Sidney Joseph Perelman was born on February 1, 1904, in Brooklyn, NY, to Joseph (a machinist and merchant) and Sophia (Charren) Perelman. During Perelman's childhood his family moved to Providence, RI.
S.J. Perelman attended Brown University (class of 1925) as did his future brother-in-law, Nathanael West (class of 1924). Perelman's wife, Laura West Perelman, graduated from Pembroke College, Brown University (class of 1930) and went on to collaborate with her husband on several screenplays and plays. While at Brown University, S.J. Perelman became a cartoonist for the
Perelman's first book,
S.J. Perelman regularly contributed essays to
S.J. Perelman died October 17, 1979, in New York, NY.
For background on S. J. Perelman and Nathanael West (also known as Nathan Wallenstein Weinstein) please consult
There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Brown University does not hold literary rights to this collection. Rights in the literary estate of S.J. Perelman, including materials in this collection, are held by Harold Ober Associates. Inquiries concerning permissions to publish, perform or otherwise reproduce, which it is the responsibility of the user to obtain, should be sent to: Phyllis Westberg, Harold Ober Associates, 425 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10017; Telephone: (212) 759-8600, Fax: (212) 759-9428, E-mail: phyllis@haroldober.com
While Brown University does not hold literary rights to items in this collection, the materials themselves are the physical property of the Brown University Library and permission must also be sought from the Library for their use.
S. J. Perelman Papers, Ms. 87.2, Brown University Library.
The S. J. Perelman papers offer the researcher a diversity of manuscript and printed material relating to the author and his work. Insights into the creative thought process of this popular American humorist abound in the copious annotations and revisions found in drafts of his writings. Perelman's unique treatment of newspaper clippings as quarries of potential humor awaiting his transformation and refinement is well documented in his working files of clippings, notes, and drafts. The collection presents a good balance of Perelman's writing in all stages from raw material to finished product. Interesting to note is the fact that, while the collection reveals much about Perelman the writer, it tells us relatively little about Perelman the personal man.
Series 1. CORRESPONDENCE includes a letter from Perelman and his wife to S. D. Cohen describing their experience working in Hollywood at Metro Goldwyn Mayer. Other correspondence sheds light on his author/publisher relations. Correspondence is also found in other areas of the collection, particularly in the working files. For more letters written by Perelman, the researcher is encouraged to consult the I. J. Kapstein Papers, Ms. 89.5 (also in the John Hay Library).
Series 2. WRITINGS contains holograph and typewritten manuscripts as well as typescripts with handwritten annotations. Included here is Perelman's earliest known manuscript, "Science and Religion", written 1921 Apr 28 for the Anthony Medal award at the Classical High School in Providence. Also included are the play,
Series 3. includes Perelman's WORKING FILES as well as some work in progress. Organized in seven sections, as originally numbered by the author, the series contains clippings (both with and without notes attached or written in the margins); miscellaneous notes; drafts; correspondence; lead notes; typescripts; proofs; tear sheets; etc. An amusing example is found in Box 5/Folder 20, where the author writes (under a section he calls, "New Yorker Best Possibilities"): Between you and me an the cat-o-nine tails, I think I have a rather exceptional talent for self-castigation." In Box 3/Folder 10, under the heading, "Ideas to Incorporate", one finds Perelman's clipping about a seven-year queue to climb Mount Everest and a cardboard clipping from a cake mix box, specifically from Betty Crocker's Fudge Brownie Mix Supreme.
Series 4. CONTRACTS includes two for
Series 5. AWARDS includes the Mayor's Award of Honor for Arts and Culture, given to Perelman by the City of New York, and signed by Edward Koch on 1979 Nov 5.
Series 6. MISCELLANEOUS PRINTED includes a picture postcard with "The Chicken Inspector #23", the inspiration for his book of the same name.
Series 7. PHOTOGRAPHS includes a striking photograph of Perelman and his wife, Laura, from their student years at Brown University. Also included are pictures of the Perelman children, of Nathanael West, and of some family pets.
Series 8. BOOKS AND JOURNALS reflects the literary and artistic tastes of the author and his wife as it includes printed material from their personal library. One finds here signed presentation copies of Perelman's own work, a copy of the
Series 9. includes WRITINGS AND DOCUMENTS OF NATHANAEL WEST among which the author's typewritten draft, with handwritten revisions, of his short story,
Series 10. SUPPLEMENTS includes a variety of material obtained from different sources and added later to the main body of the collection. Included here is a Saul Steinberg original pen and pencil sketch label attached to a wine bottle, given the author by the artist around 1950.
