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Alfredo de Palchi and Sona Raiziss papers

 Collection
Call Number: GEN MSS 947

Scope and Contents

The Alfredo de Palchi and Sona Raiziss Papers contain correspondence between de Palchi and Raiziss and with others, concerning their writings, the literary journal Chelsea, and literary prizes; poems, other writings, and English translations of Italian poetry by de Palchi and Raiziss; writings by others, mostly Italian poetry translated into English by Raiziss and de Palchi, published by them in Chelsea, or submitted for literary prizes sponsored by them; clippings and other printed material relating to writings of de Palchi and Raiziss, and to other poets; biographical information about Raiziss and scrapbooks of ephemera relating to her early life and education at the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University, 1920s; a few audiocassettes and videocassettes relating to poets and poetry readings; and a small amount of photographs and drawings. Research strengths include poetry by de Palchi and Raiziss; translation of Italian poetry into English by them and others; their editorship of Chelsea; other 20th-century Italian poets and their translators; the Academy of American Poets and the Raiziss/de Palchi Fellowship; and the Bordighera Poetry Prize.

Dates

  • 1920s-2005
  • Majority of material found within 1990 - 2005

Creator

Language of Materials

In English and Italian.

Conditions Governing Access

The materials are open for research.

Box 47 (computer disks): Restricted fragile material. Reference copies of electronic files may be requested. Consult Access Services for further information.

Box 48 (audiotape reel): Restricted fragile material. Reference copies may be requested. Consult Access Services for further information.

Box 49 (audiovisual materials): Restricted fragile material. Reference copies may be requested. Consult Access Services for further information.

Conditions Governing Use

The Alfredo de Palchi and Sona Raiziss papers is the physical property of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult the appropriate curator.

Conditions Governing Use

Audiocassettes in boxes 22, 37, and 38: Use of originals is restricted. Reference copies may be requested. Consult Access Services for further information.

Videocassettes in box 36: Use of originals is restricted. Reference copies may be requested. Consult Access Services for further information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Alfredo de Palchi, 1997-2006.

Arrangement

Organized into five series: I. Correspondence, 1961-2005. II. Writings, 1930s-1999. III. Writings by Others, 1939-2003. IV. Printed Material, 1930s-1950s. V. Other Papers, 1920s-1930s.

Associated Materials

Chelsea Records (GEN MSS 1090)

Extent

18.4 Linear Feet (49 boxes)

Catalog Record

A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog

Persistent URL

https://hdl.handle.net/10079/fa/beinecke.depalchi

Abstract

The Alfredo de Palchi and Sona Raiziss Papers contain correspondence between de Palchi and Raiziss and with others, concerning their writings, the literary journal Chelsea, and literary prizes; poems, other writings, and English translations of Italian poetry by de Palchi and Raiziss; writings by others, mostly Italian poetry translated into English by Raiziss and de Palchi, published by them in Chelsea, or submitted for literary prizes sponsored by them; clippings and other printed material relating to writings of de Palchi and Raiziss, and to other poets; biographical information about Raiziss and scrapbooks of ephemera relating to her early life and education at the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University, 1920s; a few audiocassettes and videocassettes relating to poets and poetry readings; and a small amount of photographs and drawings. Research strengths include poetry by de Palchi and Raiziss; translation of Italian poetry into English by them and others; their editorship of Chelsea; other 20th-century Italian poets and their translators; the Academy of American Poets and the Raiziss/de Palchi Fellowship; and the Bordighera Poetry Prize.

Alfredo de Palchi (1926-)

Italian poet and translator. De Palchi was born in Italy and emigrated to the United States, settling in New York City in 1956. In 1952 he married poet and translator Sona Raiziss, with whom he edited the the literary journal Chelsea, 1966-1994. After Raiziss's death in 1994, de Palchi edited Chelsea, 1994-2007, and has continued to manage the Sonia Raiziss Giop Charitable Foundation. He married Rita di Pace in 1989. Chelsea Editions, a subdivision of Chelsea Associates, edited by de Palchi, publishes bilingual editions of literature, mostly contemporary Italian poetry with English translation.

Sona Raiziss (1909-1994)

American poet and translator, also spelled Sonia Raiziss. Raiziss was born in Germany, was raised in Philadelphia, and attended the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, and Columbia University. Her translations include poetry of Alfredo de Palchi, whom she married in 1952. With de Palchi, she edited the literary journal Chelsea, 1966-1994. Raiziss founded the Sonia Raiziss Giop Charitable Foundation, which continues to fund the Jane Austen Essay Contest, the Bordighera Poetry Prize, and the Raiziss/de Palchi Translation Awards.

Processing Information

This collection consists of materials formerly classed as Uncat MS Vault 791, Uncat MS Vault 820, Uncat MS Vault 857, Uncat MSS 132, Uncat MSS 185, Uncat MSS 498, Uncat MSS 579, Uncat MSS 784, and Uncat MSS 861. In 2013, the collection received a baseline level of processing, including partial rehousing and minimal organization. The collection was reclassed under one call number, materials were organized into series, and containers were renumbered in a single sequence. Most folder titles were based on information provided by the donor, while some were assigned by Library staff. Most names in the Correspondence and Writings of Others series were updated to conform to Library of Congress name authorities. Folder titles were not verified against contents.

Title
Guide to the Alfredo de Palchi and Sona Raiziss papers
Status
Under Revision
Author
by Karen Spicher
Date
2013 April
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.

Part of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Repository

Contact:
P. O. Box 208330
New Haven CT 06520-8330 US
(203) 432-2977

Location

121 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511

Opening Hours

Access Information

The Beinecke Library is open to all Yale University students and faculty, and visiting researchers whose work requires use of its special collections. You will need to bring appropriate photo ID the first time you register. Beinecke is a non-circulating, closed stack library. Paging is done by library staff during business hours. You can request collection material online at least two business days in advance of your visit, using the request links in Archives at Yale. For more information, please see Planning Your Research Visit and consult the Reading Room Policies prior to visiting the library.