Collection

Thomas F. Collison and Elizabeth Mason Collison Collection

• 1970-1971 (Creation)

3 boxes

This collection contains a variety of materials including the personal papers and research materials related to Thomas F. Collison, a journalist, and author who resided in California from the 1950s until his death in 1997. The collection consists of working papers, typescripts, manuscript notes, correspondence, and scrapbooks related to Thomas Collison's research into the life and work of Miguel de Cervantes. Additionally, the collection includes photographs of the packing and shipment of the book collection.

Of particular interest is a manuscript written by Thomas Collison for his unpublished book, Miguel de Cervantes. The Pictorial Life of Cervantes (1547-1616). His Times, His Works, His Place in Literature. The manuscript is unfinished and the collection contains only two chapters. Collison turned his interest to Spain in 1962 when he and his wife, Elizabeth, began splitting their time between their home in California and La Herradura, Spain. It is unknown when Collison stopped working on his manuscript, but it is thought to be in the late 1980s due to declining health.

Another item of interest is two large scrapbooks created by Collison. The scrapbooks were likely used as a reference for his manuscript. The scrapbooks, titled "Pictorial Life of Cervantes" and "Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra", contain pictures and notes that document Miguel de Cervantes' life, work, and influences.

This collection of papers was received as an addendum to the previously donated Thomas F. Collison and Elizabeth E. Mason Collection. Items were removed from their original containers and placed in new folders and boxes, keeping the original arrangement. Scrapbooks were left untouched. Series grouping and order is based on the original grouping by Thomas Collison.

This collection is organized into five series:

• Series 1, Manuscripts
• Series 2, Theses
• Series 3, Research Material
• Series 4, Photographs
• Series 5, Scrapbooks

Some materials in the collection are fragile; please use extra care when handling them. Scrapbooks are awaiting conservation work, and some photographs contained within are look

Some of materials are stored offsite and require additional time for retrieval.

The materials are protected by intellectual property rights and copyright. It is the user's responsibility to secure permission from the right holders for use and publication of any materials. Permission must be obtained in writing prior to use and publication. Please contact the Cushing Memorial Library and Archives for further information.

• English
• Spanish

Thomas Collison, then items inherited James Collison, then to Melinda Collison Wolter, then donated to Cushing.

Donation from Robert B. Wolter and Malinda Collison Wolter in 2013. Items were received in binders, boxes, and folders.

• Conservation/Preservation: Limited preservation work was performed on the items (including removal of paperclips and moving the items to new folders). The collection remains in need of further preservation and conservation work to include the rehousing of the scrapbooks, repair of tears and holes, and removal of staples.

Finding Aid Authors: Madilene Byerly on August 1, 2017.

© Copyright 2019 Cushing Library. All rights reserved.

• Rare