Collection Title,John Howard Benson papers concerning The first writing book Collection Dates,Creation: 1953-1955 Collection Identifier,MS Typ 897 EAD ID,hou01605 Database Number,Component Title,Component Date,Start Year,End Year,Component identifier,Container info,Component type,Component creator,Digital content link,Access Note,Physical description,Level 1 hou01605c00001,I. Preliminary matter and notes,1953-1955,1953,1955,MS Typ 897,,series,,"","","", hou01605c00002,"Page listing the book as the, ""Second of the Studies in the/History of Calligraphy/Harvard College Library/Cambridge/The Newberry Library/Chicago. Page 1 (leaf manuscript).",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (1)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",I. Preliminary matter and notes, hou01605c00003,"Small piece of paper reading, ""Studies in the History of Calligraphy,"" for printer to produce the negative of it to print on title page (pg. 1) (leaf manuscript).",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (2)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",I. Preliminary matter and notes, hou01605c00004,Title page top 3/4 of pg. 3 (leaf manuscript).,1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (3)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",I. Preliminary matter and notes, hou01605c00005,"Small piece of paper reading, ""Yale University Press/for/Harvard College Library/& The Newberry Library. Bottom 1/4 of page 3. (leaf manuscript; imprint for first edition).",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (4)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",I. Preliminary matter and notes, hou01605c00006,"Copyright page, Dedication page and Acknowledgment page. Pp. (4-6) (leaf manuscript).",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (5)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",I. Preliminary matter and notes, hou01605c00007,"Foreword, by Philip Hofer, and Introduction pp., vii-xv (leaf manuscripts).",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (6)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",I. Preliminary matter and notes, hou01605c00008,"Notes, Bibliography and Colophon pp. 33-48 (leaf manuscripts).",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (7)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",I. Preliminary matter and notes, hou01605c00009,"Imprint for later edition, ""Chiswick Book Shop/New York City/Yale University Press/New Haven, Conn.,"" (leaf manuscript).",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (8)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",I. Preliminary matter and notes, hou01605c00010,"Imprint for later edition, ""London/Oxford University Press/Geoffrey Cumberlege/New Haven Yale University Press/1955,"" (leaf manuscript).",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (9)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",I. Preliminary matter and notes, hou01605c00011,"Imprint for later edition, ""New Haven/Yale University Press/London, Geoffrey Cumberlege/Oxford University Press,"" (leaf manuscript).",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (10)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",I. Preliminary matter and notes, hou01605c00012,Page displaying the way Mr. Benson wanted the page numbers to appear on the Italian text.,1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (11)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",I. Preliminary matter and notes, hou01605c00013,II. Italian text and English translation of Arrighi's Operina,1953-1955,1953,1955,MS Typ 897,,series,,"","","", , hou01605c00014,"Title page for English translation, pg. 1 (leaf manuscript).",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (12)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",II. Italian text and English translation of Arrighi's Operina, hou01605c00015,"Title page for English translation, pg. 1 (practice sheet).",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (13)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",II. Italian text and English translation of Arrighi's Operina, hou01605c00016,"Content page for English translation, pg. 2 (leaf manuscript).",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (14)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",II. Italian text and English translation of Arrighi's Operina, hou01605c00017,"Content page for English translation, pg. 2 (practice sheet).",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (15)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",II. Italian text and English translation of Arrighi's Operina, hou01605c00018,"Slip of paper reading, ""Virtue surely outdoes all things,"" (practice sheet for page 17).",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (16)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",II. Italian text and English translation of Arrighi's Operina, hou01605c00019,"Arrighi's Operina, pp. 3-32 (leaf manuscripts).",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (17)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",II. Italian text and English translation of Arrighi's Operina, hou01605c00020,Blue cloth dummy binding with title on spine.,1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (18)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",II. Italian text and English translation of Arrighi's Operina, hou01605c00021,Proof of the first two pages of the book inside the dummy binding.,1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (19)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",II. Italian text and English translation of Arrighi's