Edison Marshall papers

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSS-280

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

contains first, working and final drafts of a selection of Marshall’s books, plays and short stories as well as photographs. Contains notes and drafts by Edison Marshall Jr. for a biography of his father as well as the draft and bound copy of Marshall Jr.’s master’s thesis.

Dates

Created: 1919-1967
Other: Majority of material found in 1919-1967
Other: Date acquired: 12/03/2008

Creator

Marshall, Edison Jr. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

no resrtictions

Conditions Governing Use

users must arrange for copyright clearance for uses not covered under Fair Use Doctrine.

Biographical or Historical Information

Mrs. Mary Ann Cashin. Marshall, Edison Tesla. Dictionary of Georgia Biography Vol. 2 ed. Kenneth Coleman and Charles Stephen Gurr Athens: The University of Georgia Press p. 690-691 MARSHALL, EDISON TESLA, Author, Born Rensselaer, Ind., 28 August 1894; died Augusta Ga., 30 October 1967. Son of George Edward and Lillie Bartoo Marshall. Married Agnes Sharp Flythe, 4 January 1920. Children: Edison T. and Nancy Silence. Education: University of Oregon (1913-15) Honorary degree: University of Oregon, M.A. (1941) Edison Tesla Marshall’s father was a newspaper publisher in Rensselaer until he moved the family to Oregon when Edison was thirteen. The father’s venture into fruit growing in Oregon was not financially successful. Edison in later life remarked that he resolved then that whatever he did in life, he would make a bountiful living. From 1913 to 1915 Edison attended the University of Oregon, where he majored in journalism. While he was a freshman there he sold his first story to Argosy. Marshall’s writing was interrupted in 1918 when he served in the United States Army as a public-relations officer. That and a short summer stint as a reporter were the only salaried jobs he said he had in life. Marshall returned to his typewriter in 1919 and produced “The Elephant Remembers,” a widely read short story that appeared in a number of school textbooks. In 1920 Marshall married Agnes Sharp Flythe of Augusta, Ga., whom he had met while we was stationed at Camp Hancock in Augusta. They called their Augusta home Breetholm (bright woods). For twenty years Marshall wrote short stories and serials for magazines. His works in American, Good Housekeeping, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan and Reader’s Digest were read by millions. In 1921 Marshall’s “Heart of Little Shikara” was awarded a prize as the best short story of the year by the O’Henry Memorial Commission. In 1941, Marshall, now financially secure, attempted the first of his historical novels, Benjamin Blake. It was an immediate success, and a best seller in the United States, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark. The novel was made into a movie, Son of Fury, starring Tyrone Power. After Benjamin Blake, Marshall produced almost a novel a year, totaling forty-nine. Marshall was above all a storyteller of adventure. His residence in Augusta was interrupted by frequent hunting expeditions in foreign lands. Many of his works were set in the areas he visited: Africa, Alaska, China, and India. Trophies of Marshall’s big game hunts decorated his home in Augusta. Marshall’s answer to critics of his works was that most of his books made the best-seller list. He wrote to be read. His works were translated into nine foreign languages and a number of his novels were made into films. Marshall realized an early ambition: as he put it, “fifty years of making a good living from my pen alone with no other gainful occupation.” The University of Miami awarded Marshall the order of merit for distinguished leadership in the writing of fiction. Year after year he appeared in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who International. When Marshall died in 1967, his obituary in the New York Times summarized his career by saying that he was foremost in the field of historical novels in the 1940s and 1950s. (see entry for bibliography)

