CLRC-200 Herbert Spencer Zim PapersChristina Cowan; updated by Leslie Czechowski and Jim Eyer University of Minnesota LibrariesJune 1999; updated 2004
University of Minnesota Libraries Minneapolis, MN 55455
EAD 2002 Validated Finding Aid generated with the aid of a custom FileMaker Pro database developed by the staff of the Children's Literature Research Collections, University of Minnesota Libraries. Many thanks to all the staff and volunteers.June 1999; updated 2004Description is in English Summary Information University of Minnesota Libraries Children's Literature Research Collections [clrc] Zim, Herbert Spencer, 1909- Herbert Spencer Zim Papers 1948-1976 CLRC-200 Herbert Spencer Zim's papers focus on his work as an author of non-fiction books for children and young adults. The collection contains production material, including typescripts, galley and page proofs, notes, research material including clippings and pamphlets, layouts including some with pencil studies, dummies, photographs, and sample covers. 3.4 linear feet See Detailed Descriptions for Each Title Item for Box Locations English Important Information for Users of the Collections Access and Use:

Collection is open for researchers with no restrictions. Registration with the collection is required.

Copyright:

This collection is protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials.

Biographical Sketch

Herbert Spencer Zim was born July 12, 1909 in New York City. He attended Columbia University and received a BA in 1933, his MA in 1934, and a Ph.D. in 1940. He taught science for many years in New York and later was a professor of education (science) at the University of Illinois at Urbana. Zim also developed science labs for elementary school students and would bring his keen interest in education to his books. In 1942 he published his first book for young readers, Mice, Men and Elephants. During his long and prolific career, he wrote dozens of books for children and young adults on a "variety of subjects ranging from sea shells to minerals to the function of the brain to national parks." Herbert Spencer Zim became well known for his "scientific books for children" that were "rich" in detail and "jam-packed with material for the interested reader." Herbert Spencer died on December 5, 1994 in Plantation Key, Florida.

Biographical Sources: Something About the Author, vol. 30, pp. 222-226; Something About the Author, vol. 85, p. 221.

Scope and Content

The collection contains production material, including some for titles written with joint authors, for seventeen titles published between 1950 and 1975 with some material and correspondence ranging in date from 1948-1976. Production materials include corrected typescripts including carbons, galley and page proofs, notes, research material including clippings and pamphlets, layouts including some with pencil studies, dummies, photographs, and sample covers. The collection also contains some production material for an unidentified title Heart [?] not verified as published. The collection also contains correspondence to and from Herbert Spencer Zim, mostly with editors and publishers. The materials are arranged by title with folder and box level control.

 Indexing Terms

The collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the University of Minnesota Libraries. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Zim, Herbert Spencer, 1909- Accession Information:

Herbert Spencer Zim gave part of this collection to Dr. Irvin Kerlan who in turn donated his collection to the University of Minnesota. Herbert Spencer Zim, Sonia (Bleeker) Zim, his wife, and Roger Zim, his son, added additional materials to the collection from 1968-1981.

Gift of: Zim, Herbert Spencer, 1909-

Arrangement

Alligators and Crocodiles, 1952

Crabs, 1974

Eating Places, 1975

Flowers: A Guide to Familiar American Wildflowers, 1950

Golden Hamsters, 1951

Great Whales, The, 1951

How Things Grow, 1960

Insects: A Guide to Familiar American Insects, 1951

Medicine, 1974

Pipes and Plumbing Systems, 1974

Sun, The, 1953

Trees: A Guide to Familiar American Trees, 1952

Unidentified (possibly for Heart?),

What's Inside of Animals?, 1953

What's Inside of Engines?, 1953

What's Inside of Plants?, 1952

What's Inside the Earth?, 1953

Your Food and You, 1957

Collection Contents Alligators and Crocodiles 1952

: , 1952

 MF866 folder 1 typescript, corrected 13 p. MF866 folder 1 typescript, corrected 16 p. MF866 folder 1 typescript, corrected 19 p. MC866 folder 1 typescript, corrected carbon 18 p. MC866 folder 1 typescript, corrected carbon 16 p. MF866 folder 2 galley proof, corrected 11 p. MF866 folder 2 galley proof, corrected 11 p. MF866 folder 2 correspondence 19 p. MF866 folder 2 notes 43 p. Crabs 1974

