Papers of Paul Porter
Abstract
Harrison Paul Porter (b. 1921), a nephew of Katherine Anne Porter, was her legal guardian from 1977 to 1980. His papers include correspondence; guardianship records; published materials and notes; audiovisual materials; memorabilia; and photographs documenting Porter's relationship with his aunt and her literary career and reputation. Significant individuals represented in the collection include Robert Penn Warren, Seymour Lawrence, and Joan Daves.
Important Information for Users of the Collection
This collection is open for research.
Papers of Paul Porter, Special Collections, University of Maryland Libraries
Photocopies of original materials may be provided for a fee and at the discretion of the curator. Please see our Duplication of Materials policy for more information. Queries regarding publication rights and copyright status of materials within this collection should be directed to the appropriate curator.
This collection is PROCESSED.
Historical Note
Harrison Paul Porter was born July 29, 1921, in Houston, Texas, the second of the four children of Constance Eve Ingalls Porter and Harry Ray Porter. His father, also known as Harrison Paul Porter, was Katherine Anne Porter's brother. Mr. Porter's siblings are Dorothy Rae, Constance Elita, and Charles Boone.
He graduated from John H. Reagan High School in Houston in 1939, served in the army in Europe in World War II, then attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). There, he majored in general studies and wrote movie and dance reviews and political columns for the university newspaper. He also met Salka Viertel, who wrote some of Greta Garbo's early films. Mr. Porter left UCLA to write movies with Viertel. After this project failed, Mr. Porter returned to Houston and worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad as a claims adjuster. In 1960, he began work in New York City as an executive assistant to David Muss, Chairman of the Board of the Muss-Tankoos Corporation, which builds and manages shopping malls. He retired from Muss-Tankoos in 1986. From 1987 to 1997, he lived in Austin, Texas. He relocated to Houston, Texas, in May 1997.
Mr. Porter met Katherine Anne Porter in Houston in 1937 and they became devoted to one another. They shared interests in music, art, and writing, and he often sought her advice on books and music. They began corresponding when Porter returned to Louisiana in 1938 and continued to do so very frequently until Porter was no longer able to correspond. Some of her letters to him were published in Mademoiselle as "Letters to a Nephew: Observations on--Pets, Poets, Sex, Love, Hate, Fame, Treason" in April 1966. She encouraged him to write and critiqued his works; two of his short stories were published in Accent in 1951. He also published book and dance reviews in the Houston Post and the New York Herald Tribune. He eventually decided to pursue a more stable, practical career in business.
Mr. Porter was frequently involved in the practical matters of Katherine Anne's life; he found her new homes and moved her possessions when she was unable to do so. He became Katherine Anne Porter's legal guardian in 1977. Porter had become incapable of managing her own affairs; her behavior was erratic and she had begun to give valuable possessions to strangers. When he wrote her that the court had granted him the guardianship, she became angry and accused him of trying to mistreat her. He spent the years of the guardianship struggling to manage her complex financial, legal, and literary matters while keeping his job at Muss-Tankoos. He moved her to Carriage Hill Nursing Center in Silver Spring, Maryland, in March 1980, where she died that September. Mr. Porter remained legally in charge of Porter's affairs until 1981; the estate was at last settled in 1985.
Scope and Contents of the Collection
Paul Porter's collection includes materials dating from 1892 to 2004, with the bulk of the materials from 1977 to 1981. Mr. Porter's thirty-six years of correspondence with Porter, together with the guardianship records, form the core of the collection. The guardianship files contain financial, legal, and literary records, including court documents, business correspondence, and royalty statements, as well as a collection of personal correspondence. These provide extensive documentation of Katherine Anne Porter's last years. There are clippings of newspaper, magazine, and scholarly articles by or about Porter and a collection of her clipped, typed, and handwritten recipes and menus. The collection includes photographs of Katherine Anne Porter, her homes, her gravemarker, artwork related to Porter, and Mexico. There are audio tapes of telephone conversations between Mr. Porter and Porter and of one of her dinner parties, one tape of commercially recorded music, and a documentary about the 1918 influenza epidemic. Also included are a photograph of Paul Porter with First Lady Laura Bush framed with Mrs. Bush to Mr. Porter and a plaque recognizing Porter as a member of the Texas Literary Hall of Fame.
Custodial History and Acquisition Information
Paul Porter's papers came to the University of Maryland at College Park Libraries in three major groups. The first, consisting of the Paul Porter and Katherine Anne Porter correspondence, some other correspondence, and the clipping and recipe collection, was purchased by the Libraries in 1982. The guardianship records, which include correspondence, financial records, legal documents, photographs, publications, press releases, work papers, and audio tapes, were donated by Mr. Porter in 1989. Mr. Porter gave the third group, consisting of additional correspondence, guardianship records, and photographs, in July 1994. The Libraries also received other small groups of materials from Mr. Porter in 1986, 1987, primarily correspondence, records, books, magazine articles, photographs, and memorabilia. Between 1999 and 2005, Mr. Porter donated additional materials that were integrated into the Papers of Katherine Anne Porter collection or the Papers of Paul Porter collection as appropriate.
Processing Information
Processed by Mary Boccaccio, 1982. Addendum incorporated and guide revised by Jodi L. Bunnell in 1994, Kara M. McClurken, 1999, and Michael Yates, 2006.
The first group of Paul Porter's papers was purchased by the University of Maryland at College Park Libraries in 1982 and was processed by Mary Boccaccio. When Mr. Porter donated the guardianship records in 1989, a preliminary inventory was prepared, and Mr. Porter's arrangement of these records was retained. Mr. Porter visited the university in the spring of 1994 and worked on the papers with the Curator of Literary Manuscripts, weeding out some extraneous materials. The two collections, which had a great deal of similar information and were from the same time period, were combined and completely reprocessed in July-August 1994. A new series-level arrangement was created. Mr. Porter made his third major donation in July 1994; those materials, also of similar form and subject, were integrated into the existing arrangement.
The processing consisted mainly of combining and reconciling the three groups of records, which included interfiling materials from different folders. Some folders were also broken down for more logical access: items in one "Miscellaneous" correspondence folder were filed with appropriate subjects; some of the correspondents merited their own folders.
Four folders of correspondence--that with Cyrilly Abels, Matthew Josephson, Seymour Lawrence, and Current Biography--were moved to the papers of Katherine Anne Porter, as they were her correspondence and did not involve Mr. Porter or the guardianship. The folder of correspondence from John Melville, which would seemingly be part of the same category, was not moved to Porter's papers because Melville bequeathed his letters from Porter to Paul Porter. A letter to Porter from Upton Brady at Atlantic Monthly Press and a letter from Edna Edison to Porter were moved to Porter's papers, at Mr. Porter's suggestion. A 1966 edition of Craig Claiborne's The New York Times Menu Cook Book annotated in Porter's hand and dust jackets for Harcourt, Brace editions of Porter's Pale Horse, Pale Rider and The Days Before were transferred to the Marylandia and Rare Books Department. The folders in the entire collection were retitled, as appropriate, and placed in alphabetical order within their series.
The collection of clippings and recipes was classified by authorship and subject; all materials clipped from magazines and newspapers were copied to acid-free paper, and all available bibliographic information was transferred. All materials were placed in new acid-free folders and boxes.
In September 1999, Mr. Porter donated a small grouping of guardianship records relating to Roger Brooks. In October 1999, these materials, which Mr. Porter had arranged in chronological order, were housed in an acid-free folder and placed in Series II, Box 1, of the collection.
In February 2006, additional gifts from Mr. Porter, donated between 1999 and 2005 were incorporated into the collection. As a result of this incorporation, Series III: Printed Matter and Notes and Series IV: Audiovisual Materials were renamed, Series VI: Photographs was reorganized and renumbered, and Series V: Books was created from books donated by Mr. Porter. Additionally, Series VII: Memorabilia was created by moving two pieces of memorabilia into the collection from the Katherine Anne Porter Papers.
EAD markup created using EAD database in Microsoft Access. Markup completed by Jennie A. Levine.
Arrangement of Collection
The materials have been divided into seven series.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1: Correspondence, 1941-1977 (0.5 linear feet)
This series contains the extensive series of letters and postcards between Miss Porter and Paul Porter. All of the letters to Mr. Porter are from Miss Porter. There is also one folder of correspondence between Miss Porter and John Melville, a close friend of Mr. Porter who died in 1957. The materials are arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Melville, 1953-1957 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter, 1941-1943 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter, 1944-1945 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter, 1946-1949 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter, 1950-1954 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter, 1955-1956 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter, 1957-1959 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter, 1960-1963 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter, 1964-1977 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter -- (Postcards), 1946-1959 | series 1 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter -- (Postcards), 1960-1972 and undated | series 1 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
Series 2: Guardianship Records, 1892-1992 (2.5 linear feet)
This series contains the records describing Paul Porter's guardianship of Katherine Anne Porter. Documentation includes legal documents, contracts, financial statements, account books, property inventories, bills, tax records, correspondence with financial institutions or accountants, literary contracts, royalty statements, requests for permissions, and personal correspondence. The family correspondence includes some letters from Harrison Boone Porter that discuss family history. The records are arranged by subject or correspondent, as appropriate.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accountings to Court, 1977-1980 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Accounting to Court (Memo of Understanding), 1981-1982 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Apartment (Westchester Park), 1979-1980 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Arno Press, 1982 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Isabel Bayley, 1978-1993 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Roger Brooks, 1971-1992 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| James Brown Associates, 1977-1978 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Joseph Casula, Atty. (Lombardi, Casula, Powers and Amster), 1978-1980 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Certificate of guardianship (court order), 1977 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| María Concepcíon (movie), 1980 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| (Conversations with Katherine Anne Porter), 1976-1982 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| Copyrights, 1977-1980 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
| Joan Daves, 1974-1976 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 13 | |
| Joan Daves, 1977-1983 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 14 | |
| Death certificate (Katherine Anne Porter), 1980 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 15 | |
| Jane DeMouy, 1978-1982 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 16 | |
| Downward Path to Wisdom (movie), 1979 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 17 | |
| Eugene F. Dunne & Sons (insurance), 1977-1980 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 18 | |
| Sister Maura Eichner, 1977-1978 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 19 | |
| Family Correspondence, 1892-[1985] | series 2 | box 1 | folder 20 | |
| Fan Mail, 1980 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 21 | |
| Donald Farren, 1986-1987 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 22 | |
| Financial Ledgers, 1978-1980 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 23 | |
| Franklin Library, 1976 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 24 | |
| Funeral, 1978-1985 | series 2 | box 1 | folder 25 | |
| Joan Givner, 1976-1978 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 1 | |
| Guardianship -- (Appointment, Court Order), 1977 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 2 | |
| Guardianship -- (List of Tasks), [1977?] | series 2 | box 2 | folder 3 | |
| Guardianship -- (Notes and Lists), 1978-1980 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 4 | |
| Guardianship -- (Petition, Court Document), 1977 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 5 | |
| Guardianship -- (Rules and Powers), 1977-1978 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 6 | |
| Guardianship -- (Termination of), 1981 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 7 | |
| Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1976-1977 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 8 | |
| Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1979-1980 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 9 | |
| Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1981-1984 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 10 | |
| Sandra Havener, 1985 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 11 | |
| History Book Club, 1978 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 12 | |
| Household Inventory, 1949-1973 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 13 | |
| Household Inventory, 1977-1980 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 14 | |
| Income Tax, 1978 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 15 | |
| Income Tax, 1981-1983 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 16 | |
| Jewelry, 1962-1980 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 17 | |
| Jilting of Granny Weatherall (television), 1979-1980 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 18 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter: the Eye of Memory (television), 1982-1987 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 19 | |
| Seymour Lawrence, 1976-1980 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 20 | |
| Letters of Administration, 1980 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 21 | |
| Hilde Lindley, 1979 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 22 | |
| Literary Trust, 1983 | series 2 | box 2 | folder 23 | |
| Little, Brown, and Company, 1975-1978 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 1 | |
| Little, Brown, and Company, 1979-1983 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 2 | |
| Little, Brown, and Company, 1984-1993 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 3 | |
| David Locher, 1976-1980 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 4 | |
| Marquis Who's Who, 1977-1978 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 5 | |
| Medical, 1980 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 6 | |
| Miscellaneous, 1978-1981 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 7 | |
| Vearl and Linda Moody (Magic Lantern Books), 1974-1977 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 8 | |
| Vearl and Linda Moody (Magic Lantern Books), 1978-1980 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 9 | |
| William Morris Agency , 1976-1977 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 10 | |
| William Morris Agency , 1978-1982 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 11 | |
| Nursing Homes (Carriage Hill), 1977-1980 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 12 | |
| Painting -- (Barbara Wescott's appraisal of Vase and Flowers by Morandi), 1978-1979 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 13 | |
| Permissions and Requests -- (A-C), 1977-1980 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 14 | |
| Permissions and Requests -- (D-H), 1977-1980 | series 2 | box 3 | folder 15 | |
| Permissions and Requests -- (I-P), 1977-1980 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 1 | |
