Pietro di Donato Collection
Manuscript Collection 393
Description
Papers, notebooks, photographs, books, and artifacts, ca. 1923-1993.
12 cubic ft.
Organization: Series arrangement by document type and format.
A collection of manuscript and published material that documents the life of
author, playright, and bricklayer Pietro di Donato (1911-1992).
Processed by Kristen J. Nyitray and F. Berenice Baez-Revueltas, January
2007.
Introduction and Biographical
Information
Scope and Content Note
Access and Copyright
Series Outline
Container Listing
Pietro di Donato was born in 1911 in West Hoboken, New Jersey. Although
he had a limited formal education, he reached widespread popularity with
his first novel Christ
in Concrete (1939). The novel was inspired by the tragic death of
di Donato’s father in a construction accident on Good Friday when
di Donato was 12 years old. The novel was originally published as a short
story by Esquire magazine but was soon after expanded into a
full novel. It was later chosen for the Book of the Month Club, edging
out John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath, which was published
the same year.
The book was adapted into the 1949 film Give Us This Day. Ben Barzman,
who wrote the screenplay, called the novel "the first of its kind," and
The National Italian American Foundation called it “rare.” The film
won awards at festivals across Europe, including the 1949 Venice Film Festival,
although it was banned from the United States at the time.
In 1942, Di Donato spent time in a Cooperstown, New York camp as a conscientious
objector during World War II. During this time he met former showgirl Helen Dean.
They married in 1943 and moved to East Setauket, New York.
Di Donato's 1978 work on the kidnapping and murder of Aldo Moro, President
of the Christian Democratic Party of Italy, titled Christ
in Plastic, won the
Overseas Press Club Award. His later novels did not attain the same level of
attention as Christ in Concrete, although his 1960 novel Immigrant
Saint: The Life of Mother Cabrini also became a classic.
Pietro di Donato died of bone cancer in 1992 in Stony Brook, New York.
On November 8, 2007, Stony Brook University's Center for Italian Studies
and the University Libraries held a dedication celebration for the
collection. Speakers at the event included scholars Fred Gardaphe, Louise
Napolitano, and Mario Mignone and Richard di Donato, one of Pietro di Donato's
sons.
The archive of Pietro di Donato includes manuscripts, notebooks, newspaper clippings, books, publications, personal effects, and photographs. "The acquisition of this collection represents Stony Brook’s dedication to the Italian American community of Long Island," said Mario Mignone, PH.D., Director of the Center for Italian Studies. "By providing such rich resources for research we guarantee Stony Brook’s position as a leader in the field of American Studies. Di Donato is one of the most important figures of our history and it is exciting to have his papers on our campus."
The video of this special event can be accessed at: http://libmedia.cc.stonybrook.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/p3006coll20&CISOPTR=49&REC=19.
Scope and Content Note
The collection consists of eight series: Manuscripts and Notes;
Correspondence; Newspaper Clippings and Publicity Material; Photographs;
Books; Published Articles; Artifacts and Personal Effects; and Oversized
Items. The majority of the collection is comprised
of typescript and holographic manuscripts authored by Pietro di Donato.
Many of these papers contain notes and corrections in his own hand. The
archive also includes publicity material, photographs that illustrate
di Donato's travels to Italy, and published books and articles.
The entire collection is open and accessible
to researchers with the exception of a few items. Please
contact Special
Collections for all inquiries regarding this archive. Pietro (Peter)
and Richard di Donato, the sons of Pietro di Donato, have retained copyright
to this collection.
Series Outline
Series 1: Manuscripts and Notes
Series 2: Correspondence
Series 3: Newspaper Clippings and Publicity Material
Series 4: Photographs
Series 5: Books
Series 6: Published Articles
Series 7: Artifacts and Personal Effects
Series 8: Oversized Items
Series 1: Manuscripts and Notes
Box 1
Folder 1: Advise and Dissent
Manuscript: “Advise and Dissent”: typescript with corrections,
5pp, n.d.
Folder 2: America's Tomorrow
Manuscript: “America’s Tomorrow”: two typescripts
of this radio script, 18pp, n.d.
Folder 3: American Dollars
Manuscript: “American Dollars”: typescript draft with correspondence,
28pp, 1983.
Folder 4: And Your Sister Too!
Manuscript: “And Your Sister Too!”: typescript, 14pp, n.d.
Folder 5: Anything for a Laugh
Manuscript: “Anything for a Laugh”: typescript, 17pp, n.d.
Folder 6: The Author’s World
Manuscript: “The Author’s World”: typescript, 6pp,
1951.
Folder 7: B.Q.L. I.
Manuscript: “B.Q.L.I.: two variant typescripts (carbons), 7pp
(two copies) and 9pp, respectively, n.d.
Folder 8: Beloved Mafia
Manuscript; “Beloved Mafia”: two typescripts, 30pp
and 28pp, respectively, n.d.
Folder 9: Beloved Mafia: Pasticceria Siciliani
Manuscript: “Beloved Mafia: Pasticceria Siciliani”: original
typescript (carbon), 12pp, n.d.
Folder 10: Big Steel
Manuscript: “Big Steel”: typescript with corrections, 13pp
and original typescript draft, 13pp, n.d.
