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Bertha Klausner Papers, 1897-1995

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Klausner, Bertha, 1901-1998
Title
Bertha Klausner Papers
Dates
1897-1995 (inclusive)
Quantity
330 cubic ft. (733 document boxes)
Collection Number
09562
Summary
The Bertha Klausner collection shows the daily operation of a major literary agency from 1945 to 1995. It contains extensive correspondence and manuscript files. Resumes of authors and Reader's Reports are also included.
Repository
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu
Access Restrictions
Access Restrictions

Access by researchers to the material requires written consent and approval.

Languages
English, German, Spanish, French
Sponsor
The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid was made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.
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Historical Note

Bertha Klausner developed one of the first national newspaper syndicates in the early 1930s. The Independent Publishers Syndicate was the model for current features such as Parade and This Week. In 1938 she left her syndicate to become an agent for cartoonists and artists. By 1945 she decided to concentrate on representing writers and founded the Bertha Klausner International Literary Agency, Inc. She developed a wide reputation based upon her creativity, integrity, and dedication to promising writers.

Klausner commuted back and forth from a Hollywood office from the late 1940s until 1960, when she decided to close it to remain exclusively in New York. Her sales were frequently mentioned in the Hollywood Reporter and her clients included Basil Rathbone, Joe E. Brown, Lionel Barrymore, Nils Grandlund, and Theda Bara. Klausner sold radio scripts to celebrities such as Eddie Cantor and Kate Smith, the first CBS game show, and the first NBC full drama.

Famous authors of books or plays included Marcel Marceau, Upton Sinclair, Anthony Burgess, Robert Payne, Emil Langyel, Nikos Kazantazakis, and Leon Jaworski. Plays or films included Zorba the Greek, Yentl, and a musical version of Shop on Main Street.

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Content Description

The Bertha Klausner collection provides a full record of the daily operation of a major and unique literary agency from 1945 to 1995. The material consists primarily of correspondence organized by date or name and manuscripts organized by author. Readers reports and writer resumes are also included. Some biographical and miscellaneous subject file material is included.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

Donor maintains copyrights. The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Bertha Klausner Papers, 1897-1995, Collection Number 09562, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Administrative Information

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no other known archival collections created by Bertha Klausner at the date of processing.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

Bertha Klausner and her son, Lawrence, donated her papers in several shipments from 1987 to 2002.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by John Hanks in December 2004.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Authors and publishers--20th Century.
  • Book proposals--20th Century.
  • Queries (Authorship)--20th Century.
  • Theatrical agents--20th Century.

Personal Names

  • Baruch, Dorothy Walter, 1899-
  • Crosby, Caresse, 1892-
  • Goldman, Alex J.
  • Joesten, Joachim, 1907-
  • Payne, Robert, 1911-
  • Powell, Adam Clayton, 1908-1972.
  • Savoy, Gene.
  • Sinclair, Upton, 1878-1968.
  • Tobias, Henry.

Corporate Names

Processed by John Hanks
2006

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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