| Permissions and Requests -- (R-Z), 1977-1980 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 2 | |
| Paul Porter -- (Response to Theodore Solotaroff review of Ship of Fools review in Commentary), ca. October 1962 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 3 | |
| Probate, 1980-1985 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 4 | |
| Probate, 1980-1985 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 5 | |
| E. Barrett Prettyman, 1977-1979 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 6 | |
| Raymond Roseliep, 1978-1980 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 7 | |
| Seidman & Seidman (accountants), 1977-1979 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 8 | |
| Suburban Trust (bank) -- (Account ledgers), 1980-1983 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 9 | |
| Suburban Trust (bank) -- (Correspondence), 1977-1981 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 10 | |
| Suburban Trust Company -- (Record of checks issued), 1977-1980 | series 2 | box 4 | folder 11 | |
| Sympathy Letters, 1980 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 1 | |
| Texas A & M University, 1988-1991 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 2 | |
| Darlene Unrue, 1984-1985 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 3 | |
| Thomas Walsh, 1976-1985 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 4 | |
| Robert Penn Warren, 1977-1979 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 5 | |
| Monroe Wheeler, 1978-1979 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 6 | |
| Marcella Comés Winslow, 1981 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 7 | |
| Ted Wojtasik, 1979 | series 2 | box 5 | folder 8 | |
Series 3: Printed Matter and Notes, 1916-2004 (1.0 linear feet)
This series consists of published materials collected by Paul or Katherine Anne Porter, including clippings, notes, and whole publications. There are both articles and reviews written by or about Miss Porter, including fiction and nonfiction clipped from publications, and typewritten or manuscript notes she made that describe favorite menus and recipes. There are also annotated menus from one of Miss Porter's hospital stays and two newspaper articles Mr. Porter wrote when he was in college. Materials collected by Paul Porter include writings about photographer George Platt Lynes and artist Paul Cadmus. The materials have been organized into three groupings: About Katherine Anne Porter, By Katherine Anne Porter, and Miscellaneous.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| About Katherine Anne Porter -- (Advertisements), undated | series 3 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| About Katherine Anne Porter -- (Articles) -- [Photocopies], undated [1916-1979] | series 3 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| About Katherine Anne Porter -- (Articles) -- [Photocopies], undated [1980-1985 and undated] | series 3 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| About Katherine Anne Porter -- ("My Aunt Katherine," by Paul Porter), 1981 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| About Katherine Anne Porter -- Obituaries -- [Photocopies], undated [1980-1981] | series 3 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| About Katherine Anne Porter -- (Proceedings [American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters] no. 31 -- [Contains tribute to Porter by Robert Penn Warren], 1980 | series 3 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| About Katherine Anne Porter -- (Reviews of Katherine Anne Porter: A Life) -- [Photocopies], undated [1982-1984] | series 3 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| About Katherine Anne Porter -- (Reviews of The Never-Ending Wrong) -- [Photocopies], undated [1977-1978] | series 3 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| About Katherine Anne Porter -- (Reviews of Ship of Fools) -- [Photocopies], undated [1962-1974] | series 3 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| About Katherine Anne Porter -- (Reviews of miscellaneous works) -- [Photocopies], undated [1944-1970] | series 3 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| By Katherine Anne Porter -- (Book Reviews) -- [Photocopies], undated [1925-1952] | series 3 | box 2 | folder 1 | |
| By Katherine Anne Porter -- (Fiction) -- [Photocopies], undated [1971-1976] | series 3 | box 2 | folder 2 | |
| By Katherine Anne Porter -- (Non-Fiction) -- [Photocopies], undated [1924-1975] | series 3 | box 2 | folder 3 | |
| By Katherine Anne Porter -- (Poetry) -- [Photocopies], undated [ca. 1957] | series 3 | box 2 | folder 4 | |
| By Katherine Anne Porter -- (Sketch) -- [Photocopies], undated [1927] | series 3 | box 2 | folder 5 | |
| Miscellaneous -- (Articles) -- [Photocopies], undated [1944-1980] | series 3 | box 2 | folder 6 | |
| Miscellaneous -- (Articles by Paul Porter) -- [Photocopies], undated [1949] | series 3 | box 2 | folder 7 | |
| Miscellaneous -- (Cartoon), 4 April 2002 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 8 | |
| Miscellaneous -- (Clippings about Armand Thibault de Navarre) -- [Photocopies], ca. 1987 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 9 | |
| Miscellaneous -- (George Platt Lynes Returns to Yale. Yale University: New Haven, 24 September-30 October 1998.) -- [Catalog contains short essays by Gary Haller, Laura Wexler, and Patricia Willis], 1998 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 10 | |
| Miscellaneous -- (Hospital Menus), undated | series 3 | box 2 | folder 11 | |
| Miscellaneous -- (Invitations), 1962(?)-1972 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 12 | |
| Miscellaneous -- (Itinerary), undated | series 3 | box 2 | folder 13 | |
| Miscellaneous -- (Johnson, Patricia C. "A Body of work: Paul Cadmus show his regard for the human form." Houston Chronicle, 31 January 2004.), 31 January 2004 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 14 | |
| Miscellaneous -- (Postcards) | series 3 | box 2 | folder 15 | |
| Miscellaneous -- (Programs), 1972-1974 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 16 | |
| Miscellaneous -- (Recipes and notes), undated | series 3 | box 2 | folder 17 | |
| Miscellaneous -- (Recipes and notes), undated | series 3 | box 2 | folder 18 | |
| Miscellaneous -- (Recipes and notes), undated | series 3 | box 2 | folder 19 | |
| Miscellaneous -- (Recipes clipped from other sources), undated | series 3 | box 2 | folder 20 | |
| Miscellaneous -- (Two Hundred Portraits by George Platt Lynes. Pierre Matisse Gallery: New York, 5-15 November 1941) -- [Catalog contains short essay by Glenway Wescott], 1941 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 21 | |
| Miscellaneous -- (Visitor's guide for George Platt Lynes Returns to Yale by Gary Haller), 1998 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 22 | |
| Miscellaneous -- (Windham, Donald. "Which urges and reasonably so the attraction of some for others." Yale Review, vol. 86 no. 4, October 1998.), 1998 | series 3 | box 2 | folder 23 | |
Series 4: Audiovisual Materials, 1972-1998 (0.25 linear feet)
This series contains four audio tapes of Miss Porter recorded by Paul Porter, of phone conversations and two dinner parties. There is also one commercially recorded tape of music entitled Ship of Fools. Also included is a video tape of a PBS documentary about the 1918 influenza epidemic. The tapes are arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Influenza 1918: the Worst Epidemic in American History -- (Video cassette. Boston: WGBH), 1998 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| John Renbourn's Ship of Fools -- (Audio cassette. Approximately 41 minutes. Chicago: Flying Fish Records), 1988 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Paul Porter Recordings -- (Audio cassette. On Recto: "KAP - 9/16/72 - Dinner." On verso: "KAP - 9/17/72 - Dinner."), 16-17 September 1972 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Paul Porter Recordings -- (Audio cassette. On recto: "KAP - Telephone 10/21/74", "Telephone 11/16/74." On verso: "KAP- Telephone 11/16/74 Concluded." Case includes note: "Long gap between two conversations 10/21/74 & 11/16/74"), 21 October and 16 November 1974 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Paul Porter Recordings -- (Audio cassette. On recto: "A - KAP - Narrative of events at age 24 in Louisiana - recorded at College Park apartment 3/27/75." On verso: "Blank."), 27 March 1975 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Paul Porter Recordings -- (Audio cassette. On recto [handwritten]: "Very good! KAP 5/27/75," "Both sides." On recto [typed]: "KAP - Telephone 5/27/75 Good!" On verso: "5/27/75 concludes." On cassette case insert: "KAP Telephone 4/27/75 Sides A &B/KAP - Telephone 4/27/75 Sides A & B VERY GOOD!"), 27 April 1975 | series 4 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
Series 5: Books, 1946-2000 (17 items)
This series contains books, originally owned by Paul Porter, many of which were given to him by Katherine Anne Porter. Books include various volumes of poetry, Maxim Gorky's Reminiscences, and an illustrated history of musical instruments. Nine books contain inscriptions by Miss Porter.
