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  2. Beatrice Wood papers, 1894-1998, bulk 1930-1990
  3. Series 4: Notes and Writings , circa 1912-1997

Beatrice Wood papers, 1894-1998, bulk 1930-1990

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Series 4: Notes and Writings , circa 1912-1997
5.5 Linear feet
Box 11-16, 27

The series is arranged as 5 subseries:
  • 4.1: Drafts of Published Monographs, circa 1930-1996
  • 4.2: Short Stories and Essays, circa 1912-1995
  • 4.3: Writing Journals, 1961-1991
  • 4.4: Notes and Notebooks, circa 1943-1986
  • 4.5: Notes and Writings by Others, circa 1915-1990

4.1: Drafts of Published Monographs, circa 1930-1996

This subseries includes both drafts of Wood's monographs and correspondence related to their publication. Drafts include: I Shock Myself: The Autobiography of Beatrice Wood, Angel Who Wore Black Tights, Pinching Spaniards, 33rd Wife of the Maharajah, and Kissed Again: Part of the Bargain.
Wood enjoyed writing in the evening and often rewrote drafts with only subtle changes between versions. Although she rarely dated her drafts, numbers have been added when it was possible to determine version sequence. Edited versions have also been identified.
Also included in this subseries is correspondence with publishers, editors, and friends. Much of the material centers on the logistics of publication, but there are also letters to friends describing the status of her writing or relaying stories that she intended to include in a particular publication. The letters reveal the personal satisfaction that Wood took from her writing.
Description Container
I Shock Myself: The Autobiography of Beatrice Wood
Complete Draft - pgs. 1-60, circa 1975-1985
11
59
Complete Draft - pgs. 61-116, circa 1975-1985
11
60
Complete Draft - pgs. 117-153, circa 1975-1985
11
61
Complete Draft - pgs. 154-194, circa 1975-1985
11
62
Complete Draft - pgs. 195-231, circa 1975-1985
11
63
Edited Incomplete Draft - pgs. 1-50, circa 1980
11
64
Edited Incomplete Draft - pgs. 51-105, circa 1980
11
65
Edited Incomplete Draft, 1980
11
66
Edited Incomplete Draft, 1981
11
67
Edited Incomplete Draft (Second Version), circa 1980s
11
68
Edited Incomplete Draft (Third Version), circa 1980s
11
69
Edited Incomplete Draft (Fourth Version - pgs. 4-60), circa 1980s
12
1
Edited Incomplete Draft (Fourth Version - pgs. 61-117), circa 1980s
12
2
Copies of Original Drawings for Book, circa 1980s
12
3
Copies of Original Drawings for Book, circa 1980s
12
4
Copies of Original Drawings for Book, circa 1980s
12
5
Notes on Photographs and Illustrations for Book, circa 1975-1985
12
6
Excerpts from Older Version, circa 1975-1985
12
7
Short Summary, circa 1985
12
8
Copy of Complete Draft - part 1, circa 1975-1985
12
9-11
Copy of Complete Draft - part 2, circa 1975-1985
12
12-14
Copy of Complete Draft - part 3, circa 1975-1985
12
15-17
Copy of Complete Draft (Second Version) - part 1, circa 1975-1985
12
18
Copy of Complete Draft (Second Version) - part 1, circa 1975-1985
12
19
Copy of Complete Draft (Second Version) - part 1, circa 1975-1985
12
20
Copy of Complete Draft (Second Version) - part 2, circa 1975-1985
12
21
Copy of Complete Draft (Second Version) - part 2, circa 1975-1985
12
23
