A collection of 59 works, 1964-1986, including poetry, drama, and nonfiction, published in the Heinemann African Writers Series, comprising manuscripts, typescripts with authorial corrections, proof and revised copies, chiefly original but including some photocopies, by over 40 authors including Chinua Achebe, Elechi Amadi, Syl Cheyney-Coker, T Obinkaram Echewa, Nadine Gordimer, Nelson Mandela, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Martin Owusu, Mwangi Ruheni, and Stanlake Samkange.

Papers concerning American theatre and opera scrapbooks, 1875-1892, comprise to scrapbooks containing programmes of plays, concerts and operas performed in the USA, with particular reference to New York and the Metropolitan Opera House, from 1875 to 1892. MS1088/2 includes postcards of members of singers performing in the Metropolitan Opera 1890 to 1891 season, posing in some of their operatic roles. The volumes contained two loose inserts, which have now become MS1088/3 and MS1088/4.

Translation of The Wasps by Aristophanes, c 1800s, comprising a manuscript translation into English by an unknown translator, written on each left hand page, with English notes and extracts in Greek on the right hand pages.

SL V 37 is a typescript, with corrections made by Barrie of the play and correspondence relating to the production of Alice Sit By the Fire (1906); SL V 38 is the original manuscript of Hsiung's translation into Chinese of the play Shall We Join the Ladies (1921) and the book Barrie and His Work.

Letter from Gordon Bottomley of The Sheiling, Silverdale, Carnforth, Lancashire to Mr Allan Bright, 26 Aug 1939. Covering letter accompanying a copy of Bottomley's Lyric Plays.

Autograph, with signature.

Letter from Benjamin Heywood Bright to Philip Bliss, [1820-1840?], relating to Shakespeare and Ben Johnson.

Records of CHARD, 1913; the Tennis Club, 1889-1914; the Browning Society, 1890-1907; Hockey Club, 1890-1904; the Shakespeare Society, 1908-1945; the Lambeth Association, 1891-1939; the Science Discussion Society, 1892-1936; the Sharp Practice Society, 1896-1906; The Christian Union (later Student Christian Movement), 1900-1936; the Swimming Club, 1899-1938; the Boat Club, 1905-1944; the Fencing Club, [1935]; the Ping Pong Club, [1936]; the '47 Society, 1957; the Poetry Society, 1963-1964; and the Savoy Opera Society, 1970-1971.

Manuscript volume, 17th century, 'Das Crocodil. Ein Schauspiel' (the Comedy of the Crocodile).

Material relating to the literary activity of Charles and Mary Cowden-Clarke and other members of the Novello family, comprising: a. Items related to Mrs Cowden Clarke and her relations in the possession of F H Haines, and memoranda. Typescript. b. Thomas James Serle, Bohun of Sheenly: a tale in verse. Galley proofs. c. Thomas James Serle, A Day Dream in 5 Books (privately printed, 1865). d. Photograph of Thomas James Serle (1979 copy), with accompanying letter from Geoffrey Larken. e. William Shakespeare, Touchstone's part from As you like it. Charles Cowden-Clarke's manuscript copy, with the addition made to his first lecture on Molière and an addition to his third lecture on Molière. f. Frederick Haselfoot Haines: List of material made available to Professor Richard Altick. g. Richard Altick: 5 typescript letters to F H Haines (with some replies) about the loan of Clarke family material, 1943-1945. h. Joseph Alfred Novello, O for the Songs of the Past: a greeting to the Musical Societies of Great Britain (privately printed, 1873). i. Novello, Ewer & Co., Catalogue of Shakespeare Music, 1893. j. Mary Cowden-Clarke, letter to the Illustrated London News on John Keats, 15 Feb 1896. k. Il Secolo XIX. Issues of 9-10 Feb 1893, 12-13 Feb 1893 (including reviews of the first two performances of Verdi's Falstaff).

Private papers of Duffy, [1960-1994], mainly comprising typescripts, manuscripts and proofs of her novels, plays and poems including The single eye (Hutchinson, London, 1964), The erotic world of faery (Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1972), Capital (Cape, London, 1975), Gor saga (Eyre Metheun, London, 1981), Illuminations (Sinclair-Stevenson, 1991), Occam's razor (Sinclair-Stevenson, London, 1993), and Henry Purcell (Fourth Estate, London, 1994); notes, reviews, performing scripts, talks and related material concerning her writings.

