de Grummond Collection

McCain Library and Archives
University Libraries
University of Southern Mississippi



SONIA BLEEKER PAPERS

Collection Number
Collection Dates
Collection Volume
DG0098
1958-1970
.90 cu.ft. (3 boxes)

Biographical Sketch | Scope & Content | Related Collections | Series & Subseries | Box Inventory

Provenance
Material was donated by Sonia Bleeker's husband, Herbert S. Zim, in 1978.

Restrictions
Noncirculating; available for research.

Copyright
The collection is protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U. S. Code). Reproductions can be made only if they are to be used for "private study, scholarship, or research." It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials, other than that noted above.

Biographical Sketch
Sonia Bleeker was born on November 28, 1909 in Starchevicvhi, Russia. She graduated from Hunter College in 1933 and did graduate work in anthropology at Columbia University. In 1934, she married author and editor Herbert S. Zim. From 1931 to 1946 she was an editor for Simon and Schuster in New York. Her interest in anthropology led the Zims all over the world, and they spent much of their lives traveling in Africa, Europe and North and South America, while she took notes and did research for her books. She wrote many anthropology books for young adults about Native Americans, pre-Columbian cultures, and various African tribes. In 1967, she received a Doctor of Science degree from Beloit College. She and her husband collaborated on her final book Life and Death (1970), which examines the rituals of aging, death, and burial among various peoples. Ms. Bleeker died in 1971.

Source:

Scope and Content
The collection contains typescripts, research notes, correspondence and galleys for three titles. The materials are arranged alphabetically by title. Within each title the materials are arranged in the probable order in which they were created. The correspondence is separated by title. Two of the books in the collection were part of a projected seven volume series Bleeker wrote on the peoples of Africa, of which six were completed before her death. There are typescripts, correspondence, research notes, research materials, photocopied maps, and galleys for The Zulu of South Africa (1970). There are also photocopies of sketches and illustrations by Kisa N. Sasaki, the illustrator for the series. There are also typescripts and galleys for The Masai (1963). The other book in the collection, The Navajo (1958), was part of series of books on Native Americans in North America. There are typescripts, research materials and notes, correspondence and galleys for this title.

Related Collection

The Herbert S. Zim Papers (DG1086)

Series and Subseries

A. Books



 

Box Inventory

Box/Folder

A. Books

THE MASAI: HERDERS OF SOUTH AFRICA by Sonia Bleeker, illustrated by Kisa N. Sasaki (New York: Morrow, 1963). 1/1 Correspondence, 1966, n.d., 2 items. 1/2 Research materials, 3 items. 1/3 Manuscript and research notes, 35 items. 1/4 Typescript, carbon copy, edited, pp. 1-56. Typescript of index, 4 pp. 1/5 List of comments on typescript, 6 pp. THE NAVAJO: HERDERS, WEAVERS, AND SILVERSMITHS by Sonia Bleeker, illustrated by Patricia Boodell (New York: Morrow, 1958). 1/6 Typescript, edited, pp. 1-56. Typescript of index, 7 pp. 1/7-1/8 Galleys, edited, 1/7 9 September 1957, pp. 1-159. 1/8 16 October 1957, pp. 1-159. 1/9 Proof, 4 November 1957, pp. 1-159. 1/10 Photocopy of map, 1 item. Layout for title page, 1 item. THE ZULU OF SOUTH: CATTLEMEN, FARMERS, AND WARRIORS by Sonia Bleeker, illustrated by Kisa N. Sasaki (New York: Morrow, 1970). 2/1 Correspondence, 1969-1970, 9 items. 2/2 Research materials, 27 items. 2/3 Maps of Southern Africa, 8 items. 2/4 Research and manuscript notes, 135 pp. 2/5-3/4 Typescripts, 2/5 Edited, chapters 1-6, 78 pp. 2/6 Edited, chapters 1-6, pp. 1-72. 2/7 Edited with queries, chapters 1-6, pp. 1-72. 3/1 "Cuts from manuscript," 13 pp. 3/2 List of corrections, 3 pp. 3/3 Minor corrections, chapters 1-6, pp. 1-69. 3/4 Photocopied, chapters 1-6, pp. 1-71. 3/5 Sketches, photocopied, 17 items. 3/6 List of suggested illustrations, 2 pp. Photocopied illustrations, 24 items. 3/7-3/9 Galleys, 3/7 4 March 1970, edited, pp. 1-153. 3/8 21 April 1970, minor corrections, pp. 1-153. 3/9 pp. 1-153. 3/10 Promotional materials for book, 2 items.

Processed: May 29, 1998
Revised: June 2001

Biographical Sketch | Scope & Content | Related Collections | Series & Subseries | Box Inventory
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The de Grummond Children's Literature Collection

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118 College Drive, #5148
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
(601) 266-4349
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