Operina, hou01605c00022,III. Correspondence,1953-1955,1953,1955,MS Typ 897,,series,,"","","", , hou01605c00023,"Letter from Mr. Hofer to Mr. Benson. Mr. Hofer tells Mr. Benson that in his office he found the silver medal Mr. Benson designed for Yale, and is sending it to him. Mr. Hofer remarks that he had heard that a show of writing books at Rhode Island School of Design had gone well and is glad (Mr. Benson may have had something in it). Letter dated January 12, 1953.",1953.,1953,1953,"MS Typ 897, (20)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00024,"Postcard from Mr. Benson to Mr. Hofer stapled to the following letter. Explains he cannot meet at a time they had planned. Proposes another day. Postmarked February 26, 1953.",1953.,1953,1953,"MS Typ 897, (21)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00025,"Letter from Mr. Benson to Mr. Hofer to reschedule a date to meet. Letter dated February 27, 1953.",1953.,1953,1953,"MS Typ 897, (22)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00026,"Note reading, ""Benson/(unreadable word) Hayden. Wm. F./3-4-53/re: photos (?) project. No date.",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (23)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00027,"Note to Ellie (Eleanor M. Garvey, Mr. Hofer's assistant) from C.E.J. saying that he/she had told Mr. Benson that Mr. Hofer will be back on the 25th, and for Ellie to make arrangements for a meeting between the two.",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (24)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00028,"Letter from Mr. Benson to William Jackson of the Houghton Library. Mr. Benson inquires if someone could arrange a meeting between him and Mr. Hofer after he returns from a trip. Letter dated July 14, 1953.",1953.,1953,1953,"MS Typ 897, (25)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00029,"Letter from Mr. Hofer to Mr. Benson telling Mr. Benson that Cambridge University press is, ""eager for your manuscript."" Letter dated August 7, 1953.",1953.,1953,1953,"MS Typ 897, (26)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00030,"Postcard from Mr. Benson to Mr. Hofer. Mr. Benson writes asking Mr. Hofer to please send down the manuscript with his Foreword so Mr. Arnold Banks, who is writing the introduction of the Newberry-Harvard edition, can read it. Postmarked August 26, 1953",1953,1953,1953,"MS Typ 897, (27)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00031,"Letter from Eleanor M. Garvey to Mr. Benson telling him she is enclosing a copy of Mr. Hofer's introduction, ""to your Arrighi book."" (The First Writing Book) Letter dated August 29, 1953.",1953.,1953,1953,"MS Typ 897, (28)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00032,"Three (3) typed copies of Mr. Hofer's Foreword to The First Writing Book, and a handwritten (final?) draft of the foreword. No date.",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (29)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00033,"Letter from Mr. Hofer to Mr. Benson requesting that Mr. Benson consider putting a note on the title page of The First Writing Book that will explain the book is the second in a series of books on the History of Calligraphy for Harvard. Mr. Benson explains why this would be helpful. Letter dated October 26, 1953.",1953.,1953,1953,"MS Typ 897, (30)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00034,"Letter to Mr. Hofer from Mr. Benson in reply to the previous letter saying he would prefer that the page explaining that the book is second in a series be put opposite the title page or on the first page of the book. Mr. Benson tells Mr. Hofer that he has left a ""dummy"" of the book with Cambridge, and implies that he has sent a dummy along with the letter to Mr. Hofer. Letter dated November 5, 1953.",1953.,1953,1953,"MS Typ 897, (31)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00035,"Letter from Mr. Hofer to Mr. Benson. Mr. Hofer apologizes for not returning the dummy that he had previously sent. Says he is sending it with the letter. Mr. Hofer requests that the Harvard-Newberry notice be put on page two, opposite the title page. Letter dated November 11, 1953.",1953.,1953,1953,"MS Typ 897, (32)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00036,"Postcard from Mr. Benson to Mr. Hofer saying he is sure he gave Mr. Hofer a first edition copy of The Instruments of Writing He says he is allowed in the shop some, but he is still ill. The two are stapled together. Postmarked March 11, 1954.",1954.,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (33)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00037,"Letter from Mr. Hofer to Mr. Benson. Mr. Hofer gives his regards to Mr. Benson, who is quite, ""ailing."" Mr. Hofer mentions he cannot find a copy of the first edition of Mr. Benson's Instruments in Writing, but has received the second edition. Mr. Hofer says he has talked to Mansbridge in New York and they will be cooperative. Then he says, ""not only is it a matter of costs in England being far lower for offset reproduction than in America,"" and that the Cambridge press is uncomfortable producing a book for merchandise, which has no relation to English or England. But Cambridge would be eager to have the book if there was a way to get around the latter problem. Letter dated March 15, 1997.",1997.,1997,1997,"MS Typ 897, (34)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00038,"Letter from Mr. Benson to Mr. Hofer. Mr. Benson tells him he will send up another copy of the first edition of The Instruments of Writing. He apologizes for the delay in publishing the Arrighi book. He says that there is a unhappy misunderstanding between the two, for