The collection is divided into ten series. Series 1 includes correspondence by, to, and relating to S. J. Perelman. Series 2 includes manuscript writings of S. J. Perelman, including those in collaboration with others; it also includes writings by other authors with whom he associated. Series 3 includes the working files of S. J. Perelman: with correspondence, notes, drafts, clippings (with and without attached notes), tear sheets, etc. Series 4 includes contracts. Series 5 includes awards. Series 6 includes miscellaneous printed material. Series 7 includes photographs of the Perelman and West families. Series 8 includes books and journals from the Library of S. J. and Laura West Perelman. Series 9 includes writings and documents of Nathanael West. Series 10 includes supplemental material received separately from the main body of the collection.
The collection was purchased by Brown University in February 1987 from Gotham Book Mart.
RESOURCES AT BROWN:
The Perelmans discuss with Cohen of Metro Goldwyn Mayer their work in Hollywood in 1937 and 1938 on a Jeanette MacDonald-Nelson Eddy film script under the supervision of Hunt Stromberg.
With envelope. About their publisher-author relationship
About their publisher-author relationship
An account of work done on their Bucks County farm and related financial arrangements' West's film studio work; their collaboration on the play
With envelope marked, "Something of interest". From the Editor of the
On behalf of the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters.
16 p
Drafts with autograph revisions, 18 p.
Draft with autograph revisions, 38 p.
With autograph revisions, 8 p.
With autograph revisions, 5 p.
With autograph revisions, 7 p.
6 p. With envelope marked, "Science and Religion essay written for Anthony Medal C[lassical]. H[igh]. S[chool]. 1921"
2 p. With pencilled note on first page: "Pub[lished] Vogue U[nited] K[ingdom]."
With autograph corrections, 6 p. Evidently the setting copy, with extensive editorial notations.
158 p. Originally in yellow script binder with Rialto Service Bureau sticker on front cover. Author's copy with inscription.
With autograph corrections, 14p. Early draft of a proposed collaboration between Perelman and Nash. It appears to be an unfinished play or film treatment. First page contains holograph note of Nash.
Never produced. With corrections, probably in Perelman's hand. Originally in red wrappers.
With autograph revisions, approx 200 pages. Originally in black three ring binder. Appears to contain material not included in the published version. Evidently a gift from Maurer to Perelman.
Chapters I-V: A Word about Confidence Men, The Big Store, The Wire, The Pay-Off, and The Rag.
Chapters VI-VIII: The Mark, The Mob, and Birds of a Feather.
Chapters VIII-XII: Tin Mittens, The Short-Con Games, and The Con Man and His Lingo.
Include correspondence, notes, drafts, clippings with and without notes, tear sheets, etc. Organized in seven sections, as originally numbered by the author.
Thirteen items including tear sheets, proofs, clippings, photocopies, etc.
With note attached marked, "To Expand for Next Collection."
Two copies
With attached typed note, autograph manuscript fragment, and envelope.
Includes correspondence, typescript drafts, handwritten and typewritten notes, and many clippings relating to Perelman's creative process.
With list (photocopy) of authors and topics.
With tear sheets from New Yorker, 1975 Nov 10, and 1975 Mar 10, 1975 Mar 21, pp. 69-70 and two unnumbered pages
With envelope and clipping (photocopy).
With clipping (photocopied on same page)
Four AMS notes.
6 p., with handwritten annotations
5 p., with clipping
With handwritten notes
With handwritten notes
With handwritten notes
2 p., with handwritten additions. Relating to popular music
With clipping.
With mounted clippings
With clipping, with handwritten note
With clipping
With handwritten additions, with NYP Library reference slips and Library checklist of pulp materials (2 p.), annotated with clipping
With clippings
With clipping and cake mix box.
With tear sheet.
With clipping
2 p., with clipping
With typed manuscript note/draft, 2 p.
With 3 autograph manuscript notes
With mounted clipping
With clipping
With clipping
With mounted clipping
With 4 clippings re: mice
With clipping
3 p. With clipping
2 p. With envelope.
With clipping and envelope
Clipped to fragment of New Yorker letterhead
Clipped to fragment of New Yorker letterhead
With handwritten note, "Dotty and Alan Baked a Fish"
Includes letters, notes, typescripts, tear sheets, clippings relating to Perelman's writing.
