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Paul Zimmer and James McKean papers
Special Collections and Archives
Paul Zimmer and James McKean papers
Special Collections and Archives
Paul Zimmer and James McKean papers
- Repository: Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
- Title: Paul Zimmer and James McKean papers
- Inclusive Date(s): 1989-2019
- Author: Finding aid prepared by Penny McKean, Jim McKean, and Cara Gilgenbach
- Creation: Finding aid encoded by Cara Gilgenbach using the OhioLINK EAD Application in 2022
- Origination: McKean, James, 1946 July 4-
- Extent: .33 cubic feet (1 document case)
- Physical Location: 11th Floor
- Finding Aid Identifier: OhKeUSC0217
- Abstract: A collection of correspondence and related materials spanning thirty years between writers Paul Zimmer and James (Jim) McKean. The bulk of the contents are letters written by Zimmer to McKean, but several files include draft poems and other writing of McKean with commentary or notes by Zimmer.
- Language(s): The records are in English
Biography of Paul Zimmer and James McKean
Paul Zimmer: Paul Zimmer was born in Canton, Ohio in 1934. After attending Kent State University until 1959, he worked as a news reporter for the United States Army from 1954-1955 and covered atomic bomb tests in Nevada. In 1967, Zimmer began his publishing career with the University of Pittsburgh Press, and his first book, The Ribs of Death, was published. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree from Kent State University in 1968. Zimmer served as director of a number of university presses. His own publications include A Seed in the Wind (1960), The Ribs of Death (1967), The Republic of Many Voices (1969), The Zimmer Poems (1976), With Wanda: Town and Country Poems (1980), Family Reunion: Selected and New Poems (1983), The Great Bird of Love (1989), Big Blue Train (1993), Crossing Into Sunlight (1996), After the Fire (2002), Trains in the Distance (2004). Zimmer's work has been recognized through numerous awards and honors including an Open Book Award from the American Society of Journalists and Authors, six Pushcart Prizes, selection for the National Poetry Series, a Helen Bullis Memorial Award, and two National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowships. Paul Zimmer died on October 26, 2019.
James McKean: James McKean writes poetry and nonfiction. He has published two books of essays: Home Stand: Growing Up in Sports, and Bound; and three books of poems, Headlong, Tree of Heaven, and We Are the Bus. Headlong won a 1987 Great Lakes Colleges Association's New Writer Award, Tree of Heaven won a 1994 Iowa Poetry Prize, and We Are the Bus won the 2011 X.J. Kennedy poetry prize from Texas Review Press. His work has appeared in magazines and collections such as The Atlantic, Iowa Review, The Southern Review, the Best American Sports Writing 2003, and Basketball: Great Writing About America's Game. In 2006, he received a Pushcart Prize. He lives in Edmonds, WA, and teaches for the Queens M.F.A. creative writing program and the Tinker Mountain Writers' Workshop.
Historical Note on the Zimmer-McKean Correspondence. Written by James McKean, October 2022: I first came across a Paul Zimmer poem in the Winter 1974-75 issue of Poetry Northwest. I had the issue in hand because the editor David Wagoner had included a poem of mine, one of the first I ever published. When I opened Poetry Northwest to find my small contribution, the first poem I discovered was Paul's "Zimmer the Drugstore Cowboy." I was immediately taken with the voice, the language, the self-deprecation, and the unique sense of humor. Published in the same issue of Poetry Northwest with Paul Zimmer, I felt in wonderful company. Over the next thirteen years, I knew Zimmer only through his poems, which I admired and aspired to. His celebrations of the joys and sorrows of being alive were moving and made sense to me. My only contact with Paul during that time was a hand-written rejection from him after I had submitted a manuscript to his Georgia Poetry Series. His note was kind and encouraging.
In 1981 I finished an MFA at the Iowa Writers' Workshop, and began circulating my manuscript of poems for publication. In 1986, after several years of teaching English in another state, my wife and I decided to return to the University of Iowa in Iowa City, where I began working on a Ph.D. in English. The University of Utah Poetry had just accepted my first book of poetry Headlong, to be published in 1987. I don't remember how Paul and I first met. Director of the University of Iowa Press since 1984, he was interested in supporting a community of poets and started a poets' luncheon in Iowa City. After Headlong was published, he invited me a number of times.
