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...
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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.
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