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Richard Pleasant Papers

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

Pleasant, Richard, 1909-1961

Richard Pleasant, a member of the Princeton Class of 1932, was a founder of the Ballet Theatre, co-manager with Isadora Bennett of the McCarter Theatre, and press agent with Bennett for people and organizations in the arts, such as the Polish painter Alexander Kobzdej and the founder-director of the New Yorx City Opera Co., Laszlo Halasz.

The collection consists of writings, correspondence, photographs, diaries, scrapbooks, press releases, newspapers, clippings, and miscellaneous material related to Pleasant (Princeton Class of 1932).

Arranged in this order: Richard Pleasant, Bennett and Pleasant, American Theatre Wing, "Italy at Work" (Brooklyn Museum Exhibit), Laszlo Halasz, Aleksander Kobzdez, McCarter Theatre, miscellaneous material, scrapbooks of press releases, reviews, diaries, correspondence, and photographs.

For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.

Folder inventory prepared by Fadzilah Yahaya GS in 2011.

Publisher
Manuscripts Division
Finding Aid Date
2008
Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.

Collection Inventory

Brochures, Commemorative Books of Exhibits and Invitations to Brooklyn Museum, 1949-1951. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence Pertaining to Italian Exhibit ("Italy at Work") at Brooklyn Museum, 1950 April - December. 6 folders.
Physical Description

6 folders

Newspaper Cuttings on Exhibit "Italy at Work", 1950-1951. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Photos of Exhibit "Italy at Work" taken in Firenze, Italy, undated. 8 folders.
Physical Description

8 folders

Press Releases by Isadora Bennett and Richard Pleasant on Exhibit "Italy at Work", 1950. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Commemorative Books of American Ballet Theater, 1959-1960. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Report on the Advisory Committee on McCarter Theatre, 1959 December 10. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

The McCarter Theatre of Princeton and Theatre at Princeton - A Study by Richard Pleasant, 1957. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Newspaper Clippings on McCarter Theatre, 1955-1958. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Press Releases for McCarter Theater by Isadora Bennett and Richard Pleasant, 1959. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Newspaper Reviews of Season at McCarter Theatre, 1956-1957. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Personal Letters to Richard Pleasant on Performances at McCarter Theatre, 1955-1957. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

Correspondence on McCarter Theatre, 1955-1957. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Newspaper Reviews, Playbills on Opening Nights at McCarter Theatre, 1958. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Biographies of Richard Pleasant, 1958. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Obituaries of Richard Pleasant in Various Newspapers Presented by Isadora Bennett, 1961 July. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letters from Isadora Bennett on Play Openings and Anniversary of McCarter Theatre, 1954-1960. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Press Releases on Exhibition of Paintings by Aleksander Kobzdej of Poland, 1959. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Photographs of Abstract Art by Kobzdej, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Catalogues of Exhibition of Aleksander Kobzdej Paintings, Memorandum of Paintings Sold, 1961 April. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Newspaper Articles Pertaining to Aleksander Kobzdej, 1960 April. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Catalogues of Paintings and Sculptures in Danish Museums and Collections, 1938-1956. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Playbill, Candid Photographs of McCarter Theatre and Questions & Answers about Dance and Diplomacy by Richard Pleasant, 1956. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letters on American Ballet Theatre, Exhibition of Aleksander Kobzdej's Paintings, Reception to Article to by Richard Pleasant, 1957-1960. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Write-up on Natasha Nabokoff and Background Material on Blevins Davis, 1955-1960. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Personal Letters to Richard Pleasant and Isadora Bennett Expressing Interest in Attending Performances, 1951-1961. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letters from Musicians and Props Makers, 1940-1955. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

Letters to Charles Reinhart from Richard Pleasant, 1959. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Press Releases to Arthur Hays Sulzberger (New York Times), 1955-1960. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

A Theme in the Life of The Great American Goof - A Ballet by William Saroyan, 1939 November 3. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Correspondence with John Wharton and Peter Williams, 1960. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Candid Photographs of American Ballet Theatre, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

A Write-Up on the McCarter Theatre at Princeton by Richard Pleasant, Playbill of the Frist Season of The Ballet Theatre, Commemorative Volume of Season 1941, 1941-1957. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