In 1990, I finished the Ph.D. and found work at Mount Mercy College in Cedar Rapids. IA. Then in 1992, Paul asked if I would consider being a reader for his Iowa Poetry Series. I agreed and our correspondence and friendship began in earnest. In 1994, I was honored when Paul picked my second book Tree of Heaven for the Iowa Poetry Series. For the next twenty-seven years, Paul and I stayed in contact. We shared our poems and prose, asking for critiques and comments. We kept track of each other, our work, our families, our travels and adventures and the changes in our lives. Paul was a mentor, an attentive and sometimes stern coach, and a very astute reader. I valued his critical insights, his advice, and I was pleased that he valued mine. I always looked forward to hearing from him, by phone, by postcard or by his fascinating letters. He was a sympathetic and guiding spirit. Above all, I valued his friendship. He called me "Uncle Jim," and I called him "Uncle Paul," terms that made me feel included in Paul's "family," part of a greater circle of poets and writers that Paul listened to, cared for, and supported.
Scope and Content
The collection is comprised of letters, often accompanied by draft poems, essays, or other writing by the authors. Many of the drafts include annotations or comments. The correspondence spans thirty years.
Statement of Arrangement
The collection is organized chronologically with an undated item filed at the end of the collection.
Related Material
Kent State University also houses the Paul Zimmer papers.
Processing Information
Penny McKean created a detailed, item-level catalog of the contents of this collection. The description of items in this collection are taken directly from Penny McKean's catalog. Other elements of the finding aid were created by Cara Gilgenbach. Dates were supplied by letters themselves, or if undated, a postmark date (if available). Other dates were estimated by the McKeans when organizing the collection. The format of the date information for each entry in the finding aid listing has been normalized to the YYYY-MM-DD format (year, month, day). The McKean biographical note and background on the Zimmer-McKean relationship was written by James McKean.
Restrictions on Use
Copyright of materials in this collection is retained by the Paul Zimmer estate and by James McKean. Please contact the Department of Special Collections & Archives for copyright inquiries.
Preferred Citation
Paul Zimmer and James McKean papers. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.
Acquisition Information
The collection was donated to Special Collections & Archives by James McKean in July 2022, with a small addition made to the collection in August and October 2022.
Controlled Access Headings
The following are found in this collection:
- Subjects:
- American poetry -- 20th century
- American poetry -- 21st century
- Persons:
- McKean, James, 1946 July 4-
- Zimmer, Paul
- Functions:
- American poetry -- Authorship
- Poetry -- Authorship
- Occupations:
- Poets
- Poets, American
- Material Types:
- Personal correspondence
- Correspondence
- Postcards
- Manuscripts, American
- Poetry
Detailed Description of the Collection
- Box 1 / Folder 1
- Postcard, 1989-10-18
- Scope and Content
- Postcard, painting of William Wordsworth, dated 10/18/89: typed: "Dear Jim, Jorie Graham and I have cooked up an idea..." Signed in ink "Paul." Not addressed, not postmarked.
- Box 1 / Folder 2
- Postcard, 1989-12-07
- Scope and Content
- Postcard, photo of Count Basie, dated 12/7/1989: typed: "Dear Jim, Alas and welladay!..." Signed in ink "Paul."
- Box 1 / Folder 3
- Letter, 1991-05-29
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated May 29, 1991: typed on U of Iowa Press stationery: "Dear Jim, Thank you for your powerful help... " Signed in ink "Paul."
- Box 1 / Folder 4
- Letter, 1991-06-18
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, with envelope postmarked 19 Jun 1991, dated June 18, 1991: typed on U of Iowa Press stationery: "Dear Jim, Just to let you know of a distressing development... " Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 5
- Postcard, 1992-11-03
- Scope and Content
- Postcard, photo of Dylan Thomas, dated 11/3/1992: typed: "Dear Uncle Jim, You are a peach!..." Signed in ink "Paul."
- Box 1 / Folder 6
- Poem by Zimmer with Note, 1994-07-14
- Scope and Content
- Two pages, poem by Paul Zimmer, printed out and dated 07/14/94, with a handwritten note in red ink from Zimmer: "Jim, I need your help bigtime on this one..." Signed in ink "PZ."