Folder 11: The Bird Cage
Manuscript: “The Bird Cage” (a.k.a. “Mask in a Cage”):
original typescript with corrections, 19pp, ca.1960s.
Folder 12: The Black Hand
Manuscript: “The Black Hand”: original typescript draft
(carbon) plus three copies, 15pp, n.d.
Folder 13: Border Towns in Mexico
Manuscript: “Border Towns in Mexico”: typescript draft of
this short story from a projected work, “Mexican Episodes,” 37pp
and typescript with corrections, n.d.
Folder 14: Breasts Buttocks Vaginas and Tezcatlipoca
Manuscript: “Breasts Buttocks Vaginas and Tezcatlipoca”:
original typescript draft, 12pp, n.d.
Folder 15: The Broken Scaffold
Manuscript: “The Broken Scaffold”: original typescript draft
with corrections, 13pp, ca.1969.
Folder 16: Building Pilgrim State
Manuscript: “Building Pilgrim State”: typescript, 7pp and
original draft, 7pp, n.d.
Folder 17: Captain Valerie
Manuscript: “Captain Valerie” (a.k.a. “Conscience
Point”): original typescript draft (partial), 37pp, n.d.
Folder 18: The Castle
Manuscript: “The Castle”: typescript with cover-letter dated
December 12, 1979, 7pp, n.d.
Folder 19: Change at Jamaica
Manuscript: “Change at Jamaica” (a.k.a. “Lost in
Transit”): original typescript and holograph manuscript of this
very rare and very early short story, ca.1930s.
Folder 20: The Changing Face of New York
Manuscript: “The Changing Face of New York”: three variant
drafts with corrections, 18pp and two variant original typescripts with
corrections of this piece about New York’s architecture, 10pp and
17pp, respectively, n.d.
Folder 21: The Chick Diamond
Manuscript: “The Chick Diamond”: three typescript variant
editions (8pp and 6pp) with notes and corrections, n.d.
Folders 22-24: Christ in Concrete
Folder 22: spiral-bound typescript of the play version, 102pp, n.d.
Folder 23: outline for the film version, 6pp, n.d. and portion of original draft signed by di Donato with the note “This envelope contains the only existing and original manuscript of Christ in Concrete,” 32pp, n.d.
Folder 24: early typescript with corrections, n.d.
Box 2
Folders 1- 2: Christ in Concrete (play)
Manuscript: “Christ in Concrete”: typescript “Master
Copy” of the play, 102pp, n.d.
Folder 3: Christ is a Woman
Manuscript: “Christ is a Woman”: typescript, 18pp, n.d.
Folder 4: The Column of David
Manuscript: “The Column of David” (a.k.a. “Eagle of
the Tower” a.k.a. “In the Wide Waste There Still is a Tree”):
several typescript outlines for this projected “skyscraper novel” with
corrections.
“The Wide Waste” (a.k.a. “In the Wilderness is Still a Tree”): holograph draft.
Folder 5: Count-Down, 2171
Manuscript: “Count-Down, 2171” (a.k.a. “1263, Age
of the Arthropods”): early draft with corrections, 8pp; also includes
an early draft, 9pp, n.d.
Folder 6: The Deer Hunter
Manuscript: “The Deer Hunter” (a.k.a. “The Overnight
Guest”): original typescript draft with corrections, 26pp.
Manuscript: Hide and Seek” (a.k.a. “My First Love” a.k.a. “The Deer Hunter”: original typescript draft with corrections, 30pp, ca.1965.
Folder 7: The Deported
Manuscript: “The Deported”: typescript with cover-letter
from agent, 16pp; also an expanded typescript from a projected book "Italian
Scenes," 39pp, 1985.
Folder 8: Easter Wine
Manuscript: “Easter Wine”: typescript, 12pp. n.d.
Folder 9: El Derrumbe
Manuscript: “El Derrumbe”: typescript a radio script broadcast
from May 9, 1946 (text in Spanish), inscribed to Pietro di Donato from
Earle McGill, 21pp, 1946.
Folder 10: Ellis Island
Manuscript: “Ellis Island”: typescript (four copies), 5pp,
n.d.
Folders 11 – 14: End of a Family
Manuscript: “End of a Family”: one large (500pp+) group
of holograph notes, typescript outlines, and drafts (“Begun: Saturday,
August 28, 1971”).
Box 3
Folders 1 – 3: End of a Family (continued)
Folder 4: Farewell to Brahms
Manuscript: “Farewell to Brahms”: typescript draft with
corrections, 11 pp, n.d.
Folder 5: Farrell’s Love
Manuscript: “Farrell’s Love”: original typescript
with corrections, 17pp, 1971.
Folder 6: Faust ‘66
Manuscript: “Faustus ‘66”: original typescript with
corrections; two variant drafts, 39pp, ca.1957.
Folder 7: Faustus ‘55
Manuscript: "Faustus ‘55": notes and outline for a short
story, n.d.
Folder 8: The Fickle Face of New York
Manuscript: “The Fickle Face of New York” (a.k.a. “The
Changing Face of New York”): carbon copy, 11pp and two variant
typescript drafts, 11pp, n.d.