2 p. With envelope
With photo of Perelman and description of his book
With personal ad, with "My New York" (reprint) by Mel Heimer describing safari
Including correspondence to and from S.J. Perelman, miscellaneous manuscript material, miscellaneous printed, and newspaper clippings.
With handwritten revisions, with additional copy of first page
With envelope
With envelope
2 p. N.B. See also Folder 1 for telex and cable message which were used as text.
With handwritten note by A. Clark
With note
With note
Two copies
With handwritten notes of S.J. Perelman on verso
With typed letter (copy), 1970 Dec 2
With typed letter signed reply (copy) from Todd, 1970 Dec 7
With handwritten note of S.J. Perelman
With Table of Contents
With cover photo
In marker, "Letter that became Inception of 'The Beauty Part'"
With autograph manuscript note re: chocolate egg
With handwritten note by ?Mitchell?
With note to "Turnie" from "Sid"
With typed manuscript note, "For sentimental piece to be called 'How Many Mark Hannas Are There?...'"
Mounted on New Yorker letterhead
With clipping, "8th marriage ends" (re: Trujillo) by Suzy Knickerbocker (Philadelphia Inquirer, Sep 19, no year)
Marked in red: many roads still affected by snow and ice; marketing ad; ad re: Jaguar
Including correspondence, notes and drafts, and clippings with and without notes
With typed manuscript note of S.J. Perelman attached
With envelope
Mounted on New Yorker letterhead from S. Fraser
With clipping
With notes
With 2 typed manuscript notes
With Reader's Digest note about playlet on New Yorker letterhead
With typewritten name and address of Lew Cady
With tear sheets from New Yorker
Correspondence relating to contracts
Correspondence relating to contracts
Correspondence relating to contracts
Correspondence relating to contracts
Correspondence relating to contracts
Evidently inspired the title of S.J. Perelman's book of the same name
Contains an early story of S.J. Perelman, "Those Charming People," and illustrations by him, p. 9 and 27.
The books have been cataloged and stored separately. Click on the title of the item to request access.
First edition. Nice copy in dust jacket. Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
"Authorized Edition." Somewhat worn copy. Signed on the front end-leaf, "S.J. Perelman." Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
First American edition. Signed by the author on the title-page. Perelman's copy, with his stamp on the front end-leaf. Nice copy in slightly worn dust jacket.
"Second edition." Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman." Sound copy. Spine label is worn.
First edition. Portion of dust jacket laid in. Perelman's copy, stamped on the front end-leaf.
"Third edition." Perelman's copy, inscribed on the front end leaf, "S.J. Perelman January 1, 1925 New York City." Cloth binding somewhat worn.
Reprint. Printed wrappers. Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
First edition, wrappers. Inscribed on the inside front wrapper, "To Sid[ney J. Perelman] Love from Mel [Calman] 1977--May all your troubles be female." With a small cartoon drawing of the author.
Nice copy in dust jacket. Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
Nice copy in dust jacket. Perelman's stamp of ownership on the front end-leaf.
S.J. Perelman's personal copy, signed by him on front end-leaf. Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
"First American Edition." Nice copy in dust jacket. Stamped on the inside front cover, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman Erwinna, Pa."
First English edition. Nice copy in somewhat worn dust jacket. Inscribed on the half-title: "Pour Laura et Pour S.J. Perelman Andres Francois." Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
First edition. Nice copy in dust jacket. With Perelman's stamp of ownership on the half-title.
Fourth printing. Nice copy in somewhat worn dust jacket. Perelman's stamp of ownership on the front end-leaf.
Boards, dust jacket. First edition. Inscribed on the front end-leaf, "For S.J. P[erelman]. the author of the ultimate scenario--Philip French 9 July 1976." With Perelman's stamp of ownership on the front end-leaf. A nice copy.
Printed wrappers. Inscribed on front end-leaf, "For Sid[ney J. Perelman] with my very kindest regards Philip [French] 16-7-78." Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
Preface by Brendan Gill. Printed wrappers. Stamped on the half-title, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman, Erwinna, Pa."
First edition. Cloth, dust jacket. Fine copy. Inscribed by the author on the front end-leaf, "For dearest darling Sid[ney J. Perelman] from William [Gass]." Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
First edition. Nice copy in dust jacket. Inscribed on the title page, "To Sid--as ever! Oct. 26, 1976 Ruth [Gikow]." Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
Printed wrappers. Introduction by Walton Fentworth. Inscribed on front end-leaf, "To S.J. Perelman with Best Wishes from Malton Fentworth." Stamped on inside front wrapper, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
Worn copy, front cover loose. A number of pages are chipped and worn. Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
"Sixth printing." Nice copy in dust jacket. Taped to the front end-leaf is a card inscribed, "A testament to how young I think you are affectionately L. Hellman." With Perelman's stamp of ownership on front end-leaf.
