Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Discover Special Collections and Archives: The Helen Miller Jones Collection of American Literature


Helen Miller Jones loved collecting books. She shared this love with Trinity University by gifting her collection containing numerous autographed first editions to Trinity University in 1977, and today the collection can be found in Special Collections & Archives. 

Perhaps one thing making this collection unique is the typescript of an Ernest Hemingway short story. Viewing the typescript it’s not difficult to imagine him sitting at his typewriter composing his story. And what about the changes he made after pulling the paper from the typewriter - why did he cross out a word here or there, only to substitute another?  What was going through his mind that might have made him change a specific word or phrase? 

You can also page through a final typescript of a Willa Cather title, ready to be sent off for printing.  Looking at the typescript, the thought comes to mind of how it must have felt to hold a completed novel before sending it on its final journey to the printers and subsequent release to the public.  Do you hope to someday find yourself in the same position – holding that completed story you have so carefully crafted before sending it off for publication?  Of course, now you’ll probably hit a key on a keyboard, rather than viewing a typed manuscript as did Ernest Hemingway and Willa Cather, along with so many others. 

Additionally, a handwritten note by Somerset Maugham in one of his books, or a book inscribed in 1933 to the collector Miss Helen Cameron, by Robert Frost are only a few  of the special items in this collection. Visit Special Collections to view these, or to page through Hemingway’s story or Willa Cather’s manuscript about to be printed.  This is only one of several collections in Special Collections & Archives and we will be highlighting them over time!  Special Collections is open Monday – Friday from 1:15pm – 5pm, or hours as posted.   

Check out our current exhibit featuring this collection on the 3rd floor of Coates Library and come Discover Special Collections & Archives

 --Meredith Elsik


Image courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, Carl Van Vechten Collection, LC-USZ62-42538

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