Books are arranged alphabetically by author or title.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auden, W.H. and Norman Holmes Pearson. Poets of the English Language: 1. Langland to Spencer -- (New York: Viking Press. Inscribed by Katherine Anne Porter: "For Paul on his birthday with love/Aunt Katherine Anne/July 29 1951."), 1950 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Auden, W.H. and Norman Holmes Pearson. Poets of the English Language: 2. Marlowe to Marvell -- (New York: Viking Press. Inscribed by Katherine Anne Porter: "July 29 1951."), 1950 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Auden, W.H. and Norman Holmes Pearson. Poets of the English Language: 3. Milton to Goldsmith -- (New York: Viking Press. Inscribed by Katherine Anne Porter: "July 29 1951."), 1950 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Auden, W.H. and Norman Holmes Pearson. Poets of the English Language: 4. Blake to Poe -- (New York: Viking Press. Inscribed by Katherine Anne Porter: "July 29 1951."), 1950 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Auden, W.H. and Norman Holmes Pearson. Poets of the English Language: 5. Tennyson to Yeats -- (New York: Viking Press. Inscribed by Katherine Anne Porter: "July 29 1951."), 1950 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Buchner, Alexander. Musical Instruments Through the Ages -- (London: Spring Books. Inscribed by Katherine Anne Porter: "For Paul, from Aunt Katherine Anne/with love- 7 May 1960/Georgetown."), ca. 1960 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Freund, Giséle. The World in My Camera -- (New York: Dial Press. Includes color photograph of Katherine Anne Porter), 1974 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| George Platt Lynes : Portrait, 1927-1955 -- (Santa Fe: Twin Palms), 1994 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Gorky, Maxim. Reminiscences -- (New York: Pursuit Press. Inscribed by Katherine Anne Porter: "For Paul with love from Aunt Katherine Anne/16 August 1946/Santa Monica." Enclosed within book is clipping of portrait of Maxim Gorky), 1946 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| Leddick, David. Intimate Companions: a Triography of George Platt Lynes, Paul Cadmus, Lincoln Kirstein, and Their Circle -- (New York: St. Martin's Press), 2000 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| Smart, Christopher. Selected Poems by Christopher Smart -- (London: Grey Walls Press. Inscribed by Katherine Anne Porter: "For Paul from Aunt Katherine Anne/with love/11 June 1949 Stanford."), 1947 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| (Yeats, William Butler. The Collected Poems of W.B. Yeats. New York: Macmillan, 1951. -- (New York: Macmillan. Inscribed by Katherine Anne Porter: "For my dear Paul/wishing him long happiness in this book/Aunt Katherine Anne/29 June 1951." Enclosed within book is a piece of paper with "A good writer should be so simple that he has no fault, only sins" typed and "Yeats" handwritten on it. Torn pieces of newsprint were used as bookmarks at pages 130, 184, 232, 256, 266, 280, and 316.), 1951 | series 5 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
Series 6: Photographs, 1946(?)-1991 (133 items)
This series consists of photographs collected and taken by Mr. Porter. The photographs are grouped under six subject headings: People, Artwork, Places, Sea World Dedication, Mexico, and Negatives and Contact Sheets.
Subseries 6.1: People, 1903-1985 and undated (48 items)
This subseries consists of photographs of Katherine Anne Porter, her friends and family. Subjects include Katherine Anne Porter, her neice Ann Heintze, her nephew Paul Porter, her sister Gay Porter Holloway, and her father Harrison Boone Porter. Photographers include Arthur Long and George Platt Lynes. Photographs are arranged chronologically.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Katherine Anne Porter's older sister Gay -- (Black and white. 3 x 4) -- [Appears to have been taken at or near the time that photograph 1154 in Series XII of the Katherine Anne Porter Papers was taken], ca. 1903 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| KAP's older sister Gay with her daughter Anna Gay -- (Black and white. 2.5 x 4.5. On verso: "Dear Dad: a glaring sun makes the baby -sun grinny-" Also stamped: "Picture finished by Jameson's Photo Shop El Dorado, ARK"), ca. 1924 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter on the roof of Mixcoac house, Mexico -- (Black and white. 8 x 10. On verso: "1931/Mexico.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 1033], Summer 1931 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter in automobile during trip to see family in Mission, Texas -- (Black and white. 2.5 x 3.5. On verso: "KAP1939") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 1279 and 2697], ca. April 1936 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter and Harrison Boone Porter [her father] by river, San Marcos, Texas -- (Black and white. 5 x 7. On verso: "Harrison Boone Porter/Katherine Anne Porter/taken at San Marcos on the river July 8 or 9 1937/early morning.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 1139], 28 June 1937 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Portion of portrait of Katherine Anne Porter -- (Black and white. 8 x 10. Photograph by George Platt Lynes) -- [See also Series V, 5.1 below for negative and Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2531 for full portrait], December 1940 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Portrait of Ann Heintze -- (Black and white. 8 x 10. Stamped: "Roulande" on the verso), ca. 1940 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Ann Heintze in flamenco costume -- (Black and white. 8 x 10. On recto: "Love--/Anna Gay."), ca. 1940 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Ann Heintze in ballet tutu on point -- (Black and white. 8 x 10. Stamped: "Kindly credit/Boris Bakchy/photographer/1650 B' Way, N.Y.C. CI. 5-9622." on verso), ca. 1940 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter in profile -- (Color. 2 x 3. On verso: "Washington at time of affair with Charles Shannon.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2158 and 2698], July 1944 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter in her Buick in Los Angeles -- (Black and white. 2.5 x 3.5. On verso: "KAP in 'Old Honey'/California/1940s.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2045], ca. 1945 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter in white sitting on steps of George Platt Lynes's home, Hollywood -- (Black and white. 7.5 x 9. Two copies. Photograph by George Platt Lynes. On verso of one copy: "1946.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2032], 6 July 1946 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter in white on balcony of George Platt Lynes's home, Hollywood -- (Black and white. 7.5 x 9. Photograph by George Platt Lynes) -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2036], 6 July 1946 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 13 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter in white on balcony of George Platt Lynes's home, Hollywood -- (Black and white. 7.5 x 9. Two copies. Photograph by George Platt Lynes. On verso of one copy: "Hollywood 1947.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2039, 6 July 1946 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 14 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter, smiling, in white on balcony of George Platt Lynes's home, Hollywood -- (Black and white. 7.5 x 9. Two copies. Photograph by George Platt Lynes. On verso of one copy: "Hollywood 1947."), 6 July 1946 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 15 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter, in profile, in white on balcony of George Platt Lynes's home, Hollywood -- (Black and white. 7.5 x 9. Two copies. Photograph by George Platt Lynes. On verso of one copy: "Hollywood 1947."), 6 July 1946 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 16 | |
| Paul Porter and Katherine Anne Porter -- (Color. 2 x 3.25 inches. On verso: "Santa Monica/1946?/KAP's backyard."), ca. 1946 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 17 | |