"Second edition." S.J. Perelman's copy, inscribed on the front end-leaf, "Dear Sid[ney J. Perelman]--Kindly re-arrange these 15,000 difficult words to form a plot. Ogden [Nash]." A very nice association item. A slightly worn copy. Stamped with Perelman's "From the Library of S.J. Perelman" on the front end-leaf.
"First Edition." Fine copy in dust jacket. Inscribed by the author on the half-title, "For S.J. Perelman in continuous debt and with unabashed admiration. John Hollander New Haven March, 1978." Laid in is a two-page autograph note from Hollander to Mr. Perelman, sending this book in gratitude. With envelope. With Perelman's stamp of ownership on front end-leaf.
Nice copy in dust jacket. Stamped on the half-title, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
First edition. Nice copy in somewhat worn dust jacket. Stamped on front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
First edition. Nice copy in dust jacket. Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
"Fourth Printing." Original wrappers, bound in boards and leather. Gold lettering on spine. The Random House publicity photo of Joyce laid in. Stamped on inside front cover, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman Erwinna, Pa."
First Odyssey edition. Two volumes, bound in full green leather, stamped in gold on spine. S.J. Perelman's copies, stamped on the half-title of volume one, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman Erwinna, Pa."
Text in English. Nice copy in dust jacket. Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
Drawings by Howard Warshaw. First edition, printed wrappers. Inscribed on the title-page, "To Mr. Perelman, souvenir of Santa Barbara, Stephen Lackner--Howard Warshaw."
Printed wrappers. Stamped on title-page, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
1975 Nov 8-29. Printed wrappers. With Perelman's stamp of ownership on the title-page.
"First Edition." Nice copy in dust jacket. Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
"First Edition." Nice copy in somewhat worn dust jacket. Inscribed by the author on the front end-leaf, "From one author to another. W. S. Maugham wishing him fun. San Francisco, 19 Jan. 1949." Stamped on the inside front cover, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman Erwinna, Pa."
Reprint. Nice copy in somewhat worn dust jacket. Inscribed by the author on the front end-leaf, "For Sidney Perelman With the affectionate regards of his old friend the [?] older author. W. Somerset Maugham. 14 March 1959." Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
"First Edition." Inscribed on the front end-leaf, "For Syd and Laura Perelman With great regard. D.W. Maurer New Years Eve 1948." Signed by S.J. Perelman on the front end leaf. Also stamped, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman." Slightly worn copy. No dust jacket.
Fine copy in dust jacket. With the front end-leaf stamped, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
The "First Edition." Nice copy in dust jacket. Laid in is a letter from the publisher (Knopf) sending this copy to S.J. Perelman and commenting on his recent article in the New Yorker regarding Lady Ottoline. Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman." (See Mr. Perelman's review, published posthumously in the Guardian, 1979 Oct 20).
First edition. Inscribed on the front end-leaf, "2 May 1976 to Sid[ney J. Perelman]--If there is any merit in this book, you caused it. In many ways you taught me how to react to laughter. Your writing surprised me and delighted me when I wasn't allowed to respond to either response. Much love and than you for everything. Love, Eve." No dust jacket (issued?). Introduction by Arthur Miller.
"First Modern Library Edition." Nice copy in somewhat worn dust jacket. Includes three selections by Perelman. His portrait appears on the front jacket. Stamped on the half-title, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman Erwinna, Pa." Signed on the verso of the front end-leaf, "Laura W. Perelman."
First English edition. Nice copy in somewhat worn dust jacket. Author's copy, stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
"Second Printing." Nice copy in dust jacket. Stamped on front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman." The author's copy.
"First Printing." Fine copy in dust jacket. Inscribed by the author to his wife: "For Laura, This nosegay to celebrate four decades of laughter and excitement that only she could have made possible--With much love, Sid--5 August 1966." An exceptional association copy.
"First Published." First English edition. Advance copy, with publisher's "Not for Sale" notice tipped to front end-leaf. The author's copy, stamped on front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
First English edition. Advance copy, with publisher's "Not For Sale" notice tipped to front end-leaf. nice copy in worn dust jacket. The author's copy, stamped on front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
Printed wrappers. Stamped on the title-page, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman." The author's copy.
"Seventh Printing." Nice copy in worn just jacket. The author's copy, stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman Erwinna, Pa."
