Sylvia Plath collections: Archives of Turret Books & Turret Press Collection

The University of Maryland at College Park holds the following two collections:

Archives of Turret Books, 1965-1975
Turret Press Collection, 1965-1975

Turret printed two limited editions by Plath. Uncollected Poems, 1965, appeared in a limited edition of 150 copies. It printed a facsimile of Plath's poem "Thalidomide", originally titled "Half-Moon". They printed Three Women: A monologue for three voices, in 1968. The edition was limited to 150 copies and features an introduction by Douglas Cleverdon. The frontispiece and initial linocuts were designed, engraved and printed from original blocks by Stanislaw Gilwa. Limited edition of 180 numbered copies printed from Monotype Bembo type on T.H. Saunders, mould made, wove paper. Privately printed at Oficyna Stanislawa Gliwy.

From the UM web site: "Turret Press was a small press located in London, England. Founded in 1965, it specialized in publishing a limited edition series of booklets of contemporary poets. Turret Press also participated in sponsoring various festivals and exhibitions. The following served as directors of the small publishing: Edward Lucie-Smith, Bernard Stone, and George Rapp. Turret Press went out of business in 1975 as a result of financial difficulties."

Authors whose books Turret printed includes Barry Cole; Lawrence Durrell; Edward Lucie-Smith; Allen Ginsberg; George MacBeth; Sylvia Plath; Dylan Thomas; Bernard Stone; Georg Rapp; Christopher Logue; and Jonathan Williams.

The collection holds correspondence, publications, poetry manuscripts, proofs for publication, posters, newspaper clippings, financial records, and artwork documenting the operation and output of Turret Books.

Significant figures represented in the collection include Barry Cole, Lawrence Durrell, Edward Lucie-Smith, Allen Ginsberg, George MacBeth, Sylvia Plath, Dylan Thomas, Bernard Stone, Georg Rapp, Christopher Logue, and Jonathan Williams.

The collection is organized into three series:
1. Office
2. Exhibitions, Festivals, and Organizations
3. and Publication Materials.

Unpublished guide available. Contact information:

Archives and Manuscripts Department, University of Maryland Libraries, Hornbake Library, College Park, MD 20742. Tel: 301-405-9058, Fax: 301-314-2709, Email: archives-um@umd.edu

The web site for the Special Collections is online here.

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