A. B. Guthrie, Jr. papers
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- A. B. Guthrie, Jr. papers
- Date
- 1891-1985, undated (inclusive)
- Extent
- 7.23 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Authors.
- Authors, American -- 20th century.
- Authors, American -- Kentucky.
- Detective and mystery stories.
- Manuscripts.
- Novelists.
- Proofs (Printing)
- Western films
- Western stories
- West (U.S.)--Juvenile fiction
- West (U.S.)--Fiction
- Kentucky Authors Collection
- Arrangement
- Collection is arranged by subject.
- Preferred Citation
- 86m1: [identification of item], A. B. Guthrie, Jr. papers, 1891-1985, undated, University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- Alfred Bertram Gurthrie (1901-1991) was born in Bedford, Indiana in the year 1901 to Alfred B. and June Thomas Guthrie. The Guthrie family moved shortly after Alfred Jr.'s birth to their more permanent home in Choteau, Montana, where Guthrie began his education. In 1919 he was accepted at the University of Washington and later transferred to the University of Montana, where he would go on to graduate with honors in 1923. Following his graduation, Gurthrie worked a number of odd jobs before settling down in a career with theLexington Leader newspaper, where he remained for the next 21 years as a reporter, editor, and editorial writer. From 1947-1952 Guthrie worked as a creative writing professor at the University of Kentucky. In 1947 he published his novel The Big Sky, and in 1949 a continuation of the story was published in The Way West. This second novel would go on to win a Pulitzer Prize for fiction. By the time of his death in 1991, Guthrie had written a total of: six novels, one book of essays, one children's book, one book of poems, and five mystery novels.
- A.B. Guthrie, Jr. The Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning. (2020, June 4). Retrieved January 19, 2022, from https://carnegiecenterlex.org/kentucky-writers-hall-of-fame/kentucky-writers-hall-of-fame-inductees-2017/ab-guthrie-jr/
- Severo, Richard. "A.B. Guthrie Jr. is Dead at 90; Won Pulitzer for 'the Way West': [Obituary (Obit)][2]." New York Times, Late Edition (East Coast) ed., Apr 27 1991, ProQuest. Web. 19 Jan. 2022.
- Scope and Content
- The A. B. Guthrie, Jr. papers (dated 1891-1985, undated; 7.23 cubic feet; 7 boxes) primarily comprise manuscripts, copies, personal correspondence, and edits of works written by the novelist Alfred Bertram Guthrie, Jr. The collection includes original manuscripts, galley proofs, and revised copies of his work.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Contents of the Collection
Arfive (1971), 1970, undated
Scope and Contents
The Arfive (1971) series, 1970, undated, the draft manuscript and revisions of the book, a part of A.B. Guthrie's epic of the west book series. The plot revolves around the relationship of new high school principal and a rancher set in a small Montana town. The book was first published in January 1, 1971 by Houghton Mifflin.
Arfive, author's galley proof with connections, 1970
Arfive, author's original transcript, typed revisions on duplicate, chapters 1-10, undated
Arfive, author's original transcript, chapters 11-23, undated
Arfive, author's original transcript, chapters 24-29, undated
Arfive, complete manuscript, printers copy, chapters 1-11, undated
Arfive, complete manuscript, printers copy, chapters 12-20, undated
Arfive, complete manuscript, printers copy, chapters 21-29, undated
Arfive, complete revised copy, chapters 1-7, undated
Arfive, complete revised copy, chapters 8-16, undated
Arfive, complete revised copy, chapters 17-29, undated
Arfive, complete revised duplicate, chapters 1-6, undated
Arfive, complete revised duplicate, chapters 7-14, undated
Arfive, complete revised duplicate, chapters 15-29, missing chapter 16, undated
Arfive, galley proof, "The Steadfast Butte", undated
Arfive, galley proof, unmarked, undated
Arfive, suggested cover paintings (2), book jacket proofs, undated
Bent's Fort (unpublished screenplay), 1958-1960, undated
Scope and Contents
The Bent's Fort (unpublished screenplay) series, 1958-1960, undated, includes the script for A.B. Guthrie's adaptation of Bent's Fork by David Lavender. It is a historical account of the Arkansas River, Colorado nineteenth century private fort. Guthrie wrote the script while working in Hollywood in the 1950's. The script never entered into production.
