Skip to content

The University of Iowa Libraries

Skip to content
Go to
InfoHawk+
University of Iowa Libraries University of Iowa Libraries The University of Iowa The University of Iowa Libraries

News & Announcements

special

Tag: historically yours

Feb 20 2018

Historically Yours Podcast: Ursula LeGuin, Earthsea, and Tolkien with guest Peter Balestrieri

Posted on February 20, 2018January 29, 2021 by Colleen Theisen

In this episode guest Peter Balestrieri brings us a letter from Ursula LeGuin that he found tucked inside of a recently donated copy of “The Farthest Shore.”


LISTEN:

https://historicallyyours.podbean.com/mf/play/d28pdb/leguin_episode.mp3

Download this episode (right click and save)

 

Guest:

Peter Balestrieri

 

Citation:

LeGuin, Ursula to Martin, John

Located in “The Farthest Shore.”

Allen and Brenda Lewis Science Fiction and Fantasy Collection

 

Write to Us!

Know more about this letter?

Write to us!

Historically Yours

c/o Colleen Theisen

100 Main Library

Iowa City, IA 52242

 


Transcription:

Dear John Martin,

Thank you very much for Anduril 1 – I enjoyed (especially the letter from Gollum)(and The Leiber of course) it all.

“The Wizard” was also published by Puffins & by Gollancz, + Gollancz is going on with the two sequels (The sequel and the trequel?) – “Tombs of “Atuan” which comes out this autumn I think, + “The Farthest Shore” a year or so from now. Theirs is the only uniform edition in English + they have really smashing dust jackets by David Smee – the only illustrator I’ve had who seems to see things as I do.

Back in the 50’s I was one of the people who went around wistfully asking everybody, “Have you heard of a writer named TOLKIEN” and they said, Who? It is nice to be one of a throng for once!

Very best wishes,

Ursula LeGuin

Posted in EducationalTagged David Smee, historically yours, Peter Balestrieri, ursula leguin
Jan 19 2018

2017 Year in Review for Special Collections

Posted on January 19, 2018January 25, 2018 by Colleen Theisen

Left: Manuscripts class with fifth grade students. Right: Center for the Book class.

Photos of the RBMS conference including a pile of tote bags, Janet Weaver presenting at Hancher, an Instagram meetup, and the crowd at the closing plenary.

Photos: Final tote bag pile, Colleen Theisen and Rebecca Romney speaking at Prairie Lights, Janet Weaver speaking about Mujeres Latinas at Hancher, the Instagram meetup, and a crowd scene from the final plenary session.

Filmed about Miniature Books with NBC Nightly News.

NBC Nightly News filmed a segment about the Charlotte Smith Miniature Book Collection. View it here.

Photo of the Dada exhibit in the gallery, an exhibit case full of 1960's underground newspapers and fliers, and a photo of two women looking at the IWA 25th anniversary exhibit

More information about our past exhibitions can be found on the Gallery website pages here: Dada, Alternative Press, IWA 25th. 

Paper of Andrei Codrescu arrived in 2017Read the blog post about this new arrival.

Dada/Surrealism Journal issue number 21 was published.Read the new issue.

This brief chart about purchases will be expanded with a post with highlights from our 2017 donations and purchases. Coming soon!

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Tumblr.

Historically Yours the Podcast was launched in 2017. You can listen at http://historicallyyours.podbean.comFollow along here on our blog, on Podbean, or subscribe on your favorite podcast app. 

Old Gold columns can be read via Iowa Now.

hundreds of 1930's-1950's science fiction fanzines were put online. Volunteers can read and transcribe them here: diyhistory.lib.uiowa.edu/hevelinGet started transcribing, or just browse the collection here.

Posted in Year In ReviewTagged acquisitions, dada/surrealism, david mccartney, greg prickman, historically yours, instagram, instruction, Lindsay Moen, margaret Gamm, social media
Dec 13 2017

09: Historically Yours: Love, Marjorie; Knitting hats for strawberries, swearing at horses, and the circus comes to town: Life in Kansas in the 1930’s

Posted on December 13, 2017January 29, 2021 by Colleen Theisen

Living miles apart from your loved ones in the 1930’s a letter was a great way to stay connected. University of Iowa School of Library and Information Science faculty member and author Jennifer Burek Pierce is the guest for episode nine of Historically Yours and reads a fun conversational 1938 letter from Marjorie McVicker (Sutcliffe) to Bill Sutcliffe catching him up on the ins and outs of her daily life telling tales of everything from the weather and pesky lamp miller moths to funny tales from the people in the neighborhood and an account of the circus that came to town.

 

Listen to the podcast

https://historicallyyours.podbean.com/mf/play/xbgrru/Episode_9_v2_Pierce.mp3

Download this episode (right click and save)

Guest

Jennifer Burek Pierce

Letter Citation

Marjorie McVicker (Sutcliffe) to Bill Sutcliffe, 1938
Judith Sutcliffe Papers
IWA0067
Box 16, Folder “Marjorie to Bill, 1938”
Iowa Women’s Archives

Images

Envelope "A few of my pets"
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Folder

Transcription

Wednesday Nite

Dearest Bill,

Just came home from the circus. It was a perfect evening. Sheldon was a clown in the band. Robert danced in the May Pole dance. There were educated elephants, giraffes, bears, ducks, Indians, cowboys & cowgirls, a merry-go-round with the cutest little horses made out of cardboard – of course the kids were in them for legs – but gee! Was it fun! They had a bazooka animal too, the only one in existence. A Hays City Wells Fargo stage big enough for a little boy.

Something has animated this pen until I can’t seem to control it. Don’t know whether ‘twas the circus or if ‘tis this lamp miller you wished off onto me. Anyway I’m all prepared & have tried twice already to put an end to it. The first time it accidently flew under the blanket & I didn’t know it was there until I got up for something. Every time I take a bite of Hershey it deliberately stirs up a dust and I don’t like that sort of powdered sugar on my candy. Then I swatted it under the bed and had about one minute of peace. Now it has come back and is “two” instead of one. Can’t you invent something practical enough to rid homes of such pests? You’d have more than a “path to your door” if you did.

Have you no imagination? This was a Hereford ranch – and they had only two cows to milk – there weren’t enough cows to go around – so that’s where the “half” came in.

Such vicious looking canibals – and such an idea for a hair dress! If only I had known, I would have saved the thigh bone of my fried chicken (Sunday at Feller’s) and re styled my hair. Wouldn’t a wish bone be prettier tho? That tree looked none too comfortable and those knives! Oooh! Wow!

Bill, I’m so glad you have your router – does it sound like a dentist’s drill? If so, I bet you have goose flesh & chills when you work it. This housecleaning cartoon looks as if they didn’t have enough ink or pressure when it went to press. I wonder if a heaver press would make it darker. I looked for a paper at the college library but guess they don’t get it. However, I saw a Grainfield on there. I don’t want you sending me your clippings for I’m afraid you may need them.

On the radio ad did you draw something beside the lettering? I suppose you have been sketching Roscoe’s parents and getting a lot of interesting features for the big day & the big issue. Pardon, the familiarity of first names but I couldn’t recall anything but that – However, I now believe it was Coberly or something similar.

How is your wheat, etc? It was 28 here Sat. Nite and froze tomatoes, etc. However, Swanson doesn’t believe it hurt any wheat except possibly some Blackbull that was headed out – though he doesn’t fear even that. He had all varieties in his plots and so far has seen no damage. Some Russian thistles turned black. I do hope your watermelon didn’t suffer, and your poor strawberries – I’m going to have to knit them some boots & bonnets.

I planted my pansies on May 7 and so far only one sprout is noticeable. It was a seed that lay on top. Sheldon had to help me, so one box is his planting.  Don’t worry I caught the sand burrs when I sifted the dirt thru my fingers in filling the boxes. Mr. Barry has been sitting up, but is still in the Hospital. May come home this week.

It’s raining here again. Just as the circus ended at Washington school it began to sprinkle and was raining quite a shower by the time I walked home. I didn’t have a horse either – nor any cows to lead the way.