25th Anniversary Commemorative Volume of American Ballet Theatre, Article on Richard Pleasant in Dance Magazine, 1964-1990. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Playbills and Issues of Dance Magazine, 1959-1969. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letters and Telegrams Expressing Well Wishes on Opening Night, 1940. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Issue of Dance Magazine Featuring NYC Ballet, Letters Requesting Information about Richard Pleasant's Role, Notes on Exhibition on Richard Pleasant in Firestone Lobby and Photographs of Richard Pleasant, 1940-1990. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Photographs of Lucia Chase and Dimitri Romanoff, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Lucia Chase and Mordkin Ballet, 1940. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Photos of Prima Ballerina Patricia Bowman, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Personal Notes to Isadora Bennet and Richard Pleasant, 1951-1960. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Press Releases on American Ballet's War Service - Cooking Classes for Wing War Service, National Contest for Morale, Regular Stock Company for Naples and Algiers, Service for Merchant Seamen, 1943-1944. 3 folders.
Physical Description

3 folders

Commemorative Book on American Theatre Wing's The First Night Ball, 1955. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Photographs of Lazlo Halasz and Letters Pertaining to New York City Opera Company, New York City Center of Music and Drama, 1950-1951. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Newspaper Articles Complaining of Injustice of Laslo Halasz's Dismissal by Newbold Morris and Morton Baum, 1951. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Press Releases by Bennett & Pleasant on Laszlo Halasz's Comeback After Dismissal from New York City Center by Newbold Morris, 1951-1952. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Press Releases for Laszlo Halasz, 1952-1955. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Letters of Complaint Against Newbold Morris, 1952-1955. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Documentary Evidence and Law Report of 'Supreme Court of the State of New York County of New York: Laszlo Halasz, Plaintiff, against The City Center of Music and Drama, Defendant', 1950-1952. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Elementary School Diploma of Richard Pleasant in Colorado Springs, 1922. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Richard Pleasant's Appointment Diary, 1939. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

German Train Schedules, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Richard Pleasant's Profile in Princeton Alumni 25th Year Reunion Commemorative Volume for Class of 1932, 1957. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Thoughts on Jane Austen's Characters Anne Elliott and Emma Woodhouse by Richard Pleasant, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Diaries, 1932-1959. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

Richard Pleasant's Collection of Daily War News Summaries, 1943-1944. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Photographs of Howard Teichmann and Fritz Weaver, Flyer of Play by Nathaniel West 'Miss LonelyHearts' at McCarter Theatre, September 1957. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Playbill, Photographs of Actors and Newspaper Reviews of 'Miss Lonelyhearts', 1957. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Poster of 'Characters and Chicanery', Photographs of Actors Cornelia Otis Skinner and Fred Keating, 1956. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

List of Stage Requirements for 'A Boy Growing Up', Poster of 'A Boy Growing Up' and Newspaper Reviews, 1957 October. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

McCarter Repertory Playbills and Brochures, 1969-1973. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

'Ralph Roister Cloister' by Nicholas Udall, 1965. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Journal of Richard Pleasant, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Ballet Storybooks, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Reviews of Moliere's 'The Misanthrope', 1957. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Photographs of Thun, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Announcements and Reviews of 'Everybody Loves Me' at McCarter Theater, 1956. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Playbill, Photographs of Actors, and Newspaper Reviews of 'The Sleeping Prince', 1956. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

Photographs of Actors in 'The Separate Tables', 1956. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Photographs of Actors and Reviews of 'The Chalk Garden', 1957. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Playbill and Reviews of 'Double in Hearts', 1956. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Photographs of Actors in Little Glass Clock, Press Release of the Little Glass Clock, Princeton University Concert Programs, 1953. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Film Negatives, undated. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Photographs of Stage Scenes, undated. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

Playbill, Poster and Reviews of 'This is Goggle', 1958. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Photographs of Actors, Playbill of 'The Waltz of the Toreadors', 1957. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Press Release and Photographs of Actors in 'Debut', 1959. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Reviews of and Photographs of Actors in 'Square Root of Wonderful', 1957. 2 folders.
Physical Description

2 folders

Newspaper Clippings on Ballet Theater and LP Record of Elsa Scheaparelli, 1940. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Photograph Album and Newspaper Clippings, 1940. 1 box.
Physical Description

1 box

Photographs of 1953 Old Vic Production of "Murder in the Cathedral" by T.S. Eliot, 1953. 1 folder.
Physical Description

1 folder

Print, Suggest