The Joseph Cameron Cross Theater Collection contains over 300 letters, 50 theater programs, many Christmas cards, postcards, articles, and a great many theatrical photographs. All chronicle the time periods of the early 20th century and the 1940's and 1950's.
The letters are written by such notables as the actors Viola Allen (also a major recipient of letters) and John Gielgud; writers such as Ambrose Bierce, Booth Tarkington, and Hall Caine; the ballet dancer Margot Fonteyn; the comedian Fred Allen; and many others.
In conjunction with these letters there are photographs, both signed and unsigned, of many of these principals, and especially Viola Allen. The beautiful Miss Allen was a leading American actress circa 1890 to 1910. She played Shakespearean roles, modern comedies, and many popular plays of the day, including a dramatization of Hall Caine's novel, The Eternal City.
Jarron Jewell, Archivist
Laura DeMuro, Archival Graduate Assistant, Collection Compiler
Graziella DiMaggio, Collection Compiler
Fred Allen Viola Allen Sadie Bates Ambrose Bierce Kate Blancke Maria-Theresa Bourgeois Richard Burton Giles Cain Joseph Cameron Cross Donna Dickey "Poems" Grace Fisher Lynn Fontanne Margot Fonteyn |
John Gielgud Lillian Gish Alec Guinness Edna Wallace Hopper Elsie Janis Thais Lawton Joel Marston Marguerite Merington James Monks Ward Morehouse Mary Ellen Moylan Olive Oliver Nichstha Alias Bernice Rehmer |
Fritizi Scheff Julia Marlowe Sothern Frances Starr Gloria Swanson Maria Tallchief Booth Tartington Evelyn Vaughan Dick Watts Mary Young -Miscellaneous Correspondence -Miscellaneous Items -Professional Letters |
Location: Archives of the Joseph Cameron Cross Theatre Collection - Fred Allen - Joseph Cameron Cross Boxbinder
Actress Viola Allen - Signed Photograph |
Location: Archives of the Joseph Cameron Cross Theatre Collection - Viola Allen Boxbinder
Additional Items
Location: Viola Allen Folder (See photograph finding aid)
(See photograph finding aid)
(See photograph finding aid)
(See photograph finding aid)
Actor John Gielgud - Signed Photograph |
(See photograph finding aid)
(See photograph finding aid)
(See photograph finding aid)
(See photograph finding aid)
(See photograph finding aid)
(See photograph finding aid)
(See photograph finding aid)
(See photograph finding aid for Harry Ellerbe)
Archives and Special Collections is located on the second floor of the LIU Post Library.
Rooms: 345-346
Heather Hesse - Special Collections Assistant
Archives and Special Collections
516/299-2880
Heather.Hesse@liu.edu
Hours: 9:00-5:00, Monday-Friday