Guide to the December Press records, ca. 1953-1983

Brown University Library, Special Collections
Box A, John Hay Library
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Published in 2010

Collection Overview

Title:	December Press records
Date range:	ca. 1953-1983
Creator:	Johnson, Curt, 1928-2008
Extent:	15.25 linear feet
Abstract:	Curtis L. Johnson (1928-2008) oversaw December Press, a literary press in Chicago, from 1962 until his death in 2008. The press published December, A Magazine of Arts and Opinion and several novels. This collection includes correspondence with authors, manuscripts, and financial records relating to the activities of the magazine and the press.
Language of materials:	English
Repository:	Brown University Library, Special Collections
Collection number:	Ms. 89.15

Scope & content

Includes correspondence with authors, manuscripts, and financial records relating to the activities of the magazine and the press.

Access Points

Subject Topics

• Language and Literature

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into four series.

• Series 1. Correspondence
• Series 2. Manuscripts
• Series 3. Business records
• Series 4. Miscellaneous

Historical note

Curtis L. Johnson (1928-2008) oversaw December Press, a literary press in Chicago, from 1962 until his death in 2008. The name of his press came from the magazine titled December which was established in 1958 by students at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Johnson continued to publish the magazine and also published several novels, focusing on writers who weren’t being published elsewhere. Among the writers that contributed to the magazine were Blei, John Bennett, Jerry Bumpus, Jay Robert Nash, Joyce Carol Oates, Marge Piercy, and Raymond Carver’s breakthrough Will You Please Be Quiet, Please?, among many others. Johnson discontinued the magazine in the mid-1980's to concentrate on the press.

When Johnson died, the literary rights to December Press were transferred to his executor Craig Sautter who promised to find someone to carry on the legacy of the press. In November 2012, the rights to December Press were purchased by Gianna Jacobson who revived the magazine with a Revival Issue published, naturally, in December, 2014.

Access & Use

Access to the collection:	There are no restrictions on access, except that the collection can only be seen by prior appointment. Some materials may be stored off-site and cannot be produced on the same day on which they are requested.
Use of the materials:	Although Brown University has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. Researchers should note that compliance with copyright law is their responsibility. Researchers must determine the owners of the literary rights and obtain any necessary permissions from them.
Preferred citation:	December Press records, Ms. 89.15, Brown University Library.
Contact information:	Brown University Library, Special Collections Box A, John Hay Library Providence, RI 02912 Tel: 401-863-2146 E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Administrative Information

ABOUT THE COLLECTION
Acquisition:	Purchase: Johnson, Curtis L. 1983 (A89-85) (Boxes 1-11 - origianlly 1-40) -- Purchase: Johnson, Curtis L. 1994 (A94-4) (Boxes 12-16)
ABOUT THE FINDING AID
Author:	Finding aid prepared by Gaelen Adam.
Encoding:	Finding aid encoded by Gaelen Adam 2010 November 16
Descriptive rules:	Finding aid based on Describing Archives: A Content Standard (DACS)

Additional Information

Inventory

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