Sorry, you need to enable JavaScript to visit this website.

Jim Scott papers

Special Collections and Archives

Jim Scott papers

Special Collections and Archives

Jim Scott papers

Repository: Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
Title: Jim Scott papers
Inclusive Date(s): 1938-1985
Bulk Date(s): 1940-1947
Author: Finding aid prepared by Stephen Krason, October 2012
Creation: Finding aid encoded by Stephen Krason using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2012
Origination: Scott, Jim, 1887-1950
Extent: .66 cubic feet (2 document cases)
Physical Location: 11th floor
Finding Aid Identifier: OhKeUSC0143
Abstract: This collection contains the personal papers of Jim Scott, Akron bookseller and later librarian for the Akron Beacon Journal. Most of the material is correspondence dealing with the bookselling business during the 1940s, but personal letters and other items relating to Scott and his life are also included.
Language(s): The records are in English

Biography of Jim Scott

Jim Scott was born February 6, 1887 in Australia. His family soon moved to Scotland, and Scott came to the United States in 1907. He began working in the newspaper industry, in cities such as Pittsburgh and Akron. Scott's struggles with alcoholism caused significant problems in both his professional and personal life, causing him to journey across the country from one job to another throughout much of the 1920s and 1930s. Upon returning to Akron (where he had previously been a reporter and editor for Goodyear Tire's Wingfoot Clan), Scott became involved with Alcoholics Anonymous, an organization that had a profound impact on the rest of his life. In the early 1940s he operated the Middlebury Book Shop in Akron, and during World War II served on the Summit County War Finance Committee. Scott became the chief librarian for the Akron Beacon Journal in 1947, a position he held until his death on May 24, 1950.

Scope and Content

The Jim Scott papers include items ranging from 1938 to 1985. Most of the collection consists of correspondence written in the 1940s between Scott and various individuals. The bulk of this involves the bookselling business, in which Scott participated through both his bookstore in Akron and a private cache kept in his apartment. Notable items include correspondence with Ernest J. Wessen of the Midland Rare Books Company and several other prominent individuals of the period, such as columnist Westbrook Pegler.

The collection also contains items relating to Scott's life, such as his work with Alcoholics Anonymous. This includes not only his own correspondence, but letters between family and friends. Additionally, there are biographical materials that provide further information on Scott and his times.

Statement of Arrangement

The Jim Scott papers have been organized in the following series:
Series 1: Correspondence and Materials Related to Bookselling
Series 2: Jim Scott and Ernest J. Wessen Correspondence
Series 3: Personal Materials
Subseries 1: Personal Correspondence
Subseries 2: Biographical Materials


Preferred Citation

Jim Scott papers. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Acquisition Information

Frank Klein, whose family is mentioned in several pieces of Jim Scott's correspondence, donated this collection to Special Collections and Archives.

Subject Headings
The following subjects are found in this collection:

Subjects:
Scott, Jim, 1887-1950 -- Archives.
Booksellers and bookselling -- Ohio -- Akron.
Booksellers and bookselling -- United States.
Antiquarian booksellers -- United States.
Rare books -- Collectors and collecting -- United States.
Persons:
Wessen, Ernest James, 1887-1974.
Pegler, J. Westbrook (James Westbrook), 1894-1969.
Organizations/Corporations:
Middlebury Book Shop (Akron, Ohio)
Functions:
Booksellers and bookselling.
Places:
Akron (Ohio)
Occupations:
Booksellers and bookselling.
Antiquarian booksellers.
Material Types:
Correspondence.



Detailed Description of the Collection

Series 1: Correspondence and Materials Related to Bookselling, 1938-1947
Box 1 / Folder 1
Westbrook Pegler to Jim Scott, December 15, 1938
Box 1 / Folder 2
Jim Scott to Westbrook Pegler, December 22, 1938
Box 1 / Folder 3
Westbrook Pegler to Jim Scott, January 31, 1939
Box 1 / Folder 4
Jim Scott to Westbrook Pegler, February 2, 1939
Box 1 / Folder 5
Jacob S. Payton to Jim Scott, August 11, 1939
Box 1 / Folder 6
C. J. to Jim Scott, September 20, 1940
Box 1 / Folder 7
Jim Scott to W. P. Kellam, July 9, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 8
W. P. Kellam to Jim Scott, July 16, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 9
Jim Scott to Richard F. Stevens, July 16, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 10
Julia Moore to Jim Scott, July 17, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 11
W. P. Kellam to Jim Scott, July 18, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 12
Jim Scott to A. M. Tilden, July 25, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 13
Jim Scott to Thomas Campbell, July 26, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 14
A. M. Tilden to Jim Scott, July 28, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 15
W. P. Kellam to Jim Scott, July 29, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 16
Richard F. Stevens to Jim Scott, July 29, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 17
Jim Scott to New York Herald Tribune, July 31, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 18
Jacob Blanck to Jim Scott, August 4, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 19
Jim Scott to Fuller Nance, August 6, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 20
Jim Scott to Richard F. Stevens, August 7, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 21
Jim Scott to A. M. Tilden, August 9, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 22
William E. Haskell to Jim Scott, August 11, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 23
Frank K. Walter to Jim Scott, August 11, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 24
Jim Scott to William H. Vodrey, August 16, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 25
A. M. Tilden to Jim Scott, August 21, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 26
Mrs. Robert McGuire to Jim Scott, September 3, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 27
Sophie P. White to Jim Scott, November 8, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 28
Jim Scott to the librarian of Rollins College, December 2, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 29
Jim Scott to Virginia Etheredge, December 8, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 30
Jim Scott to Kansas State Historical Society, December 16, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 31
Helen M. McFarland to Jim Scott, December 18, 1941
Box 1 / Folder 32
Porter Loring to Jim Scott, January 19, 1942
Box 1 / Folder 33
Jim Scott to Wright Howes, January 27, 1942
Box 1 / Folder 34
Henry C. Friedman to Jim Scott, March 22, 1942
Box 1 / Folder 35
Henry C. Friedman to Jim Scott, March 26, 1942
Box 1 / Folder 36
Jim Scott to Henry C. Friedman, April 8, 1942
Box 1 / Folder 37
Jim Scott to Lincoln Memorial University, April 10. 1942
Box 1 / Folder 38
Jim Scott to Fannie Wilcox, April 14, 1942
Box 1 / Folder 39
Jim Scott to J. W. Bay, April 17, 1942
Box 1 / Folder 40
Jim Scott to Henry C. Friedman, April 23, 1942
Box 1 / Folder 41
Jim Scott to Frank, August 16, 1942
Box 1 / Folder 42
Jim Scott to Mrs. Thomas E. Smith, January 4, 1945
Box 1 / Folder 43
Walter F. Tunks to Jim Scott, March 27, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 44
Jim Scott to Goodyear Tire & Rubber, March 30, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 45
E. Everhart Jr. to Jim Scott, April 5, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 46
Jim Scott to O. Miles Ewell, April 11, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 47
O. Miles Ewell to Jim Scott, April 15, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 48
Jim Scott to Alfred Goldsmith, May 4, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 49
Jim Scott to the Public Library of New London, Connecticut, May 4, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 50
Paul to Jim Scott, May 15, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 51
Jim Scott to Halle Bros. Co., May 28, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 52
Jim Scott to Joseph W. Faulkner, May 29, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 53
Veronica Hutchinson to Jim Scott, May 29, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 54
Jim Scott to International Harvester Company, June 8, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 55
Jim Scott to Mount Vernon Public Library, June 11, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 56
Loraine C. Weber to Jim Scott, June 11, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 57
Jim Scott to Veronica Hutchinson, June 21, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 58
Jim Scott to New York Public Library, June 25, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 59
Jim Scott to the Public Library of New London, Connecticut, June 28, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 60
National Distillers Products Corporation to Jim Scott, July 3, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 61
Earle P. Hambly to Jim Scott, July 5, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 62
Jim Scott to National Distillers Products Corporation, July 6, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 63
Paul North Rice to Jim Scott, July 17, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 64
Charles A. Pfahl to Jim Scott, August 2, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 65
Jim Scott to Carl M. White, August 12, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 66
Jim Scott to D. B. Hepburn, August 13, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 67
Maurice F. Tauber to Jim Scott, August 16, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 68
King Bros. Bookstore to Jim Scott, August 17, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 69
Jim Scott to Maurice F. Tauber, August 22, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 70
Maurice F. Tauber to Jim Scott, August 26, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 71
Earle P. Hambly to Jim Scott, September 11, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 72
Jim Scott to Beauford Jester, September 14, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 73
Jim Scott to Procter & Gamble Company, September 18, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 74
David Markowitz to Jim Scott, September 20, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 75
Jim Scott to Parker, September 22, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 76
Jim Scott to Earle P. Hambly, September 28, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 77
Earle P. Hambly to Jim Scott, October 7, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 78
Book Collection of E. R. Meyer to Jim Scott, December 13, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 79
Jim Scott to Stanley G. Remington, December 13, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 80
Fred Greger to Jim Scott, December 20, 1946
Box 1 / Folder 81
M. A. Newberry to Jim Scott, January 2, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 82
Julian D. Martin to Jim Scott, January 3, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 83
Stanley G. Remington to Jim Scott, January 4, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 84
Jim Scott to Charleston Public Library, January 27, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 85
Marion A. Cox to Jim Scott, January 28, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 86
Jim Scott to Harvey C. Minnich, February 4, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 87
Jim Scott to Collacott, February 9, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 88
Jim Scott to Harvey C. Minnich, February 10, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 89
Emily Sanders to Jim Scott, February 11, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 90
Jim Scott to Fred Smith, February 11, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 91
Harvey C. Minnich to Jim Scott, February 13, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 92
T. J. D. (Remington Book Stores) to Jim Scott, February 20, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 93
Jim Scott to Randolph G. Adams, March 11, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 94
A. H. Wilson to Jim Scott, March 14, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 95
John S. Van E. Kohn to Jim Scott, March 17, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 96
Dich Beckwick to Jim Scott, March 20, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 97
Randolph G. Adams to Jim Scott, March 25, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 98
Jim Scott to Colgate-Palmolive Company, May 5, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 99
Jim Scott to the Public Library of Youngstown, Ohio, May 5, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 100
Jim Scott to Carl, July 3, 1947
Box 1 / Folder 101
Alan W. Farley to Jim Scott, undated
Box 1 / Folder 102
Jim Scott to Frank H. James, undated
Box 1 / Folder 103
Jim Scott to Jacob S. Payton, undated
Box 1 / Folder 104
Unidentified to Jim Scott, undated
Box 1 / Folder 105
List of books with comments, undated