Folder 9: The Fireplace
Manuscript: “The Fireplace”: original typescript with corrections,
13pp and a typescript manuscript that was published in Playboy in 1965,
19pp, n.d.
Folder 10: Four Riders are Coming
Manuscript: “Four Riders are Coming”: typescript with corrections,
4pp, 1987.
Folder 11: The Fourth River
Notes: “The Fourth River”: one folder of holograph notes
and outlines. Includes an original typescript story outline with corrections,
8pp, n.d.
Folder 12: The Garden of Eden
Notebook: “The Garden of Eden”: one large notebook of holograph
theological writings (“Gospel”), n.d.
Folder 13: Gay Willy K
Manuscript: “Gay Willy K” or “When Willy K. Vanderbilt
Frolicked and I Shoveled His Snow”: typescript, notes, and galley
proofs, n.d.
Folder 14: Geremio
Manuscript: “Geremio”: original typescript of this excerpt
from “The Celebrant” (a.k.a. “This Woman”) with
cover letter from di Donato dated September 24, 1957; includes many typescript
and holograph variant drafts of this short story.
Manuscript: “One Red Brick” (a.k.a. “Geremio”): original holograph drafts of this early short story, 5pp, ca.1957.
Folder 15: Gesualdo
Notes: “Gesualdo”: typescript and holograph notes and outlines
for a historical novel (never developed further), n.d.
Box 4
Folder 1: Ghost Writer
Manuscript: “Ghost Writer”: typescript of short story, 24pp,
n.d.
Folder 2: The Girl of Rome
Manuscript: “The Girl of Rome”: original typescript draft
of this motion picture synopsis written by Pietro and John di Donato
(two copies), 8pp, n.d.
Folder 3: The Glass Jar
Manuscript: “The Glass Jar”: original typescript draft,
15pp and original typescript manuscript (two copies), 14pp, ca.1950s.
Folders 4 – 5: The Gospels
Manuscript: “The Gospels”: numerous typescripts early and
rough drafts of various sections of di Donato's last major work and one
large group of typescript and holograph drafts, ca.1980s.
Folder 6: The Gospels: Preface
Manuscript: “Preface to “Gospels” by Thomas J.J. Altizer,
typescript, 4pp (two copies), n.d.
Folder 7: The Gospels
Manuscript: Gospel I - The Red-skin Christ - Maya
Folders 8 – 10: The Gospels
Manuscript: Gospel II – The White Christ - Second Coming
Box 5
Folders 1-5: The Gospels
Manuscript: Gospel III - The Yellow Christ - Death and Transfiguration – The
World’s End
Folders 6 – 8: The Gospels
Manuscript: Gospel IV – The Black Christ – Last Judgement
(sic)
Box 6
Folders 1 – 6: The Gospels: notes and drafts
Folder 7: Gospel According to di Donato
Manuscript: “Gospel According to di Donato”: notes, plus
works-in-progress pages and “This Woman” (play) corrections.
Also includes some personal correspondence, ca.1980s.
Folder 8: Gospel According to di Donato
Manuscript and notes: large group of typescript and holograph notes,
re: “The Gospel According to di Donato”, ~500pp; one small
group of typescript and holograph notes, re: “The Gospel According
to di Donato”, ~100pp, ca.1980s.
Box 7
Folders 1 – 5: Gospel According to di Donato (continued)
Folder 6: The Hayloft
Manuscript: “The Hayloft”: original typescript and holograph
drafts with corrections, 16pp.
Notebook: “The Hayloft”: holograph notes and outlines, ~50pp,
1966.
Folder 7: Hemingway’s Havana
Manuscript: “Hemingway’s Havana”: typescript, 15pp.
Also a typescript with corrections that includes one page of an outline
for a projected novel called “The Reef,”, 38pp. An original
typescript manuscript and outline for this proposed novel, 79pp and an
early typescript draft of this proposed novel with holograph pages, 143pp,
1980.
Box 8
Folders 1-2: Hemingway’s Havana (continued)
Folder 3: Hicky Nicky the Floatin’ Bricky
Manuscript: “Hicky Nicky the Floatin’ Bricky”: one
group of miscellaneous holograph and typescript pages, ~40pp.
Manuscript: “Another Vietnam Hero” (a.k.a. “Hicky Nicky the Floatin' Bricky”): original typescript draft, plus typescript copy, 10pp (published in Knight), 1971.
Folders 4 – 5: The House
Manuscript: “The House”: original typescript with corrections,
24pp; another typescript, 23pp; original holograph draft notes and two
variant, rough typescript drafts with corrections, 15pp; a typescript
with cover letter from Playboy, 23pp, 1980; and a typescript draft with
corrections, 19pp, 1976.
Folder 6: I Killed Maria Goretti
Manuscript: “I Killed Maria Goretti”: early typescript of
the short piece originally written for Knight that would later become
the full-length book “The Penitent,” n.d.
Folder 7: Immigration as a Metaphor
Manuscript: “Immigration as a Metaphor”: typescript, 6pp,
n.d.
Folder 8: In the Wide Waste
Manuscript: “In the Wide Waste There Still Is a Tree”: original
typescript draft, 19pp and another original typescript draft with corrections,
17pp, ca.1967.
Folder 9: Italian-American Colony in Italy
Manuscript: “Italian-American Colony in Italy”: carbon copy
of typescript of this short story, 35pp, n.d.
