Manly Wade Wellman papers (Ms.2007.029)

The Manly Wade Wellman Papers are arranged into two series, one for the papers of Wellman himself and one for those of his wife, Frances (Obrist) Wellman (pen name Frances Garfield).

Manly Wellman's papers are arranged into five subseries. His correspondence includes an extensive collection of his letters to his mother, Lydia (Isely) Wellman, over a 15-year period. These letters contain much information about the Wellmans' family life and Manly's work habits. The volume of his professional writing is also reflected by the considerable amount of correspondence with his literary agent and numerous editors and publishers that is also included herein.

A collection of Wellman's manuscripts comprises the second subseries, along with the page proofs and galleys of several book-length works. Some of the manuscripts are original typescripts and several of these are copyedited. Others are carbon copies, mimeographs or photocopies of original manuscripts. The collection includes examples of the many genres Wellman worked in, including pulp, speculative, fantastic and historical fiction and nonfiction.

The Legal/Financial subseries consists primarily of book contracts, royalty statements and income tax returns. Wellman supported himself, his wife and son with his writing and this material is an excellent source of information about the business side of the profession.

The last two subseries include a small collection of photographs, sketchbooks, notebooks and newspaper clippings.

The second series is a small collection of the papers of Frances Obrist Wellman, including correspondence, short fiction and several long manuscripts. Most of the correspondence dates from the time of her husband's death and concerns legal and financial matters relating to Manly's writings and estate. Also included are notes and drafts of several long manuscripts, one of which is a regional cookbook accompanied by numerous recipe clippings.