Series 2: Jim Scott and Ernest J. Wessen Correspondence, 1942-1949
Box 2 / Folder 1
Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, January 15, 1942
Box 2 / Folder 2
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, January 16, 1942
Box 2 / Folder 3
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, January 22, 1942
Box 2 / Folder 4
Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, March 3, 1942
Box 2 / Folder 5
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, April 7, 1942
Box 2 / Folder 6
Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, April 20, 1942
Box 2 / Folder 7
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, April 21, 1942
Box 2 / Folder 8
Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, June 17, 1942
Box 2 / Folder 9
Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, July 3, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 10
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, July 5, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 11
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, July 8, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 12
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, July 18, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 13
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, July 21, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 14
Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, July 22, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 15
Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, July 22, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 16
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, July 29, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 17
Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, August 1, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 18
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, August 2, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 19
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, August 11, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 20
Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, August 14, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 21
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, August 18, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 22
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, December 7, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 23
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, January 10, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 24
Jim Scott Ernest J. Wessen, January 13, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 25
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, January 14, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 26
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, January 23, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 27
Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, January 24, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 28
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, February 2, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 29
Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, February 4, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 30
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, February 5, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 31
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, February 10, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 32
Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, February 12, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 33
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, February 13, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 34
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, February 18, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 35
Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, February 20, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 36
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, February 22, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 37
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, March 3, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 38
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, March 12, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 39
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, March 14, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 40
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, March 17, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 41
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, April 17, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 42
Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, April 20, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 43
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, April 21, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 44
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, April 26, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 45
Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, April 26, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 46
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, May 3, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 47
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 48
Ernest J. Wessen to Jim Scott, July 12, 1949
Box 2 / Folder 49
Jim Scott to Ernest J. Wessen, undated

