Richard Pike Bissell Papers

Collection

Identifier: MsC0565

Staff Only
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Scope and Contents

The papers of Richard Pike Bissell, dating from approximately 1952 to 1973, consist of five linear feet of manuscripts. Holograph and typescript drafts, galley proofs, editor's notes, source material and more and combine to document the writing of many of Bissell's novels. Some of the books include: 7 1/2 Cents, The Monogahela, Still Circling Moose Jaw, and High Water. Frank Anderson was a friend of Bissell's. He was a librarian at Kansas Wesleyan University as well as the proprietor of a bookshop, first in Salina, Kansas and then in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He corresponded with Bissell, collected his books, kept bibliographic citations of reviews of Bissell's books and for biographical sources on Bissell. He published an article about Bissell in The Midwestern Review in 1964. In 2004, Anderson donated these papers to the University of Iowa.

Dates

Creation: 1951-1973

Creator

Bissell, Richard Pike (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Extent

13.50 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Typescript and holograph drafts, galley proofs, editor's notes, source material, etc., documenting the writings of this Dubuque novelist and author of 7 1/2 Cents (1953), the basis of the musical hit, The Pajama Game (1954, filmed 1957).

Physical Location

Boxes 1-10 at n10:07:1-5

Moved from n10:07:1-5 on 5/11/2019-JS

Method of Acquisition

These papers were given to the Univeristy of Iowa Libraries by Richard Pike Bissell and his widow, Marion Bissell, over a period of years. In 2004, Frank J. Anderson donated one linear foot of correspondence and manuscripts. The 2006 addendum, given by Bissell's wife and daughter, Anastasia, tripled the size of the collection.

Related Materials

Refer to External Documents to see also Bissell's page on the National Mississippi River Museum's web site found under "The Artists, Writers, and Musicians" section.