Mr. Benson thought they had agreed to have Harold Hugo print a small edition on good paper. Mr. Benson states that he is upset that they have not settled up, ""on 1533 Arrighi."" The limestone and silver plate do not come up to its value."" He then says he is saving the original manuscript, and they should discuss the whole matter when he gets up to Boston next. Discusses the shop's capability to run on its own although he's sick, and that he is not working very much, but resting. Undated, but clearly precedes the next letter (37).",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (35)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00039,"Slip of paper listing the prices of silver and limestone, as well as the price for the manuscript and the notes. No date.",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (36)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00040,"Letter from Mr. Hofer to Mr. Benson. Mr. Hofer makes it clear that Mr. Benson should rest and not worry about the book at all. He mentions having suggested to the Fogg Museum that Mr. Benson's shop do some plaques for them. Letter dated March 31, 1954.",1954.,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (37)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00041,"Letter from Mr. Hofer to Mr. Benson. Mr. Hofer tells Mr. Benson that has directed several Harvard jobs to his shop, but Mr. Benson needn't do the cutting, but just make a few suggestions. Letter dated April 26, 1954.",1954.,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (38)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00042,"Postcard from Mr. Benson to Mr. Hofer. Mr. Benson thanks Mr. Hofer for the two recent jobs he sent down, and he has already hand lettered them. He writes that his wife is going to drive him to Long Island for a few days. Postmarked May 1, 1954",1954,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (39)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00043,"Postcard from Nancy (Mr. Benson's assistant) to Mr. Hofer saying that the shop won't be able to come up for a few weeks to inspect the walls on which the plaques are to be hung on. She says that Mr. Benson feels that, ""the boxes will have to be put off."" Dated and postmarked May 8, 1997.",1997.,1997,1997,"MS Typ 897, (40)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00044,"Letter from Mr. Benson to Mr. Hofer. Mr. Benson tells Mr. Hofer that the shop is very backed up and busy, and he will not be able to come up until the beginning of May. He mentions he still has the balance of the Arrighi book on his mind. He says that he doesn't think he can handle the metal plates for the two boxes right now as the shop is too busy. Letter dated May 8, 1997.",1997.,1997,1997,"MS Typ 897, (41)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00045,"Letter from Mr. Benson to Mr. Hofer. Mr. Benson writes that the Yale University press sold the first 300 copies (of The First Writing Book) on Arches paper to the Chiswick Book Shop. He mentions he discussed with Herman Cohen the possibility that Harvard and Newberry might each want to buy 100 copies. He discusses some of the price possibilities and his royalties. Mr. Benson then asks Mr. Hofer if he still wants the Newberry-Harvard notice on his copies, and if the Yale notice should be removed. Letter dated June 1, 1954.",1954.,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (42)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00046,"Letter from Mr. Hofer to Mr. Benson saying that he has offered the idea of a Newberry-Harvard notice to Mr. Stanley Pargellis, and thinks he will agree. Mr. Hofer also wrote he is satisfied to have Yale's name on the title page. Letter dated June 3, 1954.",1954.,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (43)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00047,"Letter from Mr. Benson to Mr. Hofer saying he has sent back his, ""scribble,"" for the title page, etc. He writes that the trade edition will not be out until Spring of 1955 so that the Limited Edition will have a head start. He also agrees with Mr. Hofer's idea to keep the Newberry-Harvard notice in the trade edition. Letter dated June 8, 1954.",1955 1954.,1955 1954,1955 1954,"MS Typ 897, (44)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00048,"The page of, ""scribbles,"" for the title page, etc. that Mr. Benson had sent to Mr. Hofer that is mentioned in both letters 43 and 44.",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (45)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00049,"Letter from Ms. Eleanor M. Garvey to Mr. Benson. Letter implies Mr. Benson wrote requesting to see Mr. Hofer on the sixteenth of June. She writes that he will have gone to his son's wedding on the fifteenth and may not return until the sixteenth, but that Mr. Hofer will probably rearrange things so they can meet. Letter dated June 9, 1954.",1954.,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (46)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00050,"Postcard from Mr. Benson to Ms. Garvey thanking her for her note, but asking that Mr. Hofer doesn't, ""upset his plans,"" for the sixteenth. Postmarked June 10, 1954.",1954.,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (47)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00051,"Letter from Mr. Hofer to Mr. Benson. Mr. Hofer writes that he thinks the book is a superb masterpiece. He also writes that he has heard from Herman Cohen that it is possible to print a special edition in sixteens, with an added cost of fifty cents for a nice binding. He asks for Mr. Benson to send the manuscript up so he can have it specially