Guide to the Herbert Spencer Zim and Sonia Bleeker Papers
1934-1976

Print this Finding Aid | Email this Finding Aid


Results

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Bleeker, SoniaZim, Herbert S. (Herbert Spencer), 1909-1994
Title: Herbert Spencer Zim and Sonia Bleeker papers
Dates: 1934-1976 ( inclusive )
Quantity: 40.5 linear feet (27 containers)
Collection Number: Ax 558
Summary: Herbert Spencer Zim (1909-1994) was a teacher and author in the field of science. His works in this collection reflect his work in the science field. Sonia Bleeker Zim was an editor for a publishing house and a writer of youth books. Her work in this collection represents her career as a youth author.
Repository: Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries

1299 University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon, 97403-1299
(541) 346-3068
spcarref@uoregon.edu

Languages: Collection materials are in English. 
Sponsor: Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Historical Note

Herbert Spencer Zim (July 12, 1909-December 5, 1994) was a teacher and writer of children’s books on science. He was born to Marco and Minnie (Orlo) Zim in New York City, New York. He married Sonia Bleeker on January 6, 1934. They had two sons—Aldwin H. and Roger S. and then after the death of Sonia in 1971, Zim married Grace K. Showe on June 4, 1978. Zim died in Plantation Key, Florida.

Herbert Zim was educated at City College (now City College of the City University of New York) from 1927-1929, and then attended Columbia University where he received a B.S. in 1933, a M.A. in 1934, and a Ph. D. in 1940.

His hobbies and interests included fishing, gardening and traveling. He was a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, American Institute of Biological Sciences, American Association for the Advancement of Science (fellow), American Nature Study Society (director from 1968-1970), National Science Teacher’s Association, National Association for Research in Science Teaching, National Association of Biology Teachers, Union of Concerned Scientists, Authors Guild, Authors League of America, Audubon Society, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Nature Conservancy, Isaac Walton League, Western Society of Naturalists, Pacific Science Association, Everglades Natural History Association and Sierra Club.

During his career Zim was an instructor of science at Ethical Culture Schools in New York City, New York from 1932-1950, developed first elementary science laboratories from 1934-1936, and was the head of the department of science from 1937-1945. Zim was an associate professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign from 1950-1954 and then a professor of education (science) from 1954-1957. He was a full time writer and editor on science subjects and consultant from 1957 on. From 1934-1937 Zim was conductor of study of science interests of adolescents. At Columbia University he was and instructor for the summers of 1935 and 1936 and conductor of summer field trips through North America from 1937-1941. Following that Zim was an educational director at the Artists and Writers Press from 1957-1969. Zim was also an adjunct professor of education at the University of Miami in Miami Florida beginning in 1968. Zim was a member of the steering committee for Biological Sciences Curriculum Study, and participant in an Elementary Science Study. He was an educational consultant for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 1947-1951, for the Western Publishing Company from 1967-1970 and American Friends Service Committee from 1968-1975. Zim was also an editorial consultant for Physical Science Study. Zim served as conscientious objector working on Pre-induction Training Program, U.S. War Department from 1942-1943 and also was in the Civilian Public Service from 1943-1945.

Sonia Bleeker (November 28, 1909-November 13, 1971) was born in Starchevicvih, Russia to Ivan and Yedlia Bleeker.

Bleeker received her education at Hunter College (now Hunter College of the City University of New York), where she received her B.A. in 1933. She then went to Columbia University where she did graduate study in anthropology.

Bleeker was a member of the American Anthropological Association and Delta Kappa Gamma (as an honorary member).

During her career Bleeker was an editor for Simon & Schuster, Inc. in New York City, New York from 1931-1946. Then she was a full time writer of youth books from 1950-1971.

Source: Contemporary Authors Online, Gale, 2003.

Content Description

The collection contains manuscripts, and books in various stages of production (including galley proofs, photostats, page layouts, dummies, and the manuscripts in various stages of revision. The collection also contains correspondence.

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Access :  

Collection is open to the public.

Collection must be used in Special Collections & University Archives Reading Room.

