This series of the Glenn D. Shirley Western Americana Collection is currently being processed and will be opened to researchers upon completion.
GUIDE
to the
GLENN D. SHIRLEY WESTERN AMERICANA COLLECTION, circa ? - 2002
Weeklies Series
???? Document boxes (???? cubic feet)
Location: TBA
Series Description:
Weeklies (ca. 1865-1926) Though weeklies fall under the
broad title of “dime novels” this series will be listed separately
from the dime novel and pulp magazine series. The term “dime novel”
will be replaced with the term "weekly" within this description
in order to distinguish the separate series. Wikipedia states: "Ironically,
for many years it has been the nickle weeklies that most people refer
to when using the term 'dime novel.'"
Wikipedia’s free encyclopedia states: “It is generally agreed that the term “dime novel” originated with the first book in Beadle & Adams Beadle’s Dime Novels series, “Maleaska, the Indian Wife of the White Hunter,” by Mrs. Ann S. Stephens, dated June 9, 1860.” The original sizes for the “dime novels” were about 6 1/2 by 4 1/4 inches but in 1873 the “weekly” format was introduced. This format called for the weekly to be approximately 9 by 13 1/4 with 29-32 pages. It is generally accepted that weeklies became the more popular form for the publication. Most weeklies began with black and white cover illustrations showing the hero or villain of the story engaged in a dramatic scene. But, according to Wikipedia, competition among publishers forced changes to be brought about. Bright colors were added to the covers of many weeklies. The stories in the weeklies featured a larger than life hero facing challenges ranging from wild animals to dangerous criminals. In many cases the hero would save the damsel in distress or the town from destruction. The heroes included real and fictionalized characters. Buffalo Bill, Pawnee Bill, Jesse James and the Dalton Gang represent some of the real personalities featured within the pages of the weeklies. Fictional characters included Young Wild West, Deadwood Dick, Jack Standfast and Fred Fearnot.
The Glenn D. Shirley Western Americana Collection contains
3,180 dime novels/weeklies and 1,919 pulps. Some of the weeklies titles
include: Beadle’s Half-Dime Library, The Buffalo Bill
Stories, New Buffalo Bill Weekly, and Wild West Weekly.
As of May 31, 2007, 2,167 dime novels/weeklies have been cataloged. The
weeklies series will be updated as more of the materials are processed.
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Subject Terms:
Names:
Brady, King
Buffalo Bill
California Joe
Dalton Gang
Deadwood Dick
Deadwood Dick, Jr.
Diamond Dick
Diamond Dick, Jr.
Fearnot, Fred
James, Jesse
Lightfoot, Jack
Pawnee Bill
Standfast, Jack
Strong, Ted
Young Wild West
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Processing Information:
The Glenn D. Shirley Collection’s Western Weeklies Series is currently
being processed by Karen Spilman.
Ownership & Literary Rights:
TBA
Restrictions on Access:
This series is not currently open for research. It will be opened to researchers
when processing is complete.
Preferred Citation:
Glenn D. Shirley Western Americana Collection, Box ##, Folder ##, Dickinson
Research Center, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma
City, OK.
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