James A. Michener Chesapeake Collection
In November 1977, James A. Michener left all papers connected to the writing and publication of Chesapeake to the Maryland Room of the Talbot County Free Library. These papers have been filed in 18 archival boxes.
The Chesapeake collection also includes the uncorrected first proof and a special edition of Chesapeake, as well as a photo album and audiotapes of Michener interviews.
James Michener spent two years on the Eastern Shore of Maryland carrying out research and writing his well-known novel Chesapeake. After having finished writing this work, but prior to its release, Mr. Michener spoke to the local population about his new book. The presentation took place at St. Mark's United Methodist Church Hall in Easton on May 17, 1978.
Listen to the St. Marks Presentation.
Papers about The Watermen were given later and are filed in Box 19.
Box 1
Barcode: 33536001643976
- Notebooks of diverse sizes
- Looseleaf notebook with maps, artwork, family trees, historical data, time plans...
- Notes on book progress from July 1976 to October 1977.
Box 2
Barcode: 33536001643984
Carbon copy on yellow sheet of the "rough draft".
Box 3
Barcode: 33536001644032
Manuscript with editorial corrections and reformatting.
Box 4
Barcode: 33536003459447
Manuscript with new pagination and corrections. Chapters 1 to 7
Box 5
Barcode: 33536003459454
Manuscript with new pagination and corrections. Chapters 8 to 14.
Box 6
Barcode: 33536003459462
Pieces of manuscript with corrections by several editors.
Box 7
Barcode: 33536001644040
Photocopy of manuscript with new pagination. Chapters 1 to 7.
(photcopy of contents in box 4)
Box 8
Barcode: 33536001644057
Photocopy of manuscript with new pagination. Chapters 8 to 14.
(photcopy of contents in box 5)
Box 9
Barcode: 33536001644081
Manuscript on onion skin with corrections.
Box 10
Barcode: 33536001644065
Photocopy of manuscript with editorial corrections. Chapters 1 to 8.
Box 11
Barcode: 33536001644024
Photocopy of manuscript with editorial corrections. Chapters 9 to 14.
Box 12
Barcode: 33536001644107
"Galleys" - Master Set First Pass.
Box 13
Barcode: 33536001685548
"Galleys" - Air Set.
Box 14
Barcode: 33536001644099
"Book Blues".
Boxes 15, 16 and 17
Barcodes: 33536001644123, 33536001644115, and 33536001693880
Correspondance 1975 - 1979. Copies of letters or rough-drafts of letters as well as letters received by James Michener filed chronologically.
Box 18
Barcode: 33536001685530
- Book reviews - Interviews - Biography.
- Notes by Nadia and D.D.S.??
- Chesapeake Diary on onion skin. Michener's thoughts about the writing of Chesapeake.
- Notes on Nature, some were later incorporated in the Chesapeake Diary.
- "...year-long review of what {Michener} saw of wild life and land and water during {his} year on the Eastern Shore..." July 1, 1976 - July 1, 1977.
Box 19
Barcode: 33536001685563
The Watermen
- Editorial Precede
- Chesapeake chapters used for the book
- "Master Galleys"
- "Set 2 untouched"