Harvard Theatre Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library,
Harvard University
b
MS Thr 550
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Tennessee Williams additional papers,
1946-1983.
1 box (.5 linear ft.)
Collection materials are in English.
Additional correspondence, compositions and photographs of American
playwright, Thomas Lanier Williams, known as Tennessee Williams.
Processed by: Bonnie B. Salt
*2006MT-23. Purchased with the F. E. Chase fund from Keith V. Walker, 1858 Mt. Brian Road NE,
Atlanta, Georgia 30329; received: 2006
July 19.
There are no restrictions on physical access to this material.
Copyright:
Copyright in the works of Tennessee Williams is held by the University of the
South.
Preferred Citation for Publication:
Tennessee Williams Additional Papers, 1946-1983 (MS Thr 550). Harvard Theatre
Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard University.
Thomas Lanier Williams III (1911-1983), who published as Tennessee Williams,
has often been called America's most prominent playwright. He was also a
prolific author of essays, poetry, and short stories.
Organized into the following series:
- I. Correspondence
- II. Compositions and biographical materials
- III. Photographs
Includes autograph manuscript and photocopies of Williams' correspondence with
Bruce Cook, Mitch Douglas, Milton Goldman, James Kirkwood and many others.
Compositions include pages from autograph manuscript drafts and typescript
versions of scripts of plays, a contract, invitation, receipts, household
inventory, financial documents, playbill, and other material. Includes
studio portrait photographs of Williams, as well as snapshots of him and his
friends, and additional shots of others.
Two printed books were removed and accessioned separately as
*2006T-7F and *2006T-8F.
See OASIS and HOLLIS for additional Tennessee Williams papers and printed
materials held by the Houghton Library.
I. Correspondence
Arranged alphabetically by name of correspondent.
(1)
Carr, Virginia Spencer.
Typescript letter (signed) to Bruce
Cook,
1983
March 22.
1 folder.
Concerns photographs of Tennessee Williams and Bruce Cook.
With envelope and clipping.
(2)
Darwin, Stanley. Handmade
Christmas card to ?, undated.
1 folder.
Includes 2 pasted-in picture postcards
from the Museum of Modern Art.
(3)
Douglas, Mitch. Typescript
letter (with manuscript annotations by Williams) photocopy
to Tennessee Williams, 1981
July 27.
1 folder.
Response to Williams' letter "Let's level with each other."
(4)
Douglas, Mitch. Typescript
letters (signed) to Tennessee Williams, 1981 September 1.
1 folder.
3 letters, all with variant content: (a) concerns a painting
from Williams that Douglas had delivered to
Audrey Wood; (b) concerns his
seeing
Something cloudy,
something clear; (c) response to Williams'
termination of their client-agent relationship. With
envelope.
(5)
Kirkwood, James, 1930-1989.
Typescript letter (signed) to Tennessee
Williams, undated.
1 folder.
Concerns Williams' relationship with Lila. Also includes
biographical material on Kirkwood.
(6)
Michael. Autograph manuscript
letters (signed) to Tennessee Williams, 1974 January 16 and 28.
1 folder.
Both letters concern personal matters.
(7)
Scapussio, Luis. Typescript
letter (signed) to Tennessee Williams, 1981 August 3.
1 folder.
Boy from Uruguay writes his analysis of Williams' work. With
envelope.
(8)
Simon, Geri. Autograph
manuscript (signed) note to Tennessee Williams, 1981 August 19 and 24.
1 folder.
Concerns his copies of monies from
Cat on a hot tin roof from MGM.
Includes photocopies of two checks.
(9)
Suzman, Janet.
Circular letter
(signed) to Tennessee Williams, 1978 March 13.
1 folder.
Request financial assistance to help the Actors'
Centre (London).
(10)
Taylor, Elizabeth, 1932-.
Circular letter
(signed) to Tennessee Williams, undated.
1 folder.
Concerns supporting "A tribute to Raoul Wallenberg."
(11)
Vancouver Playhouse (Vancouver, British
Columbia).
Telegram to
Tennessee Williams,
1981 August 21.
1 folder.
From the cast of
The Notebook of
Trigorin.
(12)
Williams, Dakin.
Circular letter to
gun owners, 1974 March 19.
1 folder.
Political advertisement supporting Dakin Williams running for
U. S. senator in Illinois.
(13)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Typescript letter (signed) to Eve
Adamson,
1981
September 8.
1 folder.
Adamson was the director of the original 1981 production of
Something cloudy,
something clear.
(14)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Typescript letter (typed signature) to
Eve Adamson, undated.
1 folder.
Concerns opening of the play.
(15)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Typescript letter (signed) to Bruce
Cook,
1978
February 28.