Note written by

Extent

14.00 boxes

14 bankers boxes and 1 scrapbook other_unmapped

Language

English

Additional Description

Arrangement Note

Box 1 The Vindictive. Book three rough draft estimateTo the Dark Tower – Anonymous- A novel.To the Dark Tower. Unrevised pages 1-34 and 64-66 only.Handwritten manuscript in Spanish with typewritten critique. Possible title El Desden Con El Desden De Augustin Moreto Y CabanaCaravan to Xanadu with Literary Guild cuts.Rough draft and cover sheet. Title unknown Box 1B A. Draft of the Hairy Mammoth. Chapters 1-3 with synopsis of remaining novel. B. Original unsold manuscript. Not edited. The Hairy Mammoth. C. West with the Viking. Printer’s copy. No editing. D. Captain Coward. (2 drafts) E. (Siberian Romance) I-V installments F. The King’s Physician I-IV installments revised Box 2 A. The Gentlemen: A Novel in Three Parts. B. Unidentified Manuscript. Printer’s copy no editing. Box 3 A. Two drafts of My Eyes Have Seen The Glory unpublished manuscript B. Deep South a play with revisions C. Deep South – several drafts D. Infinite Woman Original draft E. Draft of The Gentleman books 1-4 F. Multiple drafts of The Gentleman Box 4 A. Journal used to note details of Edison Marshall’s illness and treatment from approximately March 29, 1967 to August 15, 1967. No entries afterwards. No entries for October 30, 1967 the day of Marshall’s death B. Tooled (embossed) leather book cover presented by the Camp Gordon Women’s Club April 6, 1955 C. Photo album of New Year’s Party, January 2, 1961, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Edison Marshall for foreign military students (possibly Vietnamese, Thai, Korean and Iranian) from the U.S. Army Signal Training Center, Fort Gordon Georgia. 12 black and white photographs mounted on pasteboard in an accordion bound album. D. Green Photograph Album with 22 8x10 inch black and white studio quality photographs believed to be publicity stills. The back of the album is stamped with the logo of Morgan Fitz Photography Studios and a random sample of photograph backs suggests all photos in this album were shot by Morgan Fitz Photography Studios. Several formal portraits of Edison Marshall. In two he is posed with a collection of his books. In one he is posed with a collection of cover art. A cancelled check in this collection made to Morgan Fitz may indicate payment for these shots. E. Cancelled checks written by Edison Marshall and occasionally Mrs. Edison Marshall on the Citizens and Southern National Bank. Curiously, there are samples of checks from the Bank of Waynesboro, the Georgia Rail Road Bank and Trust, First National Bank of Waynesboro, and the First National Bank and Trust Company of Augusta where the banks’ imprinter is scratched out and Citizens and Southern National Bank is written in by hand - Single checks from 1954, 1956, and one undated check - Checks 1957 – June 14 to December 16 - Checks 1958 – January 3 to December 30 - Checks 1959 – January 20 to August - Other bank slips F. Masters of Arts Thesis by Edison Marshall Jr. for the University of Miami. Montezuma As Seen By Cortes, Bernal Diaz and Four Other Historians Of The Sixteenth Century June 1960 G. No Tas Sobre Don Quijote. Text and handwritten notes in Spanish H. The Black Snowball unpublished manuscript Box 5 A. Older family photographs Note: cabinet card of Edison Tesla Marshal age 1 B. Black and white snapshots (ca. 1940s-1960s) 104 items C. Color snapshots (Christmas 1960) 9 items D. Color snapshots (1962) 7 items E. Color snapshots (Christmas 1962) 12 items F. Color snapshots (1963) 3 items G. Color snapshots (1964) 12 items H. Color snapshots (1965) 6 items I. Color snapshots (1968) 1 item J. Color snapshots (1969) 2 items K. Color snapshots (1960s) 19 items L. Color snapshots (ca. late 1960s early 1970s) M. 5 8x10 black and white group shots (ca. mid to late 1940s) N. Black and white photographs Edison Marshall and Bob Davis (1929) O. 8 8x10 black and white publicity stills P. 1 8x10 color photograph book jacket for The Conqueror Q. 3 8x10 black and white portraits R. 12 photographs various sizes hunting tiger, leopard and water buffalo S. 9 photographs various sizes hunting pheasant and quail T. 1 8x10 color photographs in presentation