Restrictions on Use :  

Property rights reside with Special Collections & University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish collection materials must be submitted to Special Collections & University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.

Archival material may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal and/or state right to privacy laws and other regulations.

Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g. a cause of action for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the University of Oregon assumes no responsibility.

If a researcher finds sensitive personal information in a collection, please bring it to the attention of the reading room staff.

Preferred Citation :  

[Identification of item], Herbert Spencer Zim and Sonia Bleeker Papers, Ax 558, Special Collections & University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries, Eugene, Oregon.

Administrative Information

Arrangement :

Collection is organized into the following series:

  • Manuscripts in Stages of Production for Art and Editorial Work
  • Manuscripts of Sonia Bleeker
  • Manuscripts in Stages of Production for Art and Editorial Work
  • Correspondence, Spencer Press-Sears Roebuck Co. (Includes Interoffice Memos, Reports, Budgets etc.)
  • Old Speeches and Articles on Science Education
  • Book Dummy and Booklets both Authored by Zim and Others
  • Miscellaneous Material
  • Addenda from 1978
  • The Work of Sonia Bleeker Zim

Processing Note :  

Collection processed by Carla Johnson.

This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.

Additional Reference Guides :  

Paper finding aid with additional information available in Special Collections & University Archives.


Detailed Description of the Collection

Series:  Manuscripts in Stages of Production for Art and Editorial Work
Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box
Folder
1 1-4 Acadia National Park
Various revised drafts, old text 290 pp., in-process manuscript, including text revisions, notes, Photostats of layouts with revisions, worksheets concerning art in all stages, editorial comments for pages 1-80, one set of corrected galley proofs and one set of uncorrected galley proofs, artwork not used, 18 watercolor illustrations, worksheet for photography, correspondence; 15 letters.
1 5-6 Birds
Carbon manuscript with revisions and index 375 pp., Photostat layouts, edited, incomplete, artist’s folders with notes, revisions for artwork includes state of rough and finished art, one set of corrected galley proofs, one set of color page proofs.
1 7 Blood
Various revised drafts 250 pp., one set of corrected galley proofs.
1 8 Blood
Rough layout dummy for 65 pp., including pencil sketches and pasted up typed copy, Photostats of illustrations, notes, correspondence; 28 letters.
1 9-10 Botany
Old text with various revisions, notes for artist, etc., 1983 pp., also stats for page layouts in all stages, notes.
2 1-5 Botany
Old text with various revisions, notes for artist, etc., 1983 pp., also stats for page layouts in all stages, notes.
2 6 Corals
Various revised drafts 266p, final manuscript, printer’s copy 23 pp., rough layout for 65 pp., correspondence; 43 letters total.
2 7 Corals
One set of corrected galley proofs, notes, jacket proof, correspondence.
2 8 Diamonds
Rough dummy for 64 pp., with pencil sketches, various revised drafts 157 pp., notes, fragments of manuscript, correspondence; 21 letters.
2 8 Fossils
Color proofs of illustrations.
2 9 Insect Pests
Captions and labels 95 pp., scientific names 14 pp, index 22 pp.
2 9 Israel
Color proofs of illustrations.
2 10 Non-Flowering Plants
Manuscripti fragments and various revised drafts 130 pp., labels 2 sets 53 pp.
2 11 Non-Flowering Plants
Working manuscript; worksheets, rough layouts, stats of illustrations in all stages with corresponding text.
2 12-13 Orchids
Various revised drafts 431 pp., Photostats of page layouts in all stages, edited and revised, notes, correspondence; 25 letters.
3 1-2 Pocket Guide to Science
Old materials, including research materials, art comments, lists, notes, correspondence; 20 letters
3 3 Quiz Me: Birds
