Princeton University Library

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1 Princeton University Library DEPARTMENT OF RARE BOOKS AND SPECIAL COLLECTIONS * Cotsen Children's Library * One Washington Road * Princeton, New Jersey USA * Phone: (609) * Fax: (609) * rbsc@princeton.edu * * Mary Shepard and P. L. Travers Archive, 1900s.: Finding Aid Summary Information Call number: Repository: Size: Language(s) of Material: Abstract: Location: COTSEN2 Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special Collections Cotsen Children's Library One Washington Road Princeton, New Jersey USA 11.0 linear feet. 2 archival boxes, 2 18x15 flat archival boxes, 2 15x12 flat archival boxes, 1 21x16 flat archival box. English A collection of correspondence, sketches, proofs, notes, personal writing, photographs, and legal documents related to the life and careers of P. L. Travers ( ) and Mary Shepard ( ). This collection is stored offsite at the ReCAP facility.

2 Table of Contents Summary Information...1 Biography/History...3 Description... 4 Arrangement... 4 Access and Use... 5 Acquisition and Appraisal... 5 Processing and Other Information... 5 Subject Headings... 6 Contents List... Series 1: P.L. Travers correspondence, drafts, notes, personal writing, bulk , Series 2: Mary Shepard Art and correspondence, photographs, bulk ,

3 Biography/History Biographical Note on P. L. Travers from "Guide to the papers of P L Travers in the Mitchell Library State Library of New South Wales": P L (Pamela Lyndon) Travers, the creator of the well - known nanny Mary Poppins, was born Helen Lyndon Goff in Maryborough, Queensland on 9 August While the name Travers is a family name which she adopted, there is no explanation for her other adopted name, Pamela, which she rarely uses preferring to be known as P L. Little is known of Travers family and personal life despite the fact that she stems from a long established family. Her great grandfather, Robert Archibald Morehead, came to Australia in 1841 as manager of the Scottish Australian Company. His considerable holdings eventually included Bowen Downs, the largest pastoral station in Australia. Morehead s elder son Robert was Travers grandfather. Robert s daughter Margaret was Travers mother.travers father, Travers Robert Goff, died while his three daughters, of whom P L Travers is the eldest, were quite young. Irish born, he had migrated to Australia after a period spent tea picking in Ceylon. After her father s death, Travers moved with her mother and sisters to New South Wales. She went to school at Normanhurst in Sydney. While still in her teens, Travers poems and articles began to appear in Australian newspapers and magazines. She later wrote for both the Bulletin and Triad. For approximately two years she wrote a human interest column for a daily newspaper. She worked in the cashier s office of the Australian Gas & Light Company and, briefly during the early 1920s, she toured New South Wales as an actor and dancer with the Alan Wilkie Shakespearean Touring Company. In 1924 Travers left Australia for England. Since that time she lived in England and, periodically, in the United States. Around 1960 she made her only return visit to Australia. In Ireland in 1925 she met the poet George Russell (AE) who, as editor of The Irish Statesman, had accepted some of her poems for publication and invited her to Dublin. Through Russell, Travers met W B Yeats and other Irish poets who fostered her interest in and knowledge of world mythology. Many of her own poems appeared in The Irish Statesman and a number of anthologies. Travers first real literary success was the 1934 publication of Mary Poppins. Like later books in the series, Mary Poppins was illustrated by Mary Shepard, the daughter of Ernest Shepard who illustrated A A Milne s Winnie the Pooh books. Translated into more than a dozen languages, Mary Poppins was popular throughout the world. It was followed in 1935 by a sequel, Mary Poppins Comes Back. The tetralogy was completed with the publication of Mary Poppins Opens the Door (1944) and Mary Poppins in the Park (1952). Four other Mary Poppins titles have been published, the latest Mary Poppins and the House Next Door, in Although unhappy with the 1964 Disney film version of Mary Poppins, despite her own involvement with the production, the film stimulated wider public interest in P L Travers and her work. It is from this time that articles by Travers about her work began to appear in magazines and journals. She received invitations to lecture in the United States and was Writer in Residence at Radcliffe Hall, Harvard University ( ) and at Smith College (1966). Travers made frequent visits to the United States where she lived during World War II, and from 1969 until Myth and fairy tale, important elements in the original Mary Poppins books, recur in Travers later works, notably Friend Monkey (1971), a novel in three parts based on the monkey god Hanuman from the Indian epic Ramayana; and About the Sleeping Beauty (1975) containing six versions of the fairy tale including one by Travers herself. P L Travers was honoured with an OBE in 1977 for her contribution to literature. In 1978 she was installed as a Doctor of Humanities at Chatham College, Pittsburg, USA. She died in Biographical note on Mary Shepard from the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, by Roger T. Stearn: Page 3

