{"value"=>"<p>The personal papers are arranged in alphabetical order by file title. These files document Mayo's turbulent marriage (1899-1919) to actor, director, producer, and dramatist Edgar Selwyn, its continuing effects, largely financial, upon her life, and her interest in automatic writing. Mayo's autobiographical materials consist of a 124 page epistle to Edgar Selwyn detailing the entirety of their relationship, from their courtship to divorce, notes on Mayo's youth, and comments on women as playwrights. Financial records consist of two bank account books and royalty statements. Legal files regard divorce proceedings, alimony payments, and Mayo's controlling interest in Selwyn & Co. For legal and financial material regarding specific plays and productions, see Series III: Professional Files.</p> <p>Mayo's automatic writing spans two decades, from 1924 to 1943, and consists of messages she believed were directed by spirits. Although many of the messages simply contain yes or no answers to undocumented questions, some contain the written questions as well, or Mayo's explanations. The conception of the play Woman's World is represented in the writing as well as unidentified dialog and scenarios. The file on business ideas include a dress making venture and materials related to the Character Autograph Book, an autograph book where one could preserve the characteristics and the autographs of friends and acquaintances. Inventions consist of a sound-proof, dust proof ventilator, sound reproduction mechanism for radio, a nicotine catcher, a bed chair, and a telephone earpiece, and a patent by Aubrey Kennedy for an airplane stabilizer. Miscellaneous papers include a report on blackmailers (1920) and medical physical by the Life Extension Institute. The photographs are all professional studio portraits of other entertainers and most are signed to Mayo.</p>"}