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"The Free Company Presents . . ." Collection
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Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
In 1940, American novelist James Boyd (Princeton Class of 1910) organized the Free Company of Players, a group of American writers that produced a series of original radio plays in response to what they saw as antidemocratic attitudes prevalent in America due to the growing war in Europe.
The collection consists of manuscripts of the three radio plays in, and the introduction to The Free Company Presents . . ., compiled by James Boyd (Princeton Class of 1910). Two versions of Boyd's introduction give the background of this group of authors and actors who presented American propaganda plays over CBS radio in the spring of 1941. A copy of Boyd's "One More Free Man" (final title) and a mimeograph copy of Orson Welles's "His Honor, the Mayor" (annotated, probably by Boyd) exist in the collection. The third play, "Above Suspicion," is ascribed to Sherwood Anderson, although the play was not completed at his death. Anderson's idea was developed by the company, and the play was presented in tribute to him.
Published under same title (New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1941)
Gift of James Boyd '1941. AM 12239.
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Folder Inventory added by Hilde Creager '15 in 2013.
No appraisal information is available.
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Date
- 2008
- Access Restrictions
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Open for research/
- Use Restrictions
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Collection Inventory
14 pp.
Physical Description1 folder
6 pp.
Physical Description1 folder
31 pp. Play previously entitled "The Manger Baby," and published as "One More Free Man"
Physical Description1 folder
31 pp. Includes 1-page intro by Boyd.
Physical Description1 folder
34 pp. Holograph manuscript portions in hand of James Boyd.
Physical Description1 folder
16 pp.
Physical Description1 folder