Papers, articles, texts and lecture notes, c1932-1943, largely undated, of Evangeline Dora Edwards, relating to her work and interest in Chinese language, literature and history. The material reflects her particular interest in the T'ang Dynasty (AD 618-907). Lecture notes cover topics such as T'ang poetry, the history of the early T'ang, the social life of the T'ang Dynasty and secular schools of music founded by Ming Huang (AD 713-752) of the T'ang Dynasty. Also includes a typescript article entitled 'Development of Drama before the T'ang Dynasty' (1933). There are several Chinese texts in the collection, some with English translations.

Typed history of the Elliott School by P.G. James, E.M. Hewetson and P.E. Williams, 1954, with supplement transcribed from cassette made by P.G. James, 1983; album of photographs and memorabilia, 1905 - 1962?, including leaflet produced on opening of Southfield School, 1905, photographs of visit to Paris, 1913, photographs of war memorials, items relating to the Old Elliottonians' Association and Dramatic Society, and blazer badges; log book, 1913 - 1925; 'The Southfield Magazine', later 'The Elliott Central Magazine', later 'The Elliottonian', 1907-1956; correspondence to Mr P.G.James from Old Elliottonians, 1939-1942; examination papers and timetables of Eric Leicester, 1928-1933.

Cary Ellison was a talent spotter who worked for Spotlight. As part of his work from 1953-1980 he went on twice yearly tours around repertory performances across the UK to locate the up and coming performers, directors and plays. The Cary Ellison Theatre Programme Collection consists of the theatre programmes collected by Cary Ellison on these trips, complete with his added notes on the actors, plays and directors he saw. He commented on a number of well known actors in the early stages of their careers, as well as offering his view on several well known plays.

Scrapbook relating to the Enfield Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, including theatrical programmes, playbills and newspaper cuttings of reviews for performances by both the Society and other operatic and theatrical societies.

The papers of Garrick Club comprise one volume containing playbills for the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden between 28 September 1825 and 23 June 1826 with occasional notices of cast changes.

Papers of Hugo Frederick Garten (formerly Hugo Friedrich Königsgarten) (HFG), including correspondence with the expressionist playwright Georg Kaiser (GK) and his wife Margareta from the 1920s to 1940s; typescripts of work by GK; periodicals, programmes and photographs relating to productions of GK's plays; correspondence from the German playwright Gerhart Hauptmann (GH) and members of his family to HFG; newspaper cuttings on GH and his plays written on centenary of his birth in 1962; photographs of GH and letters from GH to the German Studies scholar Hermann Georg Fiedler; and letters from Stefan Zweig, Fritz von Unruh, Jakob Wassermann and his wife, Martha Wassermann-Karlweis, Robert Neumann, Friedrich Gundolf, and Alfred Weber to HFG. Also includes five metal plate prints of letters by and portraits of Gerhart Hauptmann.

The collection consists of minutes of management meetings, 1974 - 1994; membership lists; internal correspondence; external correspondence concerning the reactions of the public to the productions; correspondence regarding funding; copies of scripts written by members of the company and outside authors; audition notes and CVs; correspondence and accounts relating to tour arrangements; tour reports; posters and programmes for productions; photographs, video cassettes and loose film reel of productions; promotional material; newspaper cuttings relating to specific productions and Gay Sweatshop in general; theses based on Gay theatre.

Records of the Greater London Council (GLC) Staff Dramatic Club. The collection comprises a complete series of minute books from 1903, financial accounts, scrapbooks of programmes, notices, reviews, a rehearsal register and correspondence.

Fritz Gross collection of unpublished writings, [1930-1949] comprises original typescript writings notably including numerous short dramas notably including Piter, 1927 (620/26) a drama about Russia in 1917; anthologies of poetry notably including Der Regenbogen 1946 (620/56), a collection of German poems; essays on a wide variety of subjects including Deutsche 1930s-1940s (620/87) and biographical sketches of famous people.

