Descriptive Summary and Abstract
Cushing Memorial Library
College Station, TX 77843-5000
Heinlein, Robert A.
Inventory of the Robert A.
Heinlein Collection:
March 25, 1945- December 1972.
1 linear ft.
This collection details
some of Heinlein’s interaction with Shasta Publishers and with Playboy
Enterprises.
SCI-FI MSS 00232
English.
Biographical Note
Robert A. Heinlein is one of the Deans of science
fiction. His fiction was ground-breaking throughout his career.
Scope and Content Note
This collection details some of Heinlein’s interactions with Shasta
Publishers and with Playboy Enterprises. The Shasta Publishers correspondence,
primarily from 1945 – 1958, provides insights to the dealings of Heinlein with
an early specialty publisher of science fiction, and to one of the first
science fiction specialty publishers. The Playboy correspondence covers some
contractual issues, and providing an insight on the methodology of creating a
Playboy Interview, including the
caboose, a two page typescript addendum to
the 1969 Playboy interview. The letters reference Heinlein’s trip to Chicago,
and to the Playboy panel on 1984. Playboy magazine, as noted in the
correspondence, was the best-paying market for science fiction writers in the
1960 – 1980 period.
Organization of the Papers
This collection is organized into 1 series:
- Series 1. Correspondence, March 25, 1945- December 1972..
Access
No restrictions.
Usage Restrictions
Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or
their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Online Catalog Terms
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online
catalog of Cushing Memorial Library. Researchers wishing to find related
materials should search the catalog under these index terms.
Names
Heinlein, Robert
A.
Organizations
Playboy
Enterprises
Subjects
Playboy Magazine
Oui Magazine
Shasta Publishers
Provenance
Received from James Cummins - Bookseller.
Processing Information
Processed by Hal Hall in
2005.
Detailed Description of the Collection
Series 1. Correspondence,
March 25,
1945- December 1972.
1/10
Heinlein, Robert to Melvin Korshak. March 25, 1945, re:
book order for The Croquet Player by H. G. Wells. ALS, 1 leaf.
1/20
Heinlein, Robert to Melvin Korshak. January 2, 1948,
Western Union Telegram re: Methuselah's Children. 1 leaf.
1/30
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. January 31, 1948, re:
Methuselah's Children. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/40
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. March 16, 1948, re:
Methuselah's Children. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/50
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. November 13, 1948,
re: Salves of Sleep, Unknown, and Methuselah's Children. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/60
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. December 14, 1948,
re: Mr. Blassingame's proposal of writing a novelette. TL, 2 leaves.
1/70
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. March 20, 1949, re:
The Man Who Sold the Moon, Space Cadet, Blowups Happen, Roads Must Roll,
Methuselah's Children. TLS, 4 leaves.
1/80
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. April 11, 1949, re:
Green Hills, The Long Watch. TLS, 2 leaves.
1/90
Legal Agreements between Robert Heinlein and Shasta for
The Man Who Sold the Moon. April 11, 1949. 3 leaves.
1/100
Legal Agreement between Robert Heinlein and Shasta for
The Green Hills of Earth. April 11, 1949. 3 leaves.
1/110
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. April 25, 1949, re:
The Man Who Sold the Moon, copyrights, novella. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/120
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. May 1, 1949, re: tie
ins, Hubbard contract. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/130
Heinlein, Robert to Shasta Publishers. May 13, 1949,
re: Scudder, removal of And He Built A Crooked House from The Man Who Sold The
Moon. TLS, incomplete, leaves 2 and 3.
1/140
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. May 18, 1949, re: not
wanting Ray Bradbury to do a preface for Heinlein's book. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/150
Snetiker, Sam to Robert Heinlein. May 20, 1949, re:
copyright of sentence. TLS, 1 leaf.
Heinlein, Robert to Erle or Ted. May 31, 1949, re:
Blowups Happen, copyright of sentence, Operation: Moon. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/160
Heinlein, Robert to Korshak. November 20, 1949, re:
galleys, tie-ins, Delilah and the Space Rigger, Jerry Was A Man, dedication and
Other Books By Heinlein. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/170
Heinlein, Robert to Melvin Korshak. December 4, 1947,
re: publishing Heinlein's books. TLS, 1 postcard.
Change of Address card, dated November 8,
1949.
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. December 4, 1948, re:
Check List of Fantastic Literature, Bleiler inscription. TLS, 1 postcard.
