Correspondence. 1940-3.
Book Lists were sponsored by the British Council and distributed by the National Book Council. Book List 185: Anthropology was drawn up by a RAI Committee and published in Apr. 1943 at 3 pence. See Executive Committee minutes, 4 June 1940, f. 210 and Council minutes, 11 June 1940, f. 374
Abbreviations
NBC National Book Council
WBF W.B. Fagg, CMG (1914-92), Keeper, Dep. of Ethnography, British Museum, 1969-74; RAI Hon. Secretary, 1939-56, Hon. Editor of Man, 1947-65
1/ 1940
1 NBC to RAI, 27 May 1940 - gives an outline of the NBC’s work on issuing book lists for the general reader; invites RAI to compile a book list on anthropology (tp.)
2 L.J.P. Gaskin to WBF, 20 Nov. - apologises for keeping the list; goes into the army next month; makes a few alterations; suggests the classification should be simpler (tp.)
3 NBC to WBF, 3 Dec. - thanks him for his letter giving the present position of the book list; answers his inquiries (tp.)
4 Draft Book List Committee by WBF, c. 10 Dec. - gives members of Committee; extracts from NBC letter (/3 above); notes arrangement of the list and size; choice of books (autogr.)
5 Book List Committee, 13 Dec. - as above (mimeo., tpc.)
6 G.M. Morant to WBF, 21 Dec. - replies to circular (/5 above); suggests grouping of subjects; refers to books on physical anthropology; limitation on number of books; refers to WBF’s continued work as Hon. Secretary while out of London, and to Dr Hildburgh becoming Hon. Treasurer. 4 pp. (autogr.)
2/ 1941
1 Dr E.J. Lindgren to WBF, 29 Jan. 1941 - gives views on circular; suggests names for co-option to the Committee (autogr.)
2 H.J. Braunholtz [to WBF, Jan. 1941] - makes suggestions for classification; suggests books for inclusion (autogr.)
3 NBC to WBF, 24 Sep. - asks how the list is progressing; asks if ‘copy’ is ready (tp.); similar letter from NBC, 17 June not retained
4 WBF to NBC, 9 Oct. - apologises for the delay; lists progressing well (autogr.)
5 NBC to WBF, 13 Oct. - glad to know the list progresses; no immediate hurry; looks forward to receiving it in Nov. or Dec. (tp.)
6 Ibid., 24 Dec. - glad to know from his letter of 21 Dec. that the list progresses; NBC responsible for accuracy but would appreciate if publisher’s names could be supplied (tp.); letter from NBC, 16 Dec. asking for a date not retained
7 WBF to members of the Book List Committee, [Dec.] - list compiled and circularised; NBC has reminded the RAI of its promise; list now circulated (/8 below). 2 pp. (draft autogr.)
8 Book list. 8 pp. (draft autogr. by WBF)
3/ 1942
1 NBC to WBF, 25 Mar. 1942 - inquires about progress of list; titles selected in Jan.; hopes ‘copy’ will be ready soon (tp. copy; autogr. annotation by WBF, 29 Mar. ‘Delay due to Miss M’s death …Drafts now being sent out …’)
2 WBF to H.J. Braunholtz, [Apr.] - encloses latest form of book list; would like it completed this month; asks him to send it to Prof. R.W. Firth; ‘quite content about Miss Stallman’ [as Assistant Secretary]. (draft autogr.)
3 Sir J.L. Myres to WBF, 8 Apr. - returns list with a few suggestions; sorry he was unable to be at the meeting about the Assistant Secretary; pleased he accepted Miss Stallman (autogr.)
4 H.J. Braunholtz to Prof. R.W. Firth, 11 Apr. - forwards book list; asks him ‘to glance through it’ and return it to WBF; inquires about a Carnegie Fund grant towards the library evacuation; sends his regards to A. Digby (autogr.)
5 G.M. Morant to WBF, 12 Apr. - makes additions to book list; publishers and dates should be added (autogr.)
6 Prof. R.W. Firth to WBF, 27 Apr. - makes suggestions for the book list (tp.)
7 NBC to WBF, 18 May - commiserates over the death of the Assistant Secretary; new staff ready to start on the book list (tp.)
8 Ibid., 3 Sep. - suggests the book list should be sent as it is; also suggests the NBC should check the bibliographical details ‘and get the material into print’ (tp. copy)
9 Ibid., 7 Oct. - asks for guarantee that the book list will arrive by 17 Oct. (telegram)
10 WBF to NBC, 7 Oct. - apologises for the delay; sent the final draft to Miss F. Stallman, Assistant Secretary; to be typed urgently; list does not contain notes and headings; has been divided into named categories; useful if he has a word with her when he visits London (autogr. draft)
11 NBC to WBF, 12 Oct. - explains the reasons for sending the telegram (/9 above); will welcome the list and his visit when he comes to London; sounds as if all that is necessary has been done with the list; ‘not our custom to annotate the titles but we almost always classify them’; not necessary to apologise for the delay (tp.)
12 Ibid., 14 Dec. - nearly every book has been checked; before sending the typescript to the printers has a few queries; lists queries (tp. copy; annotations by WBF)
4/ 1943
1 NBC to WBF, 8 Jan. 1943 - wonders if he has had time to consider her letter of 14 Dec. (/3/12 above); would be grateful for his further help (tp.)
2 Lutterworth Press to NBC, 14 Jan. - notices the NBC welcomes suggestions for inclusion in the Anthropology list; makes a suggestion (tp.)
3 NBC to WBF, 15 Mar. - encloses two proof copies of list; a number of small points outstanding; lists points; will be able to go to press once the points are answered (tp., annotations by F. Stallman and WBF)
4 Ibid., 25 Mar. - raises some points connected with headings and one title (tp., annotated by WBF ‘Dealt with by interview’)
5 Ibid., 16 Sep. - letter of thanks (tp.)
6 Book list 185: Anthropology. 4 pp. (printed); marked proof
7 Ibid. 4 pp. (printed); final copy priced at 3 pence