Overview of the Collection
UUS_COLL MSS 394
Ed McClanahan Papers
1970-2005
McClanahan, Ed.
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives
Manuscript Collections
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan, UT 84322-3000
Phone: 435 797-8248
Fax: 435 797-2880
Email: scweb@usu.edu
5 boxes
3.75 linear feet
This collection contains drafts of Spit in the Ocean # 7, the book that Ed McClanahn edited as a tribute to Ken Kesey, as well as papers McClanahan acquired during his research on Kesey and Spit in the Ocean.
Material in English
Processed in April of 2014
These materials were donated to USU Special Collections and Archives in April 2005 by Ed McClanahan.
No restrictions on use, except: not available through interlibrary loan.
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.
Permission to publish material from the Ed McClanahan Papers must
be obtained from the Special Collections Manuscript Curator and/or the Special Collections
Department Head.
Initial Citation:
Ed McClanahan Papers USU_COLL MSS 394,
Box [ ]. Special Collections and Archives. Utah State University Merrill-Cazier Library. Logan, Utah.
Following Citations:USU_COLL MSS 394,
USUSCA.
Biographical Note
Ed McClanahan was born in Brooksville, Kentucky in 1932. He received a bachelor’s degree from Miami (Ohio) University in 1955 and a master’s at the University of Kentucky in 1958. McClanahan was a professor of English and creative writing at Oregon State University, Stanford University, the University of Montana, the University of Kentucky, and Northern Kentucky University. Some of McClanahan’s novels include The Natural Man, Famous People I have Known, and A Congress of Wonders. McClanahan’s writing has been published in magazines such as Esquire, Rolling Stone, and Playboy, and he is a two time winner of Playboy’s Best Non-Fiction Award as well as a recipient of the Wallace Stegner Fellowship.
While McClanahan was at Stanford he became a close friend of Ken Kesey, the founder of the Merry Pranksters. After Kesey’s death, as a tribute to him, McClanahan edited a final issue of Kesey’s magazine Spit in the Ocean. He titled it Spit in the Ocean # 7: All About Kesey, and it was published in 2003. McClanahan currently resides in Lexington, Kentucky with his wife Hilda. There he continues his work as a writer .
Ken Kesey was born in La Junta, Colorado in 1935. At age eleven, his family moved to Springfield, Oregon. Kesey received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon before studying creative writing at Stanford University in the 1950s under Wallace Stegner. While at Stanford he participated in U.S. Army experiments with the drug LSD. He drew upon this experience to publish his most successful book, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest in 1962. In 1964 he published another successful novel entitled Sometimes a Great Notion.
Kesey was well known for his non-conformist and activist views. He bridged the gap between the countercultural beat generation of the 1950s, and the hippies of the 1960s. Kesey and his band of friends called themselves the Merry Pranksters and are best known for their 1964 cross-country journey on a multi-colored bus in 1964. The Pranksters saw psychoactive drug use as a break from conformity and a path to individual liberation. The Merry Pranksters included Kesey, his close friend Ken Babbs, Kentucky writer Ed McClanahan, Neal Cassady, Carolyn Adams, and others. After serving a short term in jail for drug use in 1965, Kesey moved to farm near Pleasant Hill, Oregon. There he continued to publish his writings. He wrote several articles for Rolling Stone, and with his associates published the magazine, Spit in the Ocean. In 1992, Kesey published a third novel, Sailor Song. He died on November 10, 2001.
This collection contains drafts of Spit in the Ocean # 7, the book that Ed McClanahn edited as a tribute to Ken Kesey, as well as papers McClanahan acquired during his research on Kesey and Spit in the Ocean. A significant portion of these materials consists of correspondence written by Kesey and associates to Doug Simon, largely focusing on the magazine Spit in the Ocean, a literary magazine of which Kesey produced six issues. Simon helped in the production of the magazine by designing some of the cover displays, and layouts. Also included is correspondence between McClanhan and contributors to Spit in the Ocean #7.
For related materials, see the The Beat & Little Magazine Collection (LL SE), located in the Art Book Room. This collection follows the "Beat Movement" in American literature and history. It includes primary sources such as 2300 books and pamphlets, 1400 Beat magazines, 150 anthologies and approximately 35 broadsides and posters. This original collection was strengthened by a second gift from the Caine Foundation, the "Little Magazine" collection, which expands and compliments the Beat Collection.
The Beat and Little Magazine Collection (LL SE), located in the Art Book Room. This collection follows the "Beat Movement" in American literature and history. It includes primary sources such as 2300 books
and pamphlets, 1400 Beat magazines, 150 anthologies and approximately 35 broadsides and posters. This original collection was strengthened by a second gift from the Caine Foundation, the "Little Magazine"
collection, which expands and compliments the Beat Collection.