1/180
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. February 27, 1949,
re: new novelette. TLS, 1 postcard.
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. March 15, 1949, re:
The Man Who Sold the Moon. TLS, 1 postcard.
1/190
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. April 2, 1949, re:
contract. TLS, 1 postcard.
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. July 10, 1949, re:
The Man Who Sold The Moon. TLS, 1 postcard.
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. September 27, 1949,
re: World Below. TLS, 1 postcard.
1/200
Heinlein to Erle Korshak. No date, re: Slaves of Sleep,
postponing Methuselah's Children, The Man Who Traveled With Elephants. TLS,
incomplete, leaves 3-5.
1/210
Heinlein, Robert to Ted Dikty. January 13, 1950, re: The
Man Who Sold The Moon, deadlines. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/220
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. January 14, 1950, re:
The Man Who Sold The Moon. TLS, 2 leaves, signed carbon copies.
1/230
Heinlein, Robert to Erle and Ted. February 6, 1950, re:
Erle Ted confirming extension of contract, publication date and
comments about other rights interests available. TL, 1 leaf.
1/240
Heinlein, Robert to Shasta. January 16, 1950, re:
delays. Western Union Telegram, 1 leaf.
Heinlein, Robert to Shasta. February 20, 1950, re: dust
jacket changes. Western Union Telegram, 1 leaf.
1/250
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. December 9, 1949, re:
non approval of picture in frontispiece. TLS, 1 postcard.
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. January 2, 1950, re:
proofs on end papers and front material. TLS, 1 postcard.
Change of Address form, dated February 27, 1950.
1/260
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. March 11, 1950, re:
likes and dislikes of Shasta's job on The Man Who Sold The Moon. TLS, 3 leaves.
Heinlein, Robert to Shasta. May 15, 1950, re: requesting
Methuselah's Children manuscript be sent to him. Western Union Telegram, 1
leaf.
1/270
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. August 5, 1950, re:
instructions about New American Library's contract for pocketbook publication
of The Man Who Sold The Moon. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/280
Legal Agreement from New American Library of World
Literature, Inc. for The Man Who Sold The Moon. August 18, 1950. 6 leaves.
1/290
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. January 5, 1951, re:
possible tie-ins for The Green Hills of Earth and other editing matters. TLS, 1
leaf.
1/300
Heinlein, Robert to Ted Dikty. January 10, 1951, re:
Heinlein expresses his displeasure with Shasta's actions regarding a
manuscript. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/310
Heinlein's list of complaints about Shasta. Typed, 2
leaves, carbon copies.
Korshak, Erle to Robert Heinlein. March 19, 1951, re:
galleys for The Green Hills of Earth. TLS, 1 postcard.
Receipt for Registered Article. March 19, 1951. 1
card.
Return Receipt from Postmaster. March 22, 1951. 1 card.
1/320
Korshak, Erle to Robert Heinlein. February 20, 1951, re:
blank autograph sheets to sign. TLS, 1 leaf, signed carbon copy.
1/330
Korshak, Erle to Robert Heinlein. February 23, 1951,
re: returning lost manuscript. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/340
Heinlein, Robert to E. M. Korshak. February 25, 1951,
re: mentioning errors to be corrected before signing end papers. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/350
Heinlein, Virginia to E. M. Korshak. March 23, 1951, re:
Heinlein's galley proofs and master manuscripts. TLS, 1 leaf, with Registered
Receipt and Return Receipt.
1/360
Heinlein, Robert to E. M. Peterson. March 27, 1951, re:
copy of letter to Chicago Public Library giving free Braille rights for The Man
Who Sold The Moon. TL, 1 leaf, carbon copy.
1/370
Korshak, Erle to Robert Heinlein. April 5, 1951, re:
recent publisher/author business. TL, 2 leaves, signed carbon copies.
1/380
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. April 7, 1951, re:
expressing facts and feelings regarding their business relationship. TLS, 3
leaves.
1/390
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. April 11, 1951, re: the
chart in The Green Hills of Earth. TLS, 2 leaves.
1/400
Heinlein, Robert to Shasta. April 10, 1951, re:
requesting six copies of The Man Who Sold The Moon. TLS, 1 postcard.
Korshak, Erle to Robert Heinlein. April 13, 1951, re:
changes in cloth binding. TLS, ½ leaf.
1/410
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. April 15, 1951, re:
discussing grievances against Shasta. TLS, 5 leaves.