4 Shepard [married name Knox], Mary Eleanor Jessy ( ), artist and illustrator, was born on 25 December 1909 at Red Cottage, Shamley Green, Wonersh, near Godalming, Surrey, the only daughter and younger child of Ernest Howard Shepard ( ), painter and illustrator, and his wife, Florence Eleanor Chaplin (d. 1927). She enjoyed a happy childhood at Red Cottage, attended St Monica's, Tadworth, near Epsom, Surrey, and was finished at the Villa Ste Monique in Auteuil. In 1926 she and her brother Graham accompanied their father on his sketching trips to A. A. Milne's home in the Ashdown Forest, Sussex, and played with Christopher Robin. For her, he reacted as someone who had never known anyone older than himself actually playing games with him (The Independent). She trained at the Slade, London, under Henry Tonks and Randolph Schwabe. She worked as an artist, had two exhibitions in London, and won a prize for etching in Paris. Pamela Travers, an Australian then unknown, had her children's book, Mary Poppins, accepted by the publisher Gerald Howe and they hoped E. H. Shepard would illustrate it, but he had too much work. P. L. Travers saw a Christmas card designed by Mary Shepard, then aged twentythree, and chose her to illustrate the book, published in P. L. Travers was demanding she insisted that the pictorial Poppins resemble the peg doll she had as a child and have no figure (Daily Telegraph) and Mary Shepard's drawings defined the image of Mary Poppins and contributed much to the success of the book and its sequels, all of which she illustrated: the last was Mary Poppins in Cherry Tree Lane (1982). The illustration of Mr Banks was based on a family friend, Edmund George Valpy Knox ( ), editor of Punch, whom she married on 2 October She inherited her father's confident line-work and feeling for the integration of drawing with the text, and she was meticulous in research. Her work of the 1930s indicates that she could have become a prominent book illustrator, but after her marriage she did little such work and became somewhat depreciatory of her talents as an illustrator. She had no children, but she was a second mother to her two stepchildren, Rawle Knox, journalist, and Penelope Fitzgerald, the novelist. They lived at St John's Wood, London, and during the Second World War she served as an air-raid warden, kept chickens, and grew vegetables. After the war they moved to Hampstead, London, where Knox died in 1971 and where she continued to enjoy entertaining family and friends. Following a long illness she died on 4 September 2000 in Highgate Nursing Home, 12 Hornsey Lane, Islington, London. Description A collection of correspondence, sketches, proofs, notes, and legal documents related to the lives and careers of author P. L. Travers ( ) and illustrator Mary Shepard ( ). Arrangement Box 1: P. L. Travers correspondence, drafts, and notes. Box 2: P. L. Travers correspondence, drafts, and notes. Box 3: Mary Shepard sketches and drawings for Mary Poppins books. Box 4: Mary Shepard sketches and drawings for Mary Poppins books. Box 5: Mary Shepard sketches and drawings for Mary Poppins books. Box 6: Mary Shepard sketches and drawings for Mary Poppins books; Mary Shepard correspondence. Box 7: Mary Shepard sketches and drawings for Mary Poppins books; P. L. Travers family photographs. Series 1: P.L. Travers correspondence, drafts, notes, personal writing, bulk Series 2: Mary Shepard Art and correspondence, photographs, bulk Page 4

5 Access and Use Access This collection is stored offsite. Please consult with the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections about having the collection recalled to Firestone Library for your use. This process normally requires hours notice. The collection is open for research. Restrictions on Use and Copyright Information Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the Associate University Librarian for Rare Books and Special Collections. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright. Acquisition and Appraisal Provenance and Acquisition Artwork and some correspondence purchased from: Aleph Bet, 16 Feb 1999; and David Miles, 1 November 1999 and 21 November Appraisal Four collections were combined to create this archive in No materials were separated during 2015 processing. The orginal order and organization of the items was maintained. Processing and Other Information Preferred Citation identification of specific item; Date (if known); Mary Shepard and P. L. Travers Archive, Box and Folder Number; Cotsen Children's Library, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library. Processing Information This collection was processed by Miranda Marraccini in Finding aid written by Miranda Marraccini in Encoding This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit T16: Descriptive Rules Used Page 5

6 Finding aid content adheres to that prescribed by Describing Archives: A Content Standard. Subject Headings Art, British -- 20th Century Authors -- 20th century -- Correspondence. Publishers and publishing -- 20th century -- Correspondence. Women authors, English -- 20th century -- Correspondence. Women illustrators -- 20th Century -- Correspondence Women illustrators -- 20th Century -- Drawings British literature Children's books Publishing history Page 6

7 Contents List Series 1: P.L. Travers correspondence, drafts, notes, personal writing, bulk , Language(s) of Materials: Size: 2.0 archival boxes Creator: Travers, P. L., (Pamela Lyndon), Arrangement: Box 1: P. L. Travers correspondence, drafts, and notes. Box 2: P. L. Travers correspondence, drafts, and notes. Description: A collection of correspondence, sketches, proofs, notes, personal writing, and legal documents relating to the life and career of P. L. Travers ( ) Title Box Folder "The Shortest Stories in the World", 1977 Size: 4.0 items Description: Materials related to "The Shortest Stories in the World," by P.L. Travers, published in Games Magazine, November/December Later collected in "What the Bee Knows" (1989). Arrangement: Arranged chronologically. "The shortest stories in the world," TLS Children's Books, 1977 July 15 Size: 2.0 pages Dimensions: 30 x 40.3 cm Physical Characteristics: One newspaper page folded in half, printed recto and verso. Description: "The shortest stories in the world," by P.L. Travers. Published in T.L.S. Children's Books, July 15, Pages "The Shortest Stories in the World," Proof Copy for Games Magazine, 1977 Size: 3.0 pages Dimensions: Proof copy of "The Shortest Stories in the World," by P.L. Travers, for Games Magazine, November/December Note at top of first page reads "Earlier rough proof / (Artist's paste-up) / already seen by you". Several corrections copied from an earlier proof: "alone" for "along", "knew" for "new". New blue corrections (several x's) marked next to images and a few paragraphs. Dimensions: 21.6 x 35.6 cm Physical Characteristics: Three pages, stapled together Page 7

