[Crime Writers' Association] An archive of membership list, accounts, correspondence and related material.

The Crime Writers' Association (CWA). Founded 5 November 1953An Archive accumulated during his periods in office by T.C.H. Jacobs, aka Jacques Pendower, author, sometime Hon. Treas., Vice-Chairman, and Chairman of the CWAIt was unanimously agreed that those present should found forthwith an association of crime writers, the specific purpose of which should be to raise the prestige and fortunes of mystery, detective story and crime writing and writers generally.Aim of the CWA recorded in the Minutes of the inaugural meeting.1. (Periodical) The Crime Writer, nos. 2,3,4,6,7,8,9,11,12,13 (1954-1963).Contributors include: John Creasey, Francis Iles, T.C.H. Jacobs, Bruce Graeme, Julian Symons, Elizabeth Ferrars, W.E. Johns, Michael Gilbert, Josephine Bell, Dorothy Eden, Christianna Brand. Editor: Charles Franklin.2. (Periodical) Red Herrings (Bulletin of the Crime Writers' Association). Nos. 11-15inc., 17, 19-24, 26-28inc., 31-33inc., 35-38inc., 40-49inc., (48 Missing fr. cover), 51-53inc., 58, 59, 62, 69-71inc., 82, 85, 90, 93, 119, 203, 222, 227, 233, 240 (May 1957-August 1976). It includes announcements of new members. Editor: Herbert Harris.3. Minutes of Committee Meetings (roneo process probably), 47 items, 5 November 1953-4 April 1962. (In that period, monthly meetings would have produced c. 90 items.) The Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 Nov. 1953 record the foundation of the CWA. It was attended by what became much of the backbone of the organization, John Creasey (whose pet project it was), Josephine Bell, Bruce Graeme, Elizabeth Ferrars, Andrew Garve, T.C.H. Jacobs, Julian Symons. The objective stated in the Minutes has been quoted above. The Minutes summarize the discussion. Attached to the Minutes: the details for the meeting issued by John Creasey, a list of people expected to attend, and a list of people who had declined - with their reasons (Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham, E.C.R. Lorac and others were "Opposed in principle to a separate organization for mystery writers - think existing organizations enough"), others who have no spare time (Francis Durbridge), and some who did not reply to the invitation (Victor Canning, James Hadley Chase). With: "Proposals for discussion" annotated in ms. by Jacobs (one note saying "Crime Writers' Association" perhaps written as the phrase was coined). And: Agendas, one page, each, 4to, for meetings, some in draft and annotated in ms. by Jacobs. 4. Miscellaneous items (roneo?) including: Notes from the Chairman; Chairman's speech with annotations and additions in ms. by Jacobs (Sixth Annual Dinner); Report(s) on the First, Second, Third, Fourth Conference with related material; material relating to Crime Book Week and the Crime Book Exhibition; list of people who attended (prob. the First) Conference; memos to members; material relating to Crime Writers' International Conference 1975.5. Original Membership List. Membership list and record of subscriptions paid, manuscript (Jacobs' hand = Hon. Treas.), exercise book. 58pp, 4to, most used. Founder members including Jacobs, 13[14] names, 84 additional names, addresses and subs paid recorded, entries dated 1953-1957. The majority of the exercise book gives a Debit/Credit Account of Association finances, 8 November 1953-14 December 1956.6. Account Book, manuscript, partly used to list payments of subscriptions, 1957-1959, alphabetically, giving name, address, phone number, payments. Names include Raymond Chandler, Margery Allingham, Manfred B. Lee and Frederic Dannay (both Ellery Queen), Dr Robert van Gulik, Rex Stout, and the usual names.7. Notebook, c.6 x 13", manuscript (Jacobs' hand), 20pp. used, titles and cost of crime/detective novels (and Enid Blyton - a member) under heading of a publisher, perhaps for CWA collection. At the other end of the book (13pp.), Jacobs has listed receipts (subscriptions) and expenses (1959).8. Prospects so far approached ([1953]), typescript, 4pp., folio, listing a host of authors approached to see if they wished to establish a "trade" organisation, many with "Yes" or "No" beside their name (Agatha Christie has "No").9. Constitution ([1953]) (roneo?), 3pp., 4to. And: Proposed Constitution (roneo)?) 2pp., 4to, with minor differences.10. T.C.H. Jacobs, "The Crime Writers' Association" ([1961]), carbon copy typescript, 3pp., 4to. Attached list: "1960-1961 Events", 2pp., 4to.11. Original Membership Form ([1954?]), detachable, introduced by information about the Association, one page, folio. Significant correspondents:Note: Unless otherwise stated all letters are to T.C.H. Jacobs, aka Jacques Pendower, crime, spy, detective story writer, sometime, Hon. Treas. and Chairman (1960/1). 12. JOHN BOLAND, crime writer, sometime Chairman (1963/4), 5 TLSs, total 7pp., 8vo and 4to, 1957-1959, about CWA affairs - accounts, sums paid or unpaid, the Dinner, expenses, the Conference, an idea for a "Special Merit" award.13. JOHN CREASEY, Detective Story Writer, Founding Father of the CWA, first Chairman (1953/57), one TLS, one page, 8vo ("Toff" motif) and two invoices countersigned by Creasey, 1960, 1956 (x 2) respectively. In the letter, Creasey says that his travel plans involving his family will delay his offering himself for the Chair. Creasey-related items recur throughout the Collection.14. CHARLES FRANKLIN (Frank Hugh Usher), Detective Story Writer, sometime Chairman, editor of "The Crime Writer" (above), 5 TLSs, one page each, 8vo, and one APCS, 1960-61, about "The Crime Writer" and the CWA - printing bills, potential Chairmanship, Boots Booklovers' Library as distributors, advertising, circulation, contents including "Critics Panel", the Conference, the front page that should have been. Attached: Correspondence with E.S. Moore, Head Librarian, Boots Booklovers' Library, who asks to address the Association on "Commercial Libraries" and "the proposed Public Lending Rights Bill".15. ANDREW GARVE, thriller writer, sometime Membership Secretary, 11 expense claims signed, one page each, 4to, 1954-1956, for hire of rooms, duplicating, stationery, taxi, phone calls, postage). 16. HERBERT HARRIS, crime writer, sometime Chairman (1969/70), indefatigable editor of "Red Herrings" (CWA Bulletin), 3 TNSs, one page each, 8vo and 4to, 1955-1961, acknowledging payment for a story and submitting expense claims. With: one TLS, 2pp., 8vo, Bonney Harris, wife of above, later secretary to the Association, offering her secretarial services at the Conference in the temporary absence of the permanent secretary of the time Rosemary Robinson (see below). She adds that Herbert has negotiated a deal with the "Evening News" for a week of CWA short stories.17. DAVID HOLLOWAY, author, one TLS, one page, 8vo, 5 Dec. 1960, confirming that he no longer reviews Crime Fiction for the "Daily Telegraph" - "a sad deprivation" - and saying a few words about the Selection Lunch (Golden Dagger Award).18. ROSEMARY ROBINSON, Secretary, one APCS, a telegram, and 18 TLSs, mainly one page, 8vo and 4to, 1959-1961, concerning CWA affairs, mainly financial. More material signed and/or written by her may be found in other collective items.19.. A. CLARK SMITH, sometime Hon. Treas., 11 TLSs and TNSs, one TL signed for him, one page each, 8vo and 4to, 1959-1961, concerning CWA affairs, especially financial.20. MICHAEL UNDERWOOD, Detective Story Writer, sometime Chairman (1964/5), 3 ALSs, 2pp. each, 8vo, 1958(1) and 1961(2), concerning CWA affairs - subscriptions, membership, resignation from the Committee ("it's time I stepped down"), suggestions for the Committee (Berkley Mather, Creasey, Symons - And what about Anthony Gilbert to strengthen the distaff side"[Gilbert female?], names of the guest he is bringing to the Awards Dinner (a member of the Mystery Writers of America). Attached: MS. copy letter from Jacobs to Underwood concerning the Committee (17 Jan. 1961); proposed agenda for the meeting on 6 April [1961], annotated by Jacobs; a card from A.P. Herbert saying he "can't manage it" (attending the meeting). With: "Draft of new rules of membership" (roneo), 4pp, 4to, with a comparative table of subscriptions "at present paid and those payable if new membership categories . . . are adopted." 21. VAL GIELGUD, Detective Story Writer, broadcaster, sometime Chairman (1961/2), one TLS, 3pp., 4to, 29 March 1961, discussing in detail a plan to have a regular programme about new (crime) publications with a panel and a compere (Symons is favoured). 22. PAT WALLACE, author, one ALS, 2pp., 8vo, and 2 TLSs, one page each, 8vo, 1960 (1) and 1961(2), accepting an invitation to a Luncheon and agreeing to send her choice of "the six best crime books I've reviewed" (for Awards 1961). The other two letters bear on the same subject, the last acknowledging information about American writers on the list.End of significant correspondents:23. Miscellaneous correspondence, mainly to Jacobs, some from minor crime writers, publishers and the like, on CWA business, c. 50 items.24. Material, including correspondence, typescripts and manuscripts relating to:a. The CWA Conference 1959, 8 items.b. The CWA Awards Dinner 1961, mainly attendance, 11 items.c. CWA Awards 1961, including letters from the judges (Symons, Peter Dickinson, Cyril Ray and others, 18 items. (They include their opinions and choices.)d. The CWA visit to the Gordon Museum of Pathology, letters, 13 items.25. 14 cheque books (remaining stubs), 1953-1959 (= expenditure); 3 paying-in books, 1953-1954 (payment of subs, names given); 3 receipt books, 1953[?]-1955, names include J. Creasey, Edmund Crispin, Enid Blyton, Roy Vickers, Symons, Graeme, George Bellairs. With: bank statements, Nov. 1953-1959, including names of subscription payers (including Ngaio Marsh and Dennis Wheatley); correspondence from the bank; accounts (detailed list of receipts and expenditure) to 31 Dec. 1954, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961 (including some drafts); a few miscellaneous lists of expenses and receipts.26. A large quantity of invoices and receipts reflecting the activities of the CWA from business to pleasure (meetings, dinners, secretarial services, publishing, rentals, books, dealings with publishers, advertising, hotels, stationery, et al.).27. Printed ephemera:a. Luncheon Menu with invitation card, "Most Popular Crime Writer. Ballot and Contest (1956).b. Invitation to compete in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine Short Story Contest. Rules, 2pp., folio, no date.c. CWA reminder about unpaid subscription.d. Application form for joining the CWA, with brief history, 4pp., 8vo.e. National Book League Restaurant Luncheon Menu (6 Oct. no year) - price per head and number of guests written on back.f. Advertising material for the Crime Book Exhibition, "Enjoy a Crime Book this Week". Perhaps for shop display.g. Brochure promoting the Mystery Writers of America, 4pp., c.4 x 8", introducing the organization and listing authors available to give talks (Rex Stout et al). h. CWA Compliments Slips.i. Headed notepaper (The Press Club and Crime Writers' Association).28. Accounts, exercise book, manuscript, 10 pp. used, 8vo, 1957, for Conference, the Anthology, royalties, expenditure.29. T.C.H. Jacobs, typescripts, manuscript notes and figures, preparatory for speeches and accounts.