Copy of Complete Draft (Second Version) - part 2, circa 1975-1985
12
24
Copy of Complete Draft (Second Version) - part 2, circa 1975-1985
12
22
Galley Proof - pgs. 1-146, 1985
12
25
Galley Proof - pgs. 1-146, 1985
12
26
Passages about Krishnamurti, circa 1980-1987
12
27
Correspondence, 1982, 1984
12
28
Correspondence, January-June 1985
12
29
Correspondence, July 1985-June 1986
12
30
Correspondence, July 1986-June 1987
12
31
Angel Who Wore Black Tights
Original Draft, circa 1930
12
32
Edited Complete Draft, circa 1930
12
33
Complete Draft with Original Illustrations, circa 1932
13
1
Edited Draft with Hand-colored Copies of Illustrations - pgs. 1-75, circa 1980
13
2
Edited Draft with Hand-colored Copies of Illustrations - pgs. 1-75, circa 1980
13
3
Copies of Original Illustrations, circa 1930s
13
4
Excerpts, circa 1935
13
5
Copy of Draft, circa 1944
(draft entitled Come to Europe, Helen)
13
6-8
Correspondence, 1981-1982
13
9
Correspondence, 1981-1982
13
10
Pinching Spaniards
Letters to Steve Hoag, 1956
13
11
Letters to Steve Hoag, 1956
13
12
Draft with Original Illustrations - pgs. 1-105, circa 1980-1987
13
13
Draft with Original Illustrations - pgs. 1-105, circa 1980-1987
13
14
Draft with Original Illustrations - pgs. 1-105, circa 1980-1987
13
15
Draft with Original Illustrations - pgs. 1-105, circa 1980-1987
13
16
Edited Draft with Footnotes - pgs. 1-124, circa 1980-1987
13
17
Edited Draft with Footnotes - pgs. 1-124, circa 1980-1987
13
18
Edited Draft with Footnotes - pgs. 1-124, circa 1980-1987
13
19
Hand-colored Copies of Illustrations, circa 1980-1987
13
20
Copies of Edited Draft with Footnotes - pgs. 1-105, circa 1986
13
21-23
Copies of Draft with Hand-colored Copies of Illustrations - pgs. 1-105, circa 1980-1987
13
24-25
Copies of Illustrations, circa 1980-1987
13
26-27
33rd Wife of a Maharajah
First Complete Draft, circa 1962
13
28
Early Complete Draft - pgs. 1-129, circa 1963
13
29
Early Complete Draft - pgs. 1-129, circa 1963
13
30
Handwritten Draft - pgs. 1-73, circa 1960s
13
31
Handwritten Draft - pgs. 1-73, circa 1960s
13
32
Draft with Illustrations - Part 1, circa 1971-1972
13
33
Draft with Illustrations - Part 1, circa 1971-1972
13
34
Draft with Illustrations - Part 2, circa 1971-1972
13
35
Draft with Illustrations - Part 2, circa 1971-1972
13
36
Draft with Illustrations - Part 2, circa 1971-1972
13
37
Edited Draft - Parts 1-2, circa 1971-1990
13
38
Edited Draft - Parts 1-2, circa 1971-1990
13
39
Edited Draft - Parts 1-2, circa 1971-1990
13
40
Copies of Edited Draft - Parts 1-2, circa 1971-1990
14
1-4
Correspondence, 1962-1964
14
5
Correspondence, 1968-1970
14
6
Correspondence, circa 1968-1970
14
7
Correspondence, 1971, 1976
14
8
Correspondence, 1989-1990
14
9
Correspondence, 1991-1994
14
10
Correspondence about U.S. Edition, 1993-1996
14
11
Agreement with Publisher, 1990
14
12
Copies of Photographs and Drawings Suggested for Book, circa 1990
14
13
Copies of Drawings for Book, circa 1970-1990
14
14-15
Notes from 1966 Trip to India and Used for Book, circa 1966
14
16
Captions for Drawings and Photographs, circa 1970-1985
14
17
Notes, circa 1992
14
18
Kissed Again: Part of the Bargain
Final Draft with Illustrations, 1995
14
19
Edited Draft, 1995
14
20
Handwritten Drafts (4 copies), 1995
14
21
Correspondence, 1995-1996
14
22