8 "The Shortest Stories in the World," Games Magazine, 1977 November Size: 4.0 pages Dimensions: 20.9 x 28 cm Physical Characteristics: 2 separate pages, each printed recto and verso. With seven color illustrations to accompany the story and one black and white photograph of Travers. Description: "The Shortest Stories in the World," by P. L. Travers, published in Games Magazine, November/December 1977, Pages Note on top of first page in P. L. Travers's(?) hand reading: "Written for "Games" New York." "The Death of AE: Irish Hero and Mystic", 1982 Size: 12.0 pages Dimensions: Approx. 21 x 23.5 cm Physical Characteristics: 12 separate pages photocopied from a printed book; the bottom part of each page is torn off (does not affect text). Description: "The Death of AE: Irish Hero and Mystic," essay by Pamela Travers. Published in "The Celtic Consciousness," ed. Robert O'Driscoll (Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1981) and later in "What the Bee Knows" (1989). This version is photocopied from the edition of "The Celtic Consciousness" published by George Braziller in New York, The volume is a selection of 55 essays by scholars who attended a Celtic symposium in On the top of the first page, in P. L. Travers's hand: "From the Celtic Consciousness Edited by Prof. Robert O'griscoll (sic) Celtic Dept Toronto University Published by Braziller N. Y.". Mary Poppins banned from San Francisco library, 1980 October December 14 Size: 7.0 items Description: Newspaper clippings and correspondence related to the San Francisco Public Library's decision to ban Mary Poppins due to its "derogatory" treatment of minorities. Also some items relating to Travers's book "Two Pairs of Shoes". Photocopied letter from Phil Hager, 1980 October 13 Size: 3.0 pages Dimensions: 21.6 x 27.9 cm Physical Characteristics: 3 pages printed only on recto. 1 page in first sleeve, 2 pages in second sleeve. Description: October 13, 1980; A photocopied letter from Philip Hager of the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Bureau, to "Maria." Encloses an article by Hager entitled "Censorship Issue Raised: 'Mary Poppins' Page 8

9 Banned from S. F. Library Shelves' " that ran on October 7, 1980 in the Los Angeles Times. Article discusses the library's decision to ban the book beacuse it "treats minorities in ways that are derogatory." Mentions changes Travers made (in 1977) to the depiction of black characters in the book. "Mary Poppins and other outcasts", 1980 October 24 Size: 2.0 pages Dimensions: Approx. 29 x 37 cm Physical Characteristics: 1 newspaper page, printed recto and verso. Description: "Mary Poppins and other outcasts," a brief article (no author, but perhaps Travers herself? see next file, "Correspondence", item 5), published in the Christian Science Monitor, October 24, The article discusses the banning of Mary Poppins by the San Francisco Public Library on account of its treatment of minorities; it goes on to condemn censorship of children's books more generally. Letter from Margaret K. McElderry to P. L. Travers, 1980 December 9 Size: 4.0 pages Dimensions: page 1: 21.4 x 28 cm; page 2 and 3: 21.6 x 27.9 cm; page 4: 13.8 x 17.8 cm Physical Characteristics: Four pages. Page 1: typewritten on Atheneum Publishers letterhead stationery; pages 2 and 3: typewritten on unmarked stationery; page 4: handwritten on smaller paper. Description: December 9, 1980; from Margaret K. McElderry, New York, to P. L. Travers, London. Margaret K. McElderry, Director of Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Atheneum Publishers, writes to P. L. Travers discussing the San Francisco Public Library's decision to ban Mary Poppins from its shelves. Refers to an article in the Christian Science Monitor (item 2 above) about the issue. McElderry advises Travers on revisions Travers has proposed to Mary Poppins, intended to "remove all possibility of offense to any minority group". Includes a handwritten postscript (page 4) criticizing illustrations in a recent edition of Two Pairs of Shoes by Travers. Three Newspaper Articles, 1980 November 23-December 14 Size: 3.0 pages Dimensions: 12.2 x 21.6 cm; 12.9 x 21.6 cm; 8.3 x 16.7 cm Physical Characteristics: 3 brief photocopied articles from newspapers. Description: Three photocopied newspaper articles: "Virginia Library Fights for Books That a Minister Labels Obscene," The New York Times, December 14, 1980; "Calls for Banning of Library Books Rise Sharply Since Reagan Victory," The New York Times, December 11, 1980; Page 9

10 "Middle Eastern flavor in fall's best books," the Sun-Times, November 23, The first two discuss censorship (banning library books); the last is a review of Travers's book "Two Pairs of Shoes". Letter from Francelia Butler to P. L. Travers, 1980 November 10 s Dimensions: 21.6 x 27.9 cm Physical Characteristics: One typewritten page on letterhead: "The University of Connecticut, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Department of English" Description: November 10, 1980; from Francelia Butler, Professor of English, University of Connecticut, to P. L. Travers, London; In the wake of the ban on Mary Poppins in the San Francisco Public Library, Professor Butler writes to ask Travers to contribute an article on censorship to Children's Literature, a critical annual published by the University of Connecticut (see next item and item 4 in "Correspondence", next file). Includes an anecdote about Travers's understanding of race in Mary Poppins. Letter from Francelia Butler to P. L. Travers, 1980 December 6 s Dimensions: 21.6 x 27.9 cm Physical Characteristics: One typewritten page on letterhead: "The University of Connecticut, The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Department of English" Description: December 6, 1980; from Francelia Butler, Professor of English, University of Connecticut, to P. L. Travers, London; In the wake of the ban on Mary Poppins at the San Francisco Public Library, Professor Butler has asked Travers to contribute an article on censorship to Children's Literature, a critical annual published by the University of Connecticut (see previous item). Travers has done so, and this is Butler's note of thanks. Yet she is waiting for permission to publish the letter from Travers's agent, which she seems to have been refused (see next file, Correspondence, item 4). Butler says that she will preserve Travers's letter to her in the Rare Book Room at the University "as it is a priceless document". P. L. Travers Correspondence, bulk , 1965 September August 20 Size: items Description: Letters to P. L. Travers spanning May 20, 1979-September 4, Most are from her agent, Harriet Wasserman, and from various publishers, including Harcourt Brace Jovanovich. Topics of interest include: Mary Poppins banned from San Francisco Public Library (see previous Page 10

