Bernhardt, Sarah, 1844-1923. Sarah Bernhardt Collection, ca. 1860-1977 (bulk 1880-1920). - View Resource (original) (raw)

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Bernhardt, Sarah, 1844-1923. Sarah Bernhardt Collection, ca. 1860-1977 (bulk 1880-1920).

Title

Sarah Bernhardt Collection, ca. 1860-1977 (bulk 1880-1920).

Abstract

The Sarah Bernhardt Collection contains theatrical production photographs, personal photographs, publicity stills, postcards, theater programs and playbills, clippings, and a scrapbook. Also present are several prints, caricatures, advertisements, and artistic sketches of Bernhardt. The Theater Production series comprises the bulk of the collection and contains production photographs and theater playbills and programs for over thirty Bernhardt productions. Although the bulk of the production photographs are portrait styled cabinet card photographs, this series contains several photographs of Bernhardt performing onstage. Bernhardt's famous productions of l'Aiglon, Camille, and Phedre, are especially well represented. Among the playbills and programs, there are several playscripts, translations, and other versions of plays which are specific to Bernhardt and carry her identification as "the only correct version of my plays translated and printed from my own promptbooks." There are also souvenir programs which contain information on multiple productions. The Clippings series, while comprehensive during the span of Bernhardt's career with reviews, is very extensive throughout 1923, the year of her death. The Other Materials series chiefly comprises personal photographs, some family and ceremonial photographs and various portraits, caricatures, advertisements, prints, and artistic sketches. Personalities represented with Bernhardt in the photographs include actress Lillie Langtry, playwright Victorien Sardou, theