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Thompson Westcott scrapbooks of Charles Durang's history of Philadelphia theater between the years 1749 and 1855, 1868 (inclusive)

Extent:

2 linear feet (6 volumes)

Abstract:

A native of Philadelphia, Thompson Westcott (1820-1888) was one of the city's leading journalists and historians of his generation. Westcott's scrapbooks consist of the complete series of the 267 chapters of Charles Durang's history of theater in Philadelphia between the years 1749 and 1855, published as weekly installments in the Sunday Dispatch from 1854 to 1863. Including page numbers, indexes, and lists of illustrations, the six volumes (available to be viewed online) are interleaved with images of theaters and portraits of famous actors and artists, as well as with personal correspondence, playbills, and additional clippings on theatrical subject.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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Colonel T. Allston Brown history of the American stage notebooks, circa 1905 (inclusive)

Extent:

0.6 linear feet (5 volumes)

Abstract:

T. Allston Brown, was a theater critic, newspaper editor, talent agent and theater historian who lived from 1836 to 1918. Brown spent the majority of his adult life in Philadelphia, PA and published extensively on the history of American theater. The collection includes five bound volumes containing handwritten notes and newspaper clippings concerning the history of the American stage from 1749 to 1905. The volumes are organized by geographic location. The first three volumes are respectively focused on Boston, Philadelphia, and New York City. The fourth volume includes information on Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, greater Pennsylvania, New Jersey, greater New York, and Rhode Island. The fifth volume includes information on Brooklyn.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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Charles Zuber papers on the history of theater in Cincinnati, circa 1937 (inclusive)

Extent:

0.5 linear feet (1 box)

Abstract:

Charles Zuber (1872-1938) was a sports writer for the Cincinnati Times-Star from 1895 to 1910 who intended to write a definitive history of early Cincinnati theater events. This collection includes a heavily annotated typescript draft of his articles on the history of theater in Cincinnati; notes from his research on the topic; and a more polished typescript, possibly a finished version designed to become a complete history.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]