RIAMCO

Rhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections Online

For Participating Institutions

Mary Hamilton letters (Ms. 2007.031)

Brown University Library

Box A, John Hay Library
Providence, RI 02912
Tel: 401-863-2146
E-mail: hay@brown.edu

Inventory

Container Description Date
Folder 1 Belasco, David to Hamilton, Mary
310 West 56th St., New York City
1 page

Contents Note: A paragraph from director/playwright David Belasco written from Belasco Theatre to Hamilton, a response to a note to Belasco from Hamilton (none of Hamilton’s letters seem to be extant). He congratulates Hamilton for the medal she won in drama school.
Genre: letter
1905 Mar 22
Folder 2 Shaw, George Bernard to Hamilton, Mary
Ayot St. Lawrence
2 pages

Contents Note: Shaw’s first letter to Hamilton is a half page written on both sides that comments on her performances in Man and Superman and Doctor's Dilemma. Like all of Shaw’s correspondence to Hamilton there is considerable content. The letter was written from his country home. Signed G. Bernard Shaw.
Genre: letter
1906 Nov 29
Folder 3 Granville-Barker, Harley to Lytton, Neville
Court Theatre, London
1 page

Contents Note: Letter written by Harley Granville Barker to Neville Lytton (1879-1951), artist who created later a portrait of G.B. Shaw. Predicts success for Hamilton as an actress and comments on her father’s bias toward the theatre as a profession. Letter may be in another hand; does not match signature.
Genre: letter
1907 Feb 6
Folder 4 Galsworthy, John to Hamilton, Mary
14 Addison Rd., London
4 pages

Contents Note: Letter from writer John Galsworthy (1867-1933) to Hamilton with his comments on her performance in The Silver Box. Warns her not to "overdo the wriggle of your back. You have still too much colour."
Genre: letter

Names:
Galsworthy, John
Hamilton, Mary

1907 Apr 9
Folder 5 Shaw, George Bernard to Hamilton, Mary
Ayot St. Lawrence
1 page

Contents Note: Brief note from Shaw (15 April 1907) to Hamilton. Comments on role of Violet (Man and Superman) not being available to her at present (perhaps referring to non-London productions). Signed G.B.S.
Genre: letter
1907 Apr 15
Folder 6 Shaw, George Bernard to Hamilton, Mary
10 Adelphi Terrace, London
2 pages

Contents Note: Half page; front and back; comments on being an actress vs. family obligations. She apparently sought his advice. Signed G. Bernard Shaw.
Genre: letter
1908 Nov 2
Folder 7 Photograph of George Bernard Shaw
Contents Note: Photo of Shaw (3 inches X 4 inches), signed and dated on the reverse by G.B. Shaw (2 Nov. 1908). A survey of sources on Shaw has yet to reveal a reproduction of this early photo.
1908 Nov 2
Folder 8 Shaw, George Bernard to Hamilton, Mary
10 Adelphi Terrace, London
1 page

Contents Note: There is a gap of almost a decade before Hamilton receives another letter from Shaw in response to one from her. It is a letter, from 10 Adelphi Terrace, Shaw's London address. He writes about writing a play just for Hamilton (her apparent request) and why he has other plays that would suit her (he lists them). Speaks of the impact of the War in Canada. He refers back to her creation of Minnie Tinwell from The Doctor's Dilemma.
Genre: letter
1917 Sept 4
Folder 9 Shaw, George Bernard to Hamilton, Mary
Coole Park, York County, Galway
2 pages

Contents Note: Two page letter was written from Lady Gregory’s home in Ireland. He gives advice on trying to go back on the stage after a dozen years; the physical state of her father (he died in 1919); and the interest of the Coburn management in producing The Devil's Disciple and why it is unavailable (during World War I).
Genre: letter
1918 Oct 5
Folder 10 Shaw, George Bernard to Hamilton, Mary
10 Adelphi Terrace, London
5 pages

Contents Note: Typed letter, signed by hand, G. Bernard Shaw. Corrections in Shaw’s hand. Comments on his concept of God, Creative Evolution, the Life Force; the true ends of acting and playwriting (to make sense out of life); love and happiness (and Hamilton’s own quest for a partner). Includes strong recommendations for Hamilton.
Genre: letter
1918 Nov 23
Folder 11 Shaw, George Bernard to Hamilton, Mary
10 Adelphi Terrace, London
1 page

Contents Note: Autographed note written to Hamilton in Boston (apparently with the Copley Players under Henry Jewett) with comments on her reprising of Minnie Tinwell and warning her not to let them push her into distorting the role, "which is exactly right." Addressed to Hamilton at 101 St. James Ave., Boston. Signed G. Bernard Shaw.
Genre: letter
1919 Jan 27
Folder 12 Vedrenne, J.E. to Hamilton, Mary
7 John St., London
1 page

Contents Note: Typed letter (autograph signature) to Hamilton then in London from manager/critic J.E. Vedrenne offering her two tickets for the Haymarket’s Mary Rose (written after he had seen her again after many years).
Genre: letter
1920 Dec 9
Folder 13 Vedrenne, J.E. to Hamilton, Mary
7 John St., London
1 page

Contents Note: Typed letter addressed to Hamilton at the Charlesgate Hotel, Boston. Signed J.E. Vedrenne. About a play titled Adventure
Genre: letter
1921 Nov 21
Folder 14 Blackwood, Algernon to Hamilton, Mary
Savile Club, London
2 pages

Contents Note: Typed letter signed in hand by Algernon Blackwood (1869-1951), a writer known for his horror stories. Hamilton apparently expressed interest in dramatizing his short story "Wolves of God" (Wolves Of God and Other Fey Stories, with Wilfred Wilson, 1925).
Genre: letter
1926 Dec 17
Folder 15 Aswell, Lena to [Mr. Ford]
Algonquin Hotel, New York City
2 pages

Contents Note: Undated letter from English actress Lena Ashwell (1872-1957) who was reared and educated in Canada and was the original Mrs. Warren in Shaw’s play Mrs. Warren's Profession.
Genre: letter