Guide to the Oscar Wegelin papers, 1899-1966

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 2016

Collection Overview

Title:	Oscar Wegelin papers
Date range:	1899-1966
Creator:	Wegelin, Oscar, 1876-1970
Extent:	2.75 Linear feet
Abstract:	Oscar Wegelin, bookseller and author, was one of the leading bibliographers in the field of early American writings. The Oscar Wegelin papers (1899-1966) contain correspondence with important scholars, litterateurs, and bibliographers. In addition, the papers contain poems, plays, and prose written by Wegelin.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	John Hay Library, University Archives and Manuscripts
Collection number:	Ms.78.13

Scope & content

The correspondence to Wegelin (circa 150 items) consists of letters from such scholars, littérateurs, and bibliographers as Robert F. Roden, A. Furman, Alfred Goldsmith, Charles F. Heartman, Harry Lyman Koopman, and others. There is much correspondence with institutions concerning the purchase of books from Wegelin's bookshop. A number of letters discuss the early American poetry and plays, as well as such writers as W.G. Simms, Samuel Miller Hageman, Jupiter Hammon, and others. There is also some discussion of Lincolniana. The Mabbott correspondence in general covers the period from 1900 to 1945, though some of it is dated after that time.

Wegelin's own correspondence (circa 100 items) extends from 1900 to 1966 and deals largely with routine business matters concerning the book trade. There is some correspondence following 1910 discussing a possible position in the John Carter Brown Library for Wegelin. Other letters discuss donations by Wegelin to Brown University.

Wegelin's prose manuscripts (25 items) include some apparently unpublished bibliographical essays; also included is a "Foreword" by Wegelin to A Letter of a '49er, the entire book having been copied by Mrs. Adele Wegelin.

Poetry manuscripts (circa 50 items) include a number of poems dedicated to Wegelin's friends and associates, e.g., Arthur B. Carlson, Elizabeth J. Wendell, Mendoza's Book Store, Susan E. Lyman, Vincent Portonova, and others.

Wegelin's plays (circa 60 items) are apparently unpublished, though some may have seen public performance. Almost all are short humorous skits or dialogues; some are in verse. Included with the plays are song lyrics by Wegelin.

In the collection are receipts (circa 80 items) which mainly record the sale of some of Wegelin's papers to Brown University. Some receipts record book sales from Wegelin's bookshop.

A few letters (5 items) are neither to or from Wegelin but discuss him. Of particular note is correspondence from H. L. Koopman to W. H .P. Faunce about Wegelin's possible position as a librarian at the John Carter Brown Library.

Printed materials (circa 50 items) include programs of short plays in which Wegelin is credited as actor or playwright. Most are programs from a theater group called the Nutmeg Club. There are a number of publications by Wegelin, including obituaries by him published in various book journals, clippings of his printed poetry, and articles on bibliographical matters. There are a few reviews of Wegelin's books, including those of Early American Plays 1714-1830 and the Simms bibliography. Also in the collection are miscellaneous prints, articles, and photostats of editions of the works of early American writers.

Access Points

Subject Names

• Atkinson, Fred W. (Fred Washington), 1865-1941
• Blanck, Jacob, 1865-1941
• Carlson, Arthur B.
• Clough, Benjamin C., 1888-
• Courtenay, Edward S.
• Courtenay, William Ashmead, 1831-1908
• Damon, S. Foster (Samuel Foster), 1893-1971
• Drury, Francis K.W. (Francis Keese Wynkoop), 1978-1954
• Dunlap, John,1747-1812
• Dunlap, William, 1766-1839
• Faunce, William Herbert Perry, 1859-1930
• Furman, Gabriel
• Goldsmith, Alfred
• Hageman, S. Miller (Samuel Miller), 1848-1905
• Hageman, S. Miller (Samuel Miller),1848-1905
• Hammon, Jupiter, 1711-ca. 1800
• Harper, Francis P. (Francis Perego), 1856?-1932
• Hawkins, Micah
• Heartman, Charles F., 1883-
• Hosmer, William H.C. (William Howe Cuyler),1814-1877
• Jonah, David Alonzo, 1909-1981
• Koopman, Harry Lyman, 1860-1937
• Litchfield, Hope P.
• Littlefield, Walter
• Lowens, Irving, 1916-1983
• Lyman, Susan
• Mabbott, Thomas Ollive, 1898-1968
• Malone, John
• Mendoza, Isaac
• Parish, Daniel J.
• Pickersgill, Richard
• Poe, Edgar, Allan, 1809-1849
• Portonova, Vincent
• Roden, Robert F., d. 1934
• Simms, William Gilmore, 1806-1870
• Taylor, Douglas
• Van Hoesen, Henry Bartlett, 1885-1965
• Wegelin, Adele
• Wendell, Elizabeth J.
• Wendell, Evert Jansen, 1860-1917
• Whitty, J.H. (James Howard), 1859-1937
• Williams, Charles Richard, 1853-1927
• Zorn, Mr.