Ed McClanahan photograph collection, P0569
Literature
McClanahan, Ed.
Kesey, Ken.
Merry Band of Pranksters.
Beats (Persons)
Counterculture--United States--20th century.
Little magazines--United States--20th century.
Spit in the ocean.
Drafts
1975-2005
1
1
Draft of Spit in the Ocean #7
undated
1
2
Draft continued
undated
1
3
Advertisements for Spit in the Ocean #7; also includes lists of contributors to the book
undated
1
4
Spit in the Ocean #7, draft, 7/15/2003 section 1
2003
1
5
Spit in the Ocean #7, draft, 7/15/2003 section 2
2003
1
6
Spit in the Ocean #7, draft, 7/15/2003 section 3
2003
1
7
Another draft of Spit in the Ocean #7, part 1
undated
1
8
Another draft of Spit in the Ocean #7, part 2
undated
1
9
Copy of Ed McClanahan’s draft of “Prankin’ It Through: A Kentroduction,” 1998
1998
1
10
Rough outline of table of contents for Spit in the Ocean #7
undated
1
11
Doug Simon art for Spit in the Ocean #7
undated
1
12
“Cut EM Loose!” An Introduction by Ed McClanahan
undated
1
13
Review coverage of Spit in the Ocean #7, and Ken Kesey’s “Jail Journal”
undated
1
14
Review copy of the “The Search for Communication with Higher Intelligence,” 1975. Copy includes hand written notes and was sent to Doug Simon
1975
1
15
2 photographs of Neal Cassady and the joker design adopted from one of them for the cover of SITO Number 6
undated
1
16
Cover used for SITO Number 6, photograph of Neal Cassady on the front
undated
1
17
“Advanced Uncorrected Proof” of Spit in the Ocean #7, two copies
2003
1
18
Spit in the Ocean # 7, “Art Log, (updated 5/14/2003)”
2003 May 14
2
1
Draft of Spit in the Ocean #7
undated
2
2
“Art- Doug/Johnny”
undated
2
3
“Covers,” for Spit in the Ocean #7
undated
2
4
“Working Copy,” of Spit in the Ocean #7
undated
Correspondence
1970-2005
2
5
Correspondence- Walt Curtis to Ed McClanahan
undated
2
6
Correspondence- Daniel Barth to Ed McClanahan
2004 July
2
7
Correspondence- Paul Krassner to Ed McClanahan
2002 February
2
8
Correspondence- Tom Wolfe to Ed McClanahan
2002 March
2
9
Correspondence- Ed McClanahan to Spit in the Ocean #7 contributors
2002 March
2
10
Correspondence- Message and articles sent to Ed McClanahan
2002 May
2
11
Correspondence- Ed McClanahan to Sterling Lord and to Faye Kesey
2002 July
2
12
Email correspondence- Carolyn Adams, Ken Babbs, and Ed McClanahan
2002 February-March
2
13
Rolling Stone License to Publish form, and Ed McClanahan letter to Spit in the Ocean #7 contributors
2003 June-August
2
14
Correspondence- Wendell and Tanya Berry to Ed McClanahan
2001 December
2
15
Email correspondence- “For Galleys.” George Walker to Ed McClanahan
2003 May
2
16
Correspondence- “Tom Wolfe”
2002 February
2
17
Unassimilated stuff, mostly correspondence to Ed McClanahan
2000-2002
3
1
Correspondence, David Joseph Butkovich introduces himself to Doug Simon, with hand written notes from Paul Foster and Ken Kesey.
The Letter discusses Simon's work on Spit in the Oceans's (SITO) image, undated
1970-1990
3
2
Correspondence between Ken Kesey and Doug Simon regarding SITO, undated
undated
3
3
Correspondence, Ken Kesey to Doug Simon, regarding SITO's layout, undated
undated
3
4
Correspondence, Ken Kesey to Doug Simon, regarding the design of SITO playing cards, undated
undated
3
5
Correspondence, typed note from Ken Babbs, with a written thank you note, undated, likely after 1997
undated
3
6
Correspondence concerning Saul Alinsky issue cover. Ken Kesey to Doug Simon, September 27, 1975, and Ken Babbs to Doug Simon, undated.
