The Correspondence Series (6 linear feet) is the largest component of this collection, containing within it three subseries: Correspondence with Yiddish Poets and Scholars, Correspondence with Composers, and General Correspondence. There is a separate file for each correspondent, with the exception of those individuals for whom only a few items exist in the collection. Such items are found in the "Miscellaneous" files. There is one miscellaneous folder apiece for the Yiddish sub-series and the Composers sub-series. In the General Correspondence sub-series, there is a folder at the beginning of each letter of the alphabet. All three sub-series are arranged alphabetically by surname. Within each folder, items are arranged chronologically, with undated materials filed last.
There is only one file in this series which relates to a subject rather than an individual. In the General Correspondence, the "Poetry Society of America" file contains extensive documentation concerning the 1958-59 nomination controversy. In addition to letters between himself and other participants, Kramer has included an essay detailing his version of these events.
Nearly every individual mentioned in the preceding Biography statement has a substantial file within this series, with the exception of the 18th- and 19th-century poets whom Kramer translated. Researchers should also note that some files contain correspondence from third parties related to the subject of the file. Also, Kramer saved relatively few copies of his own outgoing letters. Finally, it should be noted that the division between the three sub-series is not always intuitive. The Yiddish sub-series contains only material from Yiddish poets and scholars, and their family members. The Composers sub-series contains only material from composers. Some of the editors who published Kramer's Yiddish translations are included in General Correspondence, as are playwrites such as Albert Bein and Albert Maltz, who worked on musicals with Kramer.
With this series, Kramer's annotations are especially valuable. While preparing the correspondence, he frequently attached post-it notes to the letters, on which he had written down thoughts and memories related to the item. With each accession of correspondence, Kramer sent one of the annotated lists mentioned above. In addition to briefly identifying each correspondent, the lists include details about the content, context, dates, and amount of material in each file. Two of these lists (with overlapping content) include those individuals whom Kramer considered "significant." Though Kramer's judgment is subjective and biased, these lists can save time for researchers interested in well-known literary figures. In total, there are seven lists, which means that researchers may have to look through several in order to find all the information related to one correspondent. In addition, Kramer began, but did not complete a list of detailed reminiscences about his correspondents, their careers, and their interaction with him. In the process, he revealed a great deal concerning his own life. The list stops at the letter "J", and does not cover composers, Yiddish authors, or "significant" individuals.
The letters from Kramer's acquaintances, friends, and collaborators discuss topics ranging from personal revelations to formal business agreements. What links the nearly one thousand names in this series is the fact that all were somehow involved in creative activities, as artists, editors, publishers, or scholars. This series does not include letters from Kramer's relatives, or friends who weren't involved in the arts. While personal anecdotes and intimate details appear frequently in these letters, a majority of the correspondence relates to art, from descriptions of specific projects to broad discussions of politics and philosophy. Kramer frequently solicited and received opinions on his work. In return, Kramer offered his own responses to the work of his colleagues. In the course of dozens of collaborations with artists and editors, ideas were exchanged on countless artistic and financial details.
While incoming letters comprise the bulk of this series, it also contains a large number of enclosures and ephemeral materials. Of significance for researchers, numerous poets and composers sent Kramer their manuscripts in order to request his personal opinion, or obtain his editorial approval. Often, these manuscripts are annotated by Kramer or the original author. Other annotated manuscripts in this series are by-products of artistic collaborations (especially within the Composers sub-series). Also included in these files are announcements, fliers, news clippings, and article reprints concerning the work of Kramer's friends and associates. Both the manuscripts and ephemera are frequently undated. Therefore, while the dated material is interfiled with other correspondence, researchers should also look at the back of every file to find these items.