Folder 10: Italian Restaurants
Notes: “Little Wonder Italian Restaurants”: one-page list
of restaurants that di Donato typed and used for his article in Holiday
magazine, 1960-61.
Folder 11: It’s Cheaper to Be…
Manuscript: “It's Cheaper to Be...”: original typescript
draft of a short story published in Esquire in 1938, 11pp.
Folder 12: Jesus in a Jar
Manuscript: “Jesus in a Jar”: typescript, 15pp, 1985.
Folder 13: The Laborer
Manuscript: “The Laborer”: typescript (two copies), plus
cover letter, 20pp, 1986.
Folder 14: The Last Anarchist
Manuscript: “The Last Anarchist”: original typescript draft,
plus copy, 16pp, n.d.
Folder 15: The Last Killer of Provincetown
Manuscript: “The Last Killer of Provincetown” (a.k.a. “Portrait
of Vadi”): original holograph drafts, 1950.
Manuscript: “Portrait of Vadi” (a.k.a. “The Last Killer of Provincetown” a.k.a. “The Old Fish Peddler”): original typescript and holograph manuscript of this very early treatment for a novel a.k.a. “This Woman,” 1940.
Box 9
Folder 1: Le Lunghe Braccia Del Dolore
Manuscript: “Le Lunghe Braccia Del Dolore” (West Hoboken,
New Jersey): Dramma di Pietro di Donato; Adattamento per la Radio e Televisione
di France Verucci; Traduzione di Costanza Vidossich Burgoyne e Lucio
Chiavarelli: typescript manuscript (text in Italian), 96pp, n.d.
Folder 2: The Leopards
Manuscript: “The Leopards”: original typescript with corrections,
5pp, n.d.
Folder 3: The Lily Pond
Manuscript: “The Lily Pond”: original typescript draft (pre-“This
Woman” material), 38pp; two variant original drafts of this short
story, 38pp, ca.1940-50s.
Folder 4: The Love of Geremio
Manuscript: “The Love of Geremio”: original typescripts
with corrections of this short story based on characters from “Christ
in Concrete,” 1946.
Folder 5: Lucky
Manuscript: “Lucky” (a.k.a. “Lucky Nero” a.k.a. “Nero” a.k.a. “The
Charmed Life: An American Way”): two variant original typescripts
with corrections, 13pp. Also an original typescript of this brief outline
for a novel, re: “The Mafia,” 6pp, n.d.
Folder 6: Lunch with President Kennedy
Manuscript: “Lunch with President Kennedy”: early rough
draft with corrections and cover letter from Playboy.
Manuscript: “And with the Help of the FBI” (a.k.a. “Lunch with President Kennedy”): original draft with corrections, 1966.
Folder 7: The Maffia Fresco
Manuscript: “The Maffia Fresco”: typescript, 12pp, n.d.
Folder 8: The Man with the Mona Lisa Smile
Manuscript: “The Man with the Mona Lisa Smile”: original
typescript draft with corrections, 4pp, n.d.
Folder 9: Mary’s Castle
Manuscript: “Mary’s Castle”: typescript and carbon
copy, n.d.
Folder 10: Mask in the Cage
Manuscript: “Mask in the Cage”: original typescript manuscript
(“Pinnacle”), ca.1960s.
Folder 11: The Master
Manuscript: “The Master”: original typescript draft with
corrections, 7pp, n.d.
Folder 12: Matteo
Manuscript: “Matteo”: original holograph draft of this early
short story, plus drafts of a letter to President Eisenhower, 5pp, ca.1950s.
Folder 13: Max
Manuscript: “Max”: original typescript draft, 15pp, n.d.
Folder 14: The Miracle of San Nicandro
Manuscript: “The Miracle of San Nicandro”: original typescript
draft, 18pp, n.d.
Folders 15 – 17: Moro
Manuscript: “Moro”: original typescript draft of the play,
re: the incidents surrounding the death of Aldo Moro, 115pp; two complete,
bound play version typescripts, 115pp; original first draft, "finished
October 30, 1979," 88pp; and an original manuscript (copy) of di
Donato's original piece, 42pp + additional material and notes, n.d.
Box 10
Folders 1 – 5: Moro (continued)
Folder 6: Mother Cabrini
Manuscript: “Mother Cabrini”: typescript draft with holograph
corrections, 168pp, n.d.
Box 11
Folders 1-8: Mother Cabrini (continued)
Manuscript: “Bride of Heaven: Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini” (a.k.a. “Immigrant Saint”): original typescript manuscript 399pp; a carbon typescript, 313pp; and typescript draft with numerous corrections throughout, ~300pp.
One large group of typescript and holograph manuscript pages, notes,
carbons, section drafts, etc. ~500pp; two variant outlines for this book,
one labeled “An Outline” (17pp), the other “General
Critique” (14pp); correspondence, re: Mother Cabrini with the American
Oxford Encyclopedia; and one large group of miscellaneous typescript
and holograph manuscript pages, notes, fragments, etc, ~300pp, ca.1960s.
Box 12
Folders 1 – 6: Mother Cabrini (continued)
Folder 7: Mussolini’s Casket
Manuscript: “Mussolini's Casket”: original typescript draft
of this early short story, 15pp, ca. 1940s and a typescript manuscript,
16pp, n.d.
