Archives West Finding Aid

The collection consists of correspondence, manuscripts, tear sheets, financial papers, and books. Material in the collection dated after Searles' death in 1972 includes condolence letters and copyright agreements sent to his wife.

Correspondence is arranged chronologically from 1956-1975 and contains only seven letters written by Searles. Some of the incoming letters are from organizations such as Ace Books, Western Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, and several magic shops and mail-order agencies. Other letters concern the compilation of an anthology of western stories, Iron Men and Silver Stars, which Searles helped to organize. Notable correspondents include Arthur Lenniger of the Lenniger Literary Agency and several fellow authors including: Upton Sinclair, Thomas Thompson, Brian Garfield, Elmer Kelton, and John Prescott. Included in the correspondence between Searles and his magician-friends are detailed explanations of magic and card tricks.

The manuscript series is the largest segment of the collection, including published and unpublished, novel and short story length manuscripts. Two of the novel manuscripts, Outlaw Basin and The Doolin Deck Perplex were unfinished at the time of Searles' death. Unfinished short stories include: Bicycle Brigade and Gunsmoke Over Playa Seco. Also included in the manuscript series is the script for a television documentary, How to Lose at Cards, showcasing Searles' card trick techniques.

Following the manuscripts, there is a short series of tearsheets, published in 1955 and 1956. In October, 1955, reprint rights were sold for "Death Deals this Hand" to be included in Bar S Roundup of Best Western Stories. Also in 1956, the television rights were sold to Warner Brothers and the story was used for an episode of Cheyenne.

Financial papers, including contracts, copyright agreements, and royalty statements are arranged chronologically.

Miscellaneous materials include a memorial issue of the Pallbearer's Review which gives biographical information on Searles and direct quotes from letters he wrote explaining card tricks. Also included is a press review of the anthology, Iron Men and Silver Stars, photocopies of explanations of card tricks, a guide to an independent study course on professional writing from the University of Oklahoma, two magic show programs, and magic show publicity.