Third printing. Two dust jackets (variants). Perelman's personal copy, signed by him on the front end-leaf and stamped, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
"First Printing." Nice copy in slightly worn dust jacket. The author's wife's copy, signed on front end-leaf, "Laura W. Perelman."
"First Printing" Nice copy in slightly worn dust jacket. The author's personal copy, stamped on front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
The First English edition. The author's copy, stamped on front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman Erwinna, Pa." Nice copy in dust jacket.
"First Printing." Nice copy in somewhat worn dust jacket. Perelman's personal copy, stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman Erwinna, Pa."
First English edition. Nice copy in slightly worn dust jacket. Advance copy, with publisher's note "Not For Sale" tipped to front end-leaf. The author's copy, stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
First English edition. Nice copy in somewhat worn dust jacket. The author's copy, stamped on front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman Erwinna, Pa." Occasional marginal markings by the author, with a notation in the margin at page 71.
"First Printing." Nice copy in dust jacket. The dedication copy, inscribed on the front end-leaf by the author to his wife: "To Laura, with love. From Sid--22 September 1958." Certainly, the most desirable copy of this classic book. (The dedication reads, "For Laura").
"First Printing." Nice copy in somewhat worn dust jacket. The author's personal copy, signed by him on the front end-leaf. Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
"Third Printing." Nice copy in dust jacket. The author's wife's copy, signed "Laura W. Perelman" on the half-title.
"Second Printing." Nice copy in dust jacket. Inscribed, "For Judith Ann Greetings--Adam W. Perelman 10/3/73."
First English edition. Fine in dust jacket. Inscribed, "For Sister Dear Adam Perelman 6/8/64." (Inscribed by S.J. Perelman's son to his daughter).
The author's personal copy, stamped on front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman Erwinna, Pa."
"Fourth Printing." Nice copy in somewhat worn dust jacket. The author's copy, signed on the front end-leaf, "S.J. Perelman." Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
First English edition. Nice copy in worn dust jacket. The author's wife's copy, signed "Laura W. Perelman" on the front end-leaf. A nice association copy.
First edition, no dust jacket. Inscribed on the front end-leaf, "To Mother with all my love, from her globe-trotting son, Sid[ney]. S.J. Perelman May 29, 1948." A nice (slightly soiled) copy. An exceptional association copy.
Wrappers (worn). The author's copy, stamped on the title-page, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
First edition. Nice copy in dust jacket. With Perelman's stamp of ownership on front end-leaf.
First edition. Nice copy in dust jacket. Stamped on front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
First edition. Nice copy in dust jacket. Inscribed on half-title, "To Sid--with admiration and thanks for all the grins for the past 46 years from your old New Yorker colleague. George Price Nov. 30 '77." With Perelman's stamp of ownership on the front end-leaf.
Each volume is stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
"First U.S. Printing." Nice copy in slightly worn dust jacket. Inscribed on the half-title, "For Sid Perelman--Why is this man different from all other men?--Chaim Raphael New York December 14 1977." With Perelman's stamp of ownership on the front end-leaf.
"First Edition." Printed wrappers. Signed on the half-title, "Saul St[einberg] and Harold [Rosenberg]." Stamped on the half-title, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
First U.S. edition. Nice copy in dust jacket. Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
Preface by Ben Shahn. Printed wrappers. Exhibition catalogue with 258 illustrations. Inscribed on the title-page, "For Sid[ney Perelman]--especially because of item no. 211 but also because I like him [--?--], affectionately, Ronald 6-73. Item #211 is certainly an illustration of Perelman in a horse-drawn coach during his travels. Limited to one-hundred numbered and signed copies.
S.J. Perelman's personal copy, with his signature on the front end-leaf. Wrappers. Fine copy.
Color plates. In publisher's slipcase. Nice copy, but for slight damage to spine. Box somewhat worn. Stamped on inside front cover, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman Erwinna, Pa."
First edition. Nice copy in somewhat worn dust jacket. Perelman's copy with his stamp of ownership on the front end-leaf.
Fine copy, in dust jacket. Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman." A comprehensive survey of Shahn's work.
"First Edition." Wrappers. Nice copy. Inscribed on front end-leaf, "To S.J. Perelman in admiration. L.E. Sissman October 15, 1970." With Perelman's stamp of ownership on front end-leaf.
"First Edition." Fine copy in dust jacket. Inscribed on the front end-leaf, "For Sid Perelman, in admiration, as ever. Ed Sissman February, 1975."