Krantz, Lucretia, co-author

: , 1974

 MF1057 folder 1 typescript, corrected 17 p. MF1057 folder 1 galley proof, corrected 11 p. MF1057 folder 1 typescript, corrected, with front matter and correspondence 31 p. MC1057 folder 2 correspondence 30 p. MF1057 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon 28 p. MF1057 folder 2 typescript, corrected partial carbon 22 p. MF1057 folder 3 typescript 21 p. MF1057 folder 3 typescript, carbon 27 p. MF1057 folder 3 typescript, corrected photocopy 22 p. MF1057 folder 3 typescript and holograph, corrected partial carbon 8 p. MF1057 folder 4 typescript, corrected photocopy 22 p. MF1057 folder 4 typescript, corrected 19 p. MC1057 folder 4 typescript, corrected carbon 20 p. MF1057 folder 4 typescript, carbon 20 p. MC1057 folder 5 typescript, corrected 20 p. MF1057 folder 5 typescript, corrected 22 p. MF1057 folder 5 research material, clippings 2 p. MF1057 folder 6 typescript, corrected carbon 22 p. MF1057 folder 6 typescript, corrected partial carbon 19 p. MF1057 folder 6 typescript, corrected carbon 22 p. MF1057 folder 6 correspondence 1 p. Eating Places 1975

Skelly, James R., co-author

1975

 MF1057 folder 1 typescript, corrected, with front matter 25 p. MF1057 folder 1 correspondence 14 p. MF1057 folder 1 typescript, corrected 25 p. MF1057 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon 24 p. MF1057 folder 2 typescript, corrected photocopy, with front matter 25 p. MF1057 folder 2 correspondence 3 p. MF1057 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon 25 p. MF1057 folder 3 typescript, corrected, with notes 34 p. MF1057 folder 3 correpsondence 3 p. MF1057 folder 3 typescript, corrected partial carbon 48 p. MF1057 folder 3 typescript, corrected 7 p. MF1057 folder 4 research material, clippings, pamphlets 4 p. MF1057 folder 4 typescript, corrected, with correspondence 27 p. MF1057 folder 4 typescript, corrected, partial carbon 5 p. MF1057 folder 4 galley proof, corrected 11 p. MF1057 folder 5 notes 5 p. MF1057 folder 5 layout with pencil studies 43 p. MC1057 fodler 6 black and white photographs 20 p. Flowers: A Guide to Familiar American Wildflowers 1950

Martin, Alexander C., co-author

1950

 MF867 folder 1 typescript, corrected, with front matter 95 p. MF867 folder 2 page proof 8 p. MF867 folder 2 correspondence 1 p. MF867 folder 2 notes 145 p. Golden Hamsters 1951

1951

 MF866 folder 1 typescript, corrected 9 p. MF866 folder 1 typescript, corrected 18 p. MF866 folder 1 typescript, corrected 19 p. MF866 folder 1 typescript, corrected 16 p. MF866 folder 1 typescript, corrected 13 p. MF866 folder 1 typescript, corrected 12 p. MF866 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon 12 p. MF866 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon 12 p. MF866 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon 12 p. MF866 folder 2 typescript,corrected carbon 15 p. MF866 folder 3 galley proof, corrected 12 p. MF866 folder 3 correspondence 9 p. MF866 folder 3 notes 51 p. MF866 folder 3 research material--Department of Agriculture pamphlets 2 p. Great Whales, The 1951

1951

 MF867 folder 1 typescript, corrected 16 p. MF867 folder 1 galley proof, corrected 13 p. MF867 folder 1 galley proof, corrected 14 p. How Things Grow 1960

