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Author Nina Wilcox Putnam and Editor Harford Powel 22 letters Corresponding Over Her Writing
Author Nina Wilcox Putnam and Editor Harford Powel 22 letters Corresponding Over Her Writing
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Description:

Author Nina Wilcox Putnam and Editor Harford Powel 22 letters Corresponding Over Her Writing

This archive of witty correspondence between writer Nina Wilcox Putnam and Collier's Weekly editor Harford Powel Jr. offers a fascinating window into the negotiations between the two over several of Putnam's writings, including her "coverage" of a prize fight between Jack Dempsey and Georges Carpentier. The letters form a delightful read about the process of creating American literature in the early 1920s.

NINA WILCOX PUTNAM, Archive of correspondence with Harford Powel Jr., 1921-1922. 22 letters, 24 pp. General toning; some edge tears, especially to carbon copies.

Contents and Excerpts
- Putnam to Powel, April 16, 1921, New York, NY, Typed Letter Signed:
"I do not know when Colliers' pay day comes due, but I do know that the hospital is moving into the near foreground, and that I am going to need my Twelve Hundred and Fifty Badly! How about a check? I should hate to go under ether with a vision of an empty bank account my last remembrance!
"I have been flat on my back ever since I saw you, such is the overwhelming magnificence of great editors and its effect upon writer-folk."

- Powel to Putnam, April 19, 1921, New York, NY, Typed Copy:
"I am sorry to hear that there is a hospital in the near foreground. I hope it will pass as quickly as a milestone seen from a racing car. Either before, or immediately after, can't we discuss some other pieces?"

- Putnam to Powel, May 2, 1921, New York, NY, Typed Letter Signed:
"This week's magazine was brought to me this morning and gave me a shove on the road to recovery. May I say that I like the make-up tremendously, and will you pass on to Frank Godwin the fact that I am enchanted by his illustrations?"
Putnam's story "Tax Vobiscum" was published in the May 7, 1921, issue of Collier's.

- Powel to Putnam, May 6, 1921, New York, NY, Typed Copy:
"I see you have made your mark on the front page of two far from inconspicuous magazines this very week.... When all is said and done, not Herbert Hoover, Hart, Schaffner & Marx, H. G. Wells, Harold Bell Wright, Ivory Soap, John Galsworthy or Big Ben ever attained the journalistic prominence that is yours this week."

- Putnam to Powel, June 1, 1921, Madison, CT, Typed Letter Signed:
"This epistle, if that is how you spell it, is to inquire whether you think Mr. John Wheeler would like to send me to the big fight. My chief qualification is that I know nothing whatever about prize fights and have never seen one. Nevertheless, it is my modest opinion that I could make one hell of a funny story out of it. I could undertake fifteen hundred or two thousand words if necessary, if he would take care of all the details—get it out on the wires, et cetera."
On July 2, 1921, in Jersey City, New Jersey, world heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey of the United States and world light-heavyweight champion Georges Carpentier of France met in one of the fights dubbed the "Fight of the Century." Jack Dempsey won with a fourth-round knockout before 80,000 paying customers. It was the first boxing match to produce more than $1 million in revenue and the first world title fight to be broadcast over the radio.

- Powel to Putnam, June 7, 1921, New York, NY, Typed Copy:
"I hope that, in my absence in Chicago, our office did everything possible for you as regards the Wheeler Syndicate and the big fight. If there is no hope in that direction, and I understand Wheeler has covered the field pretty well, do you want me to try the McClure Syndicate, the Evening Post, or anybody else? You might call me up when you get this and let me know. I hope I can fix it for you."

- Putnam to Powel, June 9, 1921, Madison, CT, Typed Letter Signed:
"The Wheeler Syndicate turned me down when your back was turned and of course I would love to have you try the McClure Syndicate, but I suppose it is hopeless by now. After all I am pretty well tied up with work and it is my own fault if I don't get to the big fight. I should have started it before I went to the hospital.
"How does Collier's stand on 'Disarmament?' I have a story called 'Man Alone' and I don't quite know what to do with it. It is frankly disarmament propaganda. Mr. Lorimer saw it and sent it back. Since that time I have completely revamped it but it is still propaganda. Would you care to see it? It is deadly serious, quite unlike my usual stuff and tarred with the fatal brush, but how about it?"

- Powel to Putnam, June 16, 1921, New York, NY, Typed Copy:
"If you hear from Mr. Frederick Ferguson, of the United Press, treat him kindly and be reasonable. I know you always do both, but do more than ever.... The main thing, of course, is the fact that close-up seats are now selling at $500 to $1000 each."
"As for disarmament, why in goodness' name can't you write it in the same key as 'Tax Vobiscum'. Who took the swords and spurs off men anyhow, and stopped dueling? How do you suppose Mrs. Alexander Hamilton felt about it? Who is going to persuade the world it is time to lay off building battleships and inventing poison gas?"
"Think it over from this angle and see what a fair-minded American woman can tell the world. I don't mean that it needs 10,000 words of stuffy humor at the start—I mean that it could be written in a practical, sensible, human way, with touches here and there of your singularly graceful and effective wit."