Papers of the Hackney Empire collection, 1962-2009, comprising:

Material relating to the CAST theatre troupe, 1962-1985, including: papers concerning Roland Muldoon's theatre training, membership of the Unity Theatre, drama classes at the Working Men's College, London, and the foundation of CAST, 1962-1969; correspondence, financial records, publicity material, scripts, press cuttings, tour schedules, photographs and audio recordings regarding CAST productions, 1966-1985, film reels of CAST film 'Planet of the Mugs', [1972];

Material relating to CAST Presentations Ltd, CAST New Variety Ltd and New Variety Performers Agency, 1982-[mid 1990s], including: minutes of management meetings, 1982-1990; correspondence and other administrative material relating to the running of CAST New Variety, [1983]-1986; proposals seeking home venues for the CAST New Variety, 1980-1985; minutes, correspondence, reports and other material relating to Diorama Arts Ltd, 1984-1989; publicity material for comedians, musicians and other cabaret acts either for spots in CAST New Variety shows or representation by New Variety Performers Agency, 1983-[mid 1990s]; posters and flyers advertising CAST New Variety shows, [1983]-1986; financial records, 1980-1991;

Material relating to Hackney Empire Theatre and Hackney New Variety Ltd, 1986-2009, including: minutes of management meetings, 1988-2005 (very incomplete); correspondence, 1988-2004 (very incomplete); press cuttings, 1986-2007; posters and programmes for Hackney Empire productions, 1986-2009; photographs, video recordings and other material relating to New Act of the Year, 1991-[2000] (very incomplete).

Hamey's papers, 1611-c.1660, include his copy of Caspar Bartholinus' (1585-1629) Anatomicae Institutiones Corporis Humani (1611), with annotations in Hamey's hand, 1611-c.1640s; Large volume of Hamey's notes on medical subjects made whilst an apprentice, 1624; Manuscript copy of his Goulstonian Lectures, in his hand, 1647/8; Commentaries on the plays of Aristophanes (c.445-c.386 BC), with indexes on Vespas, Aves, Acharnenses, Equites, and Ranas, c.1650, with critical notes and an index on Plutus, 1650, with explanatory notes and an index on Nubes, c.1650; Commentary on the Greek poets, c.1650; Biographic sketches of 85 of his contemporaries, mostly physicians but also laymen, such as Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), c.1660; Medical notes, suggested to be corrections to the Pharmacopoeia, 17th century; and notes on the College, 17th century.

Papers of Alex Helm, c1950-1970, comprising manuscript notebooks and working papers for the published works A Geographical Index of the Ceremonial Dance in Great Britain, English Ritual Drama, a Geographical Index, and The Chapbook Mummers' Plays; typescript drafts for lectures and unpublished works; material for proposed publication on English traditional ceremonial costume, includes photographs; correspondence; collected source and published material; and offprints of related published works of co-authors.

The collection represents the contacts through two centuries of a group of men and women of high distinction ramifying through the medical, legal and literary worlds. It forms a not unimportant fund of minor historical material, comprising more than a thousand letters from nearly five hundred writers.

The autograph letters are mounted in 10 large volumes: -

1. Letterbook of John Arbuthnot (1667-1735). The most interesting letters are those of Pope and Swift and their circle written in 1714 when the Queen's death involved the destruction of their political hopes. Letterbook of William Hunter (1719-1783). It includes letters from Tobias Smollett the novelist, from Dr. Johnson thanking Hunter for presenting his book to the King, and from Edward Gibbon 'proposing himself the pleasure of attending some of Dr. Hunter's Anatomical lectures.'

2. Hunter and Baillie family letters and reminiscences, including the letters written by John to William Hunter from active service in 1761-62; poems by Sophia Baillie, Jenner family letters.

   3. Letters to Matthew Baillie from the Royal Princesses. Letters of the Bentham family, including three from Jeremy Bentham. Autograph letter collection includes letters from Thomas Carlyle and Charles Dickens. 1735 - 1845

3. Denman family collection; autographs collections of Lady Bell and Dr. William Whewell; letters of John Baron, Edward Jenner's biographer; fragment of unpublished music by Mozart; letters from Joanna Baillie's friends including c.1782-1877

4. Letters to Joanna Baillie includes letters from Sir Walter Scott and Maria Edgeworth. Various dates

5. William Hunter's diplomas, and letters to him, Hunter family documents, and notes on family history compiled by Joanna and Matthew Baillie. Locks of hair and christening caps worn by Hunter family. Various dates

6. Matthew Baillie's letters to William Hunter includes material relating to treatment of George III and to his wife Sophia (Denman) and his diplomas. C. 1783-1823

7. Matthew Baillie's professional correspondence including notes on illness of George III and on labour of Princess Charlotte. Letter to Helen Hunter Baillie from George Peachy re Matthew Baillie's notebooks (1923). 1783-1923

8. Joanna Baillie's letters and papers relating to her plays, sale of her works, mss. of two stories and a comedy, letters from Mrs Sigourney, Henry Siddons, Anne Hunter, Mary Somerville; Agnes Baillie's reminiscences, prescriptions by Matthew Baillie

9. Princess Mary's letters to Baillie concerning the illness of Princess Amelia, Anne Hunter's autograph poems, libretto of Haydn's Creation; account of death of Princess Charlotte.

