Guide to the Kenneth W. Faig, Jr. archive on Robert H. Barlow, 1876-1973

(bulk 1932-1973)


John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI, 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Published in 2020

Collection Overview

Title: Kenneth W. Faig, Jr. archive on Robert H. Barlow
Date range: 1876-1973, (bulk 1932-1973)
Creator: Faig, Kenneth W.
Extent: 0.5 linear feet
Abstract: The materials in this collection were compiled by Kenneth W. Faig, Jr. during 1970-1975 while conducting research for a biography of Robert H. Barlow. The materials include: microfilm of Barlow's literary and scholarly papers made by Barlow's friend George T. Smisor; copies of letters to his brother Wayne Everett Barlow and other family members; photographs of Barlow as a child and his homes; research correspondence with George T. Smisor, E. Hoffman Price, Thomas Hart Benton, and Roy A. Squires among others.
Language of materials: English
Repository: John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number: Ms.2018.019

Scope & content

The materials in this collection were compiled by Kenneth W. Faig, Jr. during 1970-1975 while conducting research for a biography of Robert H. Barlow. The materials include: microfilm of Barlow's literary and scholarly papers made by Barlow's friend George T. Smisor; copies of letters to his brother Wayne Everett Barlow and other family members; photographs of Barlow as a child and his homes; research correspondence with George T. Smisor, E. Hoffman Price, Thomas Hart Benton, and Roy A. Squires among others.

Access Points

Subject Names Subject Topics

Arrangement

This collection is arranged in 3 series.

  • Series 1. Primary Materials
  • Series 2. Secondary Materials
  • Series 3. Research correspondence with Kenneth W. Faig

Biographical/Historical Note

Kenneth W. Faig, Jr. has been researching all aspects of the life and work of weird fiction writer Howard P. Lovecraft, including the lives of his family and associates, for most of his career. Faig's research included the life of Robert H. Barlow who was appointed by Lovecraft as the executor of his literary estate. Faig began compiling information about Barlow during graduate school at Brown University. He graduated from Northwestern University in 1970 and was enrolled as a masters degree student at Brown University from 1970-1972.

Access & Use

Access to the collection: 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.
Use of the materials: Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation: Kenneth W. Faig, Jr. archive on Robert H. Barlow, Ms.2018.019, Brown University Library
Contact information: John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Box A
Brown University
Providence, RI, 02912
Telephone: Manuscripts: 401-863-3723; University Archives: 401-863-2148
Email: Manuscripts: hay@brown.edu; University Archives: archives@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION  
Acquisition: Gift of Kenneth W. Faig in 1991.
Custodial history: These materials were compiled by Kenneth W. Faig Jr. during 1970-1975. Faig deposited the collection with the Netzahaulcoyotl Historical Society in Oakland, California in 1975. Faig decided to make a permanent donation of the materials to Brown University in 1988. The materials arrived at Brown University in 1991.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID  
Author: Finding aid prepared by Karen Eberhart.
Encoding: This finding aid was produced using the RIAMCO EAD spreadsheet, 2020 March 10
Descriptive rules: Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

Series 1. Primary Materials

Container Description Date
Box [31236073615216] 2, Reel 1 Robert Hayward Barlow Microfilm: Reel 1
Contents Note: Microfilm of the personal and literary papers of Robert Hayward Barlow (RHB), photographed by George T. Smisor (GTS) In 1951. Three 100-foot reels. (The original reels 3 and 4, each 50 feet, were spliced to make the current reel 3/4.)

 1951
Box [31236073615216] 2, Reel 2 Robert Hayward Barlow Microfilm: Reel 2
Contents Note: Microfilm of the personal and literary papers of Robert Hayward Barlow (RHB), photographed by George T. Smisor (GTS) In 1951. Three 100-foot reels. (The original reels 3 and 4, each 50 feet, were spliced to make the current reel 3/4.)

 1951
Box [31236073615216] 2, Reel 3 Robert Hayward Barlow Microfilm: Reel 3
Contents Note: Pre-Activist poems, published stories and poems, miscellaneous items dealing with his work in art and anthropology 1938-1950

 1951
Box [31236073615216] 2, Reel 4 Robert Hayward Barlow Microfilm: Reel 4
Contents Note: George Tupper Letters to RHB; H.P. Lovecraft Letters to RHB

 1951
Box [31236073615216] 2, Reel 5 House of Tlaloc (1)
Contents Note: Microfilm of House of Tlaloc correspondence, photographed by George T. Smisor In 1951. Two reels.

 1951
Box [31236073615216] 2, Reel 6 House of Tlaloc (2)
Contents Note: Microfilm of House of Tlaloc correspondence, photographed by George T. Smisor In 1951. Two reels.

