Organized into seven series: (1) John Kennedy Toole, (2) A confederacy of dunces, (3) The neon Bible, (4) John D. Toole, Jr. (father), (5) Thelma Ducoing Toole, (6) Garvy/Ducoing family, (7) Walker Percy.

Oversize boxes and folders contain miscellaneous framed photographs or large books. Most items in the oversized boxes are cross-referenced in another box.

Arranged numerically, the collection consists of 22 boxes, 3 volumes, 2 oversize boxes, and a copy of the novel A Confederacy of Dunces, autographed by his mother Thelma Ducoing Toole. It is 18 linear feet.

Abbreviations used throughout the inventory:

JKT: John Kennedy Toole

TDT: Thelma Ducoing Toole

COD: Confederacy of Dunces

NB: Neon Bible

LSUP: Louisiana State University Press

CHMM: Curtis, Hyde, Mooney, McEachin (Attorneys)

Date Acquired: 00/00/1980. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Authors, American -- 20th century., Ducoing family., Gottlieb, Robert, 1931-, Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, La.). Press., Percy, Walker, 1916-1990., Toole, John D., Toole, John Kennedy, 1937-1969., Toole, Thelma.

Forms of Material: Clippings (information artifacts), Correspondence., Manuscripts (document genre), Typescripts.

Languages: English, French, Spanish;Castilian

Scope and Contents of the Materials

The collection primarily consists of the personal and literary papers of John Kennedy Toole, including unbound manuscripts and typescripts, correspondence, pamphlets, drawings, photographs, music, and posters. There is a considerable amount of memorabilia that his mother, Thelma Ducoing Toole, kept concerning her son, including his baby cup and his undergraduate honors thesis. John Kennedy Toole's correspondence with Robert Gottlieb, his first editor as well as letters illustrating the process of getting A Confederacy of Dunces published are in this collection. There are also large numbers of reviews and articles about Toole and his works. The papers and personal belongings of his parents, John D. Toole and Thelma Ducoing Toole, can also be found in the collection.

Biographical Note

John Kennedy Toole, posthumous winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1981, was born in New Orleans on December 17, 1937. After skipping several grades, he finished high school at the age of sixteen. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa with Honors in English at Tulane University in 1958. He received his master's degree in 1959 from Columbia University, and taught at Hunter College. He was drafted in 1962 and stationed with the Army in San Juan, Puerto Rico, where he continued to teach English and wrote A Confederacy of Dunces. Upon returning to New Orleans, he unsuccessfully attempted to have his manuscript published; he taught at Dominican College and in 1968 enrolled in graduate school at Tulane University to work on his doctorate. In 1969, he asphyxiated himself in his car in Biloxi, Mississippi. The novel was ultimately published by Louisiana State University Press in 1980 after his mother, Thelma Ducoing Toole, approached novelist Walker Percy with the manuscript. A Confederacy of Dunces won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, as well as the Louisiana Literary Award. A musical production based on the novel premiered at LSU in 1984. Toole was also the author of The Neon Bible, which he wrote at age sixteen.

Subject/Index Terms

Authors, American -- 20th century.
Ducoing family.
Gottlieb, Robert, 1931-
Louisiana State University (Baton Rouge, La.). Press.
Percy, Walker, 1916-1990.
Toole, John D.
Toole, John Kennedy, 1937-1969.
Toole, Thelma.

Administrative Information

Repository: Louisiana Research Collection

Accruals: Additional materials added between 1984 and 1998.

Alternate Extent Statement: 18 linear feet

Access Restrictions: Collection is open to the public. Portions of the collection may not be duplicated.

Use Restrictions: Physical rights are retained by the Louisiana Research Collection. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws. The estate of Walker Percy retains all literary rights to his work, including the correspondence from him in this collection. The Manuscripts Department will not provide researchers with photocopies of documents created by Walker Percy. Permission to use the restricted portions of this collection must be obtained from the estate of Walker Percy.

Acquisition Source: Donated by John Kennedy Toole's mother, Thelma Ducoing Toole, her estate, and heirs between 1980 and 1990.

Acquisition Method: Gift.

Preferred Citation: John Kennedy Toole Papers, Manuscripts Collection 740, Louisiana Research Collection, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University, New Orleans LA 70118.

Processing Information: Collection processed between 1980 and 1990.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid collection record input to Archon by student worker Connor Deegan in 2009. Finding aid revised by Susie Scifres Kuilan in 2005. Finding aid information entered in Archon by LAC Group in 2011. Revised by LAC Group 6/24/11.

Other Note: OCLC Number: 236103515

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: JKT correspondence, military paperwork, personal items, and photographs, 1955-1967],
[Box 2: JKT correspondence, military paperwork, personal items, and photographs, 1955-1959],
[Box 3: JKT correspondence, military paperwork, personal items, and photographs, 1938-1968],
[Box 4: JKT correspondence, military paperwork, personal items, and photographs, 1944-1999],
[Box 5: JKT correspondence, military paperwork, personal items, and photographs, 1937-1981],
[Box 6: Unpublished manuscripts, COD manuscripts [Restricted]],
[Box 7: Unpublished manuscripts, COD manuscripts [Restricted]],
[Box 8: Unpublished manuscripts, COD manuscripts [Restricted]],
[Box 9: Collateral printed materials for COD, 1978-1982],
[Box 10: Collateral printed materials for COD, 1978-1990],
[Box 11: NB materials, JDT personal items, and TDT correspondence through 1981 February],
[Box 12: TDT correspondence and personal items, 1981 March-1984 February],
[Box 13: TDT correspondence and personal items, 1984 March-1987 March; 1920-1984.],
[Box 14: TDT correspondence and personal items, 1929-1983],
[Box 15: JKT notebooks],
[Box 16: JKT notebooks],
[Box 17: TDT and family photographs],
[Box 18: TDT personal items],
[Box 19: TDT personal items],
[Box 20: TDT personal items],
[Box 21: Garvey/Ducoing family and Walker Percy items],
[Box 22: Margaret (Dolly Ducoing) Garvey postcard collection and child's items],
[Box 23: Additional typescripts],
[Volume 1: JKT personal materials: Achievement scrapbook],
[Volume 2: Scrapbook with photographs],
[Volume 3: COD signed by Thelma to John Geiser, 1981 June 14],
[Oversize box 1: Oversized collection],
[Oversize box 2: Oversized collection],
[Oversize box 3: Photo album],
[Oversize folder 1],
[All]

Box 21: Garvey/Ducoing family and Walker Percy items

Box 21 contains items concerning the Garvey/Ducoing side of the family. The Walker Percy materials that are in this box are restricted and permission to quote from his letters must be obtained from the Walker Percy estate rather than Howard-Tilton library.

Folder 1: Garvey/Ducoing family, Paul Ducoing and Margaret Garvey marriage certificates, 1889 June 13

Receipt for registering marriage and marriage certificate.

Folder 2: Garvey/Ducoing family, Paul Ducoing and Margaret Garvey, Margaret's succession, financial

Property tax receipt for 1927 for 1020 Elysian Fields.

1904 February 1. Note saying note [mortgage] cancelled.

1913 February 13. Note from Bogalusa Land and Improvement Company for 1020 Elysian Fields.

Agreement to purchase Texas Creosoting Company stock by Paul Ducoing.

Petition of succession of surviving spouse and heirs of Margaret Garvey Ducoing.

1924 March 13. Statement by Jacob Schoen and Sons for funeral of Margaret Ducoing.

Folder 3: Garvey/Ducoing family, Arthur Ducoing, poems, wills, letters, et cetera

1979 April 14. Poem for Easter Sunday.

1975 January 20. Happy birthday poem to Kenny Haab.

1980 January 16. Program in honor of Kenneth Haab.

1974 December 20. Christmas party program and poem.

1969 May 7. Receipt for Touro Infirmary.

1969 May 21. Receipt for Drs. Teitelbaum, Schneider, and Heard for Gastro-Intestinal series and enema.

1974 November 25. Birthday poem to George Antoine.

1966 October 26. Three pages of notes concerning bloodwork.

Poem "Doc's Insurrection and Subsequent Resurrection."

