WAUSoperLeroyW5562.xmlGuide to the Leroy Soper Papers and Oral History Interview 1889-2009Soper (Leroy) Papers and Oral History InterviewSpecial Collections, University of Washington Libraries© 2011 (Last modified: 10/30/2020)
Seattle, WA 98195
Finding aid written in English.Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard).University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections5562Soper, Leroy W., 1924-2016Leroy Soper papers and oral history interview1889-20095.34 cubic feet (6 boxes plus 1 vertical file and 3 sound cassettes)Collection materials are in English.Correspondence, clippings, writings, notes, publications, photographs, and an oral history interview relating to Leroy Soper's personal life and career as a bookseller in Seattle, Washington

Leroy W. Soper (1924-2016) was the manager of the University Book Store in Seattle from 1977 to 1993. Born in Pomeroy, Washington, Soper began his literary career at the Walla Walla Bookshop, where he worked from 1952 to 1958. After a year in San Jose, California, Soper returned to the Northwest and worked at the University Book Store from 1959 to 1969, and again from 1977 to 1993, with an intervening period spent establishing the book wholesale warehouse Raymar Northwest Book Company.

In 1960, Soper was one of five people who founded the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association, and throughout his career also served as a judge and advisor for the Governor's Writers Awards, participated on the advisory board of the University of Washington Press (1988-2004), and was a founding member of the Willard Espy Literary Foundation, later called the Espy Foundation. Soper also served on the Board of Directors for the American Booksellers Association. He was awarded the Nancy Blankenship Award, part of the Governor's Writers Awards, by Governor Booth Gardner in 1991.

Soper and his wife Joan (called "Joie"), a writer, had four children: Peter, Anne, Mary, and Emily.

Organized into 2 accessions.

Accession No. 5562-001, Leroy Soper papers, 1889-2006Accession No. 5562-002, Oral history interview with Leroy Soper, 1924-2009

Correspondence, clippings, writings, notes, publications, photographs, and an oral history interview relating to Leroy Soper's personal life and career as a bookseller.

Open to all users.

Request at UW

The creators' literary rights have been transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)Soper, Leroy W., 1924-2016--ArchivesPersonal correspondenceOral historiesSoper, Leroy W., 1924-2016--InterviewsLiteratureRetail TradeOral HistoriesSound RecordingsPhotographsWashington (State)SeattleColleges and Universities

 

Accession No. 5562-001: Leroy Soper papers, 1889-20065.34 cubic feet (6 boxes)

Scope and Content: The material primarily consists of correspondence, clippings, writings, notes, publications, and photographs from Soper's personal and professional life. A portion of the material is personal: Soper and Jacky family histories relating to Walla Walla; high school and college composition books; college yearbooks; travel ephemera; clippings and photographs from his home in Clyde Hill (Bellevue); notes in preparation for speeches and writings; and photographs, guest book, and ephemera from his 1993 retirement party, "Goodbye, Mr. Books." Material relating to Soper's professional life include clippings, correspondence, photographs, and papers from operating Walla Walla Book Store, University Book Store (including book-signing photographs of Carolyn Kizer and Tiny Tim), and Raymar Northwest Book Company. Also included is his correspondence with, and photograph collection of, Mary Randlett; correspondence with Ivan Doig, Tom Robbins, and Gary Larson; manuscripts from Wes Wehr; and ephemera and publications of Robert Sund. Lastly, minutes and correspondence from Soper's civic involvements with University Press, the Epsy Foundation, Allied Arts, and other organizations are also included.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Leroy "Lee" W. Soper, 10/09/2007

15562-001Childhood and Early Adulthood25562-001Personal and Family Papers35562-001University Bookstore35562-001Raymar Northwest Book Company45562-001Personal and Family Papers55562-001Publications65562-001Miscellaneous Oversized ItemsAccession No. 5562-002: Oral history interview with Leroy Soper, 1924-20091 vertical file and 3 sound cassettes

Scope and Content: Three sound cassettes and other interview materials (list of interview topics and questions, biographical information, and notes) for an oral history interview with Leroy "Lee" Soper, conducted by Tom Orton between March 6 and March 18, 2009. Interview topics include Soper's early life in school and during World War II, the beginning of his career at the Walla Walla Book Store, his work at the University Bookstore and Raymar Northwest Book Company, his involvement and board work with the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association and the American Booksellers Association, authors and bookstore employees with whom Soper worked, and the overall state of bookselling and publishing (particularly for independent bookstores in the age of large chain and online stores).

Digital Content/Other Formats: Selections from this accession available here

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Kathie Werner, 2009-05-01