11 series), subsequent revisions to Mary Poppins, television rights to Mary Poppins, possible stage productions of Mary Poppins, royalties, family wills, and distribution of P. L. Travers's papers after her death. Arrangement: Chronological. From John Cairney, 1979 May 20 s Dimensions: 21 x 29.6 cm Physical Characteristics: One typewritten sheet. Letterhead: "Shanter Productions Theatre Consultants (Scotland), John Cairney, Director". Description: May 20, 1979; from John Cairney, Director of Shanter Productions Theatre Consultants, Edinburgh, to P. L. Travers, London; Mr. Cairney writes to discuss his intention "towards an ultimate theatrical manifestation of MARY POPPINS"--he has already spoken to Travers on the subject. From Richard M. Ader, 1980 March 5 Size: 2.0 pages Dimensions: 21.6 x 27.9 cm Physical Characteristics: Typewritten on two sheets of letterhead paper ("Greenbaum, Wolff & Ernst"). Description: March 5, 1980; from Richard M. Ader, of Greenbaum, Wolff & Ernst, Miami; to Pamela L. Travers, London; Ader, Travers's lawyer, writes to discuss the possibility of selling her papers to various universities, including Princeton. Ader asks for a list or some idea of the extent of the papers, and asks Travers what sort of price she imagines asking for them. From Richard M. Ader, 1980 April 11 Size: 2.0 pages Dimensions: 21.6 x 27.9 cm Physical Characteristics: Typewritten on two sheets of letterhead paper ("Greenbaum, Wolff & Ernst"). Description: April 5, 1980; from Richard M. Ader, of Greenbaum, Wolff & Ernst, Miami; to Pamela L. Travers, London; Ader, Travers's lawyer, writes again to discuss the possibility of selling or giving her papers to various universities in Britain or the U.S. Asks Travers to consider what she might accept in return, including academic honors or money. From Michel M. Grilikhes, 1980 June 17 s Dimensions: Approx x 26.6 cm Page 11

12 Physical Characteristics: One typewritten page, embossed at top with "Michel M. Grilikhes". Description: June 17, 1980, from Michel Grilikhes, Beverly Hills, to Pamela Travers, Dublin; Mr. Grilikhes was the producer of Disney on Parade, which featured Mary Poppins. He now asks if Travers will entertain an offer to create a new stage prodcution of Mary Poppins. From Harriet Wasserman, 1980 July 2 s Dimensions: 17.2 x 21.6 Physical Characteristics: Typewritten on one half-size sheet of letterhead paper. Description: July 2, 1980; from Harriet Wasserman, of Russell & Volkening Literary Agents, New York, to P. L. Travers; a memo; Discusses payment for possible publication of an essay in the Christian Science Monitor (possibly the one in "Mary Poppins Banned from San Francisco Library" series, item 2). Telegram from Harriet Wasserman, 1980 July 26 s Dimensions: 21.4 x approx. 23 cm Physical Characteristics: One Western Union telegram, stamped with date and time. One sheet of paper. Description: July 26, 1980; from Harriet (presumably Travers's literary agent Harriet Wasserman), London, to P. L. Travers, London; stamped "Western Union International Inc."; Harriet praises "Mary Poppins in Cherry Tree Lane" as "A real gift. Splendid. Illuminating.", noting "A letter follows." Pencil note on verso (a series of numbers). Envelope from Francelia Butler letter, undated Size: 1.0 item Dimensions: 22.9 x approx. 26 cm Physical Characteristics: Brown paper envelope with address labels and sticker ("By air mail / Par avion"). Description: Undated envelope from letter sent from Dr. Francelia Butler, University of Cennecticut, to P. L. Travers, London; probably from one of the letters from Butler in the series "Mary Poppins banned from San Francisco Library", items 5 and 6. From Harriet Wasseman, 1980 November 18 s Dimensions: 17.2 x 21.7 cm Page 12

13 Physical Characteristics: Typewritten on one half-size sheet of letterhead paper. Description: November 18, 1980; from Harriet Wasserman, of Russell & Volkening Literary Agents, New York, to P. L. Travers; a memo; Wasserman discusses the banning of Mary Poppins by the San Francisco Public Library (see previous series). Discusses whether Travers should make a direct statement. From Harriet Wasserman, 1980 December 5 s Dimensions: 17.9 x 21.6 cm Physical Characteristics: Typewritten on one half-size sheet of letterhead paper. Description: December 5, 1980; from Harriet Wasserman, of Russell & Volkening Literary Agents, New York, to P. L. Travers; a memo; Wasserman addresses "the matter" between Travers and Professor Butler, the publication of an essay on censorship in the University of Connecticut's journal Children's Literature (see items 5 and 6 in "Mary Poppins banned from San Francisco library" series). Wasserman assures her "it is forgotten," seeming to advise against any publication. Also discusses reduced royalties on an edition of Mary Poppins. From Barbara Lucas, 1981 January 23 s Dimensions: 21.7 x 28 cm Physical Characteristics: Typewritten on one sheet of letterhead paper ("Harcourt Brace Jovanovich"). Description: January 23, 1981, from Barbara Lucas, Editor-in-Chief of Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Children's Books, New York, to Pamela L. Travers, London; Lucas discusses Travers's proposed solution to the controversy set off when the San Francisco Public Library banned Mary Poppins (see previous series): a new illustration by Mary Shepard. From Kay Kappas, 1981 February 11 s Dimensions: 21.7 x 28 cm Physical Characteristics: One typewritten sheet of letterhead paper (Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc.). Description: February 11, 1981, from Kay Kappas, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, New York, to Pamela L. Travers, London; Kappas, an administrative assistant, writes to tell Travers that her "material" has Page 13