   The Hunter Baillie collection comprises also a number of manuscript books, the oldest of which is a commonplace book of the early eighteenth century, giving details of family history of the Hunters. Matthew Baillie's notebooks include: -

Journal of a tour in Europe in 1788 and A short memoir of my life, 1818. 'Some brief observations from my own experience upon a considerable number of diseases', in two volumes. n.d. With these are his casebooks, fee-books and other professional notes, including details of his attendance on King George III. Baillie records that his total annual fees mounted from £121 in 1792 to £9,995 in 1815.

Manuscript volume containing a verse play, a prose history, and several songs concerning the Escalade of Geneva undertaken by Duke Charles Emmanuel of Savoy on the 12 Dec 1602.
The play is entitled 'L'Escalade de Genève, Tragi Comèdie Representée pour la prémière fois' 12 Dec 1603. The history is called 'Histoire De la Miraculeuse Délivrance envoyée de Dieu à la Ville de Genève' 12 Dec 1602. The songs, or 'Chansons de L'Escalade', are in French (Savoyard dialect - 4 songs) and English (1 song entitled 'On the Twelfth of December with wicked intent'. The airs of the songs are often given, e.g. 'Sur l'air de la Vendange'. The index to the first lines of the songs is dated 22 Oct 1765.
The front cover of the leather binding is stamped in gold 'Gedeon Macaire Fils MDCCLXIV'.

The collection mainly comprises correspondence, manuscript poems by George MacDonald, photographs, material relating to the membership of the George MacDonald Society and the publication of its journal, North wind, papers relating to plays performed by MacDonald and his family, and offprints of articles and ephemera including lecture timetables, 1845-1997, mainly compiled by Mrs Freda Levson; notably including original correspondence addressed to MacDonald and copies of letters from family members and friends such as his wife, Louisa Powell MacDonald, and John Ruskin, principally on MacDonald's health problems, Octavia Hill, Ruskin's relationship with Rose La Touche, MacDonald's preaching technique and on aspects of theology including the doctrine of providence, 1845-1932; correspondence between members of the Troup family, friends of the MacDonalds, including Charles Edward Troup and Frank Troup, with photographs and extracts from the Troups' published works, 1883-1995; correspondence with William Raeper, author of a biography entitled George MacDonald (Tring, 1987), compiled during its research, including with Lion Publishing, with surviving family members, and with libraries, notably the British Library and Yale University Library, 1984-1987; correspondence with Freda Levson and Richard MacDonald, descendants of George MacDonald, 1970-1982; photographs of MacDonald and family, his various residences and of visits by the George MacDonald Society to Bordighera, Italy, [1860-1986]; manuscript poems by MacDonald, 1876-1887; material relating to the staging of Pilgrim's progress and other drama by MacDonald, 1877-1977; copies of contributions to the journal of the George MacDonald Society, North wind, with proofs of the journal and supporting documentation, 1976-1996; press cuttings and reviews of publications and lecture tours by MacDonald, and of modern editions of his work, 1871-1997; timetables of lectures delivered by MacDonald, copies of library holdings of manuscript material on MacDonald, 1869-1985.

Ph.D thesis of Dr Bertha Malnick entitled "The origin and the early history of the theatre in Russia, 1672-1756", 1935.

Papers and books belonging to the theatre critic Sheridan Morley (1941-2007). Includes correspondence, records relating to his various productions, volumes of press coverings covering his reviews, research notes and transcripts of some of his publications, photographs, records relating to his father Robert Morley and Grandmother Gladys Cooper, records relating to Noel Coward, theatre memorabilia and ephemera and objects.

Papers, 1907-1966, of Max Plowman and Dorothy Lloyd Plowman, comprising papers of Max Plowman, including correspondence, manuscripts and notebooks including publications, drafts of works, typescripts of plays, poems, articles and addresses, newspaper articles, and diaries; papers of Dorothy Lloyd Plowman, including correspondence, poems, prose, and writings on Max Plowman and on family relationships.

Handwritten research notes, offprints and publications compiled by Constance Mary Pott for her publications and many articles on the Bacon-Shakespeare authorship debate and Francis Bacon in general, including notes on emblems from natural history and other areas in Bacon and Shakespeare's works, along with correspondence with other Baconians, including Sir Edwin Durning-Lawrence and James Cary, and records of the Bacon Society (1679-1949).

