Holdings Information

Bibliographic Record Display

• Author/Creator:Ruefle, Mary, 1952-
  
• Title:Mary Ruefle erasure books, 2007-2013.
  
• Physical Description:0.84 linear feet (2 boxes)
  

• Yale Holdings

  Holdings Record Display

  • Location:LSF- BEINECKE
    Request for Use in the Beinecke Reading Room
    
    
  • Call Number: YCAL MSS 764
    
  • Status:Not Checked Out
    

   
• Notes:Box 1 contains books by original authors Allen, Ballantyne, Clarke, and Edwards. Box 2 contains books by original authors Ingelow, Kingsley, Langbridge, Richards, and Whitaker.
  In English.
  Purchased from Mary Ruefle on the Alfred Z. Baker, Jr. Fund, 2013.
  
• Organization:Arranged alphabetically by original author.
  
• Access and use:This material is open for research.
• Biographical / Historical note:Mary Ruefle, American poet and author.
  
• Summary:The collection consists of ten books by nine authors, published between 1866 and 1916, which Mary Ruefle altered between 2007 and 2013 to create her own original works, which she called "erasure books." In each instance Ruefle used an opaque correction fluid or ink to redact all but selected words on the pages, and affixed photographs, clipped graphics and texts, and dried organic materials, such as flowers and leaves, to pages throughout the volumes. In most cases Ruefle retained the title of the original book, then signed and dated the title page as author of the altered piece. Titles, authors, and dates of the original volumes present are: A Cathedral Singer, by James Lane Allen (1916); Fast in the Ice, or, Adventures in the Polar Regions, by R. M. Ballantyne (1866); Sketches of My Childhood, by Mary E. B. Clarke (undated); P'tit Matinie and Other Monotones, by George Wharton Edwards (1897); Songs of Seven, by Jean Ingelow (1881); My Winter Garden, by Charles Kingsley (undated); Shanks's Pony, by Frederick Langbridge (1886); Marie, by Laura Richards (1894); and Laddie, by Evelyn Whitaker (two editions, undated).
  
• Format:Archives or Manuscripts
• Cite as:Mary Ruefle Erasure Books. Yale Collection of American Literature, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.
  
• Subjects:Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925.
  Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael), 1825-1894.
  Clarke, Mary E. B.
  Edwards, George Wharton, 1859-1950.
  Ingelow, Jean, 1820-1897.
  Kingsley, Charles, 1819-1875.
  Langbridge, Frederick, 1849-1922.
  Richards, Laura Elizabeth Howe, 1850-1943.
  Ruefle, Mary, 1952-
  Whitaker, Evelyn.
  Artists' books--United States--21st century.
  Authors, American--21st century.
  
• Genre/Form:Artists' books--United States--21st century.
  
• Occupation:Authors United States 21st century.
  
• Also listed under:Allen, James Lane, 1849-1925. Cathedral singer.
  Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael), 1825-1894. Fast in the ice.
  Clarke, Mary E. B. Sketches of my childhood.
  Edwards, George Wharton, 1859-1950. P'tit matinie and other monotones.
  Ingelow, Jean, 1820-1897. Songs of seven.
  Kingsley, Charles, 1819-1875. My winter garden.
  Langbridge, Frederick, 1849-1922. Shanks's pony.
  Richards, Laura Elizabeth Howe, 1850-1943. Marie.
  Whitaker, Evelyn. Laddie.