Smelt Money Collection

Collection

Identifier: PCMS-0059

Staff Only

Scope and Content Note

Smelt Money: A Poetics Newsletter from the Kaw Valley Bottoms, 1996-1999, was a thirteen issue poetry publication consisting of a single sheet folded twice, edited by Jim McCrary. Smelt Money included work by Stephen Ellis, Steve Tills, Andrei Codrescu, Robert Grenier, Ann Erikson, Jim McCrary, Michael Leddy, Gregory Vincent Saint Thomasino, Crag Hill, Sheila E. Murphy, John M. Bennett, Charles Plymell, Spencer Selby, Richard Kostelanetz, Dave Baptiste Chirot, William S. Burroughs, Monica Peck, David Bromige, Pat Nolan, and others.

The collection contains correspondence, manuscripts and production material for all thirteen issues including paste-ups, original manuscripts, and issues; an item level register [see the separation note for published material]; and a floppy disk containing three files: email correspondence, the index, and print files for issues 8-13.

Dates

Majority of material found within 1996-02 - 1999-07

Creator

McCrary, Jim (Person)

Language of Materials

Collection material in English.

Terms of Access

The Smelt Money Collection is open for research.

Copyright

Copyright of papers in the collection may be held by their authors, or the authors' heirs or assigns. Researchers must obtain the written permission of the holder(s) of copyright and the Poetry Collection before requesting photocopies and/or publishing quotations from materials in the collection. Once permission is obtained, most papers may be copied in accordance with the library's usual procedures unless otherwise specified.

Historical Note

Jim McCrary was born in Geneva, Illinois in 1941. He first came to Lawrence, Kansas in the winter of 1965 and discovered a lively poetry community in Lawrence and at the University of Kansas. Poets like David Ignatow, Ed Sanders, Tuli Kupferberg, Jerome Rothenberg, Robert Bly, and Robert Creeley. The poet Edward Dorn spent a year as Writer in Residence at KU working on Gunslinger. Off campus, John Fowler was publishing the mimeograph magazine Grist with help from Charles Plymell. McCrary left Lawrence to for NYC where he spent time at St. Marks. Later he moved to Northern California and attended California State University at Sonoma, receiving a BA and MA in creative writing. There he studied with David Bromige and became acquainted with the Language Poetry scene. In 1981 he returned to Lawrence and his beloved Kaw Valley Bottoms. Soon thereafter he began publishing Smelt Money. Published in numerous little magazines, McCrary’s book publications include: West of Mass; And/Or; Recollection; D[r]awn; Edible Pets; Dive, She Said. For ten years he worked at the literary office of fellow Lawrencian William S. Burroughs, and also as his archivist.

Extent

.5 Linear Feet (1 oversize manuscript box)

Additional Description

Abstract

Smelt Money: A Poetics Newsletter from the Kaw Valley Bottoms, 1996-1999, was a thirteen issue poetry publication consisting of a single sheet folded twice, edited by Jim McCrary. The collection contains correspondence and production material for all thirteen issues; an item level register; and a floppy disk containing email correspondence, the index, and print files for issues 8-13.

Arrangement

This collection is organized by issue.

Acquisition Information

Collection acquired from editor, Jim McCrary in 2000.

Accruals and Additions

No further accruals are expected at this time.

Separated Materials

Published material listed in the original register has been integrated into the Poetry Collection. Please search titles and authors in the Poetry Collection catalog to find these items. Original Register can be found in box 1, folder 15.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Elliot McNally.

Processing Information

There is moderate water damage and minimal mold damage to some of the correspondence and manuscripts throughout the collection. Gloves and mask available upon request.