Brown University Library Collections
Magic and Occult Collections
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Atwood (Mary Anne)
The Mary Anne Atwood Papers contains about 700 letters and manuscripts for the period 1882-1910. Most of the letters in the collection are written from M.A. Atwood to Mme. Isabelle de Steiger. The collection also includes other letters written and received by Atwood, manuscript drafts and notes. According to the admirers of Mary Anne Atwood, "Mrs. Atwood was truly an adept [of the metaphysical tradition]. The last one." "The Atwood material is very important for the study of a vanished Britain, when Neo-Platonism and High Ideas influenced the nation. But, as Mrs. Atwood says, they went in for power and threw their spiritual heritage out the window."
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Brethen (Bob)
The Bob Brethen Papers consist primarily of type-written descriptions of magic tricks. Most common are card tricks, mental tricks, including jinx card tricks, ESP, psychic routines, and memory and number tricks. This collection was originally part of the Smith Magic collection, but has been removed to stand on its own.
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Davis (Sonia H. and Nathaniel A.)
Sonia H. Davis (1883-1972), of Jewish and Ukrainian heritage, was a business woman, milliner, writer, editor, amateur journalist and publisher. She was married briefly (1924-1926) to Howard Phillips Lovecraft with whom she collaborated on several literary projects. In 1936, she married Nathaniel A. Davis (1866-1945) of Jewish and Portuguese heritage who was a writer, editor, educator, social activist, entrepreneur, world traveler, publisher, journalist and founder of Planetaryan, a humanitarian organization devoted to world peace. They were married in California and lived there for the remainder of their lives.
This collection dates from 1879 to 1972 (bulk from 1930 to the early 1940s) and documents the lives and literary works of Sonia and Nathaniel. It is a good source of documentation for anyone interested in U.S. social, political and religious history, especially around the period of World War II. It is also a good source for those who are interested in American literature, especially in religious poetry and didactic literature. This collection does not include any primary source materials originating from H.P. Lovecraft, nor does it contain much by way of direct documentation about him except for a published memoir of him written by Mrs. Davis (Books at Brown, vol. XI, nos. 1-2), a copy of which is included in this collection.
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Downs (T. Nelson)
Thomas Nelson Downs was a self-taught magician, specializing in coin tricks, who over the course of his career, performed in vaudeville acts all over the country, owned a vaudeville house, sold magic supplies, and wrote several books of magic instruction. This collection contains his correspondence with fellow magician Edward "Tex" McGuire, documentation of tricks (or "effects"), patents, advertisements, news clippings, photographs, and show programs.
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Gaylactic Network
The Gaylactic Network records consist of administrative records, newsletters, correspondence and promotional material for the years 1986-2005 pertaining to and were compiled by Franklin Hummel. The collection covers the activities of both the Gaylactic Network and most of its local member organizations, as well as their annual conference Gaylaxicon.
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Lovecraft (Howard P.)
Lovecraft, the eccentric Providence author of fantasy and horror tales for the pulp magazines of the 1920's, is now recognized as one of the seminal figures in the development of the science fiction genre. The collection includes extensive holdings of manuscripts, letters, editions of Lovecraft's works in all languages, periodicals, biographical and critical works, and many supportive collections of manuscript and printed materials of Lovecraft friends and associates. There are more than 1,000 books and magazines, in 20 languages, containing material by or about Lovecraft plus over 2,000 original letters and manuscripts of his essays, fiction and poetry. Many of the papers were deposited in the library a few months after Lovecraft's death in 1937; others have been added by gift and purchase over the years.
More detail about the collection, related collections, and access can be found on the Weird Fiction collection guide: https://libguides.brown.edu/weirdfiction
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Occult
The collection deals primarily with alchemy, the interpretation of dreams, mysticism, black magic and the Kabbalah plus visionary testaments and manifestations of all kinds. Includes rare editions of early occult books and numerous chronicles of demonology, secret societies, theosophical orders, and ancient mystery religions. Among the works on sorcery and supernatural events are several on American witchcraft and the Salem trials. The collection reflects Damon's fascination with alchemy, mysticism, symbolism and theosophy.
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Smith Magic
The H. Adrian Smith Collection of Conjuring and Magicana, long considered one of the finest private libraries on conjuring and magic, includes 16th century titles on natural magic, alchemy, astrology, religious rites, and witchcraft. Later holdings include sections on conjuring, card tricks and games, magicians as performers, magic periodicals and other works intended for practicing magicians, posters, ephemera, and realia. The Collection is the gift and bequest of the collector, class of 1930, who as an undergraduate put himself through Brown by giving magic performances.
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Weird Tales
Science fiction and fantasy periodical, notable at Brown University Library for the many works by H. P. Lovecraft it published. Fragile; may not be photocopied.
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Wellman (Manly Wade)
Manly Wade Wellman (May 21, 1903-April 5, 1986) was a prolific American author of both fiction and nonfiction. He made his name in the 1930’s as a writer of fantasy and speculative fiction, eventually becoming a regular contributor to such classic pulp titles as Weird Tales, Astounding, and Startling Stories. He cited H. P. Lovecraft as an influence. As the pulp market died out in the 1940’s Wellman turned his talents to mystery and historical writing, and by the end of his life he had produced a large body of young adult and adult historical novels, biographies and works about Appalachian folklore and music. His biography of South Carolina Civil War General Wade Hampton—Giant in Gray—was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in 1956.
The Manly Wade Wellman papers consist primarily of his fiction and nonfiction manuscripts (originals, carbon copies, and page proofs), personal and professional correspondence, and financial records. Also included are a small collection of manuscripts and correspondence belonging to his wife Frances Wellman.
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Image Source: The Great Wizard of the North, giving his great expose of the gambler's trick. Lauter La Coupe. Color lithograph. With detail of hands. H. Adrian Smith Collection of Conjuring and Magicana. John Hay Library.
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