1/420
Heinlein, Robert to Ted Dikty. April 16, 1951, re: the
anthology and continued misprints. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/430
Legal Agreement between Heinlein and Shasta for The
Green Hills of Earth. June 5, 1951.
1/440
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. June 22, 1951, re:
advance for trade publication. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/450
Heinlein, Robert to Shasta. August 13, 1951, re:
concerning an illegally published story. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/460
Korshak, Erle to Robert Heinlein. August 16, 1951, re:
supporting their contractual actions with Mr. Ernst, a legal authority in the
publishing world. TL, 3 leaves, signed carbon copies.
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. October 27, 1951, re:
royalties and 2nd editions. TL, 1 leaf, signed carbon copy.
1/470
Heinlein, Robert to Shasta. April 5, 1951, re:
publisher requesting copies of The Green Hills of Earth. ALS, 1 postcard.
Heinlein, Robert to Ted Dikty. October 28, 1952, re:
more copies of anthologies to be sent. ALS, 1 postcard.
1/480
Heinlein, Robert to Shasta. October 10, 1952, re: check
for New American Library Edition of The Man Who Sold The Moon. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/490
Heinlein, Robert to M.S. Dollens. October 28, 1952, re:
referring him to Ned Brown, Heinlein's motion picture agent, The Man Who Sold
The Moon, Requiem. TL, 1 leaf, carbon copy.
1/500
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. October 30, 1952, re:
Heinlein in receipt of his October 28 note. TL, 1 leaf, signed carbon copy.
1/510
Heinlein, Robert to Shasta. November 4, 1952, re:
Shasta Publishers complaining of their breach of contract by changing royalty
percentages on amount of copies sold. TLS, 2 leaves.
1/520
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. January 3, 1953, re:
reporting that the author's allegations are being considered by Shasta's
attorneys. TL, 1 leaf, signed carbon copy.
1/530
Heinlein, Robert to Ted Dikty. March 20, 1953, re:
discussing a past due bill notice received the error to be
corrected by using the usual author royalty account. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/540
Heinlein, Robert to Shasta. April 21, 1953, re: check
for NAL reprint. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/550
Dikty, T. E. to Robert Heinlein. April 28, 1953, re:
Heinlein in response to his letters of March 20 April 21. TLS, 1
leaf.
1/560
Heinlein, Robert to T. E. Dikty. May 3, 1953, re: Dikty
(w/ another check) requesting details for the Australian use of Life-Line by
Shasta's agents. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/570
Heinlein, Robert to Shasta. May 13, 1953, re:
diminishing royalties, motion picture rights, and correcting dust jackets. TLS,
2 leaves.
1/580
Dikty, T. E. to Robert Heinlein. May 21, 1953, re:
receipt of May 3 and May 13 Heinlein letters. TL, 1 leaf, signed carbon copy.
Dikty, T. E. to Robert Heinlein. June 18, 1953, re: a
new contract composed by Erle Heinlein. TL, 1 leaf, signed carbon
copy.
1/590
Legal Agreement re: The Man Who Sold The Moon. June 17,
1953. TLS, 2 leaves.
1/600
Heinlein, Robert to Mr. Dikty. June 18, 1953, re:
contract, check. TLS, 1 leaf.
1/610
Heinlein, Robert to Shasta. June 26, 1953, re: a
rewrite of If This Goes On. TLS, 1 postcard.
1/620
Dikty, T. E. to Robert Heinlein. June 27, 1953, re:
commenting in response to Heinlein's June 18 and June 26 correspondence. TL, 1
leaf, signed carbon copy.
2/10
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. July 3, 1953, re:
enclosure of new contract. TL, 1 leaf, signed carbon copy.
2/20
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. July 29, 1953, re:
receipt of If This Goes On manuscript. TLS, 1 leaf, carbon copy.
2/30
Campbell, J. A. to Robert Heinlein. July 29, 1953, re:
relating discoveries about stories sold in Australia. Typed, 2 leaves, copies.
2/40
Heinlein, Robert to Ted Dikty. August 5, 1953, re:
front material information for revised copy. TLS, 1 leaf.
2/50
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. August 10, 1953, re:
complimenting him on the revision of If This Goes On. TLS, 1 leaf, carbon copy.
2/60
Heinlein, Robert to Talley and Dikty. August 20, 1953,
re: complications from changing the title on the trade edition. TLS, 1 leaf.
2/70
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. August 24, 1953, re:
relating matters and inquiries concerning the pirating of Heinlein stories in
Australia. TLS, 1 leaf.
2/80
Talley, Truman to Robert Heinlein. August 27, 1953, re:
title for a paperback book. TL, 1 leaf, carbon copy.
2/90
Heinlein, Robert to Truman Talley. August 28, 1953, re:
agreeing with title. TLS, 1 postcard.
2/100
Shasta to Robert Heinlein. September 3, 1953, re: the
500+ inserts to be signed for If This Goes On and about the Australian mix-up.
TL, 3 leaves, carbon copies.
2/110
Heinlein, Robert to Erle and Ted. September 5, 1953,
re: complaining of the special delivery
inserts and describing his current situation. TLS, 3 leaves.
2/120
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. September 9, 1953,
re: recent special delivery correspondence and the decision to end the series
with Shasta if more special deliveries come. TLS, 1 leaf.
2/130
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. September 14, 1953,
re: answer to Heinlein's September 5 and September 9 letters. TLS, 2 leaves,
carbon copies.
2/140
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. September 19, 1953, re:
example of style leaf from If This Goes On. TL, 1 leaf, carbon
copy.
2/150
Heinlein, Robert to Ted and Erle. September 26, 1953,
re: book approaching the galley stage. TLS, 1 leaf.
2/160
Talley, Truman to Ted Dikty. October 1, 1953, re:
Heinlein's Revolt In 2100. TLS, 1 leaf.
2/170
Dikty, T.E. to Lurton Blassingame. October 5, 1953, re:
completing negotiations on Heinlein's book and reasons for a large advance. TL,
1 leaf, signed carbon copy.
2/180
Dikty, Ted to Truman Talley. October 5, 1953, re:
clearly defining the sums in the contract negotiations with Heinlein. TL, 2
leaves, carbon copies.
2/190
Blassingame, Lurton to Ted Dikty. October 6, 1953, re:
Shasta's 50 percent royalty on Heinlein's series. TLS, 1 leaf.
Blassingame, Lurton to Ted Dikty. October 7, 1953, re:
inquiring about the methods used to expedite the Heinlein contract. TLS, 1
leaf.
2/200
Heinlein, Robert to Shasta. October 8, 1953, re: the
misunderstanding for finalizing the contract and the preface written for the
book. TLS, 1 leaf.
2/210
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. October 20, 1953, re:
enclosed manuscript for The Green Hills of Earth. TL, 1 leaf, carbon copy.
2/220
Heinlein, Robert to Ted Dikty. October 23, 1953, re:
listing front matter. TLS, 1 leaf.
2/230
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. October 26, 1953, re:
requesting permission for Shasta footnotes in book. TLS, 2 leaves, carbon
copies.
2/240
Heinlein, Robert to Ted and Erle. October 14, 1953, re:
receipt of galley. ALS, 1 postcard.
Heinlein, Robert to Ted Dikty. October 28, 1953, re:
returning proofread galleys. TLS, 1 postcard.
Heinlein, Robert to Ted Dikty. October 29, 1953, re:
front matter. ALS, 1 postcard.
Heinlein, Robert to Ted Dikty. October 29, 1953, re:
personal comments. ALS, 1 postcard.
2/250
Shasta to Robert Heinlein. November 3, 1953, re: roundup
letter on all recent business since Heinlein is leaving on international trip.
ALS and TLS, 9 leaves, original and typed copies.
2/260
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. November 4, 1953, re:
needing additional information on subsidiary sales. TLS, 1 leaf, carbon copy.
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. December 30, 1953, re:
enclosed are six copies of new dust wrappers for The Man Who Sold The Moon.
TLS, 1 leaf, carbon copy.
2/270
Heinlein, Robert to Ted Dikty. November 7, 1953, re:
unconcerned about Shasta's accounts. TLS, 1 postcard.
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. May 28, 1954, re:
enclosed manuscript for Revolt in 2100. TLS, 1 leaf, carbon copy.
Heinlein, Robert to Ted and Erle. January 7, 1955, re:
interest in Methuselah's Children. TLS, 1 leaf.
2/280
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. February 7, 1955, re:
Methuselah's Children, publishing stories. TLS, 5 leaves, carbon copies.
2/290
Heinlein, Robert to Ted Dikty. February 13, 1955, re:
not agreeing with suggestions. TLS, 1 leaf.
2/300
Heinlein, Robert to Shasta. March 26, 1955, re:
receiving contracts. ALS, 1 postcard.
