Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- The Gilbert mss., 1867-1932, consists of typescripts of plays, 1867-1874, of Sir William Schwenck Gilbert, 1836-1911, and correspondence of Townley Searle, bibliographer of Gilbert.
- Extent:
- 1 Box (1 standard)
- Language:
- Materials are in English .
- Preferred citation:
[Item], Gilbert mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
The Gilbert mss., 1867-1932 contains the typescripts of works and correspondence by Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (1836-1911). Born in London, Gilbert studied at the Great Ealing School and then King's College, London. After receiving his undergraduate degree in 1856, Gilbert then joined Civil Service for a brief period, and afterward the Militia until 1878. In the 1860s, as a way to make some money, Gilbert wrote fictional stories, drew illustrations, and composed theater reviews, many of which were parodic in nature. He also began to write plays, the best-known of which were Uncle Baby (1863), pantomimes in 1865 and 1866 like Hush-a-Bye, Baby, On the Tree Top (1866), and later (with partner composer Arthur Sullivan) several operas, including The Pirates of Penzance (1879). His works maintain their legacy in theater styles of various kinds: namely, in stage musicals and in absurdist and comic theater.
- Scope and Content:
The Gilbert mss., 1867-1932, consists of typescripts of plays, 1867-1874, of Sir William Schwenck Gilbert, 1836-1911, and correspondence of Townley Searle, bibliographer of Gilbert.
The correspondence includes letters, 1931, from Searle to Carroll Atwood Wilson, 1886-1947, lawyer, and to Searle, from the Lord Chamberlain's office, relating to the copies of Gilbert's plays in the vaults of the Lord Chamberlain's office; and letters from Searle to Wilson and from Charles Plumptre Johnson, 1853-1938, physician, to Searle, relating to the 1931 printing of Gilbert's Topsyturvydom at the Oxford University Press, and to Gilbert's drawings in The Piccadilly Annual for 1874. Included is a letter, July 21, 1932, from Harley Granville-Barker to William Farren [?], Wimbledon, England. The cover for this letter is mounted on the verso of p. [102] of Granville-Barker's "Exit Planche - enter Gilbert" (Lilly PR4714 .G7).
A letter from V. Valta Parma, 1878- , librarian, to Carroll Atwood Wilson, October 11, 1937, and four pages of notes in pencil in an unidentified hand deal with Gilbert's Grand Duke.
Collection size: 20 items
- Acquisition information:
- Purchase: 1959
- Physical location:
- Lilly - Stacks
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
This collection is open for research.
Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Item], Gilbert mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
1200 East Seventh StreetBloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
(812) 855-2452liblilly@indiana.edu