Speaking of horses – “Celly” came to town early Sunday morning when Edmond came after me – and Celly was to ride one of Major Cook’s high class mares and lead the other one out to Feller’s pasture. They both have colts. At 12:30 he hadn’t arrived so JD & Ed went to see why. They found him only a short ways from starting point – in the middle of the road (not highway) he was pulling, pushing & !!!***??? Ed said: “You Fool, why didn’t you tie them to a fence post and go to a telephone & call us?” Celly used some words I can’t spell & replied, “Year, a fence post within 10 feet & telephone in 100 yards – but do you think I could carry them to a fence post?” Well, results were that we wimmin’ folks waited till 2:30 to eat that fried chicken dinner – and I hadn’t had any Sun. breakfast! Major Cook, you know is the Cavalry man at St. Joseph’s. His horses are superior & well trained.

Went to the Star theatre last nite to see David Copperfield. They had a short on cooking – and I learned if you pour salt over the hole in a broken egg the innards won’t boil out in the water. Also if you pour boiling water over tuna fish in a colander the fishy taste and odor is removed. I can hardly wait to see if it works on herring too. There were several other practical things in the picture. I just wonder if they’ll work.

Well, I took your advise & plinked down 16.50 for a pair of owl eyes – no joking, the pink linen wiper that came with the case has an owl printed beside the motto or slogan.

But am I having fun trying to remember to look through them instead of at them. And she told me I was far-sighted – so I’m expecting to hear you say “copy-cat.” They make me look quite sophisticated – only I can’t draw my picture.

In order to see how good they were I made myself a new blouse – all by hand – and found the cutest little white button with tiny flowers painted on them. I’ll put in a scrap of material. Would send a button but am afraid you’d lose it.

Bill did you ever watch a magician – if so, perhaps you know – there can be no magic unless someone waves a magic wand. And that’s what you have done.

This morning a mocking bird sang outside my window to awaken me. Then as I went to breakfast one sang as I walked down the alley and when i went to work – another was outside my office window. Could it have been the same one – or is all the world filled with melodious singers.

Did the little turkeys pick the dandelions for you?

Love Marjorie.

 

P.S. The pansies sprouted over night + are coming up this morning. It didn’t rain much last nite but is awfully cloudy this morning.

 

Posted in EducationalTagged historically yours, iowa women's archives, jennifer burek pierce, marjorie sutcliffe
edgar allan poe
Nov 21 2017

Historically Yours Podcast: A Tale of Woe for Miss Rosa Poe with guest Peter Balestrieri

Posted on November 21, 2017January 29, 2021 by Colleen Theisen

Listen to the podcast:

Download this episode (right click and save)

For this episode of Historically Yours, Curator of Science Fiction and Popular Culture, Peter Balestrieri takes us back into the publishing industry reading a handwritten letter from 1868 written on behalf of Miss Rosa Poe, sister of Edgar Allan Poe.

 

Letter information:

 

MsL T473d

Thompson, John Reuben to Eugene Didier

28 January 1868

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Letter text:

 

17 Lafayette Place:

New York City, 28 Jan. 1868

 

Dear Sir,

I am again compelled to remind you that you have returned no answer in the matter of the Juvenile Verses of Edgar Poe, which I submitted to you some time ago for “Southern Society” and to ask either that you will return me the Ms. or else authorize us to write to Miss Rosa Poe that she may draw upon you for $15 – the sum I named as compensation for them. I explained to you when I sent the Ms. that Miss Poe was in a very destitute situation, and that I had undertaken, purely as a work of charity, to find a purchaser for the verses. If you want them, write me to that effect at once, if you do not want them, send them back to me, for delay in a case of destitution is really really unreasonable.

I desire to get two copies of your paper containing my poem of “Music in Camp,” and one copy of the number which published Simms’ Sketch of [Timrod?]. If you will be good enough to send us these, and will let me know what I am to pay for them, I will send you the amount in postage stamps.

Very truly yours,

 

R. Thompson

 

Eugene Didier Esq.

 

Posted in EducationalTagged edgar allan poe, historically yours, Peter Balestrieri
Oct 25 2017

Historically Yours Podcast: Academics, Fans, H.P. Lovecraft, and the price of paper

Posted on October 25, 2017January 29, 2021 by Colleen Theisen

For this episode of Historically Yours, School of Library and Information Science graduate student Kathryn Heffner reads a typed letter on Arkham House letterhead with details relating to what it took to get HP Lovecraft published during World War II, both figuratively and literally.