Subject Topics

• American drama, American--Bio-bibliography
• American literature--Bibliography
• American literature--Colonial period, ca. 1600-1775
• American literature--Revolutionary period, 1775-1783
• American poetry--History and criticism
• New Hampshire--History
• Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865--In literature

Occupations

• Authors
• Booksellers and bookselling

Document Types

• Letters (Correspondence)
• Poems

Subject Topics

• Language and Literature

Arrangement

The papers are arranged in four series:

• Series 1. Correspondence
• Series 2. Manuscript material by Oscar Wegelin
• Series 3. Miscellaneous manuscript material
• Series 4. Printed material

The arrangement of the collection begins with correspondence to and from Wegelin, arranged alphabetically by the correspondent. In those instances where letters were written by institutions about routine book business, the letters have been filed under the name of the institution, e.g., American Antiquarian Society. All correspondence, including Wegelin's, is arranged chronologically within the alphabetical sequence.

Bibliographical notes by Wegelin follow arranged alphabetically by the title of the work being catalogued. Similarly, manuscripts of prose, poetry and plays by Wegelin are arranged alphabetically by title and, where no title exists, by the first line. Miscellaneous unidentified notes by Wegelin and others follow.

Receipts for book orders and for purchase of manuscripts are organized by date of receipt. The one folder of letters to or from but concerning Wegelin follows.

As for printed matter, the programs for plays in which Wegelin had a role are filed alphabetically by the organization staging the play, e.g., the Nutmeg Club. There follows printed matter written by Wegelin which is grouped under the categories of orbituaries, articles, concludes with printed matter not directly concerning Wegelin, and includes articles, prints, photostats, and the like.

Biographical note

Oscar Wegelin, bookseller and author, was one of the leading bibliographers in the field of early American writings. His papers consist of about 500 items, and include correspondence to and from Wegelin; his own fiction, including manuscripts of articles, poetry, and plays; bibliographical notes; receipts for material purchased from or by Wegelin; and various printed items including publications by Wegelin, play programs, and reviews of Wegelin's books.

Approximately half the collection is correspondence, which chiefly discusses routine matters relating to Wegelin's bookshop. Several letters discuss bibliographical details of early American poetry and plays.

As for manuscript material written by Wegelin, the collection includes a few of his articles on bibliography, one tale of fiction, many poems, and several unpublished plays and skits. The bibliographic notes consist of hand-written copies, mostly in Wegelin's hand, of entries in his bibliographies.

1876 Sep 29

Born in New York City

1890

Begins working in bookshop with John E. Anderson, Jr.

1895

Begins compilation of his bibliography of early American plays

1899

First published verse: Lyrics to White Winged Columbia Song

1900

Publishes Early American Plays 1714-1830

1901

Begins his own bookselling business in Stamford, Connecticut; soon moves to New York city

1902

Publishes Early American Fiction 1774-1830

1903

Publishes Early American Poetry

1905

Revised edition of Early American Plays

1906

Publishes bibliography of William Gilmore Simms

1907

Publishes Early American Poetry 1800-1820

1908

First volume of verse: When Conscience Sleeps and Other Poems

1911

Publishes Books Relating to the History of Georgia in the Library of Wymberley Jones De Renne

1913

Revised edition of Early American Fiction 1774-1830

1915

Publishes Jupiter Hammon, American Negro Poet

1916

Publishes bibliography of William Dunlap

1917

Publishes Micah Hawkins and the Saw-Mill

1923

The Fanatic's Prayer and Other Verse

1929

Third edition of Early American Fiction 1774-1830

1930

Second edition of Early American Poetry

1938-1954

Bibliographer of the New York Historical Society

1941

Second edition of the Simms (1906) bibliography

1953

Publishes bibliography of Samuel Woodworth

1970

Dies

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:	Oscar Wegelin papers, Ms. 78.13, 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:	The Oscar Wegelin papers were compiled piecemeal either through purchase from Wegelin himself (compare receipts) or through the compilation by a staff member of the Brown University Library of correspondence found within the University.
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Finding aid prepared by S.T. Joshi and Marc A. Michaud, Student Interns, under the direction of Clifton H. Jones, Manuscripts Curator, May 1978.
Encoding:	This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2016-07-28
Descriptive rules:	Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Other information:

Brown University Library catalog record for this collection: Oscar Wegelin papers

Inventory

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