Compositions
Overview
The series called “Compositions” at Houghton has historically referred to the group of paper-format literary drafts and proofs that led up to the published work of an author, as well as unpublished literary drafts. A clean (not annotated), printed, final published work is not considered a manuscript, so would not normally be kept as part of the author’s papers, but if received with the papers, would be transferred to the Rare Book Department of Technical Services, and cataloged by them. However, printed items that are heavily annotated are considered manuscript material and would therefore belong in this series.
In more recent years, Houghton has taken a broader view of “Compositions” as “any creative product of a person or group.” For a composer’s papers, this can mean scores or recordings; for an artist, drawings or sketches; for a mathematician, equations leading to a new theorem; etc. This series might now include all manner of formats.
Generally, the notes, reviews, ephemera, and other materials accumulated for the production of a work would not be filed in this series but could be if the cataloger chose to organize in this way.
Compositions are divided into two different series :
1. Compositions of the main author Simple arrangement: Arranged alphabetically by title of the work regardless of format.
Complex arrangement: If a set of author’s papers is large, the series often is divided into sub-series by title, and the sub-series might contain all manner of formats for the process of development of the title, most often arranged chronologically: i.e., first draft, second draft, galley proof, printer’s layout, final page proof, printed copy with autograph manuscript annotations and revisions, manuscripts for second edition, etc.
Other considerations: Sometimes notes, research materials, publicity, correspondence, reviews, and “other materials” relate to a specific composition and the cataloger might choose to arrange this type of material within the composition series. Correspondence is most often moved to the Correspondence series, however. (Alternatively, he/she could set up a different series for these types of materials.) What is most important in the description is to make sure the various stages of a literary text (that are considered the most valuable part of this series) are clearly described as discrete units and housed within their own folders. We would not mix a first draft and a second draft unless we could not decide which was which.
2. Compositions of others Primarily materials sent to or compiled by the main author. Arranged alphabetically by author, then by title of work.
Additional Handling and Sorting Considerations
1. Weeding: Historically the cataloger does not destroy or transfer any materials within a collection without permission of the curator. These decisions are made on a case by case basis, considering the research and monetary value of the collection, as well as space needs at Houghton. a. When there are exact duplicate copies of materials (i.e., often there are multiple photocopies of the same text, multiple carbon copies of the same text, or multiple computer printouts of the same text, etc., we normally don’t save more than two copies. b. Any multiple copies with manuscript annotations are kept. c. Bulky covers of materials are normally not kept, but again if annotated, the cover becomes a manuscript. Sometimes we photocopy the cover because it is not worthwhile to keep the original. However, a bulky cover of a very famous person might be kept as historically significant. Again, decisions are made case by case. d. Those items identified for destruction should be shredded or put into the “confidential destruction” bin for removal by a contracted company for destruction.
2. All items should be opened and flattened if possible. Paperclips should be removed, as should staples. If removing these will damage the items, consult the Manuscript End-processing Assistant.
3. Galley proofs are flattened and shelved as PF. Page proofs are kept as well. We keep them all; they are not destroyed since they are considered another type of format and do not simply duplicate the final book.
4. If correspondence is retained within this series, keep all envelopes. The letter is opened, flattened and the envelope is placed following each letter in the folder.
5. Any materials that are harmful to other materials (or put themselves at risk) within this series should be separated from the other paper by acid-free interleaving paper (e.g., clippings and photographs).
NOTE: Photographs will be sleeved by the Manuscript End-processing staff when the collection is completed.
6. If compositions are in a bulky format like phonograph records or videotapes and it is a large collection, they should be housed and cataloged together in their own series, rather than scattered throughout a series arranged by title.
Considerations for faster processing: When a decision has been made to describe and end-process compositions in a faster manner, physical handling could be different from that described above.
For instance: 1. Do not remove paperclips or staples unless they are rusty. 2. Identify that a group of papers are from one particular composition, but do not put the pages in order.
Cataloging Examples
MS Am 2624 (46) Graham, John A. (John Andrew), 1764-1841. Fellow Citizens of Vermont. However distressing, Mortifying & Unfortunate for me to come forward in this way ... : autograph manuscript (signed); Rutland, Vermont, 1795 November 20. 1 folder. Speaks of the repugnant behavior of his wife. On verso, asks Samuel Williams to publish this document.
MS Am 2624 (47) Unidentified author. Journal of a trip in 1842 : manuscript in unidentified hand, 1842 July 9-25. 1 folder. Loose sheets recording a journal of a trip to Boston, Quincy, Hingham, Concord, Plymouth, Taunton, and other places in Massachusetts, and also towns in New Hampshire and Vermont.
MS Am 2624 (48) RESTRICTED Kilborn, Jane, administratrix. An inventory of the estate of doctor Eliphalet Kilborn, late of Rowley, deceased, made by the subscribers as lawful money, June the twenty fifth, 1753 : manuscript document transcript, undated. 1 folder. Document is in fragile condition.