| Margaret Winkler and two cats -- (Black and white. 2.5 x 3.5 inches. On verso: "Margaret Winkler/'Winkie'/Santa Monica/1946/Good friend of KAP."), 1946-1947 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 18 | |
| Margaret Winkler with two cats and dog -- (On verso: "Margaret Winkler/'Winkie'/KAP's apt/ Santa Monica/about 1947."), 1946-1947 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 19 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter and Margaret Winkler's [Winkie] cat -- (Black and white. 2 x 2.5. On verso: "Winkie's cat/Santa Monica/Calif/1947."), 1946-1947 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 20 | |
| Portrait of Ann Holloway Heintze taken in London -- (Black and white. 4 x 6. Stamped: "Rough proof/ to be returned/Denis de Marney/ 39, Brook Street, London, W.1/Tel. Mayfair 6429." on verso), 1947 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 21 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter with George Platt Lynes's dog Bozo, Randy Jacks, and George Platt Lynes at Lynes's home, Hollywood -- (Black and white. 3.5 x 4.5) -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2124], ca. Summer 1947 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 22 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter wearing Austrian's Officers' Award, New York -- (Black and white. 8 x 8.5. Photograph by Arthur Long. On verso: "Arthur Long I think") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2066], 1951 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 23 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter and William Goyen holding wine glasses at a couch -- (Black and white. 11 x 14. Photograph by Arthur Long) -- [OVERSIZE BOX; See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2143], 1 May 1951 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 24 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter with camellia in garden, Ann Arbor, Michigan -- (Color. 5 x 7) -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2083], 15 May 1954 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 25 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter feeding birds in the snow at Roxbury Road house, Southbury, Connecticut -- (Color. 4 x 4. On verso: "KAP feeding birds/Roxbury Rd 1957-58.") -- [See also Series V, 5.2 below for negative and Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2233], ca. 1956 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 26 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter seated in Spanish chair next to Avila cupboard, Southbury, Connecticut -- (Color. 4 x 4. Photograph by Paul Porter. On verso: "KAP & Avila cupboard/Roxbury Rd CT/circa 1957-58.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, nos. 2085, 2086, and 2088], ca. 14 January 1958 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 27 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter seated in Spanish chair next to Avila cupboard, Southbury, Connecticut -- (Color. 4 x 4. Photograph by Paul Porter. On verso: "KAP/Roxbury Rd CT/circa 1957-58.") -- [See also Series V, 5.3 below for negative and Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2085-2086, and 2088], ca. 14 January 1958 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 28 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter's ornate mirror and Spanish table, Southbury, Connecticut -- (Color. 4 x 4. Photograph by Paul Porter. On verso: "Roxbury Rd CT 1957.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2085-2086, and 2088], ca. 14 January 1958 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 29 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter in light green suit with Glenway Wescott, Hay Meadows, New Jersey -- (Color. 3.5 x 3.5. On verso: "KAP & Glenway/at Barbara H.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 3079], 15 May 1960 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 30 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter holding a red rose, Hay Meadows, New Jersey -- (Color. 2 x 5. Oval photograph. Photograph by Paul Porter. On verso: "Photo by PP Haymeadows.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 3348], 15 May 1960 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 31 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter in Italy -- (Color. 2 x 3. On verso: "Italy, no idea exact location."), ca. 1962 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 32 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter at the Hotel Eden in Rome -- (Color. 5 x 7. On verso: "Outfit gift of Barbara Davis/Rome Hotel Eden 1963.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 3180], ca. April 1963 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 33 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter sitting at her desk in Spring Valley, Washington, D.C. -- (Black and white. 8 x 10. Photograph by Giselle Freund) -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 3049], November 1966 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 34 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter with Robert Penn Warren at 12th Night Party held at Spring Valley, Washington, D.C. -- (Color. 3 x 3.5 [portion of photograph]. On verso: "KAP & Robert Penn Warren engaged in (using the word loosely) conversation--at one of her 12th Night parties.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 3088], 6 January 1969 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 35 | |
| KAP reading in bed with rosary at Westchester Park Towers, College Park, Maryland -- (Color. 3.5 x 4. Photograph by Paul Porter) -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 4028], August 1970 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 36 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter in Westchester Park, College Park, MD -- (Color. 3.5 x 5. On verso: "Oct. 1970/Westchester Pk."), October 1970 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 37 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter, smiling, looking away from camera at Westchester Park Towers, College Park, Maryland -- (Black and white. 3.5 x 5. On verso: "College Park, Md/1975/Photo by Paul Porter/Return to Paul Porter.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2595], ca. June-December 1970 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 38 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter on balcony of Westchester Park apartment -- (Black and white. 3.5 x 5. "KAP taken by Paul Porter/ 1970.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2618], ca. June-December 1970 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 39 | |
| Ann Heintze, Katherine Anne Porter, and Paul Porter at the Brandeis University Creative Arts Awards at the Whitney Museum in New York City -- (Black and white. 4.5 x 6.5. Photograph by Thomas Victor. On verso: "Rescued from the wastebasket by a nurse! Only photo I know of the 3 of us together--& it' s awful! Taken at presentation of either Edgar or Brandeis award--I believe the latter."), 30 April 1972 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 40 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter by sliding glass door of Westchester Park apartment -- (Color. 3.5 x 5. On verso: "KAP/Westchester Park/Sept. 1972."), September 1972 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 41 | |
| Barrett Prettyman, Monroe Wheeler, Katherine Anne Porter, and Raymond Mortimer at Westchester Park Towers, College Park, Maryland -- (Color. 5 x 5. On verso: "Barrett, Monroe, KAP, & Raymond Mortimer/Westchester Park.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 4068], 6 October 1973 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 42 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter in long gray dress and pearls in front of mirror at Westchester Park Towers, College Park, Maryland -- (Color. 8 x 10. On verso: "Westchester Park/1976.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 4035], ca. 1973 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 43 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter in white dress standing next to nativity crèche at Westchester Park Towers, College Park, Maryland -- (Color. 3.5 x 5. "Westchester Park/In Mexican wedding dress.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 4319], ca. 1975 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 44 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter standing by sliding glass door of her Westchester Park apartment -- (Color. 5 x 7. On verso: "at home in College Park MD"), ca. 1976 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 45 | |
