Includes several hundred items, gathered or produced by Charles James Miller, who did his doctoral dissertation at the University of Southern California in 1957 on E. Gordon Craig, and befriended the artist and stage designer. In addition to the two drawings, two etchings, and three woodcuts by Craig (each signed or initialed), the archive contains signed books, periodicals and photographs, letters, postcards, etc. Also, the original drafts of Miller’s dissertation in various stages of completion; questionnaires, letters, and other material by Miller used in his studies; books by Craig relating to theatre design; books about Craig and his art and design; ephemera and promotional material; and more. Highlights are itemized below, and a complete listing is available on request.
Important archive of materials relating to Edward Gordon Craig (1872-1976), one of the major forces in theatrical design during the first half of the 20th century. E. Gordon Craig, the second child of the actress Ellen Terry and the architect Edward William Godwin, began his career as an actor, but soon switched to theatrical design and production. He strove for the poetic and suggestive in his designs in order to capture the essential spirit of the play. Among his notable productions were The Vikings and Much Ado about Nothing (both in 1903 for Ellen Terry) and Hamlet (with the Moscow Art Theatre in 1912). At Florence, Italy, he founded (1913) the Gordon Craig School for the Art of the Theatre; he also edited a magazine, The Mask (1908–29). He wrote On the Art of the Theatre (1911), The Theatre Advancing (1921), Scene (1923), and biographies of Henry Irving (1930) and Ellen Terry (1931). Among the many items in the present archive: Original watercolor drawing by Craig when he was ten, tipped into a folder on which Craig’s son, Edward Craig, has written, “ This little drawing was mad by Gordon Craig in 1882 when he was ten. The E.W. stands for Edward Wardell – his mother’s latest husband’s name. This is the ONLY drawing by EGC of this early period outside my collection. Edward Craig, 1957.” * Small ink drawing by Craig of pillars with diagonal streaks, initialed by EGC. * Etching of “Sorcerer among the Pillars,” initialed by Craig. * Etching “In Venice A.M.” inscribed and signed by Craig. * Woodblock of a man in a coat, “lors serie,” inscribed and initialed by Craig. * Woodblock “Actors Hamlet” inscribed and initialed by Craig, with notation “State 2, Copy 1, 6 copies only.” * About 8 letters and postcards from Craig to Miller, most sent from Craig’s home in Vence, France. * Typed series of questions about Craig and his work, upon which Craig has written responses in ink. * A large number of letters to Miller from friends and associates of Craig, responding to inquiries from Miller. * Six issues of The Mask, the periodical edited by Craig, two of the inscribed and initialed by Craig. * Approx. 13 books written by Craig, a few duplicates, including Towards a New Theatre; The Theatre Advancing; Woodcuts and Some Words; Scene; On the Art of the Theatre; etc. * Approx. 22 books about Craig and related subjects. * Several booklets, periodicals, and programs with designs by Craig, including two copies of Souvenir Acis & Galatea. Masque of Love (1902). * Early Italian theatre book, “L'Origine dell' Accademia Olimpica di Vicenza,” 1804, with 4folding copper-engraved plates, in modern wrappers (a bit dampstained), inscribed and initialed by Craig. * Two copies of the completed dissertation by Miller. And other related items, an archive highly significant to the study and appreciation of one of the most influential theatre and stage designers of our modern era.