- Box 1 / Folder 7
- Letter, 1997-07-20
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated 7/20/1997: typed on plain, copy paper: "Uncle Jim, This will be waiting for you in the stacks...." Rest of the letter is missing. Zimmer's editorial comments concern McKean's piece "Playing for Jud."
- Box 1 / Folder 8
- Postcard, 1997-09-15
- Scope and Content
- Postcard, Iowa Press, dated 9/15/1997: Handwritten in ink: "Dear Jim, I sent a note to Lindberg..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 9
- Letter, 1998-02-22
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated February 22, 1998: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Thanks for your letter and offer to take another glimmer..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 10
- Letter, 1998-09-05
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated September 5, 1998: typed on plain copy paper: "Dear Uncle Jim, I am looking at the calendar and despairing..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 11
- Letter, 1999-03-17
- Box 1 / Folder 12
- Letter with McKean Draft Poem, 2000-03-08
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, with envelope, dated March 8, 2000: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Wichita is...interesting." Signed in ink. Also included: draft of a McKean poem, "Shopping for Miracles, Chimayo, NM" with Zimmer's handwritten editorial comments in the margins.
- Box 1 / Folder 13
- Letter, 2000-12-29
- Scope and Content
- Letter, two sheets, dated December 29, 2000: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Guess what? It is snowing...." Signed in ink. Handwritten marginal notes and a ps.
- Box 1 / Folder 14
- Letter, 2001-03-07
- Scope and Content
- Letter, two sheets, dated March 7, 2001: typed on Zimmer's stationery/Hollins U address: "Dear Uncle Jim, We are doing fine here..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 15
- Letter, 2001-06-02
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated June 2, 2001: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Sorry to burden you. You've seen a previous version of this..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 16
- Letter, 2001-06-11
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated June 11, 2001: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, I figure you'll want to strike this iron while it's hot..." Signed in ink. Handwritten marginal notes and ps.
- Box 1 / Folder 17
- Letter, 2001-07-12
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated July 12, 2001: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Great time with the kids..." Signed in ink. Handwritten ps.
- Box 1 / Folder 18
- Letter, 2001-09-05
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated 9/5/01: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, As I said on the phone, "The Art of Recovery"..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 19
- Letter, 2001-11-09
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated November 9, 2001: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, You've got a jump start on a dandy with "Seven-Step Procedure"..." Signed in ink, with a typed ps.
- Box 1 / Folder 20
- Letter, 2001-12-15
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet (approx. 3.5" x 5.5"), with envelope postmarked 15 Dec 2001, dated 12/15/01, handwritten in ink: Zimmer's note paper/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Thanks for your critique of the Mets piece..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 21
- Letter, 2002-01-28
- Scope and Content
- Letter, dated Jan 28, 2002, handwritten in ink on yellow, lined paper: "Dear Uncle Jim, I have your new essay draft..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 22
- Letter, 2002-02-05
- Scope and Content
- Letter, four sheets, dated February 5, 2002: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Back after a fine visit with our kiddies in Jawjaw..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 23
- Letter with McKean Draft Letter, 2002-02-22
- Scope and Content
- Letter, one sheet, dated February 22, 2002: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Thank you for the wonderful critique of Rose Court..." Signed in ink. Also included: a draft (three sheets) of a letter written by McKean, with Zimmer's handwritten editorial comments in the margins.
- Box 1 / Folder 24
- Letter, 2002-04-22
- Scope and Content
- Letter, one sheet, dated April 22, 2002: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Our trip was wonderful and Puivert was a wonderful nest..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 25
- Letter, 2002-05-10
- Scope and Content
- Letter, two sheets, dated May 10, 2002: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, I stagger in from doing our back 40 with my old Iowa City Honda push mower..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 26
- Letter, 2002-06-17
- Scope and Content
- Letter, one sheet, dated June 17, 2002: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, I have been thinking about you and hoping... My son Erik..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 27
- Letter, 2002-08-09
- Scope and Content
- Letter, one sheet, dated August 9, 2002: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, I'll get this right back to you...D-Altered..." Signed in ink with "Love, Pops." With a handwritten note in the margin.
- Box 1 / Folder 28
- Letter with McKean Draft, 2002-11-08
- Scope and Content
- Letter, one sheet, dated November 8, 2002: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, It's perfect of course. I have only a few suggestions..." Signed in ink. Handwritten marginal note on the letter. Includes: eight pages of a McKean draft with Zimmer's handwritten editorial comments in the margins.