| Paul Porter -- (Black and white. 2 x 2 inches. On verso: "1985/Passport Photo."), 1985 | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 46 | |
| Paul Porter with his cat Missy -- (Black and white. 3.5 x 5 inches. On verso: "235 E. 46/NYC with Missy."), undated | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 47 | |
| Armand Thibault de Navarre sitting in a chair -- (Color. 4 x 6. On verso: "Armand Thibault de Navarre/ artist who painted the KAP portrait hanging in the KAP Room")", undated | series 6.1 | box 1 | folder 48 | |
Subseries 6.2: Artwork, 1975-1996 and undated (10 items)
This subseries consists of photographs of artwork collected by or of Katherine Anne Porter. Objects include the portrait of Miss Porter by Armand Thibault de Navarre, two pencil sketches of Miss Porter, Miss Porter's wooden coffin, and her nativity créche.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nativity créche at Westchester Park Towers, College Park, Maryland -- (Color. 4 x 6 inches. On verso: "As set up for KAP. Baby dragon and deer her addition. The shepherd and leaping lamb was broken."), ca. 1975 | series 6.2 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Nativity créche at Westchester Park Towers, College Park, Maryland -- (Color. 3.5 x 5 inches), ca. 1975 | series 6.2 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Nativity créche at Westchester Park Towers, College Park, Maryland -- (Color. 3.5 x 5 inches), ca. 1975 | series 6.2 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Print of B Fox sketch of Katherine Anne Porter -- (Black and white. 9 x 12. On verso: "frontispiece for Franklin Mint Library edition of KAP Collected Stories.") -- [OVERSIZE], ca. 1980 | series 6.2 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Nativity créche at Paul Porter's house in Austin, Texas -- (Color. 4 x 6 inches), ca. 1990 | series 6.2 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Photograph of photographic copy of Armand Thibault de Navarre portrait of KAP given by Paul Porter and the UM Libraries to the Kyle KAP Museum -- (Color. 3.5 x 5. Two copies), ca. March 1996 | series 6.2 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Drawing of Katherine Anne Porter -- (Black and white. 3 x 4.5 inches. On verso: "My drawing/from G[eorge] P[latt] L[ynes] photo.") , undated | series 6.2 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Wooden polychrome statue of a saint -- (Color. 3.5 x 5 inches. On verso: "12" + base,/Phillipine,/18th century,/Lon Tinkle to KAP/in Dallas when/she fell ill./Given to me on a/birthday, I forget/ which./To go to KAP Room,/U of MD."), undated | series 6.2 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Painting of vase and flowers -- (Color. 3.5 x 5 inches. On verso: "Morandi painting/given to KAP by/Barbara Wescott/Harrison./Sold for KAP/Estate."), undated | series 6.2 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| KAP's painted wooden coffin, library of Clark Dobson, Alexandria, VA -- (Color. 3.5 x 5. On verso: "KAP's coffin in Clark Dobson's living room/now in KAP Room at Univ. of Maryland"), undated | series 6.2 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
Subseries 6.3: Places, 1931-1992 and undated (19 items)
This subseries consists of photographs of places that Katherine Anne Porter lived, places associated with her, and photographs she collected. Subjects include photographs of Miss Porter's home in South Hill, New York, and multiple views of Miss Porter's grave marker. Also included is a photograph of the SS Werra, the ship Miss Porter sailed on from Mexico to Germany in 1931.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canvas wind funnel on the North German Lloyd SS Werra between Mexico and Bremen -- (Black and white. 5 x 5. On verso: "The Ship that we sailed on August 1931. This is the Veracruz which we called Vera leaving Veracruz, Mexico destined for Bremerhaven, Germany.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 1414], 22 August-17 September 1931 | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| View from Katherine Anne Porter's hotel in Paris, France -- (Color. 3.5 x 3.5. On verso: "View across Villa Adrienne straight ahead from my front window/ Front view from the West.") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 4255], July 1963 | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Paul Porter at Katherine Anne Porter's grave marker -- (Color. 3.5 x 5 inches. Note with photographs: "All taken on 100th anniversary of Miss Porter's death [sic] [15 May 1990]. Gives good idea of Indian Creek cemetery's setting."), 1990 | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Paul Porter at Katherine Anne Porter's grave marker -- (Color. 3.5 x 5 inches. Note with photographs: "All taken on 100th anniversary of Miss Porter's death [sic] [15 May 1990]. Gives good idea of Indian Creek cemetery's setting."), 1990 | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter's grave marker -- (Color. 3.5 x 5 inches. Note with photographs: "All taken on 100th anniversary of Miss Porter's death [sic] [15 May 1990]. Gives good idea of Indian Creek cemetery's setting."), 1990 | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| View of cemetery and surrounding fields -- (Color. 3.5 x 5 inches. Note with photographs: "All taken on 100th anniversary of Miss Porter's death [sic] [15 May 1990]. Gives good idea of Indian Creek cemetery's setting."), 1990 | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| View of cemetery and surrounding fields -- (Color. 3.5 x 5 inches. Note with photographs: "All taken on 100th anniversary of Miss Porter's death [sic] [15 May 1990]. Gives good idea of Indian Creek cemetery's setting."), 1990 | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| View of cemetery and surrounding fields -- (Color. 3.5 x 5 inches. Note with photographs: "All taken on 100th anniversary of Miss Porter's death [sic] [15 May 1990]. Gives good idea of Indian Creek cemetery's setting."), 1990 | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| View of cemetery and surrounding fields -- (Color. 3.5 x 5 inches. Note with photographs: "All taken on 100th anniversary of Miss Porter's death [sic] [15 May 1990]. Gives good idea of Indian Creek cemetery's setting."), 1990 | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| View of cemetery and surrounding fields -- (Color. 3.5 x 5 inches. Note with photographs: "All taken on 100th anniversary of Miss Porter's death [sic] [15 May 1990]. Gives good idea of Indian Creek cemetery's setting."), 1990 | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| View of cemetery and surrounding fields -- (Color. 3.5 x 5 inches. Note with photographs: "All taken on 100th anniversary of Miss Porter's death [sic] [15 May 1990]. Gives good idea of Indian Creek cemetery's setting."), 1990 | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| View of cemetery and surrounding fields -- (Color. 3.5 x 5 inches. Note with photographs: "All taken on 100th anniversary of Miss Porter's death [sic] [15 May 1990]. Gives good idea of Indian Creek cemetery's setting."), 1990 | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
| South Hill, Malta, NY, back of house -- (Color. 4 x 6 inches. Sent to PP by Toni Willison. Inscribed on verso by Willison: "September 1991/South Hill/West side of house/Under peaked roof is old attic space/enlarged to make a work room for G[eorge] F. W[illison]."), 1991 | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 13 | |
| South Hill, Malta, NY, side of house -- (Color. 3.5 x 3.5 inches. Sent to PP by Toni Willison. Inscribed on verso by Willison: "South Hill/October 1991/West side of house."), 1991 | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 14 | |
| South Hill, Malta, NY, side of house -- (Color. 3.5 x 5 inches. Sent to PP by Toni Willison. Inscribed on verso by Willison: "December 1991/South facade."), 1991 | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 15 | |
| South Hill, Malta, NY, view from Kramer Road -- (Color. 3.5 x 5 inches. Sent to PP by Toni Willison. Inscribed on verso by Willison: "December 1991."), 1991 | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 16 | |
