Lee Simonson Photographs

id
10578
origination
Simonson, Lee, 1888-1967
date statement
1871-1937 [bulk 1915-1937]
key date
1871
identifier (local_mss)
23279
org unit
Billy Rose Theatre Division
call number
*T-Vim1942-002
b-number
b20915133
total components
108
total series
0
max depth
4
boost queries
(none)
component layout
Default Layout
Extended MARC Fields
false
Extended Navigation
false
created
2016-06-24 19:16:17 UTC
updated
2026-06-26 18:07:14 UTC
status note
(missing)
Display Aeon link
true

Description data TOP

unitid
{"value"=>"*T-Vim1942-002", "type"=>"local_call"}
{"value"=>"23279", "type"=>"local_mss"}
{"value"=>"b20915133", "type"=>"local_b"}
unitdate
{"value"=>"1871-1937", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1871/1937"}
{"value"=>"1915-1937", "type"=>"bulk", "normal"=>"1915/1937"}
unittitle
{"value"=>"Lee Simonson Photographs"}
physdesc
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"3.25 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear feet"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"13 boxes", "unit"=>"containers"}], "supress_display"=>true}
repository
{"id"=>"THE", "value"=>"Billy Rose Theatre Division"}
abstract
{"value"=>"The Lee Simonson Photographs consist of over 340 black and white photographs of his theater sets, costumes and research materials, spanning from 1871-1937 (bulk dates 1915-1937)."}
prefercite
{"value"=>"<p>Lee Simonson Photographs, *T-Mss 1942-002. Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library.</p>"}
origination
{"value"=>"Simonson, Lee, 1888-1967", "type"=>"persname", "role"=>"creator"}
bioghist
{"value"=>"<p>Lee Simonson (1888-1967) was a noted set and costume designer for numerous Broadway shows, as well as for the Washington Square Players, early in his career. A founding member of the Theatre Guild, he also wrote several books on design, including <span class=\"title\">The Stage is Set</span> (Harcourt, Brace & Company, 1932).</p> <p>Notable productions include <span class=\"title\">As You Like It</span> (1923), <span class=\"title\">Don Juan</span> (1921), <span class=\"title\">The Faithful</span> (1919), <span class=\"title\">Heartbreak House</span> (1920), <span class=\"title\">Marco Millions</span> (1928), <span class=\"title\">Martinique</span> (1920), and <span class=\"title\">Peer Gynt</span> (1923).</p>"}
scopecontent
{"value"=>"<p>The Lee Simonson Photographs consist of over 340 black and white photographs of his theater sets, costumes and research materials, spanning from 1871-1937 (bulk dates 1915-1937).</p> <p>Among the productions designed by Simonson that are well-represented in the collection are <span class=\"title\">As You Like It</span> (1923), <span class=\"title\">Don Juan</span> (1921), <span class=\"title\">The Faithful</span> (1919), <span class=\"title\">Heartbreak House</span> (1920), <span class=\"title\">Marco Millions</span> (1928), <span class=\"title\">Martinique</span> (1920), and <span class=\"title\">Peer Gynt</span> (1923).</p> <p>The photographs are by Francis Bruguière, Vandamm, White Studio, and Ira D. Schwartz. Some mounts are signed.</p> <p>A number of the photographs in the research materials were used in one of Simonson's books, <span class=\"title\">The Stage Is Set</span> (Harcourt, Brace & Company, 1932) and include photographs of set designs and illustrations by other designers such as Adolphe Appia, Edward Gordon Craig, Robert Edmond Jones, and others spanning several centuries. There are also several photographs of theatres, New York City's Garrick Theatre and Guild Theatre; topics related to scenic design also in the collection include lighting and perspective. Several of the research photographs are by Peter A. Juley & Son and one by John Wallace Gillies, Inc.</p> <p>Additional research materials include a few late 19th century publications, mostly in German.</p>"}
arrangement
{"value"=>"<p>The collection is organized into two topics: Lee Simonson Photographs and Research Materials, then alphabetically.</p>"}
acqinfo
{"value"=>"<p>Gift of Lee Simonson, 1942.</p>"}
processinfo
{"type"=>"processing", "value"=>"<p>Compiled by <span class=\"name\">C. Dee</span>, <span class=\"date\">2015</span>.</p>"}
userestrict
{"value"=>"<p>The author/creator retains copyright of materials. For information on obtaining permission to publish, contact the Theatre Division at theatre@nypl.org.</p>"}
dsc_type
combined
date_start
1871
keydate
1871
date_end
1937
date_inclusive_start
1871
date_inclusive_end
1937
date_bulk_start
1915
date_bulk_end
1937
extent_statement
3.25 linear feet (13 boxes)

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