Skip to main content

Page proofs, 1849-1993

 File — Box: 17, Folder: 16

Scope and Content

From the Collection: The Sinclair Papers, consisting of fiction and non-fiction manuscript materials from the inception of an idea to the published form, comprise an essentially complete record of John Sinclair's long writing career. Additionally, the Sinclair collection is significant for its attention to regional subject matter--the history and lore of the Southwest. Covering the gamut of New Mexico's multicultural heritage from historical facts to tall tales to spiritual realms, Sinclair's writings reflect his breadth of experience as a cowboy, his work with the Museum of New Mexico, and his close association with Native Americans. They also reveal a genuine affection and respect for the ways of the land and people whose destiny he was to share.

Since the publication of his first story in l936, Sinclair has published three novels, several non-fiction books about New Mexico, and over two hundred magazine articles, short stories and novelettes, which have appeared in journals such as New Mexico Magazine, Saturday Evening Post, Collier's, Westways, American Heritage, and Southwest Review. While working at the Lincoln County Museum, Sinclair wrote perhaps his best known novel, In Time of Harvest, published by Macmillan in l943. It was reprinted in l979 by the UNM Press in its Zia Series of classic southwestern books. His second novel, Death in the Claimshack, was published in l947 by Sage Books. Cousin Drewey and the Holy Twister, his third novel, was published by Columbia Publishing in l98l and in paperback by Ace Charter Books in l982.

His non-fiction works include Profile of a State: New Mexico, co-authored with George Fitzpatrick and published by Horn and Wallace in l964; New Mexico: the Shining Land, published by the UNM Press in l980, and Cowboy Riding Country, which was published in l982 by the UNM Press.

Although the UNM University Libraries received the Sinclair Papers in January l987, Sinclair continues to write and to publish articles and stories. New editions of four published novels are also forthcoming in l988-90.

Sinclair's literary papers have been arranged and described in four series. Series I consists of Biographical material. Series II consists of Fiction and is further described in two sub-series: published works (novels) and miscellaneous works (published and/or projected novels, short story collections, and short stories). Non-fiction writings comprise Series III, which has been further described in two sub-series: published works (book-length collections) and miscellaneous works (published and/or projected book-length collections, articles and essays, and research materials). Series IV contains Correspondence, which is arranged in editorial and literary sub-series.

Monographs and periodicals have been transferred to the general collection, excepting those filed as an integral part of a writing project. All photographs have been transferred to the Photo archives. Photocopies replace photographs which were filed with relevant research materials.

An addition to the collection was processed in January 1997. The addition includes personal materials, correspondence, manuscripts, and news clippings.

Dates

  • 1849-1993

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Extent

From the Collection: 22 boxes (22 cu. ft.), plus oversize folder

Creator

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451