Scope and arrangement
The main focus of this collection, dated 1787 to 1992, is Junius Brutus Booth. Alongside the Booth family content is a letter by Stephen M. Archer to Joelle Shefts, noting his use of the material in the writing of his book Junius Brutus Booth: Theatrical Prometheus. Of his three acting sons, Edwin Booth is the most represented. The Walnut Street Theatre, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania theater that was managed by the Booths and John Sleeper Clarke, also appears regularly. The material relating to John Wilkes Booth is limited to one letter, written while he was in England and sent to his father.
The majority of the collection is composed of programs, often bound together. Also of note is Booth family correspondence, mainly from Junius Brutus Booth, and often to his father Richard Booth or Mary Ann Holmes. These letters were mostly written while Junius Brutus was on tour and discuss his performances. The correspondence indicates that Richard spent some time in Bel Air, Maryland. One letter to Richard, written in 1834, has a postscript note from Junius' son Henry Byron Booth, who died of smallpox during the family's 1836 to 1837 tour of England. Some of the letters are addressed to Richard Booth from a cousin. There is one letter addressed to Junius Brutus that is written in French. The letters to Mary Ann Holmes display Junius Brutus' affection for her, and she is always addressed as "wife" or "Mrs. Booth" even before their legal marriage. Additionally, there are a number of notes and journal entries written by Junius Brutus, some including financial accountings of performances.
The collection also contains a number of illustrated prints, often with signatures. John Sleeper Clarke is featured often, and it should be noted that these materials were collected by his wife, Asia Frigga Booth.
In addition to material on the Booth family, the collection contains items relating to other nineteenth-century actors, in the form of programs and illustrations. There is one illustration, possibly a costume design, that is unidentified.
Arrangement
Alphabetical.