| South Hill, Malta, NY, door and windows -- (Color. 3.5 x 3.5 inches. Sent to PP by Toni Willison. Inscribed on verso by Willison: "South Hill/January 1992/Sun Room."), 1992 | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 17 | |
| Texas Historical Commission KAP marker, Kyle, Texas -- (Color. 3.5 x 5), undated | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 18 | |
| Texas Historical Commission KAP marker, Kyle, Texas -- (Color. 3.5 x 5), undated | series 6.3 | box 1 | folder 19 | |
Subseries 6.4: Mexico, undated (13 items)
This subseries consists of photographs of Mexico signed Moctezuma. Subjects include people, plant life, architecture, and street scenes.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maguey, Mexico -- (Black and white. 8 x 10 inches. Photograph by Moctezuma.), undated | series 6.4 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Church doorway, Mexico -- (Black and white. 8 x 10 inches. Photograph by Moctezuma.), undated | series 6.4 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Peon by wooden gate, Mexico -- (Black and white. 8 x 10 inches. Photograph by Moctezuma.), undated | series 6.4 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| White-veiled people with candles, Mexico -- (Black and white. 8 x 10 inches. Photograph by Moctezuma.), undated | series 6.4 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Indigenous child, Mexico -- (Black and white. 8 x 10 inches. Photograph by Moctezuma.), undated | series 6.4 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Driftwood on beach, Mexico -- (Black and white. 8 x 10 inches. Photograph by Moctezuma.), undated | series 6.4 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Wooden fence and clouds, Mexico -- (Black and white. 8 x 10 inches. Photograph by Moctezuma.), undated | series 6.4 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Young indigenous man, Mexico -- (Black and white. 8 x 10 inches. Photograph by Moctezuma.), undated | series 6.4 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Pottery market, Mexico -- (Black and white. 8 x 10 inches. Photograph by Moctezuma.), undated | series 6.4 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| Two women in front of wall with posters, Mexico -- (Black and white. 8 x 10 inches. Photograph by Moctezuma.), undated | series 6.4 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| Magueys, Mexico -- (Black and white. 13 x 17 inches. Photograph by R. Minter?) -- [OVERSIZE BOX], undated | series 6.4 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| Old indigenous man, Mexico -- (Black and white. 13 x 17 inches. Photograph by R. Minter?) -- [OVERSIZE BOX], undated | series 6.4 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
| San Martin, Mexico -- (Black and white. 13 x 17 inches. Photograph by R. Minter?) -- [OVERSIZE BOX], undated | series 6.4 | box 1 | folder 13 | |
Subseries 6.5: Sea World Sculpture, 1987-1988 (20 items)
This subseries consists of photographs documenting the creation and the dedication of the Katherine Anne Porter sculpture at Sea World in San Antonio. Photographs depict sculptor Glenda Goodacre working on the sculpture, Miss Goodacre speaking with Paul Porter, and the sculpture installed at Sea World.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glenna Goodacre working on Katherine Anne Porter sculpture -- (Color. 3.5 x 4.5. ), ca. March 1987 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Glenna Goodacre working on Katherine Anne Porter sculpture -- (Color. 3.5 x 4.5. ), ca. March 1987 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Glenna Goodacre working on Katherine Anne Porter sculpture -- (Color. 3.5 x 4.5. ), ca. March 1987 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Glenna Goodacre working on Katherine Anne Porter sculpture -- (Color. 3.5 x 4.5. ), ca. March 1987 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter sculpture in foundry(?) -- (Color. 3.5 x 4.5. Photograph by Paul Porter), ca. March 1987 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter sculpture in foundry(?) -- (Color. 3.5 x 4.5. Photograph by Paul Porter), ca. March 1987 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Glenna Goodacre giving lecture from podium at Sea World, San Antonio-- (Color. 4 x 6. On verso: "Luncheon & speeches after dedication of statues at Sea World [Glenna Goodacre, sculpture, speaking].") , 14 May 1988 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Paul Porter and Glenna Goodacre at Sea World, San Antonio, Texas -- (Color. 4 x 6), 14 May 1988 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Paul Porter and Glenna Goodacre at Sea World, San Antonio, Texas -- (Color. 4 x 6. On verso: "Glenna Goodacre and Paul Porter, 'Texas Walk Dedication Luncheon'/May 14, 1988."), 14 May 1988 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| Sea World, San Antonio -- (Color. 3.5 x 5. Photograph by Paul Porter), 14 May 1988 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| Sea World, San Antonio -- (Color. 3.5 x 5. Photograph by Paul Porter), 14 May 1988 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| Sea World, San Antonio -- (Color. 3.5 x 5. Photograph by Paul Porter), 14 May 1988 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter sculpture at Sea World covered by a blue cloth -- (Color. 3.5 x 5. On verso: "KAP statue before unveiling at Sea World, San Antonio") , 14 May 1988 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 13 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter sculpture at Sea World, San Antonio -- (Color. 4 x 6), 14 May 1988 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 14 | |
| Face of Katherine Anne Porter sculpture at Sea World, San Antonio -- (Color. 4 x 6) , 14 May 1988 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 15 | |
| Glenna Goodacre and Paul Porter with Katherine Anne Porter sculpture at Sea World, San Antonio -- (3.5 x 5. Color), 14 May 1988 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 16 | |
| Glenna Goodacre and Paul Porter with Katherine Anne Porter sculpture at Sea World, San Antonio -- (4 x 6. Color. On verso: "Glenna Goodacre & PP/Sea World San Antonio/Texas Walk of Heroes/May, 14, 1988."), 14 May 1988 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 17 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter plaque at Sea World, San Antonio -- (Color. 3.5 x 5. Photograph by Paul Porter. PP inscribed on verso: "Plaque for KAP statue [with error!]"), 14 May 1988 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 18 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter plaque at Sea World, San Antonio -- (4 x 6. Color. Photograph by Paul Porter) , 14 May 1988 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 19 | |
| Glenna Goodacre, Paul Porter, and unidentified man standing at Katherine Anne Porter sculpture at Sea World in San Antonio, Texas -- (Black and white. 8 x 10. On verso: "Glenna Goodacre, Paul Porter, and ?/Sea World San Antonio/unveiling of KAP statue."), 14 May 1988 | series 6.5 | box 1 | folder 20 | |
Subseries 6.6: Negatives and Contact Sheets, 1940-1996 (25 items)
This subseries consists of 24 strips or individual negatives and one contact sheet. Negatives include images of Miss Porter in her Southbury, Connecticut, and Spring Valley, Washington DC, homes, and images of the Armand Thibault de Navarre oil portrait of Miss Porter. Also included is a negative of Henri Cartier-Bresson's portrait of Miss Porter.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait of Katherine Anne Porter in profile -- (NEGATIVE. Black and white) -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2531], December 1940 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter sitting in wicker chair -- (NEGATIVE. Photograph by Henri Cartier-Bresson) -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2055], Summer 1947 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter feeding birds in the snow at Roxbury Road house, Southbury, Connecticut -- (NEGATIVE. Note on envelope: "Roxbury negs.") -- [See also Series V, 1.26 above and Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2233], ca. 1956-1958 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter seated in Spanish chair next to Avila cupboard, Southbury, Connecticut -- (NEGATIVE. Photograph by Paul Porter. Note on envelope: "Roxbury negs.") -- [See also Series V, 1.27 above and Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 2085-2086, and 2088], ca. 1956-1958 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter seated in Spanish chair next to Avila cupboard, Southbury, Connecticut -- (NEGATIVE. Photograph by Paul Porter. Note on envelope: "Roxbury negs.") , ca. 1956-1958 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
