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"The Free Company Presents . . ." Collection

Notifications

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

Call Number:
C0126
Repository:
Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division
Extent:
  • 1 box
  • 0.2 linear feet
Language:
English
Preferred Citation:
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); "The Free Company Presents . . ." Collection, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
Date:
circa 1941 (inclusive)
Creator:
Boyd, James, 1888-1944
Form:
Radio plays -- United States.
Abstract:
Consists of manuscripts of the three radio plays in, and the introduction to, The Free Company Presents . . . (1941), compiled by James Boyd.

Boyd, James, 1888-1944

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.

Folder Inventory added by Hilde Creager '15 in 2013.

No appraisal information is available.

Subject

Publisher
Manuscripts Division
Finding Aid Date
2008
Access Restrictions

Open for research/

Use Restrictions

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. No further photoduplication of copies of material in the collection can be made when Princeton University Library does not own the original. Inquiries regarding publishing material from the collection should be directed to RBSC Public Services staff through the Ask Us! form. The library has no information on the status of literary rights in the collection and researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright.

Collection Inventory

Autograph Manuscript of "Introduction" by James Boyd, circa 1941. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

14 pp.

Physical Description

1 folder

Typescript of "Introduction" by James Boyd, circa 1941. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

6 pp.

Physical Description

1 folder

Typescript (mimeo) with extensive holograph additions and corrections of "A Boy Named John" by James Boyd, circa 1941. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

31 pp. Play previously entitled "The Manger Baby," and published as "One More Free Man"

Physical Description

1 folder

Typescript (mimeo) with holograph corrections of "His Honor, the Mayor" by Orson Welles, circa 1941. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

31 pp. Includes 1-page intro by Boyd.

Physical Description

1 folder

Autograph Manuscript and Typescript of "Above Suspicion" by Sherwood Anderson, circa 1941. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

34 pp. Holograph manuscript portions in hand of James Boyd.

Physical Description

1 folder

Typescript with holograph corrections of "Above Suspicion" by Sherwood Anderson, circa 1941. 1 folder.
Scope and Contents

16 pp.

Physical Description

1 folder

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