Series 3: Personal Materials, 1939-1985

Subseries 1: Personal Correspondence, 1941-1947
Box 2 / Folder 50
Jim Scott to Ben, January 26, 1941
Box 2 / Folder 51
Ernest J. Wessen to Lionel M. Swicker, January 27, 1941
Box 2 / Folder 52
Jim Scott to Jake, May 28, 1941
Box 2 / Folder 53
Jim Scott to Emily Gibson, August 7, 1941
Box 2 / Folder 54
Jim Scott to H. Carpenter, December 19, 1941
Box 2 / Folder 55
Jim Scott to George W. Biddle, January 21, 1942
Box 2 / Folder 56
Jim Scott to Screech, January 26, 1942
Box 2 / Folder 57
Jim Scott to George W. Biddle, January 28, 1942
Box 2 / Folder 58
Jim Scott to Harold H. Bredlow, February 28, 1943
Box 2 / Folder 59
Jim Scott to Harold H. Bredlow, September 23, 1943
Box 2 / Folder 60
Unidentified to Jim Scott, September 13, 1944
Box 2 / Folder 61
Jack to Jim Scott, April 21, 1945
Box 2 / Folder 62
Jim Scott to John Dickson, March 20, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 63
Jim Scott to Roelif Loveland, May 10, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 64
Roelif Loveland to Jim Scott, May 14, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 65
Jim Scott to Sam Loveman, July 16, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 66
Jim Scott to Jerry, August 19, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 67
Elizabeth Cother to Jim Scott, October 31, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 68
Jim Scott to Ida Goshkin, November 22, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 69
Anthony Cusher to Jim Scott, December 6, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 70
Charles A. Gates to Jim Scott, December 11, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 71
Ray Bliss to Jim Scott, January 4, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 72
Jim Scott to Jerry, January 8, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 73
Jim Scott to Ed Stevens, January 26, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 74
Jim Scott to P. W. Litchfield, January 27, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 75
P. W. Litchfield to Jim Scott, February 3, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 76
Jim Scott to Bill Wilson, April 9, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 77
Margaret R. Burger to Maurice McGiffen, April 18, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 78
W. Ray Hogue to Jim Scott, April 18, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 79
Al to Jim Scott, undated
Box 2 / Folder 80
Frank W. Collins to Jim Scott, undated
Box 2 / Folder 81
Hugh Allen Galt to Jim Scott, undated
Box 2 / Folder 82
Jerry to Jim Scott, undated
Box 2 / Folder 83
Jerry to Jim Scott, undated
Box 2 / Folder 84
Sam Loveman to Jim Scott, undated
Box 2 / Folder 85
Hiedi Scott to Jim Scott, undated
Box 2 / Folder 86
Hiedi Scott to Jim Scott, undated
Box 2 / Folder 87
Jackie Scott to Kitty, undated
Box 2 / Folder 88
Yvonne to Jim Scott, undated

Subseries 2: Biographical Materials, 1939-1985
Box 2 / Folder 89
Biographical Information on Hugh Allen Galt, 1947
Box 2 / Folder 90
Biographical Information on Jim Scott, 1939-1985
Box 2 / Folder 91
Information on Children to Palestine, 1946
Box 2 / Folder 92
Unidentified Writings, undated