"First Edition." Fine copy in dust jacket. Inscribed on the front end-leaf, "For Sid Perelman, with hopes that he will like some of these poems as well as the earlier ones. Affectionately, Ed Sissman February 1975."
"First Edition." Fine copy in dust jacket. Inscribed on the front end-leaf, "Sid Perelman With warmest wishes from Ed Sissman, an admirer of thirty-five years' standing. Boston, February 1975."
First edition. Nice copy in dust jacket. Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
"First Printing." Nice copy in dust jacket. Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
Publisher's decorated cloth bindings. Each volume contains Arthur Conan Doyle Sherlock Homes stories, Beerbohm, etc. Generally nice copies. Stamped on the front end-leaves, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
Bound in full leather, gold stamping on spine. This is Perelman's personal copy, signed by him on the half-title. Also stamped on front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
Illustrated boards. Stamped on front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman." Nice copy. Wood-cut illustrations. This may be the 1893 edition.
"First published in America in 1977." Nice copy in dust jacket. Stamped on the front end-leaf, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
Wrappers. Inscribed on front end-leaf, "For Sid[ney J. Perelman]--Howard [Warshaw]. Stamped on the title-page, "From the Library of S.J. Perelman."
"First Printing." Red cloth (faded), dust jacket (somewhat worn). The dedicatee's copy, signed by the author's sister on the front end-leaf ("Laura Weinstein"). The dedication page reads, 'For Laura." A most important copy of a twentieth century highspot in American literature.
Faded red cloth, somewhat worn dust jacket. The author's sister's copy, signed "Laura Weinstein" on the front end-leaf (the wife of S.J. Perelman). She has also mounted review blurbs on the front end-leaf. and inside the front cover. A very nice association copy.
First English edition. Blue cloth binding. Probably an advance review copy, with the bare remnants of a review slip paste down on the front end-leaf. The author's sister's copy, with her signature on the front end-leaf. Nice copy in slightly worn dust jacket. A very nice association copy.
Copy #143 of 500 numbered copies. Wrappers (worn). This copy belonged to Nathanael West's sister Laura (Mrs. S.J. Perelman). She has signed the book on the front end-leaf. An important association copy.
"Even Stephen", the play on which West and Perelman collaborated is included in the section of S.J. Perelman's writings (Box 1, Folders 17-19)
With handwritten revisions, unpublished, 16 p.
With handwritten revisions, unpublished, 15 p.
With handwritten revisions, unpublished, 22 p.
With handwritten revisions, unpublished, 24 p.
Part of Dream Life of Balso Snell, 1 p.
Unpublished, 6 p.
Unpublished, 5 p. With name and address of Maxim Lieber pasted on upper right corner of first page. With carbon copy of the first two pages.
Executed in the name of Laura West Perelman, West's sister and literary heir and executrix, and signed for her by Maxim Lieber, West's original literary agent
Used at different times for his autobiography in progress; old New Yorker ideas; tear sheets of uncollected but published work
This section consists of addional material acquired from various sources, Each supplement represents a separate accession.
Printed material purchased from another source.
Uncorrected proof for limited distribution.
Review copy
With photograph of S.J. Perelman, by Jill Krementz.
With publisher's advertisement for book in "News From Viking"
Signed by the author. Gift of the author.
Given by the artist to S.J. Perelman.
17 x 27 cm. Original drawing. With dog's head corrected in a paste-over, of a cartoon published in The New Yorker magazine -- copyright statement attached. Inscribed "To Laura and Sid, Dog Lovers, Art Lovers with best wishes, Frank."
Artists proof. 30 x 22.5 cm (impression); 51 x 40.5 cm (matted sheet). Shows series of heads smoking. Inscribed: "Happy Birthday Sid -- from Ruth and Jack [Levine]."
Five figures, mostly just heads, in sketchbook style characteristic of Levine's drawings and prints. 22.5 x 30 cm (impression); 38 x 55 cm (sheet). Inscribed: "To Sid, Happy Birthday R[uth] & J[ack Levine]". Also signed: "J. Levine".
30 x 22.5 cm (impression); 50 x 38 cm (sheet). Inscribed "For Sid". Signed "J[ack] Levine."
33 x 25.5 cm. Japanese inscription in upper left corner: Inscribed: "Greetings from the Shahns."
From the Art Department of the Brown University News and Information Services
Unpublished typed manuscripts of play never produced, with corrections, probably in Perelman's hand. Photocopies prepared for the reading of the play on the occasion of S. J. Perelman Day, John Hay Library, 1988 Jan 30.