Includes two photo copies of Saul Alinsky
1970-1990
3
7
Correspondence, Ken Kesey to Doug Simon, regarding the Neal Cassady cover for SITO Number 6, undated. Includes rough sketch of projected cover
undated
3
8
Correspondence, Ken Kesey to Doug Simon, undated. Kesey asks if Simon will come to Oregon to help with SITO’s layout
1970-1990
3
9
Correspondence, David Butkovich to Doug Simon. Updates Simon on the slow progress of SITO number 2, the Timothy Leary issue,
and requests more material
1974 August 30
3
10
The Bend in the River Reality Issue 4, “The BITR End,” with a note from Ed McClanahan. A magazine published by Intrepid Trips Information
Services that deals with environmental and political activism. This issue was included with the correspondence in folder 9 and sent to Doug Simon
1974 August 1
3
11
Correspondence, Kathi (last name unkown) to Doug Simon. Discusses her upcoming trip east with Ken Kesey, Ken Babbs and Paul Foster.
She tells Simon that Kesey will have work for him to do when they return
1972 September 27
3
12
Correspondence, Kathi to Doug Simon. Discusses a recent event and work on SITO. Also includes letter envelope
1972 August 30
3
13
2 copies of a Lady Liberty cartoon sketch, labeled Intrepid Trips.com
1970-1990
3
14
Correspondence, Ken Babbs to Doug Simon. Ken Babbs sends a questionnaire to Doug Simon related to the Timothy Leary SITO issue titled,
“Communication With Higher Intelligence”
1975 May 14
3
15
Correspondence, Ken Babbs to Doug Simon. Discusses the cover for SITO number 6 on Neal Cassady
1981 March 11
3
16
“Letter to Gurney” by Ken Kesey
1986 March
3
17
Correspondence, Ken Kesey to Doug Simon. Kesey indentifies the postcard as the Christmas card for the year, with his farmhouse in the background.
He also mentions how he would like a graphic design done
1972 April 4
3
18
Correspondence, Kathi to Doug Simon, September 24 (year unknown). Kathi asks how Simon is doing and if he received a package sent to him; includes a joking reference to drug use
1970-1990
3
19
Correspondence, Rosalie Sorrels to Ed McClanahan
2001-2005
3
20
Additional envelopes
1971-1977
Research Files
1970-2005
4
1
“Spit Further Notes”
undated
4
2
“Spit File”
undated
4
3
Excerpts from “Furthermore” and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
undated
4
4
“Xeroxes of some old mss. (by me) of Kesey-related pieces”
undated
4
5
“Extra copies etc”
undated
Publications
1970-2005
4
6
“Kesey: A Name to Conjure With” by Ed McClanahan
undated
4
7
“SpitFurther Jail Journal”
2003
4
8
“Sparks Fly Upwards: Remembering Ken Kesey,” by Jeff Forester, San Francisco Chronicle.
2003 November 30
4
9
Pamphlet published by Intrepid Trips Information Services, “The Buzzard’s Squawk”
1972 June 1
4
10
Pamphlet published by Intrepid Trips Information Services, “A Loca LRAG"
1972 May 4
4
11
“Either You’re on the Bus…” The Herald Journal.
2005 April 1
5
1
Newspaper issue, “People Party Poop,” published by Intrepid Trips Information Services, 1972. Sent to Doug Simon. Newspaper issue, “The Symposium News,” A UMKC—ITIS Production, Vol. 1
No. 1, 21 February 1972
1972
5
2
Rolling Stone Articles by Ken Kesey.
1970-1981
“An Open Letter to Timothy Leary From Ken Kesey,” Rolling Stone, 12 November 1970. “The Rolling Stone Expedition: The Search for the Secret Pyramid,”
Rolling Stone, 21 November 1974. “The Search for the Secret Pyramid Part Two: Ramadan They Teem by Night,” Rolling Stone, 5 December 1974. “The Search for the Secret Pyramid Part Four: Down the Tombs of Taurus Where
They Are Mad Upon Their Images,” Rolling Stone, 16 January 1975. “The Search for the Secret Pyramid: Final Episode,” Rolling Stone, 13 February 1975. “Now We Know How Many Holes It Takes to Fill the Albert Hall! Ken
Kesey on the Passing of John Lennon,” Rolling Stone, 5 March 1981
5
3
Rolling Stone Articles Pertaining to Ken Kesey. Michael Goodwin, “The Ken Kesey Movie,” Rolling Stone, 7 March 1970. Includes a photo copy of the article. Pat McDonald,
“Swok, Slurp, Swok, Swok,” Rolling Stone, 25 June 1970. Advertisement for The Last Supplement to the Whole Earth Catalog, in Rolling Stone, 24 June 1971
1970-1971
5
4
Chicago Tribune Article on Ken Kesey. Dianne Donovan, “Cuckoo’s Nest” Author Taking New Show on Road,” Chicago Tribune.
1986 July 27
5
5
More Articles pertaining to either Ken Kesey or Ed McClanahan
2001-2005
Sketch
2005
5
6
Ken Kesey sketch by John P. Lackey, signed by the artist
2005 January