Reed mss., 1950-2005

Papers of Peter Reed, 1950-2005, at the Lilly Library, Indiana University

Finding aid created by Sarah Petras

Title: Reed mss.
Collection No.: LMC 2960
Dates: 1950-2005
Quantity:

Quantity: 2 Boxes

Abstract: The Reed mss., 1950-2005, consist of the papers of scholar Peter Reed related to Kurt Vonnegut, including correspondence, book proofs, commercial recordings, recorded interviews, and copies of early Vonnegut publications.
Location: ALF (Auxiliary Library Facility)
Language: English .
Repository: Lilly Library
1200 E. Seventh St.
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-5500
Business Number: 812-855-2452
liblilly@indiana.edu
URL: https://libraries.indiana.edu/lilly-library

Biographical / Historical

Peter J. Reed was born May 14, 1935 in London, England. Reed completed his studies at Harvard and the University of Washington, where he received his PhD in English literature. After joining the faculty at the University of Minnesota's English department, he became an expert on 20th century British and American literature. He is best known for biographical essays and studies concerning the various publications of Kurt Vonnegut. Through his research with the writer's materials, the two became lifelong friends, and their correspondence makes up the bulk of the collection held at the institution.

Scope and Contents

CORRESPONDENCE includes letters sent to by Reed from Kurt Vonnegut for both personal and professional reasons. WRITINGS include materials sent to Reed by Kurt Vonnegut. Items in this category include proof copies of manuscripts as well as short stories. There are also writings created by Reed himself. EVENT DOCUMENTS concern important events in Kurt Vonnegut's life, such as his 60th birthday and family reunion, as well as speeches and interviews Peter Reed participated in. SERIALS include a smattering of published items that relate to Kurt Vonnegut and his writings, such as short stories and interviews. MISCELLANEOUS covers materials that do not fall into a certain series. AUDIO-VISUAL includes a variety of audio cassettes, photographs, floppy disks, zip disks, and optical disks. OVERSIZED contains serials that are too large to fit into the other series folders.

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into the following series: I. CORRESPONDENCE, II. WRITINGS, III. EVENT DOCUMENTS, IV. SERIES, V. MISCELLANEOUS, VI. AUDIO-VISUAL, and VII. OVERSIZED.

These series were mostly created based on the original order of the collection with some changes made to organize documents chronologically or alphabetically in the case of the WRITINGS series. The items in the AUDIO-VISUAL and OVERSIZED series were placed in a separate box due to their unusual shapes and sizes.

Restrictions

Conditions Governing Access:

This collection is open for research.

Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.

Conditions Governing Use:

Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.

Indexed Terms

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

[Item], Reed mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift: 2021

Processing Information

Processed by Sarah Petras, under the supervision of Kyra Triebold. Completed in 2023.

Collection Inventory

Series:

Correspondence
box 1
folder 1
1970-1989
box 1
folder 2
1990-1995
box 1
folder 3
1996-2000
box 1
folder 4
2000-2010
box 1
folder 5
Undated

Series:

Writings
box 1
folder 6
Collected Poems , 2005
box 1
folder 7
Fuh-Kar-Wee Indians , 1998
box 1
folder 8
Personal Notes , 1981-1997
box 1
folder 9
Short Pieces , 1949-2000
box 1
folder 10-11
Short Stories , 1940-1990
box 1
folder 12
Slapstick: Uncorrected Proof , 1976
box 1
folder 13
Timequake: Proof , Undated

Series:

Event Documents
box 1
folder 14
Vonnegut Family Festival , 1982
box 1
folder 15
Kurt Vonnegut's 60th Birthday , 1982
box 1
folder 16
Jill Krementz's 50th Birthday , 1990
box 1
folder 17
Midway College Speech , 1993
box 1
folder 18
Vonnegut Interview at Steppenwolf Theatre , 1996
box 1
folder 19
Memorial Service , 2007

Series:

Serials
box 1
folder 20
1992-1998
box 1
folder 21
Interviews with Kurt Vonnegut , 1985-1989

Series:

Miscellaneous
box 1
folder 22
Kurt Vonnegut Archive Catalog , 1996
box 1
folder 23
Newspaper Research Notes on Vonnegut , 1937-1996
box 2

Series:

Audio-Visual

Physical Description: 18 cassette tapes, 1 VHS tape, 3 floppy disks, 1 zip dsk, 1 audio tape, 3 CDs, 5 DVDs, 12 photographs.

Series:

Oversized
box 2
The Saturday Evening Post , April 21, 1956
box 2
The Saturday Evening Post , November 23, 1957
box 2
The Saturday Evening Post , December 16, 1961