Box 13
Folders 1-3: My Beloved Mafia
Manuscript: “The New America” (a.k.a. “My Beloved
Mafia”): typescript with holograph pages and notes, n.d.
Folder 4: My Christ
Manuscript: “My Christ from the Trowel to the Novel to the Film”:
original typescript draft with corrections signed by di Donato, plus
typescript copy, 17pp, n.d.
Folder 5: New York Chinese World
Manuscript: “New York Chinese World”: original typescript
with corrections, 30pp, plus miscellaneous religious reflections; holograph
draft for Holiday magazine, 11pp; and an original typescript draft with
corrections, 32pp, 1939-50.
Folder 6: New York on Sunday
Manuscript: “New York on Sunday”: two variant original typescripts
(plus carbon), 9pp and 17pp, respectively, n.d.
Folder 7: No Feast without a Drum
Manuscript: “No Feast without a Drum”: variant original
typescript drafts, plus holograph sheets, 19pp, ca.1950s.
Folder 8: Nude of an Author
Manuscript: “Nude of an Author”: original typescript with
corrections.
Folder 9: O’Hara’s Love
Manuscript: “The Fall of Man” (a.k.a. “O’Hara’s
Love”): original typescript draft, plus typescript copy, 23pp and
three sequential holograph notebooks begun January 3, 1969, ca.1966-1989.
Folder 10: Odes of Tenement Face
Manuscript; “Odes of Tenement Face”: typescript and holograph
outlines and drafts of projected book of poems, including one completed
poem “Ode to a Tenement Face,” ca.1950s.
Folder 11: The One-Eyed Cat
Manuscript: “The One-Eyed Cat”: three variant original typescript
drafts with corrections, possibly the first di Donato authored, 15pp,
ca.1930s.
Box 14
Folder 1: Open City
Manuscript: “Open City”: typescript, 8pp, n.d.
Folder 2: The Other
Manuscript: “The Other”: holograph notes and outlines, ca.1980s.
Folder 3: The Other Man in the President’s Room
Manuscript: “The Other Man in the President’s Room” original
typescript draft, 7pp, n.d.
Folder 4: The Overnight Guest
Manuscript: “The Overnight Guest”: original typescript (carbon)
11pp; notebook; and a typescript manuscript that was published in Playboy
(1965), 26pp.
Folder 5: The Parish of San Rocco
Manuscript: “The Parish of San Rocco”: early typescript
draft of this short story, 17pp, n.d. and a section titled “The
Boccie Player,” typescript, 13pp, n.d.
Folder 6: Parting Envoy
Manuscript: “Parting Envoy: Thus Spake di Donato”: typescript,
plus miscellaneous pages, 3pp, n.d.
Folder 7: The Pass of Santa Giorgio
Manuscript: “The Pass of Santa Giorgio” (a.k.a. “The
Golden Hen”): variant typescript manuscript with corrections, 20pp,
ca.1966.
Folder 8: Passions of a Dead Writer
Manuscript: “Passions of a Dead Writer”: original typescript
draft, plus typescript copy, 19pp, n.d.
Folders 9 – 13: The Penitent
Manuscript: “The Penitent”: original typescript manuscript,
plus two transcriptions of letters from Alessandro Serenelli to di Donato,
240pp; one large file of original holograph notes and drafts, re: St
Maria Goretti for “The Penitent”, ~200pp; and one spiral
notebook of Italian impressions written during di Donato's trip to Italy
while researching Maria Goretti, ca.1960s.
Box 15
Folder 1: Pete Romano
Manuscript: “Mass for Unknown Soldiers” (a.k.a. “Pete
Romano”): original typescript draft, 10pp and an original typescript
draft with corrections, 9pp, n.d.
Folder 2: The Plain of Shinar
Manuscript: “The Plain of Shinar” (a.k.a. “We Build
in Babylon”): original holograph draft, 7pp, n.d.
Folder 3: Plotnik Ain't Here
Manuscript: “Plotnik Ain’t Here”: holograph manuscript
and notes, ca.1950s.
Folder 4: A Present from Dottie Jackson
Manuscript: “A Present from Dottie Jackson”: numerous early
and variant drafts with corrections, 22pp; and carbon copy (two copies),
35pp, 1965, 1971.
Folder 5: Points of Interest in the Life of Raphael
Manuscript; “Points of Interest in the Life of Raphael”:
original typescript draft, 7pp, n.d.
Folder 6: The Promised Bride
Manuscript: “The Promised Bride” (a.k.a. “Bride of
the Promise”): early typescript draft of this short story, n.d.
Folder 7: The Psychiatrist
Manuscript: “The Psychiatrist”: typescript, 11pp and holograph
draft, ca.1968.
Folder 8: The Red and Black Cards
Manuscript: “The Red and Black Cards” typescript, 12pp,
n.d.
Folder 9: The Reef
Manuscript: “The Reef”: one large group of miscellaneous
typescript and draft pages from this unfinished Mediterranean novel,
~100pp, n.d.
Folder 10: Ribald Classic
Manuscript: “Ribald Classic: from The Facetious Nights of Straparola”:
typescript (five copies), 5pp, n.d.