Revised manuscript 48 pp., stat 46 pp., later revision 43 pp., layouts and layout worksheets, jacket proof, correspondence; 4 letters.
3 4 Quiz Me: Cats
Manuscript 39 pp., fragments 7 pp., jacket proof, correspondence; 11 letters.
3 5 Quiz Me: Coins
Text and stats of layout worksheets for 47 pp., manuscript 47 pp., stats of final layouts with corrections, carbon manuscript, revised 33 pp., original manuscript, edited 25 pp., revisions 52 pp., correspondence; 10 letters.
3 6 Quiz Me: Dinosaurs
Various edited drafts 32 pp., rough draft 29 pp., fragments 65 pp., jacket proof, correspondence; 3 letters.
3 7 Quiz Me: Dogs
Rough dummy with pencil sketches for 47 pp., revised manuscript 48 pp., edited carbon 48 pp., final manuscript 48 pp., jacket proof.
3 8 Quiz Me: Famous Planes and Pilots
Two rough dummies. Carbon manuscript, two copies, 48 pp., outline, information worksheet. Correspondence; 6 letters.
3 9 Quiz Me: Indians
Carbon manuscript 28 pp., jacket proof, correspondence; 3 letters.
3 10 Quiz Me: Snakes
Early manuscript with revisions 45 pp., revised manuscript 34 pp., stats of final layout with corrections for 48 pp., two sets of corrected galley proofs, correspondence; 6 letters.
3 11 Quiz Me: Wonders of the World
Manuscript, carbon 48pp., worksheets for layouts, jacket proof, correspondence; 5 letters.
3 12-13 Seashells.
Various revised versions 702 pp.
3 14-16 Seashells
Miscellaneous revisions, stats, color proofs etc., correspondence; 15 letters.
4 1-83 Seashells
For manuscript Sea Shells: Double page spread folders with art and editorial worksheets, in all stages, incomplete, pages 54-271 only.
5 1-7 Seashells
Contents include literary manuscripts, galley proofs, etc.
5 8 Sharks
Contents include correspondence and miscellaneous materials.
1965-1966
5 9 Shooting Stars
Typed final manuscript with light holograph revision 22 pp.; Captions, typed carbon pages 3-8.
1965-1966
5 10 Spiders
Layouts.
5 11 Spiders
First drafts, typed with holograph revisions; layouts.
5 12 Spiders
First drafts, typed with holograph revisions; layouts.
6 1-78 Spiders
Contents include notes, text, revisions of ilustrtions and layouts, and some original sketches and ink drawings.
6 79-82 Spiders
Contents include first drafts with holograph revisions, layouts, correspondence, literary manuscripts layouts of illustrations, and editing checklists.
7 1-4 Spiders
Contents include illustration layouts, typed manuscripts, illustration layouts and paste-ups, and pen and ink drawings of various pages.
7 5-10 Trees
Contents include literary manuscripts with revisions and layout.
8 1-11 Trees
Contents include outlines, literary manuscripts with revisions, layouts, and correspondence.
9 1-133 Field Guide Trees: artist's folder
Contents include text, layouts, some photostats and galleys.
10 1-3 Waves
Contents include correspondence, literary manuscripts, illustrations in various stages, collected galley proofs.
10 4-7 Yosemite National Park
Contents include correspondence, literary manuscripts, page layouts, and art and photo checklists.
10 8 Your Heart
Contents include final manuscript, edited (22 pp.).
10 9-15 Zoo Animals
Contents include page layouts, correspondence, holograph revisions.
11 1-6 Zoo Animals
Contents include page layouts, correspondence, holograph revisions.
11 1-6 Zoo Animals
Contents include final manuscript, page layouts, correspondence, and corrected galley proofs.
1965-1966

^ Return to Top

Series:  Manuscripts of Sonia Bleeker
Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box
Folder
11 7-8 The Ashanti of Ghana
Research notes, Correspondence, manuscript, typed with light holograph revision.
1965-1966
11 9 The Aztec
Final manuscript, typed with holograph revision, 73 pp.
11 10 The Masai
Final manuscript, edited 48 pp.
1963
11 11 The Tuareg
Final manuscript 79 pp., galley proofs, art proofs, page proofs for art only, final page proofs.
1964

^ Return to Top

Series:  Manuscripts in Stages of Production for Art and Editorial Work
Container(s)
Description
Box
Folder
11 12 Sharks
Manuscript, typed with moderate to heavy holograph revision, several pages of holograph notes, galley proofs, and paste up pages.