- Box 1 / Folder 29
- Postcard, 2002-11-13
- Box 1 / Folder 30
- Letter, 2002-11-25
- Scope and Content
- Letter, one sheet, with envelope, dated November 25, 2002: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Hunting season began two days ago..." Signed in ink. Typewritten ps. Handwritten pps.
- Box 1 / Folder 31
- Letter, 2003-01-05
- Scope and Content
- Letter, two sheets, with envelope, dated January 5, 2003: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, We had a merry time up on the ridge with the kids at Christmas..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 32
- Letter with McKean Draft Poems, 2003-03-31
- Box 1 / Folder 33
- Letter, 2003-05-09
- Box 1 / Folder 34
- Letter, 2003-05-14
- Scope and Content
- Letter, two sheets, dated May 14, 2003: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, This is the second day of the treatment and I am doing okay..." Signed in ink. Handwritten: "Onward!"
- Box 1 / Folder 35
- Postcard, 2003-06-03
- Scope and Content
- Postcard, plain, dated 6/3/03: handwritten in ink: "Dear Uncle Jim, Feeling much better..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 36
- Letter, 2003-06-06
- Box 1 / Folder 37
- Letter, 2003-06-23
- Scope and Content
- Letter, two sheets, dated June 23, 2003: Zimmer's stationery/WI address: typed: "Dear Uncle Jim, I can't figure out why this is printing in what looks like a bold format. My grandson..." Signed in ink with "Love, Uncle Paul."
- Box 1 / Folder 38
- Letter, 2003-07-14
- Scope and Content
- Letter, dated July 14, 2003: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Here is a draft of an essay on plumage..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 39
- Letter with McKean Draft Essay, 2003-08-24
- Box 1 / Folder 40
- Letter, 2003-11-04
- Scope and Content
- Letter, one sheet, with envelope, dated November 4, 2003: Handwritten in ink on Zimmer stationery with border decoration: "Dear Uncle Jim, Thank you for sending the essay volume. I'm flattered to have been listed as a notable essayist..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 41
- Letter, 2004-03-25
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated March 25, 2004: handwritten in ink on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Please help me with this. Solve all my problems..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 42
- Letter, 2004-07-21
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated July 21, 2004: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, You are a peach for saying you'll take a look at this..." Signed in ink. One corner is torn away, and there are some Jim McKean scribbles on the back of the sheet.
- Box 1 / Folder 43
- Letter, 2004-12-03
- Scope and Content
- Letter, two sheets, dated December 3, 2004: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, I've read your rewrite of Rootie Kazootie and think you've done some fine work ..." Signed in ink. Handwritten ps. and pps. in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 44
- Letter with McKean Draft, 2005-03-14
- Scope and Content
- Letter, with envelope, dated March 14, 2005: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Jim, Not much cooking these days in Soldiers Grove..." Signed in ink. Handwritten marginal note in ink. Includes: four pages of a McKean draft "Bull Trout and Bog Orchids," with Zimmer's editorial comments in pencil in the margins.
- Box 1 / Folder 45
- Letter, 2005-10-21
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated 10/21/05: handwritten in ink on lined, school notebook paper, torn from a spiral notebook: "Dear Uncle Jim, We return to the U.S. in four days, so I'll get this into the mail with notes before we leave..." Signed in ink with "Love, Uncle Paul."
- Box 1 / Folder 46
- Letter, 2006-01-12
- Scope and Content
- Letter, two sheets, dated January 12, 2006: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, It is quiet in Soldiers Grove Heights these days..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 47
- Letter with Zimmer Poem, 2006-03-24
- Scope and Content
- Letter, with envelope, dated 3/24/06: handwritten in ink on lined, yellow paper: "Dear Uncle Jim, Thanks for your always perceptive comments ..." Signed in ink. Includes a Zimmer poem "New York 3, Soldiers Grove 97."
- Box 1 / Folder 48
- Letter, 2006-07-20
- Scope and Content
- Letter, two sheets, with envelope postmarked Jul 20, 2006: typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, I thank you for your good help with Hyacinthe and the Bear..." Signed in ink, with a ps. handwritten in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 49
- Letter, 2006-07-23
- Scope and Content
- Letter, one sheet, dated July 23, 2006, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Please take a squint at this for me..." Signed in ink. Zimmer's work isn't included with the letter. McKean probably wrote his comments on it and returned it to Zimmer.
