Converted to EAD3 : Encoded Archival Description (EAD), Version 3 : Release: 1.1.1 : Release Date: 2019-12-16. Validating against latest version of schema.
Contact information: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/perform.contact
Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2006560742
Collection material in English
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
Gift, Douglas and Nancy Clark, 1997.
No further accruals are expected.
The Peggy Clark Papers were processed by Christopher Hartten from 2009-2012. Advanced document conservation and treatment of rolled materials and visual works began in September 2008 and was completed in May 2012. Christopher Hartten coded the finding aid for EAD format in 2012.
Sound recordings from the Peggy Clark Papers have been transferred to the Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division where they are identified as part of the Peggy Clark Collection (MAVIS collection no. 14050). An inventory of this material is available in the Music Division's collection file.
Materials from the Peggy Clark Papers are governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.) and other applicable international copyright laws.
The Peggy Clark Papers are open to research. Researchers are advised to contact the Music Division prior to visiting in order to determine whether the desired materials will be available at that time.
Rolled photographic negatives and glass-plate negatives are not available due to format considerations. These materials cannot be served without prior approval from the Head of Acquisitions and Processing.
Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [item, date, container number], Peggy Clark Papers, Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
The Peggy Clark Papers span the period 1880-1997 with the bulk of the materials dating from 1936-1970. Contents include light plots, scenic renderings, blueprints, correspondence, published and unpublished writings, programs, photographs, posters, scripts, scrapbooks, clippings, notes, and memorabilia.
The Project Files series forms an all-encompassing assemblage of materials that chronicles Clark's career as an amateur and professional designer of theatrical lighting, scenery, and costume. It is subdivided into four subseries. The first, "Stage Productions" contains an alphabetical and dated list of Broadway musicals, plays, revues, and dance recitals. Materials for each title are thematically arranged (lighting, contracts, props, etc.) within storage containers to mirror the organization of Clark's original production notebooks. These can and often do include oversized lighting plots, scenic renderings, posters, and costume sketches. Many also contain setting and costume fabric swatches, photographic negatives, and delicate drawings and sketches in a variety of artistic mediums: pencil, ink, charcoal, acrylic, and watercolor. The types and quantities of materials available for a given title varies considerably depending on Clark's degree of involvement with that production.
Lighting and setting materials represent the most voluminous components of the notebooks. These consist principally of rolled plots and diazotype reproductions, blueprints, cue sheets, sketches, equipment specifications, and notes. Clark's close working relationship with set designer Oliver Smith is clearly evident in these materials, many of which feature holograph drawings in Smith's hand or Clark's drawings of prominent Smith designs. Correspondence included under the titled productions represents only those documents originally found with the production notebooks. Researchers are encouraged to examine the general Correspondence series for additional correspondence of possible relevance. Individual titles may also include any of the following: clippings, contracts, black and white or color photographs, general production notes (schedules, expenses, etc.), programs and invitations, and annotated and unannotated scripts.
The "Industrial Productions" subseries consists almost exclusively of lighting projects done for private American manufacturers, special interest groups, or the U.S. government. Materials are arranged by corporate name and mirror the internal structure of the stage production files. Of particular interest are Clark's files for the Weirton Steel Co. Labor Day pageants from 1942-1944, a series of festivals celebrating the achievements of the American home front and the armed forces. "Theater Specifications" is a subseries of individual and composite drawings of prominent performing arts venues throughout the United States. The "Miscellaneous Projects" subseries rounds up an assortment of relatively small-scale lighting and design projects from various points in Clark's career. Highlights include materials for the
The Writings series is comprised of over thirty typescript articles, plays, journals, scenarios, illustrated works, a novel, and other literary pieces that document Clark's professional and private interests in the theater. The most substantial of her unpublished personal works are the novel
The Correspondence series contains chronologically arranged letters to and from family members, friends, and colleagues. Eleanor Linton Clark, Lloyd R. Kelley, and friend Vicky Glaser are frequent correspondents. Many of these letters, by virtue of the recipient's personal interests, contain references to current theatrical productions and upcoming tours. Peggy Clark's life-long fondness for her summers at Woods Hole, Mass. permeates much of this writing and contextualizes the longer literary works, paintings, and photographs that exhibit similar themes. The series also contains scattered correspondence from Oliver Smith, Edwin Lester, and other prominent figures in American theater.