Listen here:

Download this episode (right click and save)

 

Letter:

Msc0429, Thomas Ollive Mabbott Papers

August Derleth to Thomas Ollive Mabbott

9 June 1943

Dear Mr. Mabbott:
Many thanks for your card. However, Dyalhis is dead, I understand. What with WPB paper restrictions, slowness of the fans to buy, etc., half our authors will be dead and we’ll have trouble with their estates before we can public the books we want to do. For instance, we have Whitehead’s JUMBEE AND OTHER UNCANNY TALES ready to go, but we can’t get a release for the estate, nor could we get enough paper for even so little as 1000 copies! If we were to publish it now, we could get paper enough for 900 copies, but then we couldn’t publish the 2nd Lovecraft. As it is, we’ll probably have to publish half the Lovecraft edition this autumn, and then the other half after January 1st, if we can’t get enough paper released so that we can use it. We also have coming Donald Wandrei’s THE EYE AND THE FINGER, but this, too, is likely to be held back until 1945, unless we can get the paper for this second Lovecraft, which will in any case be delayed into later September.
All best wishes to you.
Sincerely,

 

Guest:

Kathryn E. Heffner

The University of Iowa, BLIS Student

 

Posted in EducationalTagged august derleth, H.P. Lovecraft, historically yours, Thomas Ollive Mabbott
Calamity Jane
Jul 26 2017

Historically Yours Podcast Ep. 6: Calamity Jane’s Death with Elizabeth Riordan

Posted on July 26, 2017January 29, 2021 by Colleen Theisen

Calamity JaneThe sixth episode of Historically Yours is here and this time we’re joined by Graduate Assistant Elizabeth Riordan.

For this episode, Liz recalls her Wild West phase as a child and reads a letter from a train conductor in South Dakota looking back years later and telling the tale of meeting “bundle of rags” Calamity Jane the week of her death, and carrying her off the train.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Know anything more about this letter?

Type in the comments, email us colleen-theisen@uiowa.edu or write to us:

Colleen Theisen

Special Collections

100 Main Library

Iowa City, IA 52242

 

Download this episode (right click and save)

Subscribe on iTunes

 

 

Alliance Nebr .June 22nd 1929.

Mr. Edwin L. Sabin.

La Jolia. California.

Dear Mr Sabin.

In reply to your favor of June 13th. will say, I did tell our friend some time ago of Calamity Jane and having carried her from the tratn at Terry S. Dak. The date was Aug 2d 1903, and I will give you the facts as I have them on my memory.

About July 15th I was standing on the siding at Englewood S. Dak. Waiting for the South bound Passenger from Deadwood, It came in on the opoaite track and stood beside the Eng I was running and I saw Calamity in one of the coaches and ask her whare she was going, and her reply was I am making the rounds of the hill towns for the last time and am going to cash in, she was bound for hot Springs, and went from thare to Buffalo Gap Rappid City Sturgis White Wood Bell Fourch, And about the Latter part of July Showed up at Spearfish, and on the Morning of Aug 3rd came to the traine just before leaving time, I had quite A long conversation with her In which she againe informed me she would not live long and said she3 was ready to go, we put her on the traine and when we arived at Terry S. D. I ask the Conductor if she was not getting off thare, he informed me he was not sure but she had passed in as she suggested at Spearfish, While the crew were unloading the Freight I went to the Coach and Awakened her as she had been drinking verry heavily while in Spearfish and had not eaten much. She stoped with Jack Kingsley who was a Saloon Keeper thaer and had known her since coming to the HIlls in 76. And had a verry kindly feeling for her. After I got her onnher feat she seemed to take new life but i was compleled to carry her from the tratn and asisted her to the trail that led down the hill to the town she tyrned and Thanked me and said good by Kid and that was the last time I saw her alive as she died before we left Deadwood ao our return trip tp Spearfish the time was about I.P.M. I think. She was both drunk and sick and I will alwas remwmber she was verry frail and was A bundle of rags and filth, but was loved by manny of the old timer who gave her the best burial the town could aford, and had the largest funeral I had ever sean in Deadwood.

