Title: Maurice Sarfaty Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1960-2001

Creator:

• Sarfaty, Maurice, 1940-2001

Call Number: UWM Manuscript Collection 198

Quantity: 3.2 cubic ft. (8 boxes)
Repository:

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives Department

Archival Location:

UW-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives / Milwaukee Area Research Ctr. (Map)

Abstract:

The collection contains the personal papers of Maurice Sarfaty, a Greek immigrant whose family came to the United States in the 1950's. Sarfaty was an avid writer and self-published author of both fantasy fiction and gothic horror stories. The collection includes correspondence, daily journals, literary manuscripts, published opinion pieces, and a small collection of photos.

Language: English, French, Greek

URL to cite for this finding aid: http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/wiarchives.uw-mil-uwmmss0198

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Maurice Sarfaty, a self-published author and prolific writer of both fantasy and gothic tales, was born in Athens, Greece on March 5, 1940 to Jack and Mitsi Sarfaty. With his birth occurring just prior to the German invasion of Greece, his early childhood was, as Sarfaty put it, "hampered by a very real war." It consisted not of playing, but reading. He later claimed that his love for reading classic tales led him to write stories of love and adventure.

Following the war, the Sarfaty family remained in Greece for a brief time. In 1951, the family immigrated to the United States and eventually settled on Milwaukee's north side. Maurice graduated from Washington High School in 1960. After graduation, he entered the National Guard and remained a guard member for six years during the height of the Cold War. His first serious written work was an autobiographical account of his experiences at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri's army boot camp. Following his initial training period Sarfaty became interested in fencing and participated in amateur fencing events for over twenty years. Sarfaty was also avid collector of weapons. He amassed a large collection of swords, sabers, foils, as well as guns of all types and calibers. In addition to these hobbies, Sarfaty loved the life of the outdoorsman. He competed as a trap shooter, equestrian rider, and show jumper.

In 1964, Sarfaty began to write stories and poems. His writing consisted of hundreds of stories, poems, and two books, Varvanna and Interludes in Horror and Other Short Stories. As well as writing fiction, Sarfaty kept a journal from 1960 to the 1990s. The journal describes events from his personal life, and events of local and national significance.

Sarfaty wrote over two hundred opinion pieces published in the Milwaukee Journal, Milwaukee Sentinel, and the Chicago Tribune on topics such as religion, abortion, the right to bear arms, citizenship and immigration.

The papers are divided into three major series: correspondence, journals, and literary manuscripts. In addition to these are three minor series dealing with Sarfaty's hobbies, which included fencing and drawing. Also included are his published opinion pieces on topics ranging from abortion to gun control.

Correspondence consists of letters exchanged between Sarfaty and his family and friends; various political figures, including Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold; and prospective publishers of Sarfaty's literary writing.

The series of journals is arranged chronologically. They describe the daily life of an average working American, who lived in Milwaukee County while working for Kroger's and A.O. Smith. Specifically, the journals describe Sarfaty's military training, his two divorces, and the legal fight for custody of his son.

The literary manuscripts series consists of short stories of various literary genres (gothic, horror, and fantasy). The series is arranged alphabetically by title. It also includes a group of untitled stories as well as a collection of poems and sonnets. The majority of this work was published in Varvanna and Interludes in Horror and Other Short Stories.

The remainder of the collection consists of several small series. These include fencing ephemera from the Shorewood Fencing Club, biographical information, photos, and opinion pieces published in the Milwaukee Journal, Milwaukee Sentinel, and Chicago Tribune from 1968 to 2000.

The files are organized alphabetically by subject, then chronologically.

Citation Guide for Primary Sources

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law.

Use Restrictions

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).

Acquisition Information

Janine Arseneau donated the collection to the Archives in 2003 (accession 2003-003).

Processing Information

Joel Westphal processed the collection at the Archives in December 2003.

Box   1 Folder   1	Biographical Information, undated
	Correspondence
Box   1 Folder   2	Incoming, 1966-2000
Box   1 Folder   3	Outgoing, 1968-2001
Box   1 Folder   4	Outgoing, undated
Box   1 Folder   5	Diplomas and Awards, 1960-2001
Box   1 Folder   6	Drawings and Sketches, undated
Box   1 Folder   7	Fencing Material, 1972-1997
	Journals
Box   1 Folder   8	Military Training Diary, 1960
Box   1 Folder   9	1960 February 14-March 29
Box   1 Folder   10	1960 March 31-May 23
Box   2 Folder   1	1960 May 24-August 28
Box   2 Folder   2	1960 August 29-1961 January 6
Box   2 Folder   3	1961 January 14-1962 February 18
Box   2 Folder   4	1962 February 19-May 2
Box   2 Folder   5	1964 June 11-1965 January 11
Box   3 Folder   1	1965 January 12-July 31
Box   3 Folder   2	1965 July 31-1966 September 9
Box   3 Folder   3	1966 September 12-1968 January 12
Box   3 Folder   4	1968 January 12-1969 September 12
Box   4 Folder   1	1969 September 12-1970 June 13
Box   4 Folder   2	1970 June 13-1971 October 5
Box   4 Folder   3	1971 October 17-1972 September 1
Box   4 Folder   4	1972 August 31-1975 January 1
Box   5 Folder   1	1975 January 1-1976 December 31
Box   5 Folder   2	1977 January 1-1979 April 20
Box   5 Folder   3	1979 April 22-1983 December 29
Box   6 Folder   1	1984 January 3-1992 December 30
	Literary Manuscripts
Box   6 Folder   2	A-B
Box   6 Folder   3	C
Box   6 Folder   4	D
Box   6 Folder   5	E-G
Box   6 Folder   6	H
Box   6 Folder   7	"Have Duffel Bag Will Travel." 1960
Box   7 Folder   1-2	I
Box   7 Folder   3	K-L
Box   7 Folder   4	M-Ma
Box   7 Folder   5	Me-N
Box   7 Folder   6	O-Q
Box   8 Folder   8	Poems and Sonnets, undated
Box   7 Folder   7	R
Box   8 Folder   1	S
Box   8 Folder   3	"Tania," Drafts, undated
Box   8 Folder   2	"Tania," Finished Work, undated
Box   8 Folder   4	T-V
Box   8 Folder   9	Untitled, undated
Box   8 Folder   5	W
Box   8 Folder   6	Literary Manuscripts in French, untitled, undated
Box   8 Folder   7	Literary Manuscripts in Greek, "Regret," undated
Box   8 Folder   10	Miscellaneous, undated
Box   8 Folder   11	Photos, undated
Box   8 Folder   12	Publication Agreements, 1981
Box   8 Folder   13	Published Opinion Pieces, 1968-2000