Papers consist chiefly of Halper's correspondence, 1919-1984, and literary work, 1928-1982. Correspondence is divided into four sections. Family correspondence, 1909-1969, contains letters to Halper from his four brothers and sister, his first...
more
Papers consist chiefly of Halper's correspondence, 1919-1984, and literary work, 1928-1982. Correspondence is divided into four sections. Family correspondence, 1909-1969, contains letters to Halper from his four brothers and sister, his first wife, Pauline, and son, Thomas, as well as a few letters exchanged among other family members. Incoming letters, 1928-1984, contain all other letters written to Halper, while outgoing letters, 1919-1983, contain those written by Halper to family members and others. Both the incoming and outgoing letters are arranged chronologically by decade and consist mainly of correspondence with editors and literary agents regarding Halper's work. Although there are very few letters to Halper from prominent literary figures of the 1930s, his own letters to editors, fellow writers and friends reveal his opinions about his work, other writers, the Communist Party and political and literary issues of the period. In addition, there are letters from readers of Halper's memoir, Good-Bye, Union Square, and from researchers which discuss the radicalism of the period. Bulk of the correspondence dates from the 1950s-1980s, documenting Halper's struggles to get his work published and his plays Top Man and Aunt Daisy produced.
less