1960

 MF1060 folder 1 correspondence 44 p. MF1060 folder 1 research materials--2 pamphlets 2 p. MF1060 folder 1 dummy 68 p. MF1060 folder 1 dummy 68 p. MF1060 folder 1 clippings 2 p. MF1060 folder 1 correspondence 1 p. MF1060 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon 18 p. MF1060 folder 2 typescript, corrected partial carbon 25 p. MF1060 folder 2 typescript, corrected 25 p. MF1060 folder 3 typescript, corrected partial carbon 5 p. MF1060 folder 3 typescript, corrected partial carbon 20 p. MF1060 folder 3 typescript, corrected carbon 24 p. MF1060 folder 4 typescript, corrected partial carbon 5 p. MF1060 folder 4 correspondence 2 p. MF1060 folder 4 typescript, corrected carbon 24 p. MF1060 folder 4 typescript, corrected 29 p. MF1060 folder 5 typescript, corrected carbon 5 p. MF1060 folder 5 typescript, corrected 5 p. MF1060 folder 5 typescript, carbon 14 p. MF1060 folder 5 typescript 6 p. Insects: A Guide to Familiar American Insects 1951

Cottam, Clarence

1951

 MF867 folders 1-2 typescript, corrected, with front matter 118 p. MF867 folders 3-4 typescript, corrected carbon, with front matter 129 p. MF867 folder 5 correspondence 9 p. MF867 folder 5 notes, including 68 pp. maps 85 p. MF867 folder 6 galley proof, corrected 60 p. MF867 folder 6 layout 1 p. MF867 folders 7-8 page proof 36 p. Medicine 1974

1974

 MF1060 folder 1 typescript, corrected 10 p. MF1060 folder 1 typescript, corrected 3 p. MF1060 folder 1 typescript, corrected 11 p. MF1060 folder 1 typescript, carbon 12 p. MF1060 folder 1 typescript, carbon 2 p. MF1060 folder 1 research material, clippings, 1 pamphlet 2 p. MF1060 folder 1 typescript and holograph, corrected 13 p. MF1060 folder 2 typescript, corrected, partial carbon 44 p. MF1060 folder 2 research material, clippings 2 p. MF1060 folder 3 typescript, carbon 41 p. MF1060 folder 3 notes 2 p. MF1060 folder 4 typescript, corrected 42 p. MF1060 folder 4 typescript, corrected carbon, with front matter and correspondence 43 p. MF1060 folder 5 typescript, corrected carbon, with notes 37 p. MF1060 folder 5 correspondence, pasteups 3 p. MF1060 folder 5 notes 9 p. MF1060 folder 5 typescript, carbon 2 p. MF1060 folder 6 research material, with 2 pamphlets 36 p. MF1060 folder 6 typescript, corrected partial carbon 18 p. MF1060 folder 6 typescript, carbon 10 p. MF1060 folder 7 correspondence 27 p. MF1060 folder 7 typescript, corrected photocopy 35 p. MF1060 folder 8 typescript, corrected 34 p. MF1050 folder 8 galley proof, corrected 13 p. Pipes and Plumbing Systems 1974

Skelly, James R.

1974

 MF1056 folder 1 typescript and holograph, corrected partial photocopy 16 p. MF1056 folder 1 typescript, corrected 4 p. MF1056 folder 1 typescript, corrected 3 p. MF1056 folder 1 typescript, corrected, partial photocopy 11 p. MF1056 folder 1 typescript and holograph, corrected 5 p. MF1056 folder 1 typescript, corrected 7 p. MF1056 folder 1 typescript, corrected 3 p. MF1056 folder 2 typescript, corrected partial photocopy 32 p. MF1056 folder 2 typescript, corrected 24 p. MF1056 folder 2 typescript, corrected 19 p. MF1056 folder 3 correspondence 24 p. MF1056 folder 3 typescript, corrected partial carbon 6 p. MF1056 folder 2 research material, clippings 2 p. MF1056 folder 4 typescript, corrected 10 p. MF1056 folder 4 typescript, corrected 21 p. MF1056 folder 4 correspondence 1 p. MF1056 folder 4 typescript, carbon 3 p. MF1056 folder 4 typescript, corrected 10 p. MF1056 folder 5 typescript, corrected carbon 24 p. MF1056 folder 5 typescript, corrected 22 p. MF1056 folder 6 typescript, corrected carbon 22 p. MF1056 folder 6 typescript, corrected 21 p. MF1056 folder 6 typescript, corrected carbon 22 p. MF1056 folder 7 typescript, corrected 20 p. MF1056 folder 7 correspondence 4 p. MF1056 folder 7 galley proof, corrected 12 p. Sun, The 1953

1953

 MF866 folder 1 typescript, corrected, with front matter 15 p. MF866 folder 1 typescript, corrected 25 p. MF866 folder 1 typescript, corrected 34 p. MF866 folder 1 typescript, corrected carbon 25 p. MF866 folder 2 galley proof, corrected 19 p. MF866 folder 3 correspondence 7 p. MF866 folder 3 notes 18 p. MC1210 pencil dummy 60 p. MC1210 pencil dummy with holograph text and proof pasteup 64 p. Trees: A Guide to Familiar American Trees 1952

Martin, Alexander C.

1952

 MF868 folder 1 typescript, corrected, with front matter 133 p. MF868 folder 2 typescript, corrected 92 p. MF868 folder 3 galley proof 25 p. Unidentified (possibly for Heart?) MF1058 folder 1 typescript, corrected carbon 4 p. MF1058 folder 1 typescript, corrected, with layout 4 p. MF1058 folder 1 typescript, corrected, with layout 3 p. MF1058 folder 1 typescript, corrected, with layout 5 p. MF1058 folder 1 layout carbon 1 p. MF1058 folder 1 photocopy carbon 1 p. MF1058 folder 1 typescript, corrected, with layout carbon 6 p. MF1058 folder 1 typescript, corrected carbon, with layout 4 p. MF1058 folder 1 typescript, corrected carbon, with layout and layout carbon 9 p. MF1058 folder 1 typescript, corrected 3 p. MF1058 folder 1 typescript, photocopy, with layout 2 p. MF1058 folder 1 typescript, corrected carbon, with layout carbon 6 p. MF1058 folder 1 typescript, corrected carbon, with layout and layout carbon 6 p. MF1058 folder 2 typescript, corrected 4 p. MF1058 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon, with layout 6 p. MF1058 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon, with layout and layout carbon 7 p. MF1058 folder 2 typescript, corrected, with layout carbon 6 p. MF1058 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon with layout and notes 6 p. MF1058 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon with layout photocopy and layout carbon 6 p. MF1058 folder 2 typescript, corrected, with layout 4 p. MF1058 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon with layout 5 p. MF1058 folder 2 typescript, corrected, with layout carbon 4 p. MF1058 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon with layout photocopy and lasyout carbon 9 p. MF1058 folder 3 typescript, corrected carbon 1 p. MF1058 folder 3 typescript, corrected 7 p. MF1058 folder 3 layouts 3 p. MF1058 folder 3 typescript, corrected 5 p. MF1058 folder 3 typescript, corrected 4 p. MF1058 folder 3 layout, with clipping and note 4 p. MF1058 folder 3 typescript, corrected carbon 3 p. MF1058 folder 3 layout 1 p. MF1058 folder 3 research material, photocopy, with note 2 p. MF1068 folder 3 typescript, carbon, with layout and layout carbon 6 p. MF1058 folder 3 typescript, carbon 3 p. MF1058 folder 3 research material, notes 2 p. MF1058 folder 3 layout, with layout carbon 2 p. MF1058 folder 3 typescript, carbon 3 p. MF1058 folder 3 layout, with layout carbon 2 p. MF1058 folder 3 photo carbon 1 p. MF1058 folder 3 typescript, corrected, with layout 6 p. MF1058 folder 4 typescript, corrected carbon, with layout 6 p. MF1058 folder 4 typescript, corrected carbon 3 p. MF1058 folder 4 typescript, corrected carbon with layout 3 p. MF1058 folder 4 typescript, corrected carbon withlayout 3 p. MF1058 folder 4 typescript, corrected 6 p. MF1058 folder 4 typescript, corrected carbon with layout 9 p. MF1058 folder 4 typescript, corrected, with note and layout 6 p. MF1058 folder 4 typescript, corrected carbon with layout 7 p. MF1058 folder 4 typescript, corrected carbon 4 p. MF1058 folder 5 typescript, corrected, with layout 7 p. MF1058 folder 5 typescript, corrected 4 p. MF1058 folder 5 typescript, corrected carbon, with layout 13 p. MF1058 folder 5 typescript, corrected carbon, with layout 9 p. MF1058 folder 5 typescript, corrected carbon, with layout 11 p. MF1058 folder 5 typescript, corrected 12 p. MF1058 folder 6 typescript, corrected carbon, with layout 17 p. MF1058 folder 6 typescript, corrected, with layout 5 p. MF1058 folder 6 layout, photocopy 23 p. MF1058 folder 6 layout notes 15 p. MF1058 folder 7 typescript, corrected, with layout 20 p. MF1058 folder 7 typescript, corrected carbon, with layout 28 p. MF1058 folder 7 typescript, corrected carbon, with layout 16 p. MF1058 folder 7 typescript, corrected carbon 11 p. MF1058 folder 7 layout 4 p. MF1058 folder 7 typescript, corrected, with layaout 9 p. MF1058 folder 7 photocopies of illustrations, with note 7 p. MF1058 folder 7 miscellaneous: correspondence, layout, corrected typescript, 1 folder with notes 7 p. MF1058 folder 8 typescript, corrected partial carbon and photocopy 50 p. MF1058 folder 9 typescript, corrected partial carbon and photocopy 50 p. MF1058 folder 10 typescript, corrected partial carbon and photocopy 50 p. MF1058 folder 11 typescript, corrected partial carbon and photocopy 50 p. MF1058 folder 12 typescript, corrected partial carbon and photocopy 50 p. MF1058 folder 13 typescript, corrected partial carbon and photocopy 54 p. MF1058 folder 14 typescript, corrected partial carbon and photocopy 51 p. MF1058 folder 15 typescript, corrected partial carbon and photocopy 51 p. MF1058 folder 16 typescript, corrected partial carbon and photocopy 51 p. MF1058 folder 17 typescript, corrected partial carbon and photocopy 50 p. MF1058 folder 18 typescript, corrected partial carbon and photocopy 14 p. What's Inside of Animals? 1953