sleeve friends of Marshall U. 9 black and white studio photographs V. 6 Christmas cards (1959) W. 4 photographs of Edison Marshall at Fort Gordon Library Week celebrations (1964) X. 5 developers snapshot albums Y. 2 black and white portraits wedding of Nancy Marshall Z. 11x17 black and white photograph ship’s christening AA. 11x17 black and white photograph portrait BB. 11x17 black and white photograph addressed to Jimmy Robinson ”the last great nimrod” on Marshall’s 69^th birthday Box 6 A. Letter by Edison Sr. to Edison Jr. Discusses Sr.’s book sales and Jr.’s career path (with clippings) B. Publicity flyer with illustrations for The Infinite Woman C. Color display poster for American Captain D. Unsigned Christmas cards from the President and Mrs. Eisenhower 1954 and 1956 E. Liberty Pass/I.D. for Edison M. Jennings F. Synopsis of a future novel G. Carbon copy of a letter of introduction for Edison Marshall to Mr. Rene Arnaud, manager Banque de la Martinique, S. A. from P. G. Blitch Executive Vice President of Citizens and Southern National Bank dated May 16, 1956 H. Carbon copy of a letter from William B. Cobb, Jr. American Consul of Martinique advising Marshall on the arrival of his shipment of rum dated February 8, 1957 I. Copy of a contract between Edison Marshall and World Distributors (Manchester) Ltd. For the publication and distribution of The Upstart J. Letter to Edison Marshall from Howard B. Gotleib, Chief of Reference and Special Collections, Boston University Libraries dated July 27, 1965 thanking Marshall for the donation of his papers. These are now held in the Contemporary Collections of the Howard Gotlieb Archival Research Center at the University of Boston K. The American Legion Citation for Meritorious Service issued to Edison Marshall by Post No. 26, Aiken South Carolina on May 18, 1961 L. Letter to Edison Marshall from James Alward Van Fleet “Vair” dated November 10, 1956 with envelope M. Personal note written by Edison Marshall, perhaps to his daughter-in-law N. Story proposal to Edison Marshall dated July 26. 1957 suggesting he write about Joshua Barney a privateer in the War of 1812 O. Library services pamphlet giving a suggested bibliography of Marshall’s works P. Letter declining an invitation from Marshall from President Dwight D. Eisenhower dated November 9, 1964 Q. Piece of verse with correction R. Letter to Edison Marshall from Gabriele Paresce, Press Counselor, Italian Embassy, Washington D.C. dated October 7, 1955 S. Transcript of a telegram sent to Edison Marshall April 9, 195[4] T. Note to Edison Marshall from Kirk Douglas dated June 28, 1962 with envelope U. Insurance policy Claim Settlement Certificate on Edison Marshall from Prudential Life Insurance for ten thousand dollars dated February 27, 1948 V. Letter written by Edison Marshall to District Collection of Internal Revenue Atlanta Georgia for a time extension for tax returns dated April 10, 1965 W. Outline of a proposal for the Georgia Pacific Corporation Safari and Shikar X. Incomplete letter, possibly from William S. Powell; librarian North Carolina Collection The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Library answering questions on the “lost colonists” dated July 18, 1963 Second letter dated June 19, 1964 suggesting Marshall write about George Monck, Duke of Abermarle Y. Letter to Edison Marshall from Major General Eugene A. Salet U.S. Army War College Z. Invitation from the prefet of Martinique and Madam G. Villeger dated June 16 1956 in French AA. A cover note from Paul R. Reynolds referring to a contract with Doubleday for The Conqueror BB. Miscellaneous papers with memorandum book CC. Binder with correspondence; a fair amount from Edison Marshall Sr. to Edison Marshall Jr. Sub-Series Box labeled Fan Mail a. Letter from cousin Henry Field dated March 1, 1965 b. Letter from Sharon A. Eigle applying as manuscript typist dated February 2, 1965 c. Letter from Mrs. B. C. (Rosemary) Nelson dated February 1, 1965 with envelope d. Letter from Carlos P. Lamar, M.D. dated April 25, 1965 e. Incomplete letter from Capt. Herb LeBorron f. Letter from R. Kay Porter dated November 14, 1963 g. Letter from J. Riis Owre, Dean of the Graduate School University of Miami dated April 27, 1964 h. Letter