Because I had a rare moment of prescience in 2017, I saved all the web material related to Ken Lopez's failed attempt to sell Harriet Rosenstein's archive . Having access to the shoddy inventory proved useful. In fact, it was a source of hours of conversation and speculation with David Trinidad between 2017 and the archives opening at Emory in January 2020. In particular, the folder of Elizabeth Sigmund's papers were of interest. On the day the photographer I hired took pictures of the Sigmund folder , the much dreamed about and discussed files became a reality. That is, until the syncing up problems happened.  This is what Lopez wrote: Elizabeth Compton-Sigmund - large file, including correspondence, notes from over Sylvia’s desk, SP drawing (copies) Original Ted Hughes/Sylvia Plath letter - 7/62, 3 pp. holograph by Ted Hughes, one page holograph by Sylvia Plath copy of a letter from Assia Wevill to Sylvia Plath, 1 pg. re tapestry 2 pp. holograph notes; 3 pp. ALS; I...

Earlier this spring, which is when I meant to post this, I received an update email from Sarah Quigley, an archivist at Emory. She let me know some of the changes and updates I provided last year to their Rosenstein tapes finding aid (and The Keep, their digital repository) had been made. (I blogged about this information on 9 November and again on 16 November. ) And, also, Sarah wanted to let me know that a tape previously, erroneously skipped from being digitized, was now available.  The tape is v5xt9 (Side A) and v5xs5 (Side B) and is attributed to Suzette Macedo.  Listening to both sides of the tape, each about 32 minutes and change, was rewarding and baffling and disturbing in unequal measures.  Side A features Rosenstein and a man going over how to use the tape recorder. After about 1 minute 25 seconds, it picks up the conversation with Suzette Macedo which that can be found on tape v8ggs. Then, at about 10:40 and for the rest of the side, speaking are two men...

The Rosenstein tapes are getting use which is wonderful. I hope everyone accessing them is enjoying them and learning new information about Sylvia Plath and her life, times, experiences, and acquaintances.  Many of the tapes are showing, right now in Emory's The Keep, as undated. This blog post addresses that by presenting the dates listed on Rosenstein's typed interview notes. Email the Rose Library if you want to eavesdrop, too.  I am offering the interview date information two ways, first is alphabetical by last name of the interviewee. The second way is in date order. If so chosen, the latter way allows you to learn information in just the same fashion that Rosenstein did. It is interesting to see revelations, corrections of errors, and the like.  Alphabetical Alvarez, Al: 1970 August 8 Avery, John: 1970 August 3 Axworthy, Nancy:  1973 December 5 Bailey, Norman: circa 1975 February 1 Baskin, Leonard: 1971 December 16 Beuscher, Ruth: 1970 June 16 Blackwell, C...

A few weeks back, Gail Crowther and I discussed a bit the Rosenstein audio tapes which have been digitized by Emory and are available to listen to from the comfort of your home or office. It was mentioned, as well, in my talk with Heather Clark and in this blog post .  All one needs to do is write to the Rose Library , sign a waiver, and you will receive a login to access the materials in The Keep. The tapes are really interesting but must be listened to with the volume on high, but beware that occasional shouts and laughter and other noises (phones, babies, toddlers, airplanes, cars, motorcycles, sirens, matches being struck) frequently appear and thus you could blow out your eardrums. Please note there is Ted Hughes material in this as well. And, bonus material is digitized home video from Gerald Hughes' Christmas 1964 visit to England. There are two: one is centered in London and features, very briefly, Ted Hughes and Assia Wevill. Another one is from North Tawton, Yorkshire, a...

Last night I was privileged to have a conversation with Heather Clark, author of the imminently published (in the US) Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath hosted by Washington D.C. independent bookstore Politics and Prose .  The event was recorded and broadcast live on YouTube and is available now for consumption . Hope that you enjoy the hour long program. I really lovely every moment of it. I did not have the chance (or concentration ability) to see the full list of attendees but thank you to all who attended, and, as well, to all who watch it now. Buy the book from Politics and Prose ! One of the topics we discussed was the Harriet Rosenstein archive which is held by Emory University. You may remember in January and February this blog featured a lot of posts about the recently opened collection. Between then and maybe the summer, sometime, Emory was digitizing the audio cassette tapes that came with it. Due to the times, with a lot of places being closed or...

As promised, here are the item lists for boxes 3 and 4 of the Harriet Rosenstein research files on Sylvia Plath, which I hope helps to provide addition access to the materials as listed in the collection's finding aid .  And a reminder that some folders were skipped. Box 3 Folder 1: Evelyn Page Folder 2: Robert T. Peterson Folder 3: Aurelia Plath Folder 4: Otto Plath Folder 5: Otto Plath Folder 6: Otto Plath Folder 7: Otto Plath Folder 8: Sylvia Plath articles by Folder 9: Sylvia Plath letters Folder 10: Sylvia Plath McLean Hospital record Folder 12: Pat O'Neill Pratson Folder 13: Alison Prentice Folder 14: Paul and Clarissa Roche Folder 15: Harriet Rosenstein doctoral prospectus and book proposal Box 4 Folder 1: Harriet Rosenstein draft fragments Folder 2: General correspondence Folder 3: Shorthand notes Folder 4: Jon Rosenthal Folder 5: M. L. Rosenthal Folder 6: Richard Sas...

Today and tomorrow I thought it might be fun to show you what the files "look" like in the Harriet Rosenstein research files on Sylvia Plath. There are 99 total folders of paper in four boxes. The finding aid is an excellent starting place to give the researcher an idea of what is in the box. But it only goes so far in what it is describing. A collection like this has importance, but not enough value to warrant an item listing in the making of its finding aid. However, having access to all the files, and the desire to be able to find materials on my computer, I have made an item list of what is in the collection. My sincere thanks to the people at Emory for their assistance in obtaining photographs of these materials and especially to Emily Banks for taking the photos. The following are boxes 1 and 2. (Please note that several folders were skipped.) Box 1 Folder 1: Alfred A. Knopf Folder 2: Al Alvarez Folder 3: Elizabeth Ames & Cyrilly Abels Folder 4:...