This collection of papers of H. Allen Smith consists largely of correspondence, manuscripts, reference notes, and clippings, ranging in dates from 1930-1976. The correspondence, organized in chronological order, includes the earliest material beginning in 1930 when Smith corresponded with Fred Allen and humorists and newspaper people of the day. Other correspondents throughout the years who are included in the papers are Gene Fowler, Fred Beck, Rufus Blair, M. L. Mencken, Joan Crawford, Alma Reed, Gene Austin, and Smith s agent Harold Matson. The book manuscripts begin with People Named Smith, published in 1950, so the collection is lacking early manuscripts of books such as Low Man on a Totem Pole and Life in a Putty Knife Factory . There are manuscripts for nearly all his books from 1950 through 1975, with the printer s copy being most frequently representative.
Some manuscripts do include rough drafts, final drafts, galley proofs, and page proofs.
Notably lacking is the manuscript of Smith s last and probably his favorite book, The Life and Legend of Gene Fowler. There are, however, copious reference notes and clippings for the book included in these papers. Missing are chapters three through six and eight through thirteen. Other manuscripts include most of Smith s magazine articles, his early United Features Syndicate articles, numerous early radio scripts, and some TV scripts. Of particular interest in this section is a record book of magazine article sales from 1939-1975 and an index to phrases in H. Allen Smith books.