The Organizational Materials series consists of correspondence, meeting minutes, promotional materials, and other content related to Clark's associations with professional technical theater organizations, most notably the United States Institute for Theatre Technology, and United Scenic Artists.
The remaining series form a veritable collage of Clark's personal and professional life. The Photographs series contains a chronological run of portraits, as well as images of the Clark family and its beloved French bulldogs. The Drawings series contains an eclectic mix of Clark's non-theatrical drawings, including sketches and paintings created mainly for graduate school assignments. In addition, there are childhood drawings, sketchbooks of Woods Hole scenery, and a humorous series of original Christmas cards. Scrapbooks in the collection consist of several bound volumes of photographs, clippings, programs, and memorabilia related to events at Smith College. A small series of Biographical Materials contains resumés and clippings about Clark and her professional activities, as well as documents related to family history. The final Miscellany series contains an assortment of union stamps and other items associated with theater production.
The Peggy Clark Papers are arranged in nine series:
Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2006560742
Technical and artistic drawings, notes, correspondence, photographs, programs, and other materials related to theatrical projects, most of which involved some element of lighting, scenic, and/or costume design by Clark. The term "production notebook" denotes materials formerly arranged in three-ring binders by production title. These notebooks may include any of the following materials: correspondence, programs, clippings, photographs, scripts, fabric samples, cue sheets, lighting plots, scenic renderings, blueprints, production notes, contracts, financial documents, among others.
"Oversize (rolled)" indicates the presence of larger technical drawings, usually blueprints, diazotypes, or renderings on tracing paper. "Oversize (flat)" often denotes the presence of scenic or costume renderings, but it may also represent other items that have been unfolded or re-housed in such a way that requires flat storage. Researchers are encouraged to examine the production notebooks first before seeking oversize materials, as folded reproductions of technical drawings are often contained within them.
Certain types of photographic negatives and slides are not available due to their unique format considerations. These may be made available only with prior approval from the Head of Acquisitions and Processing.
Organized into four subseries: Stage Productions, Industrial Productions, Theater Specifications, and Miscellaneous Projects. Arranged alphabetically within by project title or name of organization.
Music Box, Walnut Theatre, Ethel Barrymore Theatre
Articles, journals, plays, scenarios, illustration projects, a novel, and other literary works.
Organized in two subseries: Professional and Personal. Arranged alphabetically by title therein.
Correspondence, notes, meeting minutes, promotional materials, technical drawings, photographs, and other materials. Includes lighting design exam materials prepared by Clark for the United States Institute for Theatre Technology between 1975 and 1980.
Arranged alphabetically by name of organization.
Chiefly personal letters to Clark from friends and family members.
Arranged chronologically by year.
Portraits, snapshots, slides, negatives and albums, mostly unrelated to theatrical productions. Includes images of the Clark and Kelley families.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Miscellaneous sketches and paintings unrelated to Clark's theatrical projects. Most are graduate school assignments or unidentified illustrations. Includes several boxes of humorous Christmas cards that Clark designed annually between 1930 and 1969.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Several bound volumes of clippings and photographs from Clark's years at Smith College. Contents are related to organizational activities and theatrical projects.
Arranged chronologically by year.
Educational certificates and awards, resumés, datebooks, legal and financial documents, family heirlooms, and other materials.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Annotated books on theatrical lighting, realia, and a poster from puppeteer Bil Baird.
Arranged alphabetically by subject.