I have wondered what interest you had in our old friend Calamity, let me here from tou againe I am curious. M hoping this is the information you wanted.

I am yours verry sincerely.

S.G. Tillett

Posted in EducationalTagged calamity jane, elizabeth riordan, historically yours, podcast
Jun 28 2017

Historically Yours Podcast Episode 5 – James Thurber Letter

Posted on June 28, 2017January 29, 2021 by Colleen Theisen

Image of David McCartneyThe fifth episode of Historically Yours is here and this time we’re joined by University Archivist David McCartney.

For this episode, David McCartney tells a poignant tale of letter writing past and present and then reads us a letter from James Thurber from his time at the New Yorker in 1935.

 

 

Know anything more about this letter? Able to track down the article they are referencing?

Type in the comments, email us colleen-theisen@uiowa.edu or write to us:

Colleen Theisen

Special Collections

100 Main Library

Iowa City, IA 52242

 

Download this episode (right click and save)

Subscribe on iTunes

 

Letter from James Thurber. Text: Dear Elizabeth Clarkson Zwart: It wasn't the reason, though, why I was recently divorced by my wife. That is, my first wife. I have had a new one for six months. The first one was a good poker player and the second one is really fine (I call her Little Tennis Face). She can be dealt four natural jacks in straight poker and look very sad. Neither one of the ladies ever cared for freak variations of the grand old game. We have always been one on our objection to that. You see it really isn't my loathing for women that comes out in that piece, or Mr. Brush's loathing for women (you'll remember he really loathes Mr. Spear (or Spreef or Chevalier) more. It was my loathing and Mr. Brush's, and the former Mrs Thurber's and the present Mrs. Thurber's, for silly, cock-eyed, wild forms of poker. You should have let Mr. Zwart review that piece. But thanks for all the nice things you say. Sincerely, James Thurber

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Elizabeth Clarkson Zwart:

It wasn’t the reason, though, why I was recently divorced by my wife. That is, my first wife. I have had a new one for six months. The first one was a good poker player and the second one is really fine (I call her Little Tennis Face). She can be dealt four natural jacks in straight poker and look very sad. Neither one of the ladies ever cared for freak variations of the grand old game. We have always been one on our objection to that.

You see it really isn’t my loathing for women that comes out in that piece, or Mr. Brush’s loathing for women (you’ll remember he really loathes Mr. Spear (or Spreef or Chevalier) more. It was my loathing and Mr. Brush’s, and the former Mrs Thurber’s and the present Mrs. Thurber’s, for silly, cock-eyed, wild forms of poker. You should have let Mr. Zwart review that piece. But thanks for all the nice things you say.

Sincerely,

James Thurber

 

 

Credits:

Host: Colleen Theisen

Guest: David McCartney

Letter: Letter to Elizabeth Clarkson Zwart. : New York, NY., 1935 Dec. 5. Thurber, James 1894-1961. Elizabeth Clarkson Zwart 1904-1983, recipient.

Theme Music – “Handwritten Letters” by Will Riordan

Editing: Colleen Theisen

Posted in EducationalTagged david mccartney, historically yours, james thurber, podcast, poker
May 04 2017

Historically Yours Podcast: Warren G. Harding letter with guest Ben Schmidt

Posted on May 4, 2017January 29, 2021 by Colleen Theisen

Image of Ben SchmidtThe third episode of Historically Yours is here and this time we’re joined by School of Library and Information graduate student Ben Schmidt.

Ben reads a letter from Warren G. Harding responding to a request for a memorial for World War I.

 

 

Do you know anything about the movement to make a memorial? Or about Mrs. Henry F. Dimock?

Type in the comments, email us colleen-theisen@uiowa.edu or write to us:

 

Colleen Theisen

Special Collections

100 Main Library

Iowa City, IA 52242

 

Download this episode (right click and save)

Subscribe on iTunes:

 

See the letter below:

 

 

Posted in EducationalTagged Ben Schmidt, historically yours, Warren G. Harding
I beg leave to express my admiration for your gallant coduct in extinguishing the fire at the Park Theatre last night. I am certain that but for your gallantry and courageous risk of your own life the theater with its contents and perhaps many valuable lives would have been lost. I can never forget the spirit with which you thrust your body into the burning space and choked the consuming gas until the danger was past, such deeds illuminate monuments of human heroism. Truly your friend, Lawrence Barrett.
Apr 18 2017

Historically Yours Podcast Episode 2: Heroic Deeds with Liz Riordan

Posted on April 18, 2017January 29, 2021 by Colleen Theisen

Historically Yours is brought to you by the wacky folks who wander in and out of the University of Iowa Special Collections. Your host is Colleen Theisen, today’s guest is Liz Riordan.