4.2: Short Stories and Essays, circa 1912-1995

This subseries contains many of the stories Wood wrote throughout her life regarding her Theosophist philosophy, ideas about art, travels, experiences, friendships, and relationships with lovers.
Description Container
"Art if a Personal Thing", circa 1960s
14
23
"Beatrice Wood in the Orient: Incident at Banares", circa 1966
14
24
"Birthday", 1927
14
25
"Blind Man", 1917
(copy of original)
14
26
"Books - An Essay", circa 1912
14
27
"Oh, Break My Heart" (2 drafts), circa 1960s
14
28
"Bruno: A Story of the Inquisition", circa 1960s
14
29
"Bruno: A Story of the Inquisition"
14
30
"Cat Who Had His Noes Out of Joint", 1946
14
31
"Color, Light, and Art", circa 1960s
14
32
Collection of Glazes and Notes from Glaze Journals, 1993-1997
14
33
Comments for the Medical Profession (5 drafts), 1995
14
34
"Creative Attitudes", 1940
14
35
"Door That Did Not Close", 1931
14
36
"Corridor E", 1933
14
37
"Empty Armchair" (3 drafts), circa 1933
14
38
"Empty Armchair" (2 drafts), circa 1933
14
39
"European Episode", 1931
14
40
"Few Words from an American Potter", 1964
14
41
"For Thee: Adventures of a Virgin", circa 1918
14
42
"From the Geisha With the Crimson Mouth", circa 1960s
(contains original watercolor sketches)
14
43
"Galka Scheyer" (3 drafts), circa 1960s
14
44
"Geisha", 1962-1963
14
45
"Hold Me Tight" - Prospectus (later called "No Longer Shy"), circa 1995
14
46
"Hold Me Tight" - Introduction and Ending (later called "No Longer Shy"), circa 1996
14
47
"Hold Me Tight" - Correspondence (later called "No Longer Shy"), 1995
14
48
"How The Blindman Did Not Get on the Newstands" (2 drafts), circa 1960s
14
49
Ideas for a Documentary on the India Trip (3 drafts), circa 1962
14
50
"I Discover Mr. Fugi", 1966
14
51
"I Know How To Make an Invoice" (3 drafts), circa 1960s
(contains original sketches)
14
52
"Joey Kimball's Dog Fred", circa 1960s
14
53
"King and Three Lady Cats", circa 1960s
14
54
"Madame Lola's Pleasure Palace" - Final Draft with Drawings, 1993
14
55
"Madame Lola's Pleasure Palace" (copies), 1993
14
56
"Madame Lola's Pleasure Palace" Correspondence, 1995
14
57
"Marcel", 1987
14
58
"Mariage D'une Amie" in Rogue, 1916
(copy of original)
14
59
"Men in My Life" - Henri-Pierre Roche and Marcel Duchamp, circa 1994
(contains original sketches)
14
60
"Men in My Life" - Henri-Pierre Roche and Marcel Duchamp (copy), circa 1994
14
61
"Men in My Life" - Henri-Pierre Roche (4 drafts), circa 1994
14
62
"Men in My Life" - Marcel Duchamp (3 drafts), circa 1994
14
63
"Men in My Life" - Marcel Duchamp (4 drafts), circa 1994
15
1
"Men in My Life" - Marcel Duchamp (edited draft with copies of illustrations), circa 1994
15
2
"Men in My Life" - Marcel Duchamp (3 drafts of last chapter), circa 1994
15
3
"Men in My Life" - Reginald Poole (4 drafts), circa 1994
15
4
"Men in My Life" - Steve Hoag (4 drafts), circa 1994
15
5
"Men in My Life" - Others, including Ram Pravesh Singh (7 drafts), circa 1994
15
6
"Men in My Life" - Correspondence, 1993-1996
15
7
"Miss Wood for President", circa 1990
15
8
"Monogamy - A Will-o-the-wisp", circa 1960s
15
9
"My Kingdom for a Train" (5 drafts), circa 1990s
15
10
"Ode to Nepalnese Lovers", 1984
(contains original illustrations)
15
11
"Of Attitude and Art", circa 1960s
15
12
"Picasso Cat: The Cat Who Obtained Liberation", circa 1960s
15
13
"Playing with Fire" (3 drafts), 1976, 1994
15
14
"Reasonable and Unreasonable" (2 drafts), circa 1960s
15
15
"Sad Tale of the Geisha Who Could Not Write Poetry" (3 drafts), circa 1978
15
16
"Song of the Geisha", circa 1974
15
17
"Spanish Professor", circa 1960s
15
18
"Spiritual Aspecs of Falling in Love" in The Young Theosophist , 1927
15
19
"Story of the Girl Who Did Not Want To Be Raped", 1939
15
20
"Story of Venus and Wonderboy", circa 1960s
15
21
"Talking Aloud", 1961
15
22
"Thinking Aloud", 1961
15
23
"Thinking Aloud", 1961
15
24
"To Celebrate the Ignoble Passage of Time", 1995
15
25
"Toby and the Old Man", 1992
15
26
"Torch in the Sky" - Early Draft, circa 1962
15
27
"Torch in the Sky" - Final Draft, 1992
15
28
"Torch in the Sky" - Correspondence, 1983-1992
15
29
"Torch in the Sky" - Play Performed in Ojai, 1993
15
30
"Touching Certain Things", circa 1960s
Oversized material housed in Box 27, F1
15
31
"Trip for Four" - Handwritten Draft, 1993
(contains original illustrations)
15
32
"Trip for Four" (5 drafts), 1993
15
33
"Trip for Four" - Final Draft, 1993
(contains original illustrations)
15
34
"Tutti Frutti and India", circa 1972
15
35
"Tutti Frutti and India", circa 1972
15
36
"Tutti Frutti and India", circa 1972
15
37
"Two Men and an Old Woman" (4 drafts), 1992
15
38
"Two Potters in a Valley", circa 1960s
15
39
"Visit to Brancusi" (3 drafts), 1956
(contains original illustration)
15
40
"Visit to Brancusi" - Correspondence, 1992-1993
15
41
"What Pace Modernism: Notes on the Development in Realms of Art", 1930
15
42
"With Love to India", circa 1962
15
43
"Without Walls" (3 drafts), circa 1960s
15
44
Wood's Interest in Art, 1969
15
45
Recollections about Duchamp and the Arensbergs, circa 1970s
15
46
Recollections about Duchamp and the Arensbergs, circa 1970s
15
47
Writings Without Titles, circa 1960s-1980s
15
48
Writings Without Titles, circa 1960s-1980s
15
49
Oversized Manuscript "Touching Certain Things", circa 1960s
Oversized material scanned with Box 15, F31
27
1