1977 August 28. Birthday poem to Paul E. Bouchereau.

1980 January 29. Photocopy of baseball team with note to Louie [Provenzano] signed by Duke asking for help identifying those who are still living.

1985 August 2. Thank you note from Karen and Son.

1977 July 28. Birthday poem for Arthur "Duke."

Poem on scrap of paper.

1953 May 9. Handwritten will. Gives all to Margaret Ann Garvey.

1934 August 23. Handwritten will. Gives all to Margaret Ann Garvey.

1947 January 10. Codicil. Names Margaret Ann Garvey as executrix of his estate.

Folder 4: Garvey/Ducoing family, Arthur Ducoing, diplomas and certificates

1921 December 5. Diploma from Soulé Commercial College and Literary Institute New Orleans, Louisiana - shorthand and typewriting course for office reporting.

1945 August 3. Honorable discharge from United States Coast Guard as Yeoman Second Class.

Folder 5: Garvey/Ducoing family, Arthur Ducoing, financial, insurance papers

Receipt for JKT funeral signed by TDT to Arthur Ducoing.

Two receipts for liquidation loan on JKT insurance policy signed by TDT to Arthur Ducoing.

Index card listing payments made to TDT.

Receipt for purchase of Jefferson Lake Oil stock.

Two receipts for fire insurance on 1016 Elysian Fields.

Two cancelled checks to Meister Insurance.

Letter enclosing life insurance policy.

Four policies from Meister insurance on house.

Typed financial notes by Arthur.

Receipt for purchase of Jefferson Lake Oil stock.

Paperwork on Texas Creosoting Company Stocks [3 pieces].

Copy of purchase order for shares in Occidental Petroleum Corporation.

Receipt from Dr. Haspal and request for Medicare payment.

Folder 6: Garvey/Ducoing family, Arthur Decoing, rings, medals, i.d.'s, et cetera

Envelope with more TDT writings on outside and inside:

Senior citizen club card for Eckerd drugs.

Half fare senior citizen card for public transportation.

Reduced fare senior citizen for Regional Transit Authority (RTA).

Envelope for safety deposit box key.

Firemen's Charitable and Benevolent membership card.

Envelope with coin belt buckle, coin key ring, shield pendant, coin, ring.

Folder 7: Garvey/Ducoing family, Anna Ducoing, "French Fiasco"

Twenty-two receipts from Anna Ducoing. Paris.

One receipt for purchase of bonds on installment - hence earlier receipts.

Letter of contract for this purchase.

Certificate for above transactions.

Typed card "French Fiasco."

Folder 8: Garvey/Ducoing family, Paul Ducoing, Jr., miscellaneous

1966 June 13. Receipt for funeral.

Receipt for registering his birth - born 1889 December 21.

Membership in Firemen's Charitable and Benevolent Association of New Orleans.

1919 May 9. Certificate in lieu of discharge certificate honorable discharge as a private.

1918 October 6-November 11. Transcript from record of service Muese-Argonne Offensive. .

Insurance certificate for 1918 January 25. (War risk insurance)

Presidential certificate upon his death in his memory.

Folder 9: Garvey/Ducoing family, Margaret Garvey (Dolly Ducoing), miscellaneous

Request by Arthur for itemized bill by doctor.

Envelope that states "Dolly's Baptismal Certificate" but no certificate.

Empty envelope from Standard Fruit and Steamship Company.

1908 February 28. Admittance card to the Fifth Annual Ball of the Brotherhood of Railway Clerks.

Letter to Arthur concerning Margaret and medical premiums and payments.

Newsclipping which discusses parents entertaining in honor of Margaret.

Social Security card.

Record of stocks through National Bank of Commerce and stock certificate.

Record of stock through Hibernia National Bank 1966 and 1967.