Bent's Fort, author's manuscript, character sketches, fragments of storyline, undated
Bent's Fort, correspondence, first draft, storyline, 1960
Bent's Fort, Guthrie's notes on Bent's Fort screenplay, 1960
Bent's Fort, storyline, 1958
The Big It and Other Stories (1960), undated
Scope and Contents
The Big It and Other Stories (1960) series, undated, includes the manuscript and galley proofs of A.B. Guthrie's first collection of short stories about life on the frontier. It was first published in 1960 by Hought Mifflin.
The Big It, galley proof with marks, undated
The Big It, galley proof, unmarked, undated
The Big It, introduction, three versions, undated
The Big It, original manuscript with editing marks, undated
The Big Sky (1947), 1891-1952, undated
Scope and Contents
The Big Sky (1947) series, 1891-1952, undated, includes the book's manuscript and printing proofs, as well as, Guthrie's research, correspondence, and collection of the book's reviews. The Big Sky is Guthrie's first major novel, published in 1947 by William Sloane Associates. The story follows a young man's life as a "Mountain Man" in Kentucky, Missouri, and along the Missouri River, beginning in the 1830's.
The Big Sky, 1st carbon, chapters 27-33, undated
The Big Sky, 2nd carbon, chapters 27-33, undated
The Big Sky, correspondence, news, reviews, book jacket, undated
The Big Sky, galley proof, unmarked, undated
The Big Sky, manuscript, chapters 1-12, undated
The Big Sky, manuscript, chapters 13-24, undated
The Big Sky, manuscript, chapters 25-35, undated
The Big Sky, manuscript, chapters 36-48, undated
The Big Sky, manuscript and plot summary, parts 2-5, undated
The Big Sky, manuscript, printer's copy, chapters 1-14, undated
The Big Sky, manuscript, printer's copy, chapters 15-24, undated
The Big Sky, manuscript, printer's copy, chapters 25-36, undated
The Big Sky, manuscript, printer's copy, chapters 37-48, undated
The Big Sky, manuscript with proposed final chapter, undated
The Big Sky, manuscript with revisions, chapters 20-28, 32-33, undated
The Big Sky, manuscript with revisions, chapters 9-19, undated
The Big Sky, research, correspondence, photographs, and primary documentation, 1891-1952, undated
The Big Sky, retyped manuscript, chapters 27-31, undated
The Big Sky, retyped manuscript, chapters 29, 32, 34, 39, 42, undated
The Big Sky, scrapbook of reviews, 1947-48
The Blue Hen's Chick (1965), 1965
Scope and Contents
The Blue Hen's Chick (1965) sesries, 1965, contains the publisher's manuscript for A.B. Guthrie's autobiography. Guthrie's memoir recounts his youth growing up in Montana during the early twentieth century and his career as a writer. The autobiography was first published in 1965 by McGraw-Hill.
The Blue Hen's Chick, publisher's manuscript, pages 1-98, 1965
The Blue Hen's Chick, publisher's manuscript, pages 99-222, 1965
The Blue Hen's Chick, publisher's manuscript, pages 223-321, 1965
Fair Land, Fair Land (1982), undated
Scope and Contents
The Fair Land, Fair Land (1982), undated, series the book's manuscripts, proof, and revisions. Fair Land, Fair Land released in 1982 by Houghton Mifflin Company, was the last published book in Guthrie's six book series known as the "epic of the west" novels by Guthrie. It follows the character, Dick Summers, as he return travels the Oregon Trail during the mid 1800's.