1 folder.
Personal letter. With envelope.
(16)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Typescript letter (signed) to Bruce
Cook,
1978
April 30.
1 folder.
Personal note referencing the "taking of ludes." With
envelope.
(17)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Telegram to
Bruce Cook,
1978 November 12.
1 folder.
Concerns Williams moving into an apartment. With envelope.
(18)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Telephone memorandum (in manuscript hand) to
Bruce Cook, no year May 17.
1 folder.
Note stating he is arriving.
(19)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Autograph manuscript note (signed with
initial?) to Bruce Cook, undated.
1 folder.
Personal note regarding instructions on taking a cab in Key
West to get to Williams' home.
(20)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Typescript letter (unsigned) photocopy to
Mitch Douglas,
1981 August.
1 folder.
Letter terminates client-agent relationship.
(21)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Autograph manuscript draft letter (signed) to
Mitch Douglas, undated.
1 folder.
Thanks the Commonwealth of Delaware.
(22)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Circular letter
photocopy to "Dear friend", ca. 1982.
1 folder.
4 page letter regarding the "religious new right". Supports
political action project, Privacy Rights '82.
(23)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Typescript letter (signed) photocopy to
Milton Goldman, undated.
1 folder.
Draft of letter regarding Mitch Douglas' charges and
complaints. Both Douglas and Goldman (of
International Creative
Management) represented Williams.
(24)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Telegram to
company of the Jean Cocteau Repertory Co. (New
York),
1981
August 24.
1 folder.
Sent via Bruce Cook. States: "Dear
Company, There's no way we can't finally win love." With
envelope.
(25)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Autograph note (unsigned) to "artists" of the
Jean Cocteau Repertory Co. (New York),
undated.
1 folder.
Draft written on envelope from The Inn at Denman Place (B.C.,
Canada).
(26)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Typescript letter (unsigned) to Joel,
1970
August 20.
1 folder.
In very strong words he defends
The two character play and references
Audrey Wood.
(27)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Autograph manuscript note (signed Tom) to
Russ, undated.
1 folder.
Concerns Paris Vogue photo session and also his friend,
Bruce.
(28)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Draft text for telegrams
to Vieux Carre Company,
Nottingham Playhouse
(Nottingham, England) and Keith
Hack, undated.
1 folder.
(29)
Unidentified correspondent. Manuscript note
(unsigned) to unidentified recipient, undated.
1 folder.
Note on stationary from The Inn at Denman Place, Vancouver,
British Columbia. Mentions that he just had lunch with
Williams and that he is "in a deep depression- in fact,
suicidal- in no condition to ..."
II. Compositions and biographical material
Arranged alphabetically.
(30)
Alliance Theatre Board of Sponsors and
Guild.
Invitation
to reception to honor Tennessee Williams :
printed, undated.
1 folder.
(31)
Hotel Elysée (New York).
Matchbook,
undated.
1 folder.
Contains no matches.
(32)
Merlo, Frank Phillip, 1921-1961.
International certificate of inoculation and
vaccination : printed document with
manuscript additions (signed); Tangier,
1953
October 16.
1 folder.
Inventory of contents of Williams' house in Key
West, Florida.
(33)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
American Express credit card
receipts,
1978.
1 folder.
2 receipts from Uncle Charlie's (New York)
and Gregory's (Atlanta).
(34)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
CBS Playhouse
90: The Migrants : contract
(signed) photocopy, 1973 October 31.
1 folder.
Agreement of tentative writing credits. Signed by
Thomas S. Griers. With
envelope.
(35)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Inventory -
1431 Duncan St. : typescript
document with manuscript
annotations, 1951 April 26.
1 folder.
Inventory of contents of Williams' house in Key
West, Florida.
(36)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
The night of
the Iguana : typescript and typescript
carbon script (document), undated.
1 folder.
Four sheets of dialogue. Some with autograph manuscript
revisions. Includes characters: Shannon, Maxine, Hannah,
and Nonno.
(37)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Now the cats
with jewelled claws : autograph manuscript,
undated.
1 folder.
One sheet of dialogue, for Young man and Second.
(38)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Requiem Mass
for Tennessee Williams (Thomas Lanier Williams,
1911-1983) : printed
program, 1983 March 3.
1 folder.
Also includes a mass card for
Williams.
Williams died on February 25, 1983 and the funeral took place
on March 3, 1983 at St. Malachy's Roman Catholic Church in
New York City.
(39)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Something
cloudy, something clear : typescript with
autograph manuscript revisions script
(document), undated.
1 folder.
Three sheets of dialogue, for characters: Kip, Clare, August,
and Frank. Marked: 1-21; 1-22; 1-23.
