Jack Gilbert papers

Author/Creator:

Gilbert, Jack, 1925-2012

Publication/Creation:

1947-2013

Format:

Archival Material or Manuscripts

More Details

Additional/Related Title Information

Full Title:

Jack Gilbert papers

Subjects/Genre

Genre:

Poems
Scrapbooks

Subjects:

American poetry--20th century
Erotica
Novelists, American
Poets, American--20th century

Description/Summary

Finding Aid:

Finding aid available electronically

Summary:

The collection consists of the papers of Jack Gilbert from 1947-2013 and include bound volumes, correspondence, erotica research, personal and professional papers, printed material, negatives, photographs, slides, subject files, writings by Gilbert, writings by others, and audiovisual materials, from 1947-2013. Many of the bound volumes are what Gilbert called "life albums," which are comprised of clippings, correspondence, printed material and other ephemera pasted together into albums, like a scrapbook. Most of the printed material and the subject files included in his papers contain more of this material that Gilbert collected but never transformed into albums. Life albums are often centered on the country in which Gilbert was living and/or the woman with whom he had a romantic relationship at the time. The bound volumes also include journals, notebooks and drafts. Correspondence includes letters, mostly personal with some relating to his publications. Many of the envelopes, particularly from Sue Lawrence and Jean MacLean, include artwork created by them. The erotica research is comprised primarily of printed material cut out from works that Gilbert read and collected. Gilbert would compile these clippings into envelopes, seal them, and then provide context on the outside of the envelope: title, author, publication year, notes about the plot and then his own review, often with a letter grade assigned. There are also paperbacks of erotica included in this material, most of which have been altered in some way by Gilbert. Personal and professional papers include material relating to Gilbert's time as a student and a teacher, such as notes for classes both taught and taken and papers he wrote for class assignments. There are also financial records. Negatives, photographs, and slides are almost exclusively made up of amateur pornography created by Gilbert and his friends, with the few exceptions including shots of everyday life and of trips that Gilbert took around the world. Audiovisual materials are more diverse, including audio of poetry readings by Gilbert and others, but still include some film of amateur pornography. Writings include drafts, notes and typescripts of poems and poem collections, both published and unpublished, by Gilbert. Writings by others includes work by students and friends of Gilbert, including Jean MacLean.

Language:

English

Language Note:

Materials entirely in English.

Physical Type/Description:

70 linear feet (70 boxes, 1 oversized bound volume (OBV) and AV Masters: 3 linear feet (3 boxes))

Restrictions on Access:

Special restrictions apply: Collection stored off-site. Researchers must contact the Rose Library in advance to access this collection.
Special restrictions apply: Use copies have not been made for audiovisual material in this collection. Researchers must contact the Rose Library at least two weeks in advance for access to these items. Collection restrictions, copyright limitations, or technical complications may hinder the Rose Library's ability to provide access to audiovisual material.

Organization and Arrangement:

Arranged by record type in the order in which the material was received.

Biographical/Historical Note:

Jack Gilbert, American poet, was born on February 17, 1925, in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After failing out of Peabody High School, Gilbert sold Fuller brushes door-to-door, worked in steel mills, and accompanied his uncle to fumigate houses. Due to a clerical error, Gilbert was admitted to the University of Pittsburgh, where he met Gerald Stern, who helped to foster Gilbert's interest in poetry and writing. Gilbert earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the university in 1947. After college, Gilbert went to Paris, France, and worked briefly for the International Herald Tribune before moving to Italy. He spent several years there and met Gianna Gelmetti, a romantic partner, who appears frequently in his work.

Ownership and Custodial History:

Upon his death, Gilbert left his papers to his ex-partner, executrix, and longtime friend, Linda Gregg. The Rose Library purchased the papers from Gregg in 2016 via book dealer, James Jaffe. Jaffe packed the materials and shipped to the Rose Library. In 2018, Jaffe acquired materials created by Gilbert collected by Kerry O'Keefe, which the Rose Library purchased.

Additional Identifiers

Catalog ID (MMSID):

9936618676502486

OCLC Number:

982957663

Barcode:

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