Browne Popular Culture Library

Within the Library's holdings of more than 190,000 cataloged hardbound and paperback books, science fiction, fantasy, weird/horror, supernatural/occult, utopian, and related genres are well represented. Special strengths of the Browne Library include American and British mass market magazines, fan and collector publications, parapsychology and the occult, and materials documenting the Star Trek phenomenon.

Especially significant are the Browne Library's holdings of pulp magazines, including extensive or complete runs of Amazing Stories, Astounding Science Fiction, Tales of Magic and Mystery, Thrilling Wonder Stories, and Weird Tales, among many others. The Browne Library also houses nearly 4,500 fanzines and related publications, including rare issues of Flying Saucers, Twilight Zone, and Spacecraft Digest.

Manuscripts (see below) in the Browne Library include the papers and early sketches of Joanna Russ (PCL MS-7), the Alexei and Cory Panshin papers, as well as manuscripts by Keith Laumer, Joseph Payne Brennan, Jeffrey A. Carver (PCL MS-30), R.A. Lafferty, Carl Jacobi (PCL MS-68), and Philip K. Dick. The Sheldon R. Jaffrey Collection includes manuscripts and associational correspondence relating to Jaffery's published works on horror and science fiction, including his bibliographies of Arkham House and DAW Books, and near-complete collections of both imprints.

PCL MS-14 William Charles Anderson Collection
1965-1969
The William Charles Anderson Collection houses the literary correspondence, galley sheets, promotional material and reviews for Pandemonium on the Potomac.

PCL MS-30 Jeffrey A. Carver Collection
1967, 1974-1977, 1978-1982, 1984-1989, 1990, n.d.
Jeffrey A. Carver is an author of the science fiction genre. Literary manuscripts and related materials form the core of this collection.

PCL MS-68 Carl Jacobi Collection
1896-1996
The Carl Jacobi Collection is comprised of six linear feet of correspondence, files, diaries, literary productions, printed materials, and photographs documenting the private and professional life of this notable author of horror, fantasy, science, and adventure fiction.

PCL MS-69 Sheldon R. Jaffery Collection
1947-1989
Jaffery's interests specifically lie in the Arkham House book series, the DAW book series, and pulp magazine fiction. These topics are the focus of his manuscripts and research materials, which make up the core of the collection.

PCL MS-138 Michael M. McDowell Collection
The Michael McEachern McDowell Collection includes 20 cubic feet of correspondence and manuscripts dating from 1966-2001. This author of predominantly horror and occult-themed novels and screenplays began donating his collection to the Browne Popular Culture Library around 1987 until his death in 1999.

PCL MS-7 Joanna Russ Collection
1942-1971, n.d.
Joanna Russ is an author of the science fiction genre. Literary manuscripts form the core of the collection.

PCL MS 18 Karl Edward Wagner Collection
Karl Edward Wagner is best known as a writer of fantasy and horror and also as an editor for anthologies in these genres. The collection reflects both aspects of his work.

PCL MS-180 Chelsea Quinn Yarbro Collection
The Chelsea Quinn Yarbro Collection is comprised of 17 cubic feet of manuscripts and correspondence from 1978-1999. The manuscripts include primarily historic and contemporary horror novels and some western, science fiction, and romantic suspense.

View an A-Z Listing of Manuscript Collections