(40)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Stanzas from a poem : typescript, undated.
1 folder.
One sheet, first line:
to a
brother's assassin pursued by his crime'sm mimicry
...
(41)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Streetcar
named desire : printed playbill
(signed), 1947
December.
1 folder.
1 playbill for the production directed by Elia Kazan. Signed
by actress Jessica Tandy.
(42)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
The two
character play : autograph manuscript,
undated.
1 folder.
One sheet of dialogue, marked page 3 and 4. Includes
characters Felice and Clare.
(43)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983.
Unidentified play : autograph manuscript and
typescript, undated.
1 folder.
One sheet, mentions Bella.
(44)
Williams, Tennessee, 1911-1983
and Paul Bowles.
Cabin : printed sheet
music with manuscript annotations (photocopy), 1946.
1 folder.
Words by Tennessee Williams and music by Paul Bowles.
III. Photographs
Arranged alphabetically by name of photographer. Unidentified
photographers are at end of series.
(45)
Cooper, David, photographer.
Diane D'Aquld
in "Battery", Vancouver :
photograph,
1980.
1 folder.
(46)
Cooper, David, photographer.
Scene from
"Battery" : group photograph,
1980.
1 folder.
Depicts three actors in a scene.
(47)
The David Frost Show, photographer. A rare TV appearance by
Tennessee Williams on "The David Frost Show"
: group portrait photograph,
1970
January 21.
1 folder.
Includes news release text on verso. Depicts Frost and
Williams on TV set.
(48)
Di Giovanni, A., photographer.
Tennessee
Williams and unidentified man : group
portrait photograph, undated.
1 folder.
A table scene. From Rome?
(49)
Dimas, Ramòn, photographer. Tennessee Williams with Angel
Zinuga : group portrait
photograph (signed), undated.
1 folder.
Zinuga? was a Spanish critic. Photograph inscribed to
Williams by Zinuga.
(50)
Halma, Harold, photographer.
Tennessee
Williams : portrait photograph,
undated.
1 folder.
(51)
Hauser, V. Tony, photographer.
Tennessee
Williams : portrait colored snapshot
photographs, undated.
1 folder.
Taken in Ontario? Two variant poses.
(52)
Melvin, Duncan, photographer.
Tennessee
Williams and unidentified man : group
portrait photograph, undated.
1 folder.
Taken in London? with fireworks in background. Photograph is
damaged.
(53)
Pinder, Don, photographer.
Tennessee
Williams : portrait photograph,
undated.
1 folder.
Taken in Key West? Photograph is damaged.
(54)
Soderbaum, Kristina, photographer.
Werner
Pochath : portrait photograph
(signed), 1981
July.
1 folder.
Inscribed to Williams.
(55)
Wolz, Karin, photographer.
Tennessee
Williams : portrait photograph,
1976
January 21.
1 folder.
Taken in Berlin, Germany?
(56)
Unidentified photographer. Jane Smith : portrait snapshot
photograph,
1981 August.
1 folder.
Depicts him smiling, in a hat. Photograph is slightly
damaged.
(57)
Unidentified photographer. Tennessee Williams : portrait
photograph, undated.
1 folder.
Depicts him smiling, in a hat. Photograph is slightly
damaged.
(58)
Unidentified photographers. Tennessee Williams :
portrait photographs,
1971 and undated.
1 folder.
Two shots. One is a colored snapshot with a dog; one is a
portrait.
Snapshot with a dog
Click for color digital image.
(59)
Unidentified photographer. Tennessee Williams in Key West : colored
snapshot photographs,
1979 April.
1 folder.
Three snapshots from Key West, one of Williams, the other two
of the exterior of his home.
(60)
Unidentified photographer. Tennessee Williams painting : portrait
photograph, undated.
1 folder.
(61)
Unidentified photographer. Tennessee Williams with Ruth Loveland Stane and a
dog : group portrait colored
photograph,
1975 January 5.
1 folder.
(62)
Unidentified photographer. Tennessee Williams with Ruth Loveland Stane at
opening night of "The Rose Tattoo" : group
portrait colored photograph,
1966
October.
1 folder.
(63)
Unidentified photographer. Tennessee Williams with unidentified man :
group portrait photograph, undated.
1 folder.
Taken on the beach?
2 copies.
(64)
Unidentified photographer. Tennessee Williams with unidentified man, reading
Chekhov : group portrait
photograph, undated.
1 folder.
(65)
Unidentified photographer. Tennessee Williams with unidentified other
persons : snapshot photographs,
undated.
1 folder.
4 photographs.
(66)
Unidentified photographer. Unidentified persons :
snapshot photographs,
1950-1956 and undated.
1 folder.
4 photographs. None depict Williams.