Folder 11: River King and the Broadway Goddess
Manuscript: “River King and the Broadway Goddess”: original
typescript draft with corrections, 16pp, n.d.
Folder 12: Santiago the Great
Manuscript: “Santiago the Great”: original typescript draft,
20pp, n.d.
Folder 13: Setauket School Dedication
Manuscript: “Setauket School Dedication”: typescript, 6pp
(page one missing) and dedication program (two copies), ca.1951.
Folder 14: Sicilian Vespers
Manuscript: “Sicilian Vespers” (a.k.a. “The Ballad
of Rosabella”): carbon typescript with corrections, 14pp and another
carbon typescript with corrections, 25pp, n.d.
Folder 15: Son of Man
Manuscript: “Son of Man”: two variant typescript drafts
with corrections and correspondence, 1962.
Folder 16: The Stallion
Manuscript: “The Cabala” (a.k.a. “The Stallion” a.k.a. “The
Witch and the Stallion”): two variant typescript drafts of this
short piece with corrections, 8pp and 17pp, respectively, n.d.
Folder 17: Stella L’Africana
Notebooks: “Stella L'Africana”: two sequential holograph
notebooks of various writings and philosophical musings, n.d.
Folder 18: Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice
Manuscript: “Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice”: original
typescript with corrections, 25pp and a typescript copy, 25pp, ca.1971.
Box 16
Folders 1 – 10: This Woman
Manuscript: “This Woman”: contents include: original first
(rough) draft written while still using the title “The Celebrant”,
7pp, ca. 1958; manuscript of “This Woman” (play): one group
of miscellaneous holograph and typescript pages, ~30pp, 1980; manuscript
(carbon copy): 274pp, 1958; complete play version typescript, 191 pp
and complete play version typescript dated 1980, 192pp (two copies);
complete play version (“Master Copy”), 90pp; an original
draft (carbon); partial drafts of the play version with corrections,
n.d.; a very early holograph of “The Celebrant”; drafts of
this story that would later be incorporated into “This Woman” as
well as early typescript drafts of “The Purification”; chapters
of what would become an outline for the film, 7pp, n.d.; and an original
typescript draft and holograph notes of the 1955 play version with cover
letter dated 1955, 12pp.
Box 17
Folders 1 – 9: This Woman (continued)
Box 18
Folders 1-6: Three Circles of Light
Manuscript: “Three Circles of Light”: contents include original
typescript manuscript, 259pp; one folder of miscellaneous typescript
pages; and early miscellaneous typescript and holograph pages, ~500pp;
original typescript first draft ("This is a rough draft-now working
on 3rd..." written on title-page), plus holograph notes, 285pp;
two short pieces: 1) “The rain fell hard upon his parents' grave,” 11pp
and 2) “Three Circles of Light” (short version), 27pp;
drafts of proposal for this novel; one large group of miscellaneous typescript
and holograph fragments, notes, etc. ~200pp; and an important short story
version of the novel, 27pp, ca.1960.
Box 19
Folders 1 – 3: Three Circles of Light: notes and fragments (continued)
Folders 4 – 5: Immigrant Saint - Three Circles of Light
Notes: “Three Circles of Light” and "Immigrant Saint:
The Life of Mother Cabrini": original holograph pages, notes and
fragments, ca.1960.
Folder 6: Rosa Mystica - Three Circles of Light
Manuscript: “Rosa Mystica” - “Three Circles of Light”:
one folder of typescript drafts of this short story, plus partial sections
of “Three Circles of Light,” ca. 1958-60.
Folder 7: Three Circles of Light: cover letter and summary of concept
Box 20
Folders 1 – 3: Three Circles of Light – This Woman
Notes
Folder 4: Three Pillars of Faith
Manuscript: “Three Pillars of Faith”: typescript fragments
with holographic notes, ca.1950s.
Folder 5: Through the Looking-Glass
Manuscript: “Through the Looking-Glass”: holograph notes
for this short story, n.d.
Folder 6: Time is a Love
Manuscript: “Time is a Love”: typescript, 32pp, n.d.
Folder 7: To Be a Psychiatrist
Manuscript: To Be a Psychiatrist”: original typescript draft with
corrections, 10pp, ca.1968.
Folder 8: To Everything There is a Season
Manuscript: “To Everything There is a Season and a Time to Every
Purpose Under the Sun”: typescript, 21pp, n.d.
Folder 9: To Where?
Manuscript: “To Where?”: original typescript draft with
corrections, 10pp, n.d.
Folder 10: The Trojan War
Manuscript: “The Trojan War”: typescript, 7pp, n.d.
Folder 11: The Trojans
Manuscript: “Trojans” (a.k.a. "The Pharaohs in Hoboken"):
original typescript draft with cover letter, plus copy, 7pp. Also two
variant drafts with corrections and a typescript, 11p, 1980, 1987.
Folders 12 - 13: Tropic of Cuba
Notebook: “Tropic of Cuba”: one folder of photocopies of
various drafts of this short piece which would inspire “Havana,” 46pp
and two variant drafts, 29pp and 27pp; typescript and bearing the stamp
of the Scott Meredith Literary Agency, 20pp; variant drafts of the outline
for this projected novel “Havana”; original draft for Playboy,
23pp; and a revised draft, 29pp and copy, ca.1966.