- Box 1 / Folder 50
- Letter, 2007-10-05
- Scope and Content
- Letter, two sheets, dated October, 5, 2007, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, I honestly don't have a lot to say about Bus. I've seen most of these poems before..." Notes in ink in the margins. Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 51
- Letter with McKean Essay, 2007-01-11
- Scope and Content
- Letter, three sheets, dated January 11, 2007, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, "Have a Heart" is a very good narrative... Signed in ink. Includes: five pages of an essay by McKean titled "Have a Heart," with Zimmer's editorial comments (in pencil) in the margins.
- Box 1 / Folder 52
- McKean Poem with Zimmer Comments, 2007-10-08
- Scope and Content
- Three pages, a McKean poem titled "Quicksilver," in an envelope from Zimmer, postage dated 08 October 2007, with Zimmer's handwritten comments in the margins, in ink. Zimmer added a gold star to the first page of the poem.
- Box 1 / Folder 53
- Letter, 2008-01-30
- Scope and Content
- Letter, two sheets, with envelope (postmarked 05 Feb 2008), dated January 30, 2008, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, I'm sorry to have become such an unreliable correspondent..." Signed in ink. There are Jim McKean scribbles on the back of the envelope.
- Box 1 / Folder 54
- Letter, 2008-04-01
- Scope and Content
- Letter, two sheets, dated April Fools, 2008, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, To show you how daffy I've become, I had your last letter in my hand and was walking around the library getting ready to write to you..." Signed in ink. Handwritten note in ink at the end.
- Box 1 / Folder 55
- Letter with McKean Poems, 2008-05-20
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, with envelope, dated 5/20/08, handwritten in ink on lined notepaper: "Dear Uncle Jim, Thanks for your (cmts?) (an abbreviation for comments?). I'm kind of low on gas these days, so can't write a letter, but here are your poems..." Signed in ink, and includes: three poems written by Jim McKean with Zimmer's editorial comments (in pencil) in the margins.
- Box 1 / Folder 56
- Letter, 2008-05-29
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated 5/29/08, handwritten in ink on lined notepaper: "Dear Uncle Jim, I know you are off doing your various heroics, but when you have a moment, I'd be grateful..." Signed in ink, with a ps. Zimmer's work is not included.
- Box 1 / Folder 57
- Letter, 2008-06-11
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated June 11, 2008, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, This is a sad area right now, with the little towns around us underwater and ruined by these floods..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 58
- Letter, 2008-07-05
- Scope and Content
- Letter, two sheets, dated July 5, 2008, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, I know you are on a melancholy journey, and this will be waiting for you when you return..." Signed in ink. Typewritten ps.
- Box 1 / Folder 59
- Letter, 2008-08-04
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated August 4, 2008, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, An incredible thing happened the other day..." Signed in Ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 60
- Postcard, 2008-08-26
- Scope and Content
- Postcard, plain, dated 8/26/08, handwritten in ink: "Dear Uncle Jim, Good McKean! Thank you for wading through the potato patch and giving me such good comments to work with..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 61
- Letter with McKean Poem, 2008-09-07
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated September 7, 2008, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, I've gone through your poems and made some notes on this..." Signed in ink. Includes eight pages of poems by Jim McKean, with Zimmer's handwritten comments in pencil in the margins.
- Box 1 / Folder 62
- McKean Poem, 2008-10-06
- Scope and Content
- Single sheet, with envelope postmarked 06 Oct 2008, a poem by Jim McKean titled "The Duke Plays Milwaukee," with Zimmer's handwritten notes and comments (in ink and pencil) in the margins.
- Box 1 / Folder 63
- Letter, 2009-02-22
- Scope and Content
- Letter, two sheets, dated February 22, 2009, typed on Zimmer's stationery/TN address: Dear Uncle Jim, We landed comfortably in Knoxville. Our little apartment is a twenty minute walk..." Signed in ink, with a typed ps. and a handwritten note at the end.
- Box 1 / Folder 64
- Letter, 2009-04-19
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated 4/19/09, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: Dear Uncle Jim, We're winding it up here and should be back at the above address by May Day or so..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 65
- Letter, 2009-06-12
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated June 12, 2009, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Please take a look at this story that I completed recently..." Signed in ink. Zimmer's work not included. Note written in ink by Jim McKean at the bottom: "returned 7/3/09."
- Box 1 / Folder 66
- Letter, 2009-07-08
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, with envelope, dated July 8, 2009, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Thank you for your, as always, very intelligent and useful comments on "Brief Lives..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 67
- Letter, 2009
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, no date but circa Fall 2009, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Could you help me out? I think I told you that I've been invited to teach a workshop at Luther College in Decorah in January for their three week "winter term..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 68
- Letter, 2010-03-14
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, yellow note paper, with Zimmer's WI address at the top, handwritten in ink, dated March 14, 2010: "Dear Uncle Jim, Something for you to roll your good eyes through..." Signed, with a ps., in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 69
- Letter, 2010-before April/May
- Scope and Content
- Letter, two sheets, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address, not dated, circa 2010: "Dear Uncle Jim, This is becoming a very smooth and solid piece..." Signed in ink. The letter discusses a McKean essay, "South Pine Natives," which was published in Iowa Outdoors Magazine, May/June 2011. The letter also mentions that a small press called Settlement House Books in Maryland is going to publish a selection of Zimmer poems.
- Box 1 / Folder 70
- Postcard, 2010-04-05
- Scope and Content
- Postcard, announcing publication of "The Importance of Being Zimmer," published by Settlement House Books, dated 4/5/10, handwritten in ink: "Dear Uncle Jim, Thank you most profoundly for your comments and helps on my syllabus..." Signed: "love, Zimmer."
- Box 1 / Folder 71
- Postcard, 2010-05-01
- Scope and Content
- Postcard, photo of the Chateau de Puivert, posted from France, handwritten in ink, dated May Day 2010: "Dear Jim & Penny, Here it is, and we are so glad to be back after three years..." Signed in ink "Love, Paul & Sue." Address quirk: Zimmer has addressed the postcard to Bill Ford's address, so Bill may have handed it to Jim? Maybe Bill's postcard from Zimmer went to McKean's address?
- Box 1 / Folder 72
- Letter, 2010-06-11
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, yellow note paper, with Zimmer's WI address at the top, handwritten in ink, dated 6/11/10: "Dear Uncle Jim, Here is the poem I mentioned..." Signed in ink "Love, Uncle Paul."
- Box 1 / Folder 73
- Letter with McKean Poem, 2010-07-03
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, with envelope, on yellow note paper with Zimmer's WI address at the top, with envelope, dated July 3, 2010, handwritten in ink: "Dear Papa McK., (aka Uncle Jim), This is a good poem, me thinks ... Signed in ink: "Love, Uncle Paul." Includes one sheet, a poem written by Jim McKean titled "Tide," with Zimmer's editorial comments written in the margins in pencil.
- Box 1 / Folder 74
- Postcard, 2010-07-07
- Scope and Content
- Postcard, announcing "Bloomsday" from Driftless Books, Viroqua, WI, dated July 7, 2010, handwritten in ink: "Dear Uncle Jim, Thank you for your good mind... Signed: "PZ"
- Box 1 / Folder 75
- Letter, 2010-09-28
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated September 28, 2010, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Your summer sounds like a hair-raiser.... Signed in ink: "Love, Paul."
- Box 1 / Folder 76
- Letter, 2020-10-04
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, on yellow note paper with Zimmer's WI address at the top, dated 10/4/10, handwritten in ink: "Dear Uncle Jim, A favor. My publisher tells me it is hard to sell poetry books in this new age ..." Signed in ink "Many thanks, And love, Paul."
- Box 1 / Folder 77
- Postcard, 2010-12-08
- Scope and Content
- Postcard, announcing publication of "The Importance of Being Zimmer" by Settlement House Books, dated 12/8/10, handwritten in ink: "Aloha, Uncle Jim, A white whale in the Pacific. It's nice to be retired, isn't it..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 78
- Letter, 2011-01-30
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, on yellow note paper with Zimmer's WI address at the top, dated 1/30/11, handwritten in ink: "Dear Unca (sic) Jim, I'm sorry. I meant to get these poems with notes back to you before we left for Luther..." Signed in ink "Love, Paul."
- Box 1 / Folder 79
- Letter, 2011-03-12
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated March 12, 2011, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, This is wonderful stuff, and you've already got a good leg up on it..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 80
- Letter, 2011-05-06
- Scope and Content
- Letter, with envelope (postmarked 08 Jun 2011), single sheet, on yellow note paper with Zimmer's WI address at the top, dated 5/6/11, handwritten in ink: Dear Uncle Jim, Are you okay? You were going to send me mss when we last met in I.C., but my mailbox is empty. Erik comes next week with his family, sans Aaron, my grandson, who is now 24 ..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 81
- Letter, 2011-07-19
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated July 19, 2011, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Most of what I want to say to you about Lilac Sketch is included in my notes on the story." Signed in ink, with a handwritten ps. in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 82
- Postcard, 2011-09-15
- Scope and Content
- Postcard, photo "A Picker's Delight" by Paul Bransky, dated Sept 15, 2011, handwritten in ink: "Dear Uncle Jim, Congratulations again on the poetry ms triumph-Bravo!" With a ps. at the top. Unsigned.
- Box 1 / Folder 83
- Letter, 2012-01-14
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated January 14, 1012 (sic), typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, I found my notes on the book and realize that I never sent you the letter I was going to write about it..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 84
- Postcard, 2012-05-19
- Scope and Content
- Postcard, announcing the publication of "The Importance of Being Zimmer," dated May 19, 2012, handwritten in ink: Dear Uncle Jim, I thank you as always for your extraordinary help..." Signed in ink "Love, Zimmer."
- Box 1 / Folder 85
- Letter, 2012-06-25
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated June 25, 2012, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, They've turned the heat jets on in Wisconsin...We are doing well enough here, although I take a lot of goddamned pills...My son sent me ... a baseball cap that says, "Atomic Veteran..." Signed in ink "Love, Paul."
- Box 1 / Folder 86
- Letter with Photograph, 2012-08-15
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, with envelope, dated August 15, 2012, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, That is hard, very difficult stuff for Penny. I'm glad you have a good plan now, but I don't envy you the week pacing in the Mayo Clinic..." Signed in ink. Includes a photocopy of a photo of Paul and Suzanne with their kids at the farm, jumping up in the air. McKean's scribbles on the back of the envelope.
- Box 1 / Folder 87
- Letter, 2021-08-26
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated August 26, 2012, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, Here's a kind of experiment poem for your eyes. I'd like very much to know your opinion..." Signed in ink. The poem included by Zimmer is lost.
- Box 1 / Folder 88
- Letter, 2013-01-13
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated January 13, 2013, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, I am slow, slow, slow these days. Sorry. I'll try to do better ..." Signed in ink with handwritten ps.
- Box 1 / Folder 89
- Letter with McKean Poems, 2013-spring
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, no date but circa spring 2013, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, What am I going to do with you? You don't listen to me. What are you? An ex-basketball player (congrats on your award!), a husband, father, ex-horseshoe player, But then what? A poet!..." Signed in ink. Includes four sheets, four poems written by Jim McKean with Zimmer's editorial comments written in pencil in the margins.
- Box 1 / Folder 90
- Letter, 2013-summer
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, no date but circa summer 2013, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, I seem to lose what ballplayers call "swift" as I approach my 79th birthday..." There's probably a second sheet of the letter missing. Unsigned.
- Box 1 / Folder 91
- Letter, 2013-09-06
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated September 6, 2013, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, I have made some marks on your wonderful essay about Penny's work. I think it is quite extraordinary...Sorry that this must be hasty, but we are trying to finish legal work on the sale of the French place ..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 92
- Postcard, 2014-01?
- Scope and Content
- Postcard, photo titled "A Picker's Delight" by Paul Bransky, no date, but circa 2014 (see postmark), handwritten in ink: "Happy New Year! Dear Uncle Jim, I just wanted you to know that I think you are terrific. I've been revising my atomic piece some more and using your notes..." Signed "Love, Zimmer."
- Box 1 / Folder 93
- Letter, 2014-04-29
- Scope and Content
- Letter, with envelope, two sheets, dated April 29, 2014, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, I am glad to hear from you....Something tried to take away my right arm a few weeks ago...Signed in ink "Love, Uncle Paul." Handwritten in ink, a lengthy ps. and a pps.
- Box 1 / Folder 94
- Letter, 2014-spring?
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, no date, circa 2014, handwritten in ink on sheet of lined, yellow notepaper with Zimmer's address stamped at the top: "Dear Uncle Jim, I am hard at work on your superb piece. Maybe I can help, but it's ... pretty good....My novel, The Mysteries of Soldiers Grove was recently accepted by the Permanent Press..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 95
- Postcard, 2014-06-28
- Scope and Content
- Postcard, The Parish Church, Bladon, dated 6/28/14, handwritten in ink: Dear Uncle Jim, Just a quick note (more later) to thank you for your always superb help on my dementia piece..." Signed in ink "Love, Paul."
- Box 1 / Folder 96
- Letter, 2014-08-06
- Scope and Content
- Letter, two sheets, dated August 6, 2014, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, I have read every word, most with extreme pleasure and admiration..." Signed in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 97
- Letter, 2014
- Scope and Content
- Letter, two sheets, undated but circa 2014, typed on Zimmer's stationery/WI address: "Dear Uncle Jim, I think your two pieces are terrific, and I will speak of them shortly. We are fine and getting a lot of good outdoor work done..." Signed in ink, and a ps. handwritten in ink.
- Box 1 / Folder 98
- Postcard, 2015-03
- Scope and Content
- Postcard, announcing publication of "The Importance of Being Zimmer," dated March 2015, handwritten in ink: "Dear Uncle Jim, I have a copy of Mysteries for Jan at Prairie Lights, and would like to seek a reading ...." Signed "Love, Paul."
- Box 1 / Folder 99
- Letter, 2015-03-08
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, dated March 8, 2015, typed on Zimmer's stationery with WI/address: "Dear Uncle Jim, I don't know what more I can say about Eurail Stop that I don't say in my notes enclosed with your ms. ... We had Justine here for the weekend. Nice. But I am a weary 80-year-old now, headed for a nap with our good cat, Segolene Royal. Sorry to be so brief, but energy slips. Signed in ink, with a handwritten ps.
- Box 1 / Folder 100
- McKean Draft with Zimmer Notes, 2015-03-20
- Scope and Content
- Two sheets, with envelope postmarked 20 Mar 2015, a draft of a McKean piece titled "For the French Gentleman Who Watched My Wife..." with Zimmer's editorial comments handwritten in ink on the second page: "Dear Uncle Jim, We are dealing with old age a bit here, so I hope this doesn't seem hasty..." Signed "Love, Uncle Paul" with a handwritten ps.
- Box 1 / Folder 101
- Letter with McKean Draft Poem, 2016-07-04
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single page, dated July 4, 2016, handwritten in ink on lined notepaper: "Dear Uncle Jim, The people down the hill tried to blow the place up with fireworks last night..." Signed "Love, Uncle Zimmer." Includes a draft of a poem by McKean titled "Anonymous Floribunda," with Zimmer's editorial comments handwritten in the margins.
- Box 1 / Folder 102
- Letter with McKean Draft Table of Contents, 2016
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, with envelope (no postmark), undated but circa 2016, handwritten in ink on lined, yellow notepaper with Zimmer's address stamped at the top: "Dear Uncle Jim, Here are some notes on your piece..." Signed "Love, Z." Includes a draft Table of Contents for McKean's book "Bound," with Zimmer's handwritten comments in the margins.
- Box 1 / Folder 103
- Letter, 2019-04-17
- Scope and Content
- Letter, single sheet, folded over and taped to create the envelope, postmarked 17 April 2019, handwritten in ink, dated Spring: a. "Dear Uncle Jim & Penny, I was glad to hear from you. I've been bouncing around between hospital beds and exercise classes. What a bore! Of course I can't report any progress. Lord! I'm 84 years old and Notre Dame is burning. Time to get (Zimmer?) ready to turn in.... b. Jim, glad you and Penny have (grooved?) into Seattle. It's more your home than tricky Iowa City. Neither of us really belonged there. Here it is a lovely spring morning and the trees are thinking about greening. c. I am glad for you in Seattle with your beloved people. Best place to be. d. Love from Paul & Suzanne" e. This was Jim's last letter from Paul. Paul died 26 October 2019.
- Box 1 / Folder 104
- Drawing of McKean by Zimmer, undated
- Scope and Content
- A drawing of Jim McKean by Zimmer, hand-drawn with color crayon, on yellow construction paper, date unknown.