4.3: Writing Journals, 1961-1991

This subseries contains writings that Wood maintained in periodic journals, which typically describe travel, dreams, and ideas about philosophy and art. In addition to Series 5: Diaries, Wood maintained writing journals of her travels to India in 1961, 1966, 1972 describing, in great detail, daily observations about life in India, including very specific descriptions of encounters with Indian colleagues, guides, and other artists.
Description Container
Travel Journal - India, October-December 1961
15
50
Travel Journal - India, January-February 1962
15
51
Travel Journal - India, February-May 1966
15
52
Travel Journal - India (with illustrations), 1972
Oversized material housed in Box 27, F2
15
53
Travel Journal - Europe, 1977
15
54
Dream Journal and Notes on Annie Besant's Writings, 1988
15
55
Impressions, 1990-1991
16
1
Poems Studied for Acting Lessons, circa 1913
16
2
"Record of How My Aging Body is Behaving", circa 1995
16
3
Oversized Travel Journal - India (with illustrations), 1972
Oversized material scanned with Box 15, F53
27
2

4.4: Notes and Notebooks, circa 1943-1986

This subseries consists of unnumbered notebooks that annotate Wood's daily activities, meetings, finances, thoughts, and ideas about art projects and glazes. There are also lecture and teacher evaluation notes from the classes Wood taught at the local Happy Valley School in Ojai. The travel notes include information about expenses, in-country exhibitions, appointments, and travel routes. Diaries are arranged separately in Series 5.
Description Container
General Notes, circa 1943
16
4
General Notes, 1944-1976
16
5
General Notes, 1947
16
6
General Notes, 1953-1976
16
7
General Notes, 1974-1979
16
8
Lecture Notes, circa 1962-1964
16
9
Notes on Theosophism and Annie Besant's Writings, circa 1980
16
10
Notes on Expenses, Addresses, Donations, and Recipes, circa 1979-1986
16
11
Notes on India Expenses, Pottery, and Glaze Formulas, circa 1961-1962
16
12
Notes on Theosophism and Glaze Formulas, circa 1985
16
13
Notes on Student Evaluations, 1956-1960
16
14
Summary Notes on India Trip, 1962
16
15
Travel Notes - India, 1961-1962, 1966, 1971-1972
16
16
Travel Notes, 1958, 1962
16
17

4.5: Writings by Others, circa 1915-1990

This subseries contain writings by Wood's colleagues and friends, including several essays and biographies written about her. Also included are horoscope readings commissioned by Wood. Of particular interest is a typewritten, edited copy of Henri-Pierre Roche's unfinished 1957 manuscript entitled Victor, written in French.
Description Container
Address Delivered at the World Crafts Council in New York - Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, 1964
16
18
"Beatrice Wood: A National Treasure" by Francis Naumann, 1990
16
19
Essays and Biographies Written by Others about Beatrice Wood, circa 1950s-1980s
16
20
"Gay Genius" by Texana Sipprell, 1960
16
21
"Grow Up Again with Novacaine" by Jean Grandpiece, 1957
16
22
"The Happy Valley Foundation" by Annie Besant, 1927
16
23
Horoscope Readings, circa 1915-1969
16
24
Horoscope Readings, circa 1915-1969
16
25
Poems about Wood's Dog, 1955
16
26
"Victor" by Henri-Pierre Roche - pgs. 1-42, 1957
16
27
"Victor" by Henri-Pierre Roche - pgs. 43-95, 1957
16
28

Make a Request

  • To request an appointment to view materials, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reading Room" button. Please note, you will receive the full box.
  • To request reproductions, make your selections using the checkboxes and click the "Reproduction" button.