Box 21
Folders 1 – 3: Tropic of Cuba (continued)
Folder 4: Uncivilized Past
Manuscript: “Uncivilized Past”: typescript, 21pp, n.d.
Folder 5: Uncle Barbarosso
Manuscript: “Uncle Barbarosso”: original manuscript with
corrections, 1951.
Folder 6: USA 78
Manuscript; “USA 78: The Transformation of Whitman’s Democratic
Vistas and the Search for Moral Equilibrium”: typescript of grant
application, 3pp, 1977.
Folder 7: The Vaginal Bouquet
Manuscript: “The Vaginal Bouquet”: typescript with corrections,
17pp and two variant typescript drafts, 15pp and 13pp, respectively,
n.d.
Folder 8: Vatican Exhibit
Manuscript: “Vatican Exhibit”: typescript draft of a film
treatment, 3pp, n.d.
Folder 9: Win a Kewpie Doll
Manuscript: “Win a Kewpie Doll”: two variant drafts with
corrections, 9pp and 11pp, respectively, n.d.
Folders 10-12: Unidentified manuscript fragments
Folder 13: Miscellaneous notes
Folder 14: Autobiographic statement by Pietro di Donato, 3pp, ca.1971.
Folder 15: Interview with Helen di Donato conducted on April 16, 1978, 12pp.
Box 22
Miscellaneous notes; written in small notepads and index cards.
Box 23
Folder 1: Correspondence - Christ in Concrete (contract)
Portion of original contract, correspondence, dramatic rights,
royalty documents, etc.
Folder 2: Correspondence - Mario Cuomo
Two typed letters signed by Mario Cuomo, Governor of New York State,
ca.1983-85.
Folder 3: Correspondence - Federico Fellini
One holograph note from filmmaker Federico Fellini arranging a for possible
visit with di Donato, n.d..
Folder 4: Correspondence – Mikhail Gorbachev
Envelope containing a draft of a letter written to Mikhail Gorbachev
(undated) in which di Donato praises the Soviets and denounces
Ronald Reagan, ca.1980s.
Folder 5: Correspondence, ca. 1960s.
Folder 6: Correspondence, ca. 1970s.
Folder 7: Correspondence, ca. 1980s.
Folder 8: Correspondence, ca. 1990s (folder 1 of 2).
Folder 9: Correspondence, ca. 1990s (folder 2 of 2).
Folder 10: Correspondence, undated.
Folder 11: Correspondence of Richard di Donato (son of Pietro di Donato).
Folders 12-13: Correspondence – “Three Circles of Light”
Includes reviews, reader-response correspondence, and publicity, ca.1960s.
Series 3: Newspaper Clippings and Publicity Material
Box 24
Folders 1 – 3: Newspaper clippings and articles
Early general newspaper clippings and publicity material, re: Pietro
di Donato.
Folder 4: Newspaper clippings and articles - “Christ in Concrete”
One large file of newspaper clippings and reviews, re: “Christ
in Concrete,” plus original copy of the dust jacket and dust jacket
proofs, 1939-50.
Folder 5: Newspaper clippings and articles - “End of a Family”
Folder 6: Newspaper clippings and articles - Playboy Riot Cuba
One folder of newspaper clippings, re: the 1966 riot in New York City
of Cuban exiles against the NY Playboy Club in response to di Donato's
Playboy article "Tropic of Cuba," ca.1966.
Folder 7: Dust jackets from books authored by Pietro di Donato
Folder 8: Publisher’s Catalogues
Several publisher's catalogues that include di Donato books: Bobbs-Merrill
(1939), re: “Christ in Concrete” and McGraw-Hill (1960),
re: “Immigrant Saint.”
Folder 9: Tear sheets
One folder of tear sheets of : “La Smorfia”; “The Society
of the White Button”; “Uncle Barbarosso”; and “Where
the Mafia Goes to Die.”
Box 25
Folder 1: Geremio di Donato (father of Pietro di Donato)
One 8”x10” black and white photograph of Geremio di Donato,
notated on verso by Pietro (taken shortly before his “Christ in
Concrete” death on March 30, 1923) (1)
Folders 2 - 3: Alessandro Serenelli, Pietro di Donato, and Ersilia Goretti (Maria Goretti's sister) in Rome, re: "The Penitent," ca.1962 (15).
Folder 4: Pietro di Donato in Italy, ca.1960s (2).
Folder 5: Pietro di Donato and Giancarlo Pajetta, the leader of the Italian Communist Party in Rome, dated May 1978 (taken while di Donato was researching the Aldo Moro story for Penthouse) (1).
Folders 6-8: Pietro di Donato in Italy, ca.1978 (27).
Folder 9: Pietro di Donato at an event for Mario Cuomo, former governor
of New York, ca.1984 (11).
Folder 10: Pietro di Donato (7), n.d.
Folder 11: Unidentified photograph (1), n.d.
Books authored by Pietro di Donato
1) Christ in Concrete: A Novel. NY: Signet Classic, [1993], 1939.
Special Collections PS 3507 .I37 C5 1993.