Items related to musical theatre collected by scholar and musician Alan Poulton. Includes programmes, books, research and other items relating to the work of Stephen Sondheim, and other items relating more widely to the world of musical theatre including journals, books and recordings.

This scrapbook consists of press cuttings relating to concerts, entertainments, recitals, dramatic performances, fetes, bazaars, charitable and fund-raising events, many taken from women's magazines, such as The Lady; also includes profiles of women notable for a wide range of specialisms ranging from botany to tapestry painting.

Material, 1930s-1990s, relating to southern Africa and the work of Cecil Edward Seager. Includes a video and transcript of early cine-film from the period in which Seager was stationed at Dombodema and Tjimali (1930s-1940s); correspondence (1933-1994); press cuttings; and typescripts of a play written by Seager entitled A Christian Cavalcade (1948).

Records of the Shakespeare Association, 1914-1955, consisting of minute books, annual reports, membership lists, cash book, correspondence regarding publications and subscriptions, other correspondence and press cuttings.

Business papers of George Bernard Shaw, 1872-1950, mainly comprising correspondence, royalty details, contracts, copyright notices and other financial material, including papers relating to the performance of Shaw's plays in the UK and abroad by professional and amateur companies, 1896-1950; material concerning Shaw's dealings with literary agents, publishers, translators and various regulatory bodies, 1899-1950; printed blank contracts regulating the production and performance of Shaw's work in the UK and abroad, 1900-[1950]; correspondence, contracts, statements of royalties and other papers relating to the translation, publication and performance of Shaw's plays in countries other than the UK, 1907-1950; correspondence and bills of Messrs Leighton-Straker, bookbinders, 1911-1949, and Messrs R & R Clarke, printers, 1908-1949, including details of texts, numbers ordered and cost per unit; papers relating to dealings with Constable and Company Ltd, publishers, [1919]-1950; material relating to dealings with Messrs Brentano, US publishers, 1889-1946, notably royalty statements, accounts of sales, copyright agreements, and other material related to the publication of Shaw's plays and literary works in the USA; correspondence between Shaw and Paul Reynolds, his literary agent in the USA, 1907-1922, including details of payments made to Shaw for various articles, the serialisation of his plays in magazines, and copyright details; correspondence and papers concerning Shaw's dealings with literary agents in other European countries, [1903-1949], notably relating to the translation, publication and performance of his works; papers relating to litigation about copyright in the USA, 1927-1950; material relating to legal actions brought by Shaw against various unauthorised central European productions and publications, 1906-1910; correspondence relating to the adaptation and filming of Shaw's plays, 1913-[1950], including material concerning the development of the British and Irish film industries and the funding, marketing and distribution of films; correspondence concerning broadcasting rights, 1949-1950, mainly of Shaw's talks and adaptations of his plays; papers relating to the translation of Shaw's works, 1904-1949, into Russian, Czech, French, German and Polish; correspondence, receipts and contracts relating to Shaw's personal finances, 1872-1950, including details of his insurance policies and investments, property, income tax in the UK and USA, bank statements, royalty payments, and the disposal of the estate of Charlotte Shaw; papers relating to property owned by Shaw in Ireland and at Shaw's Corner, 1920-1949; material concerning dealings with J N Mason and Co, solicitors, 1891-1948, including the post-nuptial agreement made between Shaw and his wife; bills and letters relating to the purchase and hire of motor cars, 1900-1950; engagement diaries, 1877-1950; personal and domestic bills and receipts, 1872-1950, including hotel bills collected by Shaw during tours of the UK and Europe; notebooks and ledgers containing records of royalty payments, 1898-1950; copies of letters from Charlotte Shaw, 1899-1936, including letters to Alys Russell and Blanche Patch, with photographs of Charlotte's family and friends; material given to the Library by users of the Shaw papers, 1961-1970, notably copies of The California Shavian, 1961-1962.

Manuscript volume transcribed by Louis Bellec, 1823-1826, including 'Tragedie Sant Loeis', a play.

The archive consists of correspondence (1903-1949); printed and typescript copies (including corrections) of plays (1913-1938); diaries including one written by her companion Fanny Laming (1922-1952), drawings, leaflets, albums containing sketches, verse, programmes of entertainment, photographs, receipts, press cuttings, etc (1893-1952); biographical notes (1930s); verse (1915-1953); drawings; papers related to the National Federation of Women's Institutes (1917-54); papers related to her activities in the First World War; materials concerning the death of Williams (1957-9).