Collection on Belle Hancoff
Scope and Contents
The Collection on Belle Hancoff (1968-2011; 1 folder) contains copies of typed and written notes of Belle Hancoff's two LSD sessions under the guidance of Walter Pahnke and music therapist, Helen Bonny. It also includes a letter from Walter Pahnke to Belle’s son, Lewis Hancoff, about Belle’s prognosis. The collection also includes written recollections by Belle’s other son, Stephen Hancoff, primarily in response to Alexander Zaitchik's article "Flashback! Psychedelic Research Returns" on Salon.com, which is also in the collection.
Dates
- Creation: 1968 - 2011
Creator
- Hancoff, Steve (Person)
Language of Materials
Collection material is in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Copyright and Use Information
Copyright held by Purdue University.
Biographical or Historical Information
Stephen Hancoff is the son of Belle Hancoff and the brother of Lewis Hancoff. His mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and was given LSD in a therapeutic setting twice under the guidance of Walter Pahnke and Helen Bonny during 1968. Source: Stephen Hancoff papers. 1968-2011. Virginia Kelley Karnes Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University, Indiana.
Extent
0.20 Cubic Feet (One half-width letter size manuscript box.)
Abstract
This collection documents Belle Hancoff’s two LSD sessions guided by Walter Pahnke along with the help of Helen Bonny, as well as Pahnke’s discussion of Belle Hancoff’s battle with cancer in a letter to Lewis Hancoff. Stephen Hancoff discusses his mother’s illness in a response to Alexander Zaitchik’s article "lashback! Psychedelic Research Returns," and he also mentions his relationship to William Richards and Stanislav Grof.
Arrangement
Material is arranged as received.
Acquisition Information
Collection donated by Stephen Hancoff, December 21, 2011.
Subject
- Pahnke, Walter (Person)
- Hancoff, Belle (Person)
- Bonny, Helen (Person)
Genre / Form
Topical
- Cancer--Psychological aspects
- Death--Psychological aspects
- Hallucinogenic drugs -- Therapeutic use
- Hallucinogenic drugs -- Therapeutic use -- History
- LSD (Drug) -- Therapeutic use
- LSD (Drug) -- Therapeutic use -- Case studies
- LSD (Drug) -- Therapeutic use -- History
- Psychedelic psychiatry
- Psychedelics -- Therapeutic use
- Title
- Collection on Belle Hancoff
- Status
- Under Review
- Author
- Kristin Leaman and Serena Potter
- Date
- 2018-01-30
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
- Edition statement
- Third edition. Collection description was first completed January 30, 2012.
Repository Details
Part of the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Repository
504 Mitch Daniels Boulevard
West Lafayette Indiana 47907 United States
765-494-2839
archives@purdue.edu