14 arrived at the publisher (presumably material related to the 1981 revision of Mary Poppins, the "Bad Tuesday" chapter). From Harriet Wasserman, 1981 February 13 s Dimensions: 17.7 x 21.6 Physical Characteristics: Typewritten on one half-size sheet of letterhead paper. Description: February 13, 1981; from Harriet Wasserman, of Russell & Volkening Literary Agents, New York, to P. L. Travers; a memo; Wasserman discusses the revisions Travers has made to Mary Poppins (the "Bad Tuesday" chapter). Travers's acceptance of reduced royalties on the new edition is conditional upon the changes being made. From Linda Zuckerman, 1981 February 18 s Dimensions: 21.7 x 27.9 cm Physical Characteristics: One typewritten sheet of letterhead paper ("The Viking Press Publishers"). Description: February 18, 1981, from Linda Zuckerman, Editorial Director, Viking Junior Books, New York, to Pamela L. Travers, London; Zuckerman writes a short note to inform Travers that her book "Two Pairs of Shoes" has been selected as a Notable Book by the American Library Association From Barbara Lucas, 1981 February 20 Size: 2.0 pages Dimensions: 21.7 x 28 cm Physical Characteristics: 2 sheets of letterhead paper ("Harcourt Brace Jovanovich"). Description: February 20, 1981, from Barbara Lucas, Editor-in-Chief at Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Children's Books, New York, to Pamela L. Travers, London; Lucas assures Travers of her publisher's continued support in light of various perceived offenses. Addresses the San Francisco Public Library incident and the revisions to Mary Poppins (see previous series) From Barbara Lucas, undated 1 4 From Harriet Wasserman, 1981 March From Richard M. Ader, 1981 March From Diane Moglen, 1981 April From Maria Modugno, 1981 September Page 14

15 From Philip (?), 1982 June From Colin A. McLaren, 1983 March From D.M. Dooling, 1983 March Contract for television rights to Mary Poppins, 1984 March From Fiona Lawson, 1987 July From Fiona Lawson, 1987 July Concerning Moya Travers's Will, 1987 September From Iain Rodger, 1989 April From "Ken", Temenos Academy, circa From Ilene Cooper, 1991 May From D.M. Dooling, Parabola, 1991 June From John Matthews, circa From Gail Penston, 1991 July From Ellen Draper, 1991 August From Liz Attenborough, 1991 August From Joyce Nakamura, 1991 September To Clifton Fadiman, 1968 August To Sir Martin Charteris, 1976 December To Staffan Bergsten, 1977 February To Miss Worthington, circa 1978 January To Miss Worthington, 1978 January To Miss Worthington, 1978 March To Dr. Ravi Ravindra, circa 1978 April To Dr. Ravi Ravindra, 1978 April To Dr. Ravi Ravindra, 1978 April To Mr. Taylor, 1978 December To Miss Fitch, 1979 January To Harriet Wasserman, 1979 June To Mary Shepard, 1979 June To Miss Bray, 1979 October To James H. Hawn, 1979 November To Jeff Church, 1979 November Page 15

16 To Jonathan Cott, 1979 November To Parabola, 1979 December To Linda Zuckerman and to Harriet Wasserman, 1979 December To Sylvia Brooks, 1980 January To Harriet Wasserman, 1980 January To Mr. Franklin, 1980 January To the Scots Ancestry Research Association, 1980 January To Mircea Eliade, 1980 January To Harriet Wasserman, 1980 January To Woman's Hour, 1980 March To the Editor of The Irish Times, 1980 March To the Editor of The Irish Times, 1980 March To the Editor of The Irish Times, 1980 March To Harriet Wasserman, 1980 March To Unknown, 1980 April To Mrs. Vaughan, 1980 May To Susan Bergholz, 1980 May To Mr. Yarish, 1980 September To Francelia Butler, circa 1980 November 1 5 To Harriet Wasserman, 1981 February To Barbara Lucas, 1981 February To Margaret K. McElderry, 1981 March To Harriet Wasserman and Timothy (?), 1981 March To Kathleen Bursley, 1982 April To Claire Smith, 1982 October To John Rush, 1983 January To John Rush, copy, 1983 January To Claire Smith, 1983 January To Doro Russell(?), 1983 March To John Rush, 1984 April To John Rush, 1984 April To James Hamilton, 1986 November Page 16

17 To Dr Wangyal, 1989 May To Ron Baron, 1989 May To Staffan Bergsten, 1989 May To Eugene Reynal, undated 1 5 To Unknown, undated 1 5 To Staffan Bergsten, undated 1 5 To Louise Welch, undated 1 5 To B.D.(?), undated 1 5 From Adrian House, 1969 July From Laura Jackson, 1970 September From Adrian House, 1970 November From Brian Sibley, 1972 August From Joseph Campbell, 1975 December From Staffan Bergsten, 1979 May From Mary Shepard(?), 1979 June April From Joseph Campbell, 1980 February From Jonathan Cott, 1981 February From Kersy Katrak, 1981 June From Richard M. Ader, 1982 May From Kersy Katrak and Usha Katrak, 1982 September From Adrian House, 1988 March From Laurens van der Post, 1988 November From Ron Baron, 1989 January From Staffan Bergsten, 1989 May From Philip Jebb, 1991 May From Philip Jebb, 1991 June From Janice Brent, 1995 February From Adrian House, 1995 August From Joseph Campbell, 1965 September Spinnens Acre Junior School Correspondence, 1983 February Size: 29.0 items Page 17

