Dodd, Mead Contract Collection

Collection

Identifier: MSS 0338

Scope and Content

The Dodd, Mead Contract Collection spans from 1872 to 1984, with the bulk of the records dating from 1895 to 1960. The vast majority of this collection consists of publishing contracts and similar agreements, but also includes some correspondence with authors, editors, illustrators, and other publishing houses regarding publishing activities and negotiating reprints and new editions. Some authors of note include Arna Bontemps, Joel Chandler Harris (estate), Hendrik Willem Van Loon, and Carolyn Wells.

Dates

Creation: 1872-1984
Creation: Majority of material found within 1895-1960

Creator

Dodd, Mead & Company. (Organization)

Access

This collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

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The publisher, Dodd, Mead, and Company, was begun in New York City in 1839 as the firm, Taylor and Dodd. Founded by Moses Woodruff Dodd and John S. Taylor, the firm originally published religious books. Dodd bought out his partner a year later and established the company as M. W. Dodd. Dodd's nephew Edward S. Mead took over the firm in 1870, changing the company name to Dodd and Mead. Mead was also a writer for the company and wrote a number of books under the pseudonym Richard Markham.

In 1876, Bleecker Van Wagenen became a partner and the name was changed to its final form, Dodd, Mead and Company. Dodd, Mead, and Company expanded publications to include a variety of British and American authors, publishing the works of many of the best-known modern writers in fiction, general literature, and art. The company suspended business operations in March 1989 pending the outcome of arbitration with its fulfillment house, Metro Services, Inc., and by the end of 1990 the company had ceased publications.

Extent

0.83 Linear feet (2 Document boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The publisher, Dodd, Mead, and Company, was founded by Moses W. Dodd and John S. Taylor in New York City in 1839 as the firm Taylor and Dodd. Over the years, the firm leadership changed and the name evolved along with it, becoming M. W. Dodd in 1840, Dodd and Mead in 1870, and, finally, Dodd, Mead and Company in 1876. The company ceased operations 1990. The collection consists of publishing contracts and similar agreements, as well as correspondence regarding publishing and negotiating reprints and new editions.

Arrangement

The records of this collection are arranged alphabetically by the author's last name, or by a publisher's name when a single author was not discernable.

Physical Location

University of Florida Smathers Library Building

Acquisition Information

No information is available regarding the history or acquisition of this collection.

Related Material

The records of Dodd, Mead, and Company are spread across a number of archives and repositories. Links to some collections appear below.

"Dodd, Mead and Company Archive," University of Delaware: http://www.lib.udel.edu/ud/spec/findaids/doddmea1.htm

"Dodd, Mead and Company Papers," American Antiquarian Society: http://www.americanantiquarian.org/Findingaids/dodd_mead_company.pdf

"Dodd, Mead mss.," 1855-1992, Indiana University: http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/findingaids/view?doc.view=entire_text