Cincinnati, Ohio-- Pearlcasters Literary Club Records

Manuscript Collection No. 644

1933-1995. 1.0 Linear ft.

ACCESS AND PROVENANCE
The Pearlcasters Literary Club Records were donated to the Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives by Arthur King, Cincinnati, Ohio in November, 1998. All literary rights to materials are held by the individual author or his/her heirs. Questions concerning rights should be addresed to the Executive Director of the American Jewish Archives. The papers are available to researchers in the reading room of the Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives.
INSTITUTIONAL SKETCH top
Following their graduation from college in 1931, a group of University students decided to form a literary discussion club in Cincinnati, the purpose of which would be to discuss the economic problems of the stock market and the subsequent Great Depression. Arguments were extremely vigorous which lead to their name, taken from St. Matthew 7:6:
...Give not that which is Holy unto the dogs neither cast ye pearls before
swine lest they trample them under their feet and turn and rend you..."
Officers of the club included the Swineheard, Caster, Shamus and Secretary. In the late 1940s, a constitution was written, and later revised in 1967. The organization was incorporated by the State of Ohio using the revised constitution in August 1970. Incorporators included Henry Fechheimer, Arthur King and Louis Ehrenfield.
Meetings took place monthly, and each season closed with a picnic. Members came from various professions. At each meeting the Caster was required to cast upon a subject "preferably controversial." Topics included the aging problem, the state of American society, abortion, the criminal mind and liberal politics. The membership grew steadily through the fifties and declined as the membership aged.
SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE top
This material consists of single series of bound copies of minutes, correspondence and papers, organized in volumes. Materials also include membership lists, officer election material and club activities. Everything is arranged chronologically.
BOX AND FOLDER LISTING top
Box  Folder    Contents

Box 1

Pearlcasters Literary Club Records. Volume 1. 1931-1950.
Pearlcasters Literary Club Records. Volume 2. 1951-1961.
Pearlcasters Literary Club Records. Volume 3. 1961-1970.
Pearlcasters Literary Club Records. Volume 4. 1971-1980.
Pearlcasters Literary Club Records. Volume 5. 1981-1985.
Pearlcasters Literary Club Records. Volume 6. 1986-1990.
Pearlcasters Literary Club Records. Volume 7. 1991-1996.
Folder of photographs from 1981 picnic.
Copyright © 2000 Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives