- Creator
- Targ, William, 1907-
- Call number
- Berg Coll 25822
- Physical description
- .21 linear feet (1 box)
- Language
- English; In English and Yiddish.
- Preferred Citation
- William Targ papers concerning Henry Roth, Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature, The New York Public Library
- Repository
- Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American Literature
- Access to materials
- Request an in-person research appointment.
William Targ (1907-1999) was an American author and editor, and the publisher of Targ Editions. His wife Roslyn Targ (died 2017) was a literary agent whose clients included American novelist Henry Roth (1906-1995), known for his autobiographical works Call It Sleep and the multi-volume Mercy of a Rude Stream. The William Targ papers concerning Henry Roth, 1971-1983, contain Roth's correspondence with the Targs (13 items), and Roth's typescript early drafts of portions of Mercy of a Rude Stream, sent to William Targ for his input as editor and friend. It appears that much of the narrative corresponds to episodes in Requiem for Harlem, the fourth volume of Mercy of a Rude Stream. Roth's letters, postcards, and notes, written from Albuquerque, New Mexico chiefly to William Targ, discuss his writing and health, with mention of family news. There is one note from William Targ to Roth dated 1979 December 26. The collection also includes a cancelled check in payment for the typescript final draft of Call It Sleep, and two typed notes signed by William Targ, one identifying the Call It Sleep typescript, the other listing Henry Roth materials owned by Targ and his wife.
Administrative information
Source of acquisition
Purchased from Glenn Horowitz, 2019.
Processing information
Processed by Susan P. Waide, 2019.
Key terms
Names
- Roth, Henry
- Roth, Henry
- Targ, Roslyn (Correspondent)
- Targ, William, 1907- (Creator)
Subjects
- Authors and publishers -- United States -- Correspondence
- Authors, American -- 20th century -- Correspondence
- Jewish families -- New York (State) -- New York -- Fiction
- Jews -- New York (State) -- New York -- Fiction
Places
Occupations
Material types
Using the collection
Location
Henry W. and Albert A. Berg Collection of English and American LiteratureStephen A. Schwarzman Building
Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788
Third Floor, Room 320