The Bellairs Archive, Part One

On a recent stroll through cyberspace, my husband Bill ran across the listing for an archive of manuscripts and correspondence by author John Bellairs housed in the special collections of The Kerlan Collection in the Anderson Library at University of Minnesota, Minneapolis campus. 

The online library listing is "specifically vague", only stating the archive includes manuscripts for all but two of Mr. Bellairs books and includes correspondence in "two boxes". The materials can be researched by appointment only and are not viewable online. Since the library is less than half a mile from our home, we secured a research appointment and were able to spend some time viewing the materials first hand. 

As is always the case with this type of material, it is exciting to open the treasure chest (or cardboard file boxes) and discover a time capsule of information waiting to be studied. The folders included everything from several early signed contracts, numerous letters to and from Mr. Bellairs to his publishers and editors, typed manuscripts, several galley proofs of books, and a lovely folder with some personal correspondence, photographs and artwork from fans. The photo of Mr. Bellairs at his writing desk (top of this post) is a particular favorite that was found in this folder.

The folders also include correspondence illuminating how Edward Gorey came to illustrate The House With A Clock In Its Walls and why he did not illustrate books 2 - 4 of the series, but that will be revealed in a future post!