1953

 MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected, with front matter 16 p. MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected, with front matter 12 p. MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected, with front matter 17 p. MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected, with front matter 16 p. MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected carbon, with front matter 16 p. MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected carbon, with front matter 17 p. MF869 folder 2 sample cover 1 p. MF869 folder 2 galley proof, corrected 18 p. MF869 folder 2 page proof 4 p. MF869 folder 2 correspondence 8 p. What's Inside of Engines? 1953

1953

 MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected, with front matter 18 p. MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected 15 p. MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected 18 p. MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected carbon, with front matter 19 p. MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected carbon, with front matter 19 p. MF869 folder 2 dummy (outline) 29 p. MF869 folder 2 sample cover 1 p. MF869 folder 2 galley proof, corrected 13 p. MF869 folder 2 correspondence 1 p. MF869 folder 2 notes 8 p. What's Inside of Plants? 1952

1952

 MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected 16 p. MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected 17 p. MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected 14 p. MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected, with front matter 16 p. MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected carbon, with front matter 18 p. MF869 folder 2 galley proof, corrected 9 p. MF869 folder 2 correspondence 8 p. MF869 folder 2 notes 13 p. What's Inside the Earth? 1953

1953

 MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected, with front matter 34 p. MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected, with front matter 41 p. MF869 folder 1 typescript, corrected, incomplete 28 p. MF869 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon, with front matter 38 p. MF869 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon, with front matter 40 p. MF869 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon, with front matter 40 p. MF869 folder 3 correspondence 11 p. MF869 folder 3 notes 17 p. Your Food and You 1957

1957

 MF1056 folder 1 dummy, with pencil studies and corrected carbon typescript 72 p. MF1056 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon 27 p. MF1056 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon 26 p. MF1056 folder 2 typescript, corrected carbon 12 p. MF1056 folder 3 correspondence 6 p. MF1056 folder 3 notes 1 p. MF1056 folder 3 research material, charts 4 p.