bound. Letter dated June 25, 1954.",1954.,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (48)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00052,"Letter from Mr. Benson to Mr. Hofer. Mr. Benson agrees that the Arrighi book is going well, but suggests that he not number the edition by hand. He lists his reasons why and expresses hope that Mr. Hofer will agree with him. Letter dated June 29, 1954.",1954.,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (49)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00053,"Postcard from Mr. Benson to Mr. Hofer. Mr. Benson writes that he would gladly sign all the copies, and he thinks that will solve the problem nicely. Postmarked July 1, 1954.",1954.,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (50)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00054,"Postcard from Mr. Benson to Mr. Hofer. He writes that Oxford, Yale's representative will handle the trade edition. He also writes that he is rechecking and rewriting some of the title pages, the copyright and the colophon for the new edition. He says he will not be able to send up the manuscript yet. Postmarked July 7, 1954.",1954.,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (51)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00055,"Envelope and contents from Mr. Benson to Mr. Hofer. Includes the proofs of the title as it will appear on the spine, the title and the subtitle pages. Includes a letter explaining the contents and excusing the lack of clarity in some of the proofs. Mr. Benson says, ""All the corrections have gone off to Yale."" Postmarked July 16, 1954.",1954.,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (52)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00056,"Postcard from Mr. Benson to Mr. Hofer saying that Mr. Benson is glad that Mr. Hofer liked the proofs. Mr. Benson writes that he has the draft of the prospectus and plans only to make minor changes. Postmarked July 21, 1954.",1954.,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (53)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00057,"Slip of paper from the Chiswick Book Shop to ""Harold"" (presumably E. Harold Hugo of the Meriden Gravure Company). The writer writes that is too bad that Yale has been slow ordering the paper and therefore the book's schedule will be thrown off date. The writer asks that the publication date in the book be changed to October 27, 1954. Note dated August 24, 1954.",1954. 1954.,1954 1954,1954 1954,"MS Typ 897, (54)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00058,"Letter from Mr. E. Harold Hugo to Mr. Hofer. Mr. Hugo writes that he is sending the proofs of the Harvard-Newberry title page. He writes that he must wait and see if Mr. Benson agrees before he sends Mr. Hofer the Van Dyke proofs with John Benson's corrections. Letter dated August 26, 1954.",1954.,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (55)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00059,"Letter from Mr. Benson to Mr. Hofer asking him to send a prospectus to Daniel Sargent. He mentions that he is back in bed again. Then Mr. Benson asks if he was able to get five, ""sets of sheets of the book,"" if Mr. Hofer would bind them when Arnold Werner binds Mr. Hofer's. (Believed to be in refererence to the edition of 30 extra books that are bound with a leaf of original manuscript in them, and the large bound copy of the manuscript). Mr. Benson asks that Mr. Hofer send out the prospectus to a few places for him. Letter dated October 1, 1954.",1954.,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (56)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00060,"Envelope from letter number 38 sent by Mr. Benson to Philip Hofer. A PPS on the outside reads, ""I have asked HH to send you the corrected Van Dykes. JHB."" Postmarked Oct. 2, 1954.",1954.,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (57)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00061,"Letter from Mr. Hofer to Mr. Benson. Mr. Hofer says he will have the copies bound at no extra charge for Mr. Benson. He gives his regards to Mr. Benson who is ill and in bed. He thanks Mr. Benson for the Van Dykes and the manuscript and says they will remain at Harvard in a John Howard Benson Collection. Letter dated October 4, 1954.",1954.,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (58)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00062,"Letter from Mr. Benson to Mr. Hofer saying the copies of the First Writing Book have arrived and he congratulates him on the book. Letter dated October 15, 1954.",1954.,1954,1954,"MS Typ 897, (59)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00063,"Four page prospectus displaying the title page, page four of the English translation of the Operina, page four of Arrighi's Italian text and a page describing Mr. Benson's work and the books contents and the work that went into it. Inside is a typed note card listing the price of the book and the address to order from.",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (60)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00064,Index card listing the next contents are proofs from Yale University Press.,1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (61)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence, hou01605c00065,"Proofs of the Title page, the Acknowledgments page, the Foreword pages, pp. 34 and 35 of the Introduction, pp. 15 and 32 of the Italian text, pp. four and five of the English translation, pp. 4 and 5 of the Italian text and pp. 44 and 45 of the Notes section.",1953-1955,1953,1955,"MS Typ 897, (62)",Volume 1,otherlevel,,"","","",III. Correspondence,