from Charles “Charlie” Elliott to “Eddy” dated May 1, 1965 i. Letter from Bessie W. DuBois dated April 30, 1965 j. Letter from Rex Stout asking Marshall to rejoin The Authors Guild and the Authors League of America Dated February 19, 1965 k. Letter from Frank Rockley l. Letter from Charles G. Mettler dated July 14 [?] m. Letter from Carl W. Hintz, University Librarian, University of Oregon dated January 16, 1965 n. Letter and poems from Lloyd C. Shank dated June 4, 1965 o. Letter from Robert W. Bryan dated June 1, 1965 with envelope p. Letter from L. V. Worthington, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution dated June 16, 1965 with envelope q. Letter from Mrs. Philip J. Higher dated May 30, 1965 with envelope r. Letter from A. Imam with a poem by his son Alfred Raoul Hasan attached dated March 7, 1965 s. Rytex Card-OGram from Mary Elizabeth Reedy around February 26, 1964 t. Letter from Roy Ross Abercrombie dated May 5, 1965 Box 7 Articles and Short Stories A. The American Vikings B. Augusta Georgia and Endogamy In The Deep South C. Black Snake D. The Cave Of A Million Buddhas E. Desdemona F. The Dream of Dr. Handerau G. The Elephant Remembers H. Elephants I. The Fox of Zanziba J. The Great Inventor K. The Great Rift L. The Haunted Cottage M. The Haunter N. Jim Crow (new ending) O. The Maladjusted Angel P. The Midnight Supper Q. The Moon Shines Again R. My Lord The Elephant S. The Sea Gulls T. A Strange Sea Story U. Supper For Four V. The Swordsman From Virginia W. Ten Green Doors X. Wild Surmise Box 8 A. Green Photograph album with family snapshots B. Carousel of 35 mm slides 80 total · 1-18 Seville and Barcelona · 19-22 Belgium, Brussells · 23 Canada · 24 India · 25-26 Greece · 27 France · 28-65 various locations USA · 66-69 Cuba · 70 USA · 71-80 France C. Letter from Edison Marshall Jr. praising Mrs. Mary Cashin for her article on Edison Marshall for Dictionary of Georgia Biography Vol. 2 ed. Kenneth Coleman and Charles Stephen Gurr Athens: The University of Georgia Press p. 690-691 Box 9 A. Original Manuscript Princess Sophia. B. Partial Original Manuscript of The Vikings. Edited C. The Inevitable. Publishers’ galley in original wrapper. D. Pagan King Original partially edited manuscript. Note: In spite of donor note this seems to be several unrelated manuscripts. Box 10 A. Pagan King Original Edited Manuscript (out of order) B. The Sea Gulls. Unpublished play C. Manuscript for the Music Maker D. Draft of Address to the Georgia State Convention of the Chamber of Commerce entitled Return of the Hun. E. Draft of The Inevitable Hour: A novel of Martinique. F. Earth Giant. Printers’ copy G. Heart of the Hunter. Original manuscript edited. Box 11 A. American Captain. Edited manuscript. Pages out of order. B. Wrapper from American Captain C. Glance at the Sciences. Unpublished manuscript D. The Halt and the Blind. Unpublished manuscript E. Simon Peeltower F. Research report for a possible novel on Ines de Castro G. The Beauty of Place Names on the Ear. Box 12 A. Correspondence and notebooks of Edison Marshall Jr. 15 notebooks. Estimated date range 1970-1988 with gaps B. Edison Marshall Jr. United States Naval Institute certificate C. Graduate Directives from Mexico City College D. Letter to Edison Marshall Jr. from [Helena] in Spanish E. Letter to Edison Marshal Jr. from Walter E. Mutz dated December 28, 1959 F. Invitation to the inauguration of Ronald Wilson Reagan, President of the United States of America G. A handwritten letter that may be from Edison Marshall Jr. to his wife by the references to Mother and Dad and Nancy. H. Copy of a Dismission from Executorship Petition I. Picture of Colvig family reunion, partial Colvig genealogy and a manuscript Cogitation Of An Old Codger by George E. Marshall provided by Ray Colvig 1985 Box 13 and 14 Contents include: a finished copy of a biography of Edison Marshall by Edison Marshall Jr. Also contains drafts of what appear to be oral history transcripts prepared by Edison Marshall and partial manuscripts for his own Autobiography. Marshall Jr. appears to have used these as the basis for his biography of his father. (needs expert opinion) Scrapbook 2 scrapbooks of newspaper cuttings (not completed) and a selection of newspaper cuttings.