Papers relating to 'Books Across the Sea'

A small compilation of papers and a filmed interview concerning 'Books Across the Sea' compiled by Professor Dick Ellis, American and Canadian Studies, University of Birmingham. Including miscellaneous papers arising from the work of Books Across the Sea; papers relating to its founder, Beatrice Warde (1900-1969); an interview with Alicia Street (b 1911), and notes on the history of the English-Speaking Union which adopted 'Books Across the Sea' in 1948.

'Books Across the Sea' (BAS) was first established during the Second World War when trade in books between America and Britain was at a stand-still. Founded in 1941 by Beatrice Lamberton Warde (1900-1969), typographer and her mother, May Lamberton Becker (1873-1958), author, journalist and editor, the aim was to promote 'friendlier and more intimate mutual understanding through books'. In Britain and then in America, Books Across the Sea (BAS) Circles formed to enable the exchange of books which had been especially selected for their authentic portrayal of daily life in the country of origin; reflecting their objective, the books came to be referred to as 'ambassador-books'. New books by American authors which had not yet been published in Britain were chosen by American 'experts' and sent to Britain and books by British authors, chosen by British 'experts' were sent to America. The books, covering a broad range of subjects, fiction and non-fiction, children's and adults' literature, were made available for loan and exhibition.

The first BAS Circle was set up in London affiliated with the American Outpost in Britain. Its collection of American books was based around an initial gift of 70 volumes chosen by May Lamberton Becker (then literary editor of the 'New York Herald-Tribune') and others in response to a request from the American Outpost in Britain for advice on new books on American life; as membership of the American Outpost was only open to Americans, the 'Books Across the Sea' Society was formed with membership 'open to booklovers of any nationality'. A corresponding Circle (or society) was set up in New York; this partnership was soon followed by Circles in Boston (Massachusetts, USA) and Edinburgh (Scotland). In 1948, Books Across the Sea was incorporated with the English-Speaking Union. From 1957, Books Across the Sea spread to Australia, New Zealand and India, each with their own committees.

The BAS collection in London was initially based at 13 Old Square, Lincoln's Inn before moving to South Audley Street public library and thence to the Walter Hines Page Memorial Library, Concord House, Charles Street, London.

Founder officers of Books Across the Sea Society in Britain (1940s):
President: T. S. Eliot
Vice-Presidents: Beatrice Warde (Liaison Officer); Arthur L. Goodhart, Arthur Newell
Executive chairman: Alicia Street
Secretary and Librarian: Barbara Bonner
Treasurer: Lancelot Spicer
Selection co-ordinator: Peggy Lang

Founder officers of Books Across the Sea Society in America (1940s):
President: Allan Nevins
Secretary and Librarian: Charlotte Day
The Browsing Room, 309 South Hall, Columbia University, New York.

Source: Books Across the Sea printed literature (MS877/1)

Open, access to all registered researchers.

Presented by Professor Dick Ellis, American and Canadian Studies, University of Birmingham, November 2014.

Please see full catalogue for more information.

Papers described by I. Frlan, February 2015, in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997; and in-house cataloguing guidelines.

Permission to make any published use of any material from the collection must be sought in advance in writing from the Director, Cadbury Research Library: Special Collections (email: special-collections@contacts.bham.ac.uk). Identification of copyright holders of unpublished material is often difficult. The Cadbury Research Library: Special Collections will assist where possible with identifying copyright owners, but responsibility for ensuring copyright clearance rests with the user of the material.

Cadbury Research Library also holds a Beatrice Warde Collection which includes papers of, and relating to, 'Books Across the Sea', Alicia Street and the English Speaking Union (GB 0150 MS823) and Records of the British Association for American Studies (GB 0150 BAAS).