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These materials were collected during American writer Kay Boyle's time in Cambodia from 1966-1980, reporting on the impact of the Vietnam War.

The papers in the Kay Boyle collection cover the following areas: typed drafts with corrections of her Cambodia assignment for the Progressive. Photos taken during her trip to Cambodia in late July 1966. The first of two folders containing photos reflects various aspects of a public gathering where Boyle can be seen seated in front along with members of Americans Want to Know. The second folder contains photos of war damage shot by the delegation during their tour in the countryside. Other materials include private letters to Boyle from friends, including a friendly letter from Joan Baez (postmarked November 1989), writing about her writing and her visits to Redwood City volunteering in an AIDS clinic, among other things. Also included are institutions and newspaper clippings on Boyle's long time friend, Frances Steloff including black and white photographs of Steloff. Steloff is the founder of Manhattan's Gotham Book Mart and patron of alternative authors such as Henry Miller, Marianne Moore and Kenneth Patchen. Other than a letter from the managing editor of the New York Times, in which the Cambodia trip is mentioned, these items have no connection to the Cambodia assignment. The papers are placed in one box containing six folders. The photos provide a glimpse of cultural and political life at the time. They capture considerable Buddhist presence including rituals in which Prince Sihanuk is a participant. The photos also document public opulence associated with a royal procession, as well as intimate interaction between the Prince and his civilian and military constituency. In the countryside, the photos provide images of rural life and the collateral damage resulting from US bombing. The Cambodia photos, and photos of Frances Steloff at her centennial, are the heart of this collection. However, they are not unique, for similar photos permeate the public record. Similarly, the drafts of Boyle's assignment contain scant corrections that add little to the discourse on Boyle's style. The drafts resemble the article published in the Progressive. The archival value of this collection is limited to the black and white photos.