 1951
Box [31236073615216] 2, Reel 7 Weird Tales - Volume 1, No.1-4
Contents Note: Microfilm of the science fiction journal "Weird Tales", Volume 1, No. 1,2,3,4 dated March, April, May and June of 1923. Microfilmed by George T. Smisor at the Biblioteca Benjamin Franklin, Paseo de la Reforma #34, Mexico in 1951. Sent to David A. Jonah, Brown University Librarian, March 16, 1951.

 1951
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 1 Barlow Family Material Relating to RHB
Contents Note: Sarah Barlow, compiler, Collection of Barlow family material relating to RHB. Correspondence of RHB to his mother, his father, and his brother. Transcription of RHB's 1933 diary and his mother's Mexican travelogue. Newspaper cuttings pertaining to RHB and his family. Genealogical notes by RHB and sundry writings. Mostly xerox copies of originals; a few carbon copies of typed transcriptions, slightly edited. Organized and annotated by Sarah Barlow.

 1933-1950
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 2 Collection of photographs assembled by George Smisor
Contents Note: Collection of photographs made and annotated by George T. Smisor. Two large photographs of RHB. Six smaller photographs: two of Barlow's home, three of his grave site, and one of George T. Smisor.

 1949-1951
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 3 Collection of photographs assembled by Sarah Barlow
Contents Note: Collection of photographs compiled and annotated by Sarah (Mrs. Everett Wayne) Barlow. Photographs of RHB, his family, and his homes.

 1876-1962
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 4 RHB, correspondence with Claire Beck
Contents Note: RHB, correspondence with Claire Beck (The Futile Press). Xerox of typed transcription by Beck.

 1937
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 5 RHB, correspondence with Larry Farsaci
Contents Note: Correspondence with Larry Farsaci. Xerox copies prepared by Larry Farsaci.

 1939-1943
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 6 RHB, Letter to Robert Ervin Howard
Contents Note: RHB, letter to Robert Ervin Howard, July 5, 1936. Xerox copy prepared by Glenn Lord, agent for the Howard Estate.

 1936
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 7 George T. Smisor correspondence relating to Barlow Estate
Contents Note: George T. Smisor, compiler, et alii, Collection of correspondence relating to the disposition of Barlow's estate.

 1951-1952
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 8 Bernice L. Barlow, T.L.S. to Hoffman Price
Contents Note: Benace L. Barlow, T.L.S. to E. Hoffmann Price, dated May 20, 1951. Original letter, donated by Price.

 1951
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 9 H.P. Lovecraft: Sketch of Barlow Home
Contents Note: Howard Phillips Lovecraft (HPL), sketch of Barlow home in Cassia. Prom a letter to Dwayne W. Rimel, 1934 or 1935, in the John Hay Library, Brown University. Not to be reproduced w/o permission of Brown University.

 1934-1935
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 10 RHB-H.P. Lovecraft "Bouts Rimes"
Contents Note: Howard P. Lovecraft and RHB, "Bouts Rimes". Typed transcription or T.Ms. In the John Hay Library, Brown University. Reference to Barlow's memoir of Lovecraft in Marginalia.

 1934

Series 2. Secondary Materials

Container Description Date
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 11 J. Vernon Shea "R.H. Barlow: Lost Little Boy"
Contents Note: J. Vernon Shea, "R. H. Barlow: Lost Little Boy". A sketch intended for Shea's work—in—progress, The Lovecraft Circle. Not to be reproduced or quoted without permission of J. Vernon Shea, 10621 Governor Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44111

 undated
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 12 Ignacio Bernal: Obituary of RHB, BBAA 1950
Contents Note: Ignacio Bernal, "Robert H. Barlow", from the Boletin Bibliografico de Antropologia Americana (BBAA), vol. 13 pt. 1, 1950, pp. 301-304. Xerox copy.

 1950
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 13 RHB, Bibliography from Boletin Bibliographico de Atropologia Americana (BBAA)
Contents Note: Bibliographies of Barlow's scholarly articles. From BBAA (v. 10, 1947, pp. 278-282), covering the years, 1942-1947, and the same source (v. 13, pt. 2, 1950, pp. 249-251), covering the years 1947-1951. Xerox copies. (N.B.: The Smisor microfilm contains a fine bibliography of Barlow's literary work, both professional and amateur.)

 undated
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 14 H.P. Lovecraft Notes on Correspondence with Richard Ely Morse
Contents Note: Howard P. Lovecraft, correspondence to Richard Ely Morse, 1932-937. Notes and transcriptions by Kenneth W. Faig, Jr. (KWF). From the letter file in the New York Public Library.

 1932-1937
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 15 RHB Poems for a Competition, 1942
Contents Note: RHB, Poems for a Competition, 1942. Xerox copy.

 1942
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 16 RHB View from a Hill, 1947
Contents Note: RHB, View from a Hill, 1947. Xerox copy.

 1947
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 17 RHB, "Annals of the Jinns"
Contents Note: RHB, "Annals of the Jinns". Published as a serial in The Fantasy Fan. Xerox copies.

 1933-1935
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 18 RHB, correspondence resumes and notes on correspondence. with A.E. Gamwell and John Hay Library
Contents Note: Kenneth W. Faig, compiler, resumes of correspondence of RHB with Annie E. P. Gamwell and the John Hay Library. From the copies in the John Hay Library, Brown University.

 1935-1951
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 19 RHB, Untitled poem Couleur de Rose, 1938
Contents Note: Benton E. Wetzel, publisher, Couleur de Rose, number 4, Christmas, 1938. Amateur magazine with an untitled poem by RHB. Xerox copy.

 1938
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 20 George Smisor, collection of title pages of works by RHB
Contents Note: George T. Smisor, compiler, Collection of title pages of scholarly works by RHB. Xerox copies.

 1945-1949
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 21 Kenneth Faig misc. research notes and letters on RHB
Contents Note: Kenneth W. Faig, compiler, miscellaneous research notes and letters pertaining to RHB.

 1971, undated
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 22 Roy A. Squires Catalog II, 1969
Contents Note: Roy A. Squires, compiler, Clark Ashton Smith, H. P. Lovecraft, Robert H. Barlow: Catalog II, Glendale, California, n.d. /1969/.

 1969
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 23 Mooser, "A Study of Robert Barlow", Mexico Quarterly Review 1968
Contents Note: Clare Mooser, "A Study of Robert Barlow: The T. E. Lawrence of Mexico", Mexico Quarterly Review, v. 3 no. 2 1968, pp. 5-12.

 1968

Series 3. Research correspondence with Kenneth W. Faig

Container Description Date
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 24 Barlow, Everett Wayne and Sarah Barlow
Contents Note: Everett Wayne Barlow and Sarah Barlow

 1971-1972
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 25 Barrett, Dr. C. L. (M.D.)
 1971
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 26 Beck, Claire
Contents Note: See also Box 1 Folder 4.

 1937-1973
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 27 Benton, Thomas Hart
 1971
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 28 Blish, James
 1971
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 29 Bradofsky, Hyman
 1971
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 30 Brown, Rosalie Moore
Contents Note: Includes xerox copies of an article on RHB from Number, a letter of RHB to Mrs. Brown, and RHB's design for a Brown family coat of arms.

 1971
Box [31236073615224] 1, Folder 31 Coslet, Walter A.
 1971-1972
Box [31236073615216] 2, Folder 1 Derleth, August W.
 1971-1972
Box [31236073615216] 2, Folder 2 Farsaci, Larry B.
Contents Note: See also Box 1 Folder 5.

 1972
Box [31236073615216] 2, Folder 3 Hart, Lawrence
Contents Note: Draft and final letter by Kenneth W. Faig only. No reply received.

 1971
Box [31236073615216] 2, Folder 4 Kirk, Barbara A.
Contents Note: With photographs of jewelry designed by RHB, transcript of RHB's college record, and xerox copy of postcard from RHB.

 1941-1971
Box [31236073615216] 2, Folder 5 Everts, R. Alain (aka R. Alan Kirsch)
Contents Note: Selection of correspondence with Kenneth W. Faig pertaining to RHB. With small photograph of RHB from Everts collection.

 1944-1971
Box [31236073615216] 2, Folder 6 Barlow, Robert H. "The Extent of the Empire of the Culhua Mexica"
Contents Note: Book by Barlow ("Ibero-Americana:28")

 1949
Box [31236073615216] 2, Folder 7 Langworthy, Dorcas
Contents Note: No reply received.

 1971
Box [31236073615216] 2, Folder 8 La Rue, Carolyn
Contents Note: No reply received.

 1971
Box [31236073615216] 2, Folder 9 Price, Edgar Hoffman
 1971
Box [31236073615216] 2, Folder 10 Smisor, George T.
Contents Note: See also Box 1 Folders 2 and 20, Box 2 Reels 1-6.

 1971
Box [31236073615216] 2, Folder 11 Squires, Roy A.
Contents Note: Selection of correspondence with Kenneth W. Faig pertaining to RHB.

 1970-1972
Box [31236073615216] 2, Folder 12 Sterling, Dr. Kenneth (M.D.)
 1971
Box [31236073615216] 2, Folder 13 Warner, Harry Jr.
 1971
Box [31236073615216] 2, Folder 14 Wesson, Sheldon
 1971
Box [31236073615216] 2, Folder 15 Wollheim, Donald
 1971