Our theme music was composed by Will Riordan.

Download this episode (right click and save)

 

(Subscribe on Podbean, iTunes, or Pocket Casts. Let us know where we should syndicate.)

Do you know anything about the letter from today’s episode? About the clipping mentioned in blue pencil on the letter? About the Park Theater or Mr. Smith?

 

Write to us!

Historically Yours

c/o Colleen Theisen

University of Iowa Special Collections

100 Main Library

Iowa City, IA 52242

 

Letter from this episode:

Lawrence Barrett to James H. Smith Esq.

September 26, 1873.

MsL B274

I beg leave to express my admiration for your gallant coduct in extinguishing the fire at the Park Theatre last night. I am certain that but for your gallantry and courageous risk of your own life the theater with its contents and perhaps many valuable lives would have been lost. I can never forget the spirit with which you thrust your body into the burning space and choked the consuming gas until the danger was past, such deeds illuminate monuments of human heroism. Truly your friend, Lawrence Barrett.

 

Posted in EducationalTagged historically yours, letter, Liz Riordan, msl, podcast, theater fire
Apr 05 2017

New Podcast Historically Yours Launches

Posted on April 5, 2017January 29, 2021 by Colleen Theisen

The University of Iowa Special Collections has a new podcast, Historically Yours which will be a biweekly podcast. In each episode Outreach Librarian Colleen Theisen and a guest will read one historic letter, research the context, and discuss the role of letter writing past and present.

 

Episode 1 features Digital Project Librarian Laura Hampton reading a letter from April 15, 1942 from Horace Ainsley Vachell of Bath England to Mr. Corder. (MsL V1183co).

Do you know anything about Mr. Corder? Or Mr. Vachell? Or anything else in this letter? Let us know.

 

Write to us with information, feedback, stories or comments and we’ll read them on the podcast:

Historically Yours

c/o Colleen Theisen

University of Iowa Libraries Special Collections

100 Main Library

Iowa City, IA 52242

 

New episodes will premiere bi-weekly on Tuesdays.

 

Episode 1:

 

Here is the letter from episode 1:

 

You can also follow along on Twitter and Facebook.

Posted in Educational, NewsTagged colleen theisen, episode 1, historically yours, horace annesley vachell, laura hampton, podcast

Categories

  • Collection Connection
  • Dada
  • Educational
  • Event Announcements
  • Exhibitions
  • From the Classroom
  • New Acquisitions
  • News
  • Science Fiction and Popular Culture
  • Staff Award
  • Staff News
  • Top 10
  • Uncategorized
  • University Archives
  • Weekly Update
  • Year In Review

Archives

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org
Proudly powered by WordPress | Theme: Zoia by Automattic.
University of Iowa Libraries University of Iowa Libraries The University of Iowa The University of Iowa Libraries
  • Contact the Libraries
  • Library locations & hours
  • News & Events
  • Help using the Libraries
  • Assistance for people with disabilities
  • Our diversity statement
  • Thank a Librarian
  • Web site/page feedback OR general suggestions
  • UI Libraries other links UI Libraries in the Internet Archive Use and reuse of UI Libraries web content - Creative Commons Staff SharePoint (authentication required)
  • UI Libraries on social media UI Libraries on Instagram UI Libraries on Facebook UI Libraries on Twitter UI Libraries on Pinterest UI Libraries on Tumblr UI Libraries on YouTube UI Libraries on Flickr UI Libraries blogs
  • 100 Main Library (LIB)
  • 125 West Washington St.
  • Iowa City, IA 52242-1420
  • 319-335-5299 (Service Desk)
  • ©2019 The University of Iowa
  • Give a gift to the Libraries!