- Putnam to Powel, June 24, 1921, Madison, CT, Typed Letter Signed:
"Thank you so much for all your trouble. I haven't heard from Mr. Ferguson and so I haven't had any chance to show him how reasonable I can be when I really want to. But thank you just the same.
"I will think it over on the Disarmament question. Perhaps I can hit on something you would like.... At present I am up to my eyes in work which is ordered by the Post. But I am intrigued by your suggestion."

- Powel to Putnam, June 26, 1921, New York, NY, Typed Copy:
"The ship is not sunk yet. The last chance has not vanished. Be brave. Fix your eye firmly on the 2nd of July. Strong and sinister influences are still at work. We have just begun to fight. Don't give up the trip."

- Putnam to Powel, July 6, 1921, Madison, CT, Typed Letter Signed:
"Here is the story of which I spoke. I suppose it will come flying back to me, for it is almost too much to hope that any living editor will permit me to publish anything which is not written in slang. I know that this is propaganda. I meant it to be. Nevertheless, if you care to suggest any changes I am perfectly willing to work with you.
"I sure did enjoy the Fight, and want to reiterate my expressions of gratitude to you for getting me there."

- Powel to Putnam, July 21, 1921, New York, NY, Typed Copy:
"This 'Man Alone' story interests me and baffles me at the same time. It is beautifully written, although I think there ought to be a little conversation before page 15."
"The climax is a little disappointing It seems the logical outcome of an idea rather than of the human relations of the man in the story—and I guess that is where the propaganda gets in its deadly work. Maybe a sentence would kill it."

- Putnam to Powel, July 25, 1921, Madison, CT, Typed Letter Signed:
"They played the story front page all over the country and didn't cut a word, and I was delighted because it was my first newspaper job."
Putnam's story "Marie Latour's Ring Side Seat" appeared in newspapers throughout the nation on July 4, 1921. She had earlier developed "Marie Latour" stories for the Saturday Evening Post. It concludes, "Boxing, girls, is another exploded mystery which the men have been trying to keep to their self, and which we ladies have now pried away from them. It ain't half as awful, half as bloody, half as devilish in any way as they have been letting on, I am sorry to say. Don't be scared, girls. If there is a fight and you want to go to it, never hesitate, but rush right in where your grandmother feared to tread, for I'll tell the world, a prize fight ain't got a thing on a week-end bargain sale."

- Powel to Putnam, October 27, 1921, New York, NY, Typed Copy:
"I am convinced that 'Man Alone' is a great story, and that we cannot print it. To do so would be to break the one and only rule I have ever had as regard fiction—that it must not be in line with the prejudices of the editor or the magazine, but simply tell a good story and tell it briefly."

Nina Wilcox Putnam (1888-1962) was born in Connecticut as Inez Coralie Wilcox and was taught by her father, a Yale English professor. She published her first short story at age 11. In 1907, she married publisher Robert Faulkner Putnam and kept his last name throughout her publishing career. She drafted the first U.S. Income Tax 1040 Form for the Internal Revenue Service in 1912. She became a prolific writer, authoring more than 500 short stories, 1,000 magazine articles, and several books, in addition to newspaper columns and children's literature. She is estimated to have earned $1 million from her writing by 1942. The screenplay for The Mummy (1932), starring Boris Karloff, was adapted from a story by Putnam and Richard Schayer. At least a dozen of her stories were adapted into movies. After her first husband died in the flu pandemic of 1918, she married Robert J. Sanderson of Boston in 1919 but divorced him in 1926. In 1931, she married Arthur James Ogle but divorced him in 1933. The next day, she married Christian Eliot (d. 1948). Around 1946, she moved to a resort community in Mexico, where she died sixteen years later.

Harford Powel Jr. (1887-1956) was born in Philadelphia and graduated from Harvard University in 1909, where he was president of The Lampoon student publication. He began his career with Vogue magazine in New York. During World War I, he served as a captain in the Army Air Corps. He served as editor of Harper's Bazaar (1917), Collier's Weekly (1919-1922), and The Youth's Companion (1922-1928). In 1932, he became vice president of an advertising firm and led advertising campaigns for Macy's Gimbels, and other New York stores. He served as vice president of the Institute of Public Relations from 1938 to 1941. During World War II, he served as publicity director for the Selective Service System in New York. In addition to short stories, Powel wrote several books throughout his career, including Walter Camp: The Father of American Football (1926), The Virgin Queene (1928), and The Invincible Jew (1930).

All net proceeds from the sale benefit non-profit Westport Book Sale Ventures, which raises funds for the Westport CT Public Library while providing employment and job training for adults with disabilities.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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