Heinlein, Robert to Erle and Ted. April 15, 1955, re:
leaving for Turkey. ALS, 1 postcard.
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. January 11, 1954, re:
greetings from Chile. ALS, 1 postcard.
2/310
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. April 5, 1955, re:
Revolt in 2100. TLS, 1 leaf, carbon copy.
2/320
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. April 20, 1955, re:
Methuselah's Children manuscript arrived. TLS, 1 leaf, carbon copy.
Dikty, Ted to Robert Heinlein. March 19, 1955, re:
retyping contracts. TLS, 1 leaf, carbon copy.
2/330
Heinlein, Robert to Shasta. December 13, 1955, re:
being in default on two royalty payments making contract null and void. TLS, 1
leaf.
Heinlein, Robert to Ted Dikty. May 9, 1955, re: notice
for Methuselah's Children. TLS, 1 leaf.
2/340
Shasta to Robert Heinlein. January 20, 1956, re:
royalty payments. TLS, 1 leaf, carbon copy.
2/350
Korshak, Irene to Lurton Blassingame. January 23, 1956,
re: payment to Heinlein. Western Union Telegram, 1 handwritten copy.
Receipt for above telegram. 1 leaf.
Note to Irene Korshak, re: payment to Heinlein. TLS, 1
leaf, with handwritten insertion.
2/360
Heinlein, Robert to Irene Korshak. January 27, 1956,
re: check, thank you for present. TLS, 1 leaf.
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. August 21, 1956, re:
galley proofs of Methuselah's Children. TLS, 1 postcard.
2/370
Korshak, Erle to Robert Heinlein. January 30, 1957, re:
meeting to discuss business matters. TLS, 1 leaf, carbon copy.
2/380
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. February 3, 1957, re:
trip to Chicago, manuscripts. TLS, 1 leaf.
2/390
Heinlein, Robert to Erle Korshak. July 26, 1957, re:
angry about Shasta selling rights they do not own. TLS, 2 leaves.
2/400
Wriggins, Walter W. to Melvin Korshak and Robert
Heinlein. August 9, 1957, re: canceling contract and return of money. TLS, 1
leaf.
2/410
Heinlein, Robert to M. E. Korshak. September 3, 1957,
re: new breaches of contract. TLS, 1 leaf.
2/420
Korshak, Erle to Robert Heinlein. April 9, 1958, re:
Heinlein buying out all rights to his stories from Shasta. TLS, 6 leaves,
carbon copies.
2/430
Heinlein, Robert to Shasta. July 7, 1958, re: buying
rights to stories. TLS, 4 leaves.
2/440
Heinlein, Robert to Peter Israel. May 6, 1963, re:
galley proofs of Glory Road. TLS, 1 leaf.
2/450
Heinlein, Robert to William Targ. May 23, 1966, re:
Harsh Mistress. TLS, 1 leaf.
2/460
Jenkins, Will to G. P. Putnam Sons.
August 4, 1966, re: using the term
dean of science fiction to
describe Heinlein. TLS, 1 leaf.
Heinlein, Robert to William Targ. August 13, 1966, re:
publishing stories, dean nonsense. TLS, 5
leaves.
2/470
Second proof of title leaf to The Green Hills of Earth.
2 copies.
2/480
Heinlein correspondence, Playboy magazine
RAH to A. G. Spectorsky, Playboy Magazine, October 10,
1962. TLS, 3 sheets A. G. Spectorsky to RAH, TLS, January 15, 1968. 1 sheet
,with RAH one sheet holograph response.
RAH to Hugh Heffner, September 6, 1962. TLS, one sheet,
missing following sheets.
RAH to Murray Fisher, TLS, January 9, 1964, one
sheet.
RAH to A. G. Spectorsky, Christmas card with holograph
note, ca. 1966.
A. G. Spectorsky to RAH, carbon, June 6, 1967.
A. G. Spectorsky to Murray Fisher, carbon, August 8,
1969.
Frank M. Robinson to Murray Fisher, TLS, August 3, 1969.
112 assorted questions for an interview with RAH.
RAH to Murray Fisher, TLS, with carbon to Frank
Robinson, October 22, 1969, with
Opus 160, Heinlein PLAYBOY Interview
<emph render="doublequote">caboose</emph> paragraph, dated 20 Oct. 1969,
2 sheets.
2/490
Oui Magazine, December 1972. Heinlein
Interview.