Application for account number (Social Security number).

Letter and payment from Hibernia on shares and proxy statement.

Receipt for Blue Cross.

1969 March 14. Safety deposit box rental slip from Whitney National Bank of New Orleans.

Folder 10: Garvey/Ducoing family, James A. Ducoing (brother of Paul A. Ducoing)

1926 February 14. Handwritten will which leaves estate of Emma Catherine Ducoing and Lizzer Farley and names brother (Paul A. Ducoing) as executor. (original and copy)

1937 October 9. Funeral receipt. Paid by Paul A. Ducoing.

Folder 11: Garvey/Ducoing family, miscellaneous items

Obituary of Paul A. Ducoing's father Frank who served in the Civil War.

Receipt for Mrs. Paul Ducoing for payment of Peter Garvey's funeral.

Shareholder information from National Bank of Commerce.

1929 April 13. Unsigned deposition of placing shares in company.

Empty envelope.

Insurance receipt book for medical for George and Paul Ducoing.

Folder 12: Garvey/Ducoing family, Ducoing family home, 1873-1892

This folder is difficult to decipher and many of the items could be better identified and explained by someone familiar with old property and legal paperwork.

Chain of title prepared by attorneys - for Elysian Fields property.

1886 June 4. Receipt for sale.

Contract of sale between Edouard Marquez to Commercial Homestead Association with attached unknown related documents.

Empty envelope from civil district court.

Handwritten plan of property with attached documents including statement of closing costs and a receipt from Arthur on a savings bond in Margaret Ann Garvey's name given to bank.

Unknown slip of paper with "see Book 122 to 950."

Three receipts for payment on mortgage 1887.

1887 February 16. Sale of property paperwork. Unknown other details.

1892 December 31. Contract of sale between Commercial Homestead and Francis Marquez.

Promise to pay IOU for mortgage payment 1887.

Purchase contract by Ducoings through land sold for taxes.

1873 October 20. Contract for sale of property by Ducoing heirs to Jean Maumus.

Folder 13: Garvey/Ducoing family, Ducoing family home, 1925-1965

Letter by Arthur requesting homestead exemption and attached supporting documents.

1957 January 21. Renewal for house insurance.

Payment statements and receipts for engineering work done to street (curb, gutters, et cetera) charged by city.

Authorization for homestead exemption.

Folder 14: Garvey/Ducoing family, family tombs

Handwritten list of internments and two photocopies.

Three copies of title to cemetery lot.

Letter to cemetery indicating wishes of remaining Ducoings.

Ten receipts for purchasing of marble.

Proof of heirship plus photocopy.

Two empty envelopes for title and conveyance of lot in Greenwood cemetery.

Letters by Arthur Ducoing trying to obtain plastic inner liners for cemetery urns.

Folder 15: Walker Percy materials, letters

1976 December 7. Note from Walker Percy. States that COD was an "astonishingly original and talented novel" but is not sure whether it can be published; mentions that he will pass manuscript to others.

1978 May 18. Note from Walker Percy. With attached article written by Kenneth Holditch.

1980 June 12. Note from Walker Percy. Acknowledges having seen good reviews of COD while in Canada with envelope.

1980 July 26. Note from Walker Percy.

1982 September 11. Note from Margaret Johnston to Walker Percy. Requests letter be forwarded to TDT; requests information on getting her own son's book published.

1983 September 10. Note from Walker Percy.

1983 December 11. Note from Walker Percy. Mentions Louisiana State University not wanting JKT's papers [presumably she requests that LSUP publish his academic papers - a project that she had undertaken].

Folder 16: Walker Percy materials, framed black and white photo

Located in Oversize Box 2.

Folder 17: Walker Percy materials, Love in the Ruins

By Walker Percy. London: Secker and Warburg, 1978. Inscribed: "For Thelma Toole from her friend and son's admirer. Walker Percy. 1978 May 2."

Folder 18: Walker Percy materials, clippings

Newspaper clippings about Walker Percy and his writings.

Tulane University Special Collections