Fair Land, Fair Land, manuscript, chapters 1-9, undated
Fair Land, Fair Land, manuscript, chapters 10-18, undated
Fair Land, Fair Land, manuscript, chapters 19-27, undated
Fair Land, Fair Land, manuscript, chapters 28-36, undated
Fair Land, Fair Land, master galley proof, marked, undated
Fair Land, Fair Land, publisher's manuscript, chapters 1-10, undated
Fair Land, Fair Land, publisher's manuscript, chapters 11-20, undated
Fair Land, Fair Land, publisher's manuscript, chapters 21-28, undated
Fair Land, Fair Land, publisher's manuscript, chapters 29-39, undated
Fair Land, Fair Land, revisions, undated
The Genuine Article (1977), undated
Scope and Contents
The Genuine Article (1977) series, undated, contains the book's manuscripts, proofs, and revisions. The story is a double murder mystery, set in Montana, features Sheriff Chick Charleston as he solves the crime.The Genuine Article was first published in 1977 by Houghton Mifflin.
The Genuine Article, manuscript, chapters 1-11, chapter 5 missing 1st page, undated
The Genuine Article, manuscript, chapters 12-20, undated
The Genuine Article, manuscript, revisions, undated
The Genuine Article, master proofs, marked, undated
The Genuine Article, page proofs, undated
The Genuine Article, page proofs, undated
The Genuine Article, publisher's manuscript, chapters 1-10, undated
The Genuine Article, publisher's manuscript, chapters 11-20, undated
The Last Valley (1975), undated
Scope and Contents
The Last Valley (1975), undated, comprise the novel's manuscripts, proofs, and revisions. The Last Valley is the final book of the "epic of the west" series that began with The Big Sky. It is the final book because time period ranges between early 1900 thru the post WWII years, but it was the fifth of six books published. It focuses on the societal and landscape changes in Montana in the western United States during the the beginning of the twentieth century.
The Last Valley, manuscript, chapters 1-10, undated
The Last Valley, manuscript, chapters 11-20, undated
The Last Valley, manuscript, chapters 21-29, undated
The Last Valley, manuscript, chapters 30-35, undated
The Last Valley, manuscript, revisions, undated
The Last Valley, manuscript, revisions, undated
The Last Valley, page proofs, undated
The Last Valley, publisher's manuscript, chapters 1-9, undated
The Last Valley, publisher's manuscript, chapters 10-16, undated
The Last Valley, publisher's manuscript, chapters 17-25, undated
The Last Valley, publisher's manuscript, chapters 26-37, undated
Murders at Moon Dance (1943), undated
Scope and Contents
The Murders at Moon Dance (1943) series contains the manuscripts and jacket cover for the novel published by It is the first cross between a traditional Western and a murder mystery published written by A.B. Guthrie and published by E.P. Dutton, New York.
Murders at Moon Dance, book jackets (2), undated
Murders at Moon Dance, manuscript carbon, chapters 1-13, undated
Murders at Moon Dance, manuscript carbon, chapters 14-26, undated
Murders at Moon Dance, printer's copy, chapters 1-13, undated
Murders at Moon Dance, printer's copy, chapters 14-26, undated
No Second Wind (1980), undated
Scope and Contents
The No Second Wind (1980) series contains the manuscripts and proofs of the book by A.B. Guthrie, Jr. It is the third western mystery novel by Guthrie to feature Sheriff Chick Charleston. It was published by Houghton Mifflin in 1980.
No Second Wind, early version, missing page 225, undated
No Second Wind, master galley proofs, marked, undated
No Second Wind, original manuscript, chapters 1-8, undated
No Second Wind, original manuscript, chapters 9-14, undated
No Second Wind, original manuscript, chapters 15-22, undated
No Second Wind, original manuscript, revisions, undated
No Second Wind, publisher's copy, chapters 1-8, undated
No Second Wind, publisher's copy, chapters 9-15, undated
No Second Wind, publisher's copy, chapters 16-23, undated
Once Upon a Pond (1973), undated
Scope and Contents
The Once Upon a Pond (1973) series contains the manuscript and revisions of the second children's book by A.B. Guthrie, Jr. It features Maggie Magpie, Mephitis Skunk, Busy Beaver, and the other animal inhabitants of Pond Placid. The book was orginally published by Mountain Press Publishing Company and illustrated by Carol B. Guthrie.
Once Upon a Pond, manuscript, early revision, undated
Once Upon a Pond, manuscript, final revised carbon, undated
Once Upon a Pond, manuscript, final typed version, undated
Once Upon a Pond, original working manuscript, final revisions on Xerox, undated
Playing Catch-Up (1985), 1985, undated
Scope and Contents
The Playing Catch-Up (1985) series contains the publisher's manuscript and proof for the westen mystery novel by A.B. Gutrie. The plot centers around a murder at a Montana brothel solved by Sheriff Chick Charleston. The book was first published by Houghton Mifflin in 1985.
Playing Catch-Up, manuscript, publisher's copy, chapers 1-12, undated
Playing Catch-Up, manuscript, publisher's copy, chapers 13-25, undated
Playing Catch-Up, master proofs, 1985
These Thousand Hills (1956), undated
Scope and Contents
The These Thousand Hills (1956) series comprises manuscripts, proofs, and revision of the novel. It is the fourth story in western epic series by A.B. Guthrie, Jr. The focuses on life in the west, particulary Montana during the mid 1800's. These Thousand Hills was orignally published in 1956 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
These Thousand Hills, abortive revisions, chapters 36-37, undated
These Thousand Hills, author's manuscript, 1st submission carbon, chapters 1-7, undated
These Thousand Hills, author's manuscript, 2nd submission, undated
These Thousand Hills, author's marked manuscript, 1st submission, chapters 1-3, undated
These Thousand Hills, author's marked manuscript, 1st submission, chapters 4-7, undated
These Thousand Hills, author's marked manuscript, 1st submission, chapters 8-14, undated
These Thousand Hills, author's marked manuscript, 1st submission, chapters 15-17, undated
These Thousand Hills, author's marked manuscript, 1st submission, chapters 18-20, undated
These Thousand Hills, author's marked manuscript, 1st submission, chapters 21-22, undated
These Thousand Hills, author's marked manuscript, 1st submission, chapters 23-24, undated
These Thousand Hills, author's marked manuscript, 1st submission, chapters 25-26, undated
These Thousand Hills, author's marked manuscript, 1st submission, chapters 27, undated
These Thousand Hills, author's marked manuscript, 1st submission, chapters 28-29, undated
These Thousand Hills, author's marked manuscript, 1st submission, chapters 30-33, undated
These Thousand Hills, author's marked manuscript, 1st submission, chapters 34-35, undated
These Thousand Hills, author's unmarked manuscript, 1st submission, chapters 1-9, undated
These Thousand Hills, author's unmarked manuscript, 1st submission, chapters 10-21, undated
These Thousand Hills, author's unmarked manuscript, 1st submission, chapters 22-31, undated
These Thousand Hills, carbon screenplay, undated
These Thousand Hills, carbon screenplay, undated
These Thousand Hills, carbon screenplay, undated
These Thousand Hills, galley inserts, undated
These Thousand Hills, original manuscript, chapters 1-8, undated
These Thousand Hills, publisher's manuscript copy, chapters 1-18, undated
These Thousand Hills, publisher's manuscript copy, chapters 19-37, undated
These Thousand Hills, research notes and correspondence, undated
UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Table of Contents
- Abstract
- Descriptive Summary
- Collection Overview
- Preferred Citation
- Restrictions on Access and Use
- Contents of the Collection
- Arfive (1971), 1970, undated
- Bent's Fort (unpublished screenplay), 1958-1960, undated
- The Big It and Other Stories (1960), undated
- The Big Sky (1947), 1891-1952, undated
- The Blue Hen's Chick (1965), 1965
- Fair Land, Fair Land (1982), undated
- The Genuine Article (1977), undated
- The Last Valley (1975), undated
- Murders at Moon Dance (1943), undated
- No Second Wind (1980), undated
- Once Upon a Pond (1973), undated
- Playing Catch-Up (1985), 1985, undated
- These Thousand Hills (1956), undated
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If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.
Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.
Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.
Requests
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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
