of typescript, 231 pp., printed on verso and rectos and bound in cloth.
[Error: includes title Knopf information
sheet for From Oslo to Iraq and the Road
Map by Edward W. Said.]
Plays
The Stonemason: A Play in Five Acts
4 2 Photocopy
of typescript, 107 pp., including cover sheet and title page plus pages
2a and 85a & b. AgentÕs stamp is on cover
sheet. Holograph inscription on title page ÒFor Howard All the best Cormac.Ó
The Ecco Press edition is revised from this
typescript. The holograph changes that appear in the typescript are mostly
incorporated in the Ecco version and there are
considerable other changes both in dialogue and in stage directions. Also includes 1 photocopy p. from Publishers Weekly, March 28, 1994 with
note on Ecco Press publication.
Screenplays
The GardenerÕs Son
4 3 Photocopy
of shooting script, 140 pp. Accompanied by the envelope addressed
by the author
dated December 21, 1978.
Series III: Writings
about McCarthy, 1974-2006
Box Folder
4 4 Coles,
Robert.
ÒThe Stranger,Ó in The New Yorker,
August 2, 1974, pp. 87-90.
4 5 Ditsky, John. ÒFurther Into Darkness: The Novels of Cormac
McCarthy,Ó in The
Hollins
Circle,
vol. 18, no. 2, April 1981, pp 1-11.
4 6 Hall,
Michael.
ÒDesperately Seeking Cormac,Ó in Texas
Monthly, vol. 26, issue
7,
July 1998, pp. 76-79; 110-111.
4 7 Hodge,
Roger D. ÒBlood and Time: Cormac McCarthy at the Twilight of the
West,Ó in HarperÕs Magazine, vol. 312, no. 1869,
February 2006, pp. 65-
72.
4 8 Luce,
Dianne C. ÒCormac McCarthy: A Bibliography,Ó [1993], 17 pp.
4 9 Passaro, Vince. ÒThe Best Unknown Writer in America,Ó in Mirabella, May
1992,
pp. 52-54.
4 10 Privratsky, Kenneth L. ÒThe New McCarthyism: Collecting
Cormac McCarthyÓ
in Firsts, April 1993, pp. 24-28.
4 11 Sepich, John Emil. ÒA Ôbloody dark pastrymanÕ: Cormac McCarthyÕs Recipe for
Gunpowder
and Historical Fiction in Blood Meridian.Ó
(photocopy)
Sepich, John Emil. ÒThe Dance of History in Cormac McCarthyÕs
Blood
MeridianÓ in The Southern Literary
Journal, vol 24, no. 1, Fall 1991, pp
17-31. (photocopy)
Sepich, John Emil. ÒÕWhat kind of Indians was them?Õ: Some
Historical Sources
in Cormac McCarthyÕs
Blood Meridian,Ó in The Southern Quarterly, vol. 30, no. 4,
Summer 1992, pp. 93-110. (photocopy)
4 12 Staley,
Thomas F.
All the Pretty Horses by Cormac
McCarthy (review) in
HarperÕs and Queen, April 1993, p. 76.
4 13 Wolff,
Geoffrey.
ÒDeadbeats, Live Wires: Hanging out with Cormac McCarthy,Ó
in Esquire, March 27, 1979, pp. 78-80.
4 14 Wood,
James.
ÒRed Planet: the sanguinary sublime of Cormac McCarthy,Ó in
The New Yorker, July 25, 2005, pp. 88-93.
4 15 Woodward,
Richard W. ÒCormac McCarthyÕs Venomous Fiction,Ó in The New
York Times Magazine, April 19,
1992, pp. 28-31, 36, 40.
Clipping
files, 1965-2006
4 16 1965-1976
(clippings from John Sheddan)
4 17 1965-1979
5 1 1989-1990
5 2 1992
5 3 1993
5 4 1994-2005
5 5 McCarthy
Society
Writings
about McCarthy - continued
Box Folder
McCarthy
Ephemera
5 6 Publishers
catalogs, n.d.
5 7 Flyer
for the first conference on Cormac McCarthy, Bellarmine
College,
Louisville,
KY October 15-17, 1993 (2 copies)
Press
packet for All the Pretty Horses.
Includes a 5Ó x 7Ó b/w photograph
of McCarthy.
Vintage
Books Reading Group guide to All the
Pretty Horses (3 copies)
Bookmark
with McCarthy quote printed at the Bull and Thistle press,
Jamaica, VT.
(2 bookmarks).
ÒProceedings
of the First European Conference on Cormac McCarthyÓ
June 1998.
1999-2000
season brochure for the McCarter Theatre, Princeton, NJ with
listing for world
premiere of The Stonemason (2
copies).
Series IV:
J. Howard Woolmer bibliography files, 1986-2006
5 8 WoolmerÕs
correspondence re: collecting McCarthy, 1986-2006
5 9 WoolmerÕs
bibliography files [folder titles as assigned by Woolmer]
C.
McCarthy – general bibliography
Cormac
McCarthy bibliography (first proof)
Introduction
C McC
The
GardenerÕs Son
The
Stonemason
Child
of God
Outer
Dark
The
Orchard Keeper
Suttree
Blood
Meridian
All the
Pretty Horses
The
Crossing
McCarthy
discards