| Living room in house in Southbury, Connecticut -- (NEGATIVE. Note on envelope: "Roxbury negs."), ca. 1956-1958 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 6 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter lying on couch -- (NEGATIVE. Note on envelope: "Roxbury negs."), ca. 1956-1958 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 7 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter lying on couch -- (NEGATIVE. Note on envelope: "Roxbury negs."), ca. 1956-1958 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 8 | |
| Ornate mirror in house in Southbury, Connecticut -- (NEGATIVE. Note on envelope: "Roxbury negs."), ca. 1956-1958 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 9 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter standing in living room in Southbury, Connecticut house -- (NEGATIVE. Note on envelope: "Roxbury negs."), ca. 1956-1958 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 10 | |
| Katherine Anne Porter standing in living room with scarf and knitting needles in Southbury, Connecticut house -- (NEGATIVE. Note on envelope: "Roxbury negs."), ca. 1956-1958 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 11 | |
| Portrait of Katherine Anne Porter at Spring Valley home, Washington, D.C. -- (NEGATIVE. Black and white) -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 3037], ca. April 1965 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 12 | |
| Monroe Wheeler, Glenway Wescott, and Katherine Anne Porter sitting outside Porter's Spring Valley Home, Washington, D.C. -- (NEGATIVE. Color. On envelope: "Negative/KAP, GW & MW by PP") -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 3085], 15 May 1965 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 13 | |
| Strip of four images of gardens at Sea World, San Antonio -- (NEGATIVE. Color) -- [See also Series V, 4.10-12], 14 May 1988 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 14 | |
| Strip of five images of Armand Thibault de Navarre portrait of Katherine Anne Porter -- (NEGATIVE. Color), ca. 1996 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 15 | |
| Strip of three images of Armand Thibault de Navarre portrait of Katherine Anne Porter, and two images of lawn sculpture[?] of child -- (NEGATIVE. Color.), ca. 1996 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 16 | |
| Strip of three images of Armand Thibault de Navarre portrait of Katherine Anne Porter -- (NEGATIVE. Color), ca. 1996 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 17 | |
| Strip of two images of Armand Thibault de Navarre portrait of Katherine Anne Porter -- (NEGATIVE. Color), ca. 1996 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 18 | |
| Strip of five images of Katherine Anne Porter at Spring Valley home, Washington D.C. -- (NEGATIVE. Black and white) -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 3037], ca. April 1965 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 19 | |
| Strip of five images of Katherine Anne Porter at Spring Valley home, Washington D.C. -- (NEGATIVE. Black and white) -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 3037], ca. April 1965 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 20 | |
| Strip of five images of Katherine Anne Porter at Spring Valley home, Washington D.C. -- (NEGATIVE. Black and white) -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 3037], ca. April 1965 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 21 | |
| Strip of five images of Katherine Anne Porter at Spring Valley home, Washington D.C. -- (NEGATIVE. Black and white) -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 3037], ca. April 1965 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 22 | |
| Strip of five images of Katherine Anne Porter at Spring Valley home, Washington D.C. -- (NEGATIVE. Black and white) -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 3037], ca. April 1965 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 23 | |
| Strip of four images of Katherine Anne Porter at Spring Valley home, Washington D.C. -- (NEGATIVE. Black and white) -- [See also Katherine Anne Porter Papers, Series XII, no. 3037], ca. April 1965 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 24 | |
| Contact sheet for negative strips 5.19-5.24 -- (Two copies), ca. April 1965 | series 6.6 | box 1 | folder 25 | |
Series 7: Memorabilia, 1974-2004 (9 items)
This series consists of three dimensional memorabilia related to Katherine Anne Porter. Objects include the blueprints of the Katherine Anne Porter House Museum in Kyle, Texas; a framed photograph of First Lady Laura Bush and Paul Porter at the opening of the museum; items from the Ship of Fools Bar and Grill in New York City; a preliminary sketch for the oil portrait of Miss Porter by Armand Thibault de Navarre; and a glass plaque honoring Miss Porter's induction into the Texas Literary Hall of Fame in the Fort Worth Public Library.
| Description | Series | Box / Reel | Folder / Frame | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preliminary sketch of Armand Thibault de Navarre portrait of Katherine Anne Porter -- (14" x 12". Color. Inscribed on recto: "To Paul Porter/-''74/Paul, I have never given a preliminary sketch to anyone more deserving, you did it all beautifully from beginning to end/Grand merci/A. Thibault de Navarre.") -- [See Katherine Anne Porter Room for finished portrait), 1974 | series 7 | box 1 | folder 1 | |
| Blueprints of Katherine Anne Porter House Museum in Kyle, Texas -- (24" x 36". 10 pages), 1999 | series 7 | box 1 | folder 2 | |
| Ship of Fools Bar and Grill, New York City -- (Items include matchbook, business card, menu, gimme cap, and a printout of web page), 1999 | series 7 | box 1 | folder 3 | |
| Photograph of Paul Porter and First Lady Laura Bush, Katherine Anne Porter Literary Center in Kyle, Texas, at its dedication as a National Literary Landmark, framed with Mrs. Bush's 21 June 2002 letter to Paul Porter -- (See Katherine Anne Porter Room), 13 June 2002 | series 7 | box 1 | folder 4 | |
| Glass Plaque from the Inaugural Event of the Texas Literary Hall of Fame, Friends of the Fort Worth Public Library etched with Katherine Anne Porter's name -- (See Katherine Anne Porter Room), 8 May 2004 | series 7 | box 1 | folder 5 | |
Related Material
Materials related to the papers of Paul Porter may be found in several of the literary manuscript collections held by the Archives and Manuscripts Department. Most are in the papers of Katherine Anne Porter, where there are fourteen folders of correspondence between Mr. Porter and Porter; this is the source for the other side of the correspondence represented in this collection. Porter gave the recipe clippings in this collection to Mr. Porter; the remainder of her recipes can be found in her papers. There are a number of pictures of Mr. Porter and of Porter that he took, in the Katherine Anne Porter photograph collection. Other related materials can be found in the papers of Katherine Anne Porter's family and associates with whom Mr. Porter communicated including Mr. Porter's cousin Ann Heintze, Miss Porter's lawyer E. Barrett Prettyman, publisher Seymour Lawrence, and biographer Isabel Bayley. There is also one folder of Paul Porter correspondence, 1977-1990, in the papers of Thomas F. Walsh.
For other related archival and manuscript collections, please see the following subject guides.
Selected Search Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the University of Maryland Libraries' Catalog. Researchers desiring related materials about these topics, names, or places may search the Catalog using these headings.
Subjects
- Porter, Katherine Anne -- 1890-1980
- Porter, Paul -- Archives
- Porter Family
Names (Added Entries)
- Abels, Cyrilly
- Daves, Joan
- Jospehson, Matthew -- 1899-1978
- Lawrence, Seymour
- Porter, Katherine Anne -- 1890-1980
- Warren, Robert Penn -- 1905-1989
