2) Immigrant Saint: The Life of Mother Cabrini. NY: Dell Publishing
Company, 1962.
Special Collections BX 4700 .C13 D5 1962.
3) Cristo fra i Muratori (Italian translation of Christ in Concrete).
Milano: Bompiani, 1944.
Special Collections PS 3507 .I37 C516 1944.
Books with dedication notes to Pietro di Donato
1) Cuomo, Mario Matthew. Diaries of Mario M. Cuomo: The Campaign for
Governor. NY: Random House, 1984.
Special Collections F 125.3 .C86 A33 1984 (two copies).
2) Bertolucci, Attilio. Viaggio d’inverno (1955-1970). Milano:
Garzanti, 1971.
Special Collections PQ 4862 .E777 V5 1971.
3) Stone, I.F. The Court Disposes. NY: Covici, Friede, 1937.
Special Collections KF 8741 .S74.
4) Watson, Patrick. Fasanella's City: The Paintings of Ralph Fasanella,
with the Story of his Life and Art. NY: Ballantine Books, 1973.
Special Collections X ND 237 .F26 W37.
Book about Pietro di Donato
1) Thesis authored by Maria-Rita Scarlata titled “Christ in Concrete
by Pietro di Donato.” University of Rome. 208pp, 1975.
Special Collections X PS 3507 .I37 C538 1974.
Box 26
Esquire (magazine)
“La Smorfia.” December, 1955, pp. 104 – 105.
“Geremio.”June 1958, pp. 88-90.
Holiday (magazine)
“Little Wonder Italian Restaurants of New York.” Volume 30, Number
6, December 1961, pp.92-93, 188-191, 193-196.
“Farewell to Tenements.” Volume 38, Number 1, July 1965, pp.20g,
20j-l.
“My Chinese Neighbors.” Volume 38, Number 5, November 1965, pp.
98j - 98l, 98n, (two copies).
Box 27
Italian-American Identity (magazine)
“The House.” Volume 1, Number 2, February 1977, pp. 22-26. Also
includes “A Thinking Man Whose University was the Streets” (about
Pietro di Donato) by Joseph Barbato, pp. 20-21.
Knight (magazine)
“Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice.” Volume 8, Number 10, 1971,
pp. 16-18, 57-59.
Leonardo (yearbook)
The Leonardo Da Vinci Art School, 1938-39. Includes an article about
di Donato by Lambert Davis, p. 34, an excerpt of “Christ in Concrete,” p.
35, and “The World of Tomorrow” by di Donato, pp.37-39.
LI: Newsday’s Magazine for Long Island (newspaper magazine)
“From Laborer to Literary Lion.” November 15, 1981, pp. 18-19,
34, 37-39.
MELUS (journal)
“A MELUS Interview: Pietro di Donato,” by Dorothee von Huene-Greenberg.
Volume 14, Numbers 3-4, Fall/Winter 1987, pp. 33-52. Also in same issue, “Mantraps:
Men at Work in Pietro di Donato's Christ in Concrete and Thomas Bell’s
Out of this Furnace” by Nicholas Coles, pp. 23-32.
Nugget (magazine)
“The Flesh, the Devil and Santiago.” Volume 3 Number 2, June 1958,
pp. 12-14, 62-67.
“Nude of an Author.” Volume 11, Number 4, December 1966, pp. 10-14,
54-55.
Padre (magazine)
“In Love with a Saint” by S.J. Miraliotta. Volume 11, Number 10,
December 1960, pp. 402-406. Article about Pietro di Donato and his research
on St. Maria Goretti.
Dawn: Suffolk Sun Weekly Magazine (newspaper magazine)
"Make Love." May 10, 1969, pp. 3. 14. Article about Pietro
di Donato by Arthur Myers.
Time (magazine)
Book review of Christ in Concrete. Volume XXXIII, Number 5, April 10,
1939, pp. 75, 77.
Series 7: Artifacts and Personal Effects
Box 28
(partially restricted)
Bible: pocket-sized family Bible inscribed: “From Margaret Whalen to Anna Di Donato for confirmation June 1, 1926.”
Personal documents, including: passports (4); telephone lists; small notepads; driver’s licenses; and bricklayers and masons union due book.
Box 29
Typewriter owned by Pietro di Donato.
Box 30
Bricks and trowel owned by Pietro di Donato.
Box 31
Advertisement: “Christ in Concrete,” n.d.
Advertisement: “My Hoboken, My People”: advertisement for a di Donato feature in Coronet magazine, n.d. (two folders).
Award: Overseas Press Club of America Citation for Excellence to Pietro di Donato for "Christ in Plastic," May 24, 1979.
Articles: signed tear sheet of “La Smorfia” which was published in Esquire and a cover letter from Jacques Chambrun, 1955; and “Blue Notes” from “Bluebook,” n.d.
Blueprints: one set of master blueprints for di Donato's “Sanctuary” home in Ft Lauderdale, Florida, which di Donato designed and built himself in 1957 (“Plan of Perfect House”). Also included are three newspaper articles, ca.1957.
Notes: assorted memos, notes, and fragments, n.d.
Photographs: di Donato with Federico Fellini and Fellini's wife, Giulietta Masina (3)
Photograph: di Donato with Franco Zeffirelli, n.d. (1).