Identity Statement

Reference Code

HU OSA 312-0-5

Title

Archival Reference Materials

Date(s)

1958 - 2012

Description Level

Series

Extent and medium (processed)

7 Archival boxes, 0.88 linear meters

Content and Structure

Scope and Content (Abstract)

This series contains various materials that Alfred A. Reisch collected for research on his book, Hot Books in the Cold War and is comprised of both copies of archival materials, some of which are copies of materials also filed in the previous series, “Copies of Archival Materials” and different excerpts from books, periodicals, online publications, etc.

The files are organized by Personalities, Institutions, Organizations, and Topics.
For example, there are materials pertaining to Alfred A. Reisch’s research on important personalities of the book program, specifically Juhász Vilmos (Head of the Hungarian Program until 1967), John P.C. Mattews (Director of the Free Europe Press), George C. Minden (Director of Press and Special Projects Dvision (PSPD) and International Advisory Council (IAC)), John Richardson (Head of the Free Europe Committee), Peter Starka (Book Distributor to Eastern Europe, Owner of a Bookstore in Vienna), and Samuel Walker Jr (Free Europe Committee Executive, Initiator of the Program in 1956)., as well as the institutions that played key roles in the program, Free Europe Committee, Bedford Publications, and the International Library Center.

Some files directly pertain to chapters of Alfred A. Reisch’s book, such as research topics on Censorship (Chapter 9 and 10), the Person-to-Person program (Chapter 11), and programs in target countries, which include the Hungarian Book Program, the Czech Book Program, the Polish Book Program, the Baltic Book Program, and the Romanian Book program (Chapter 13 - 18). Valuable information can be found on the émigré publications that were supported by the book program, along with details on sponsors and publishers for the program (Chapter 6). This series also contains many of Alfred A. Reisch’s notes on the names of book recipients, book titles, and subjects.
 

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

No destruction of documents took place in the course of processing with the exception of duplicates

Accruals

Not Expected

System of arrangement

The materials are organized thematically and then alphabetically.

Conditions of Access and Use

Conditions governing access

The general rules of research in OSA Research Room apply.

Conditions governing reproduction

Digital reproduction in OSA Research Room is allowed for educational and research purposes.

Languages

Czech, English, Hungarian, Polish

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

The records are in good physical condition

Description Control

Archivist's note

Processed by Clare Lewin, March, 2015.