18 Description: 28 letters and one form letter response. Letters are from the students at the Spinnens Acre C. P. Junior School, Kent, to P. L. Travers. The children describe their favorite parts of "Mary Poppins in Cherry Tree Lane" and draw pictures. David Higham Junior Associates Correspondence, bulk , 1980 May July 31 Size: 74.0 items Description: Letters from David Higham and associates, P. L. Travers's London literary agents. Includes enclosures from Walt Disney Productions as well as various lawyers. Topics of interest include: theatrical production of Mary Poppins, television production of Mary Poppins, film production of Mary Poppins sequels, sale of Travers's personal papers, book royalties, and international editions of the Mary Poppins series. From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1980 May From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1981 November From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1982 January From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1982 January From Jacqueline Korn to P. L. Travers, 1982 April From John Rush to Lord Goodman, 1982 April From Jane Carter to John Rush, 1982 May From John Rush to Arthur J. Klein, 1982 May From Jacqueline Korn to P. L. Travers, 1982 April From John Rush to Jane Carter, 1982 May From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1982 June From Renate Fasold to P. L. Travers, 1982 June 15 From Jacqueline Korn to P. L. Travers, 1982 August From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1982 August From Bruce Hunter to P. L. Travers, 1982 October From Renate Fasold to P. L. Travers, 1982 October From Bruce Hunter to P. L. Travers, 1982 October From Jacqueline Korn to P. L. Travers, 1982 October From Denise Palmer to P. L. Travers, 1982 November From Denise Palmer to P. L. Travers, 1982 November From Elizabeth Cree to P. L. Travers, 1982 December From Jacqueline Korn to P. L. Travers, 1982 December Page 18

19 From Thea J. Kerman to John Rush, 1982 December From Jacqueline Korn to P. L. Travers, 1983 January From Renate Fasold to P. L. Travers, 1983 January From Jacqueline Korn to P. L. Travers, 1982 December From John Rush to Jules Fisher, 1983 January From Jacqueline Korn to P. L. Travers, 1983 January From Jacqueline Korn to P. Chody, 1983 January From Renate Fasold to P. L. Travers, 1983 April From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1983 April From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1983 April From Karen Teece to P. L. Travers, 1983 May From Renate Fasold to P. L. Travers, 1983 May From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1983 June From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1983 July From Jacqueline Korn to P. L. Travers, 1983 July From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1983 August From Thea J. Kerman to John Rush, 1983 July From Jacqueline Korn to P. L. Travers, 1983 August From Renate Fasold to P. L. Travers, 1983 November From Renate Fasold to P. L. Travers, 1983 December From Jacqueline Korn to P. L. Travers, 1983 December From Renate Fasold to P. L. Travers, 1983 December From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1984 January From Ed Self to John Rush, 1984 January From Christopher Gorog to John Rush, 1984 February From Renate Fasold to P. L. Travers, 1984 February From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1984 February From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1984 February From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1984 February From John Rush (?) to P. L. Travers, 1984 February From Renate Fasold to P. L. Travers, 1984 March From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1984 March Page 19

20 From Jacqueline Korn to P. L. Travers, 1984 March From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1984 March From Christopher Gorog to P. L. Travers, 1984 March From Renate Fasold to P. L. Travers, 1984 April From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1984 April From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1984 April From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1984 April From Renate Fasold to P. L. Travers, 1984 April From Jacqueline Korn to P. L. Travers, 1984 May From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1984 June From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1984 October From Jacqueline Korn to P. L. Travers, 1986 March From Jacqueline Korn to P. L. Travers, 1987 November From Jacqueline Korn to P. L. Travers, 1987 June From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1988 January From Tony Crouch to P. L. Travers, 1991 May From Ania Corless to P. L. Travers, 1991 June From John Rush to P. L. Travers, 1991 November From Martin Kaplan to John Rush, 1991 November From Bonny Laycock to P. L. Travers, 1992 July Sketches and Proofs, circa Size: 25.0 items Description: Artist's proofs and pencil sketches for Mary Poppins books. "Mary Poppins and the House Next Door" Artist's Proof, circa "Mr Stringer turns very pink" Artist's Proof, undated 1 9 "Mary Poppins: Tailpiece for 'Christmas Shopping' " Artist's Proof, undated 1 9 Artist's Proof of a man with binoculars, undated 1 9 Sketches of pirates, undated 1 9 Sketches of dolls from Pollock's Toy Museum, undated 1 9 Sketches of women in early nineteenth-century dress, undated 1 9 Sketches of early nineteenth-century clothing, undated 1 9 Sketches of a policeman, undated 1 9 Page 20

21 Sketches of tropical trees, undated 1 9 Sketches of bears, foxes, a dove, and Orion, undated 1 9 Sketch of an old man reading, undated 1 9 Sketch of a fisherman's wife hanging laundry, undated 1 9 Sketches of swords, undated 1 9 Sketches of swords, undated 1 9 Sketches of sword hilts, undated 1 9 Sketches of young bears, undated 1 9 Sketches of Feverfew, Marjoram, and Oregano (herbs), circa Sketch of post office, undated 1 9 Sketch of cats, undated 1 9 Small sketches of plans and animals, undated 1 9 Sketches of Mary Poppins, undated 1 9 Sketches of mowers with scythes, undated 1 9 Sketches of a machine, cats, and people, undated 1 9 Sketch of "People of Leningrad being amazed", undated 1 9 "Mary Poppins in Cherry Tree Lane" Musical, circa 1985 Size: pages Description: First draft of "Mary Poppins in Cherry Tree Lane," a musical that was never produced. Book by Jules Feiffer, "Based on the Stories by P. L. Travers." Typewritten, with both photocopied annotation and handwritten annotation by P. L. Travers. Mary Poppins Series Illustrations, bulk , circa Size: 7.0 items Description: Artist's proofs for "Mary Poppins ABC" and "Mary Poppins in the Kitchen." 1 10 "Mary Poppins ABC" page mock-up, circa Suggestions for Illustrations for "Mary Poppins in the Kitchen", circa "Tuesday" artist's proof for "Mary Poppins in the Kitchen", circa "Saturday" artist's proof for "Mary Poppins in the Kitchen", circa "Sunday" artist's proof for "Mary Poppins in the Kitchen", circa "Thursday" artist's proof for "Mary Poppins in the Kitchen", circa Page 21

22 "Mary Poppins in Cherry Tree Lane" page mock-up, circa Assorted Drafts and Notes, undated Size: 10.0 items Description: Notes by P. L. Travers. Subjects include: autobiographical, myths, fairy tales. "Where Did He Come From?" typed drafts, undated 1 12 Typed autobiographical notes, undated 1 12 Handwritten notes, undated 1 12 Typed notes on myths and fairytales, circa 1976 June-July 1 12 Typed notes on myths and fairytales, undated 1 12 Typed notes on "The Return Journey", undated 1 12 Typed notes (with newspaper clipping) on Mary Poppins and myth, undated 1 12 Typed autobiographical essay, undated 1 12 Typed autobiographical childhood story, undated 1 12 Typed lecture draft, 1979 October Tracing Paper Sketches, undated Size: 20.0 items Description: Pencil sketches on tracing paper for Mary Poppins books. Pencil sketches of early nineteenth-century schoolboy and cab, undated 1 13 Pencil sketches of Jane, honeysuckle, and fern, undated 1 13 Pencil sketch of palm tree, undated 1 13 Pencil sketches of a farm worker and dog, undated 1 13 Roughtly shaded pencil sketches of the Banks family in modern dress, undated 1 13 Pencil sketches of a schoolboy, undated 1 13 Pencil sketches of a floorplan and interior furnishings, undated 1 13 Pencil sketches of a boy, undated 1 13 Pencil sketches of a classroom and birds, undated 1 13 Pencil sketch of figures in a park, undated 1 13 "Thursday" pencil sketch for "Mary Poppins in the Kitchen", circa Pencil sketch of a woman consoling a man, undated 1 13 Pencil sketch of a bear on hind legs, undated 1 13 Page 22

23 Pencil sketch of a man throwing a hat, undated 1 13 Pen sketch of a rabbit with white pigment, undated 1 13 Pencil sketches of dancing people and cats, undated 1 13 Pen sketch of Gemini with herbs, circa Pen sketch of Banks kitchen floorplan, circa Pencil sketches of Mary Poppins and animals, undated 1 13 Pencil sketch of Mary Poppins cooking, circa "Mary Poppins and the House Next Door", circa 1980s Size: 55.0 pages Description: Typewritten draft of "Mary Poppins and the House Next Door," with many corrections and incriptions in blue ink in the hand of P. L. Travers. "Mary Poppins and the House Next Door" is the final book in the Mary Poppins series, published in "Mary Poppins and the House Next Door" Proofs, circa Size: pages Description: Two drafts of "Mary Poppins and the House Next Door," the final book in the Mary Poppins series, published in The first is a photocopied typewritten manuscript with both photocopied corrections and pencil notation in the hand of P. L. Travers. The second item is an early proof copy of the book that shows the page layout, with notes that describe each illustration and its location. "Mary Poppins" and "Friend Monkey" dust jackets, circa Size: 8.0 items Description: Eight dust jackets or paperback cover proofs for books by P. L. Travers. Includes: Two copies of Mary Poppins (1966 British edition); Mary Poppins from A to Z (1991 American); Mary Poppins in the Kitchen (1991 American); Mary Poppins (1964 British); Mary Poppins in the Kitchen (1979 American); Mary Poppins Opens the Door (1962 British); and Friend Monkey (1985 British). "Admit One" Draft, undated Size: 8.0 pages Description: Two typewritten drafts of "Admit One," which became a chapter in "What the Bee Knows," (1989) a collection of essays by P. L. Travers. Most of the pieces in "What the Bee Knows" had been previously published in Parabola, although this essay was not. The first draft is heavily corrected and annotated in ink in the hand of P. L. Travers, and in a second hand in pencil. The second draft is unmarked. Page "The Bird and the Word" Draft, 1991 July

24 Size: 5.0 pages Description: Draft of "The Bird and the Word," P. L. Travers essay published in Parabola 16:4 (Winter 1991). Word-processed draft with corrections in blue ink in the hand of P. L. Travers. "The Celestial Root" Draft, undated Size: 31.0 pages Description: Two drafts of "The Celestial Root," P. L. Travers essay published in Parabola 14:3 (Fall 1989). The first is a handwritten draft in blue ink in the hand of P. L. Travers. The second is a typewritten draft with corrections in black ink in the hand of P. L. Travers. Accompanied by a note. "The Endless Story" Drafts, undated Size: 45.0 pages Description: Three drafts of "The Endless Story," which was published in Parabola in 1988, and became a chapter in "What the Bee Knows" (1989). All three drafts are typewritten, and all are annotated and corrected in blue ink in the hand of P. L. Travers. "The Interviewer" Drafts, undated Size: 21.0 pages Description: Two drafts of "The Interviewer," which was published in Parabola in 1988, and became a chapter in "What the Bee Knows" (1989). The first draft is handwritten in blue ink in the hand of P. L. Travers. The second draft is typewritten, with corrections in blue ink in the hand of P. L. Travers. "Lively Oracles" Draft, undated Size: 7.0 pages Description: Draft of "Lively Oracles," which was published in Parabola in 1986, and became a chapter in "What the Bee Knows" (1989). The draft is typewritten, with corrections in blue ink in the hand of P. L. Travers. "Monte Perdido" Draft, undated Size: 4.0 pages Description: Two drafts of "Monte Perdido," which was published in Parabola in 1988, and became a chapter in "What the Bee Knows" (1989). The draft is typewritten, with corrections in blue ink in the hand of P. L. Travers. "The Makers" Drafts, undated Size: 12.0 pages Description: Two drafts of an essay titled "Making" or "The Makers." The first draft is written in blue ink in the hand of P. L. Travers. The second draft is typewritten on blue paper, with deletions in white-out Page 24

25 "On Not Writing for Children" Drafts, circa 1974 Size: 16.0 pages Description: Two Drafts of "On Not Writing for Children," given as a lecture at the University of Connecticut in March 1974, and published in Children's Literature, Volume 4, 1975, P The first is a typewritten draft with corrections in blue ink in the hand of P. L. Travers. The second is a photocopied draft with annotations in blue ink in the hand of P. L. Travers. Mary Poppins Copyright Opinion, 1965 June 25 Size: 7.0 pages Description: Professional opinion addressing whether Disney violated copyright by copying illustrations from the Mary Poppins books in the film adaptation. Signed by John Mummery, of the firm Bulcraig & Davis. Mummery concludes: "it would...be very difficult for Miss Shepard's publishers to succeed in an action against Walt Disney." However, a note in the hand of P. L. Travers(?) adds: "Mr Knight succeeded by using Mary Poppins's feet - my addition to her appearance - in the 5th position," with a drawing. She also writes "Not mentioned here I received 1,000 pounds" and "Now have copyright (1985)." "Mary Poppins in the Kitchen" Draft and Legal Documents, 1974 Size: 39.0 pages Description: Includes: A photocopied, typewritten draft of Mary Poppins in the Kitchen (published 1975) dated June 6, 1974; the publisher's contract for Mary Poppins in the Kitchen, with Harcourt Brace Jovanovich; and addendums and letters referring to the publishing contract and publisher's advance. Mary Shepard Biography Drafts, 1989 Size: 35.0 pages Description: Drafts of an unpublished biographical essay on Mary Shepard, illustrator of Mary Poppins. Some pages dated August 19, 1989 and August 21, The essay is not titled, but a canceled title on the first page reads "An Old Woman's Story." Three drafts are interspersed so that the same page of each draft can be compared. 35 pages total, all typewritten, and heavily annotated and corrected in blue and black ink and pencil. Some pages marked "fair copy." On the final page is a signed note from Mary Shepard to Dionys Moore, explaining that "this work is to go to America." Shepard writes: "This is my life story & I like to have in it those who are dear to me." Also included in this file is a legal deposit receipt, showing that in 1989 Mary Shepard deposited a copy of "In My Old Days," a book of verse by her husband E. V. Knox, at the British Library. "Maria Poppina Ab A Ad Z" Proof, circa 1968 Size: 28.0 pages Page 25

26 Description: Proof copy of "Maria Poppina Ab A Ad Z,"a 1968 Latin language version of "Mary Poppins from A to Z." Note in blue ink in the hand of P. L. Travers states it is a "very rough proof." "Mary Poppins from A to Z" incomplete copy, circa 1963 Size: 30.0 pages Description: Incomplete proof copy of "Mary Poppins from A to Z," published With annotations in black ink. Jules Fisher Enterprises Musical Adaptation Contracts, 1983 Size: 75.0 pages Description: Two drafts of a contract made between Jules Fisher Enterprises and John Lydon Limited (P. L. Travers), stating the terms of an agreement to produce a "dramatico-musical" version of "Mary Poppins." The first draft is dated 1982; the second draft is dated April 13, Also included in this file are a the following miscellaneous documents: a list of literary periodical editors' addresses; and four receipts for royalties dating from August 23, 1982 to October 15, Letter From Mary Shepard to Dionys Moore, 1982 March 17 s Description: A letter from Mary Shepard, illustrator of the Mary Poppins books, to Dionys Moore. Shepard discusses her wish to use the professional name "Mary Knox" (her married name) and advises Moore on how to publish a children's book she has written. "Lore of the Fairy Tale" Draft, undated Size: 12.0 pages Description: Draft of a lecture or talk beginning "The Lore of the Fairy Tale?" Typewritten draft with numbered pages and annotations in blue ink in the hand of P. L. Travers. Mary Poppins Business Correspondence, bulk , 1943 March July1 Size: items Description: Letters to Mary Shepard (Knox), illustrator of the Mary Poppins books, spanning 1943 March September 25. From business correspondents, most notably her agent A. S. Knight From Curtice Hitchcock to Mary Shepard, 1943 March From J. G. Howe to Mary Shepard, 1944 January From David Higham to Mary Shepard, 1946 November From Mary Shepard to Eugene Reynal, 1950 March Page 26

27 From Larienice(?) Jones, Harcourt Brace and Co., to Mary Shepard, 1950 July From Eugene Reynal to Mary Shepard, 1950 October From J. G. Howe to Mary Shepard, 1951 November From J. G. Howe to Mary Shepard, 1951 November From J. G. Howe to Mary Shepard, 1951 November From J. G. Howe to Mary Shepard, 1952 April From J. G. Howe to Mary Shepard, 1952 September From J. G. Howe (?) to Mary Shepard, 1952 November From William W. Vickery to Mary Shepard, 1953 March From Rosamond Ramsey to Mary Shepard, 1953 March From Cadness Page to Mary Shepard, 1953 March From Patricia Cohen to Mary Shepard, 1957 July From Anna Bier to Mary Shepard, 1958 April From A. S. Knight to Mary Shepard, 1961 November From Mary Shepard to A. S. Knight, 1961 November From A. S. Knight to Mary Shepard, 1961 November From Elizabeth Stitt to Mary Shepard, 1961 December From Kaye Webb to Mary Shepard, 1961 December From Margaret K. McElderry to Mary Shepard, 1961 December From A. S. Knight to Kaye Webb, 1962 January From A. S. Knight to Kaye Webb, 1962 January From A. S. Knight to Mary Shepard, 1962 January From Margaret K. McElderry to Mary Shepard, 1962 January From David Higham to A. S. Knight, 1962 January From A. S. Knight to Kaye Webb, 1962 January From Margaret K. McElderry to Mary Shepard, 1962 January From Mary Shepard to Margaret K. McElderry, 1962 February From Margaret K. McElderry to Mary Shepard, 1962 February From A. S. Knight to David Higham, 1962 February From Kaye Webb to Mary Shepard, 1962 February From Mary Shepard to Kaye Webb (draft), 1962 February Page 27