^ Return to Top

Series:  Correspondence, Spencer Press-Sears Roebuck Co. (Includes Interoffice Memos, Reports, Budgets etc.)
Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box
Folder
12 1-19 Correspondence, A-S 1952-1960
13 1-9 Golden Books
Contents include correspondence with Thomas K. Brown, correspondence, notes on illustrations, and miscellaneous correspondence relating to the following books: A Giant Little Golden Book of Fish, Non-Flowering Plants, Oceanography, and Pocket Guide to Science. Correspondents include Lucille Ogle, Joseph Trautwein, Floyd S. Shuttleworth, and Lucille Schultz.
1952-1967

^ Return to Top

Series:  Speeches
Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box
Folder
13 10 Speeches 1942-1960

^ Return to Top

Series:  Book Dummies and Booklets Authored by Zim and Others
Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box
13 Book dummies and booklets authored by Zim and others 1940-1958

^ Return to Top

Series:  Miscellaneous Material
Container(s)
Description
Box
14 Miscellaneous Material
The contents of this box contain correspondence, memorandums, tear sheets, manuscripts in various stages and pamphlets as well as other miscellaneous material.

^ Return to Top

Series:  Addendum from 1978
Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box
Folder
15 1-54 A Guide to Acadia National Park and the Nearby Coast of Maine. By Grant W. Sharpe, edited by Herbert S. Zim, New York, Golden Press
Contents include correspondence, outlines, manuscripts, revisions, paste-ups, and proofs.
1962-1968
15 55 Animal Kingdom
Contents includes correspondence and an index.
1963-1964
15 56-61 Cargo Ships. By Herbert S. Zim and James R. Skelly, New York, William Morrow and Company
Contents includes correspondence, manuscript drafts, page layouts and paste-ups, galleys, and reviews.
1969-1971
16 1-2 Insect Pests. By George S. Fitcher, edited by Herbert S. Zim, New York, Golden Press
Contents includes correspondence, lists, and outlines.
1966
16 3-14 Metric Measure. By Herbert S. Zim and James R. Skelly, New York, William Morrow and Company
Contents includes correspondence, manuscripts, layouts, and galleys.
1973-1974
16 15-21 Mexico .By Herbert S. Zim and Sonia Bleeker Zim, New York, Golden Press
Contents includes correspondence, manuscript drafts, and reference material.
1957-1968
17 15-21 Mexico. By Herbert S. Zim and Sonia Bleeker Zim, New York, Golden Press
Contents includes typed drafts, illustration page layouts, and photographs.
1967-1968
18 1-2 Mexico. By Herbert S. Zim and Sonia Bleeker Zim, New York, Golden Press
Contents includes notebooks, working outlines, text and illustratoins, and page layouts.
1965-1970
18 3-20 National Parks of the World. By Herbert S. Zim and C. Frank Brockman, edited by Herbert S. Zim, New York, Golden Press
Contents includes correspondence, reference materials, manuscripts, page proofs, and galleys.
1959-1970
19 1-14 Orchids. By Floyd S. Shuttleworth, Herbert S. Zim, Gordon W. Dillon, New York, Golden Press
Contents includes correspondence, research materials, early draft manuscripts, page layouts, and page proofs.
1962-1970
19 15-16 Pocket Encyclopedia of Physical Science. By Joseph Ackner, (idea and initial work came from Herbert S. Zim) New York, Golden Press (Alternate title: Pocket Science Guide)
Contents includes correspondence, outlines, comments on art, and notes for artist.
1962-1968
19 17-20 Sea Shells of North America. By R. Tucker Abbott, under the editorship of Herbert S. Zim. A Golden Field Guide, New York, Golden Press
Contents includes correspondence, outline, and bibliogrpahy.
1961-1968
20 1-3 Sea Shells of North America. By R. Tucker Abbott, under the editorship of Herbert S. Zim. A Golden Field Guide, New York, Golden Press
Contents includes correspondence, manuscript drafts, and layout pages.
1966-1968
20 4-6 Sea Stars and their Kin. By Herbert S. Zim and Lucretia Krantz, New York, William Morrow Company
Contents includes manuscript drafts, paste-ups, and galleys.
1976
20 7-14 The Sun. By Herbert S. Zim, New York, William Morrow and Company; newly revised edition
Contents includes correspondence, reference materials, notes, manuscript drafts, layouts, paste-ups, galleys, and photographs.
1953-1975
21 1 Ostriches. New York, William and Morrow Company
Final edited manuscript, 2 copies (one typed with light holograph revisions and one copy typed on carbon with holograph notes) 48 pp.
1957
21 2 The Sun
Paste-ups with transparent overlays
21 3 Telephone
Contents include notes. 4 pp., late draft 24 pp., final draft 2 copies 52 pp.
1970
21 4-9 Tractors. By Herbert S. Zim and James R. Skelly, New York, William Morrow and Company
Contents includes correspondence, reference material, photographs, manuscripts, and page proofs.
1971-1972
21 10-18 Trees of North America. By Frank Brockman, under the editorship of Herbert S. Zim, New York, Golden Press.
Contents includes correspondence, lists, outlines, introductory text, and miscellaneous materials.
1962-1969
21 19-23 The Universe. New York, William Morrow and Company, Inc., newly revised edition.
Contents includes correspondence, reference material, notes, manuscripts, and layouts.
1961-1975
21 24-29 Your Stomach and Digestive Tract. New York, William Morrow and Company Inc.
Contents includes correspondence, reference material, manuscript drafts, galleys and finished dust jacket.
1972-1973
21 30 Miscellaneous
Contents includes Pages and pieces from Heart; Hoists, Cranes and Derricks; Exotic Plants; material on the Navajo Indian; correspondence regarding manuscript Bones.
1970

^ Return to Top

Series:  The Work of Sonia Bleeker Zim
Container(s)
Description
Dates
Box
Folder
21 31-33 The Ashanti of Ghana. By Sonia Bleeker Zim.
Contents include correspondence, reference materials, final draft, with light holographic revisions.
1965

^ Return to Top

Subjects

  • Personal Names :
  • Bleeker, Sonia
  • Skelly, James R.
  • Zim, Herbert S. (Herbert Spencer), 1909-1994
  • Zim, Herbert S. (Herbert Spencer), 1909-1994--Correspondence
  • Subject Terms :
  • Anthropologists' writings, American
  • Anthropologists--United States
  • Authors, American--20th century
  • Children's books--Specimens
  • Children's literature, American--Authorship
  • Science teachers--United States
  • Science writers--United States
  • Science--Juvenile literature
  • Science--Study and teaching
  • Women anthropologists--United States
  • Women authors, American--20th century
  • Young adult literature, American--Authorship
    • Form or Genre Terms :
    • Manuscripts for publication

    ^ Return to Top
http://nwda.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv50293/
nwda.orbiscascade.org
crawl=CC-MAIN-2014-10
64865
application/http; msgtype=response
sha1:XM6YNCIMBMNUHUATVBEUETRJQ75XLRWN
<urn:uuid:bcf2044c-eac5-4b12-a6ef-a6946d89176a>
2014-03-09T13:54:38Z
128.223.86.146
sha1:W57VD5UAUIBJFR3DHQB7C35PL7KM6577
<urn:uuid:3b6aa87f-42ec-42c5-8f7b-be3bb60f920a>
http://nwda.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv50293/
response
<urn:uuid:f270bf15-b9da-4a62-89af-20bd670d6f08>
robots: classic
hostname: ip-10-183-142-35.ec2.internal
software: Nutch 1.6 (CC)/CC WarcExport 1.0
isPartOf: CC-MAIN-2014-10
operator: CommonCrawl Admin
description: Wide crawl of the web with URLs provided by Blekko for March 2014
publisher: CommonCrawl
format: WARC File Format 1.0
conformsTo: http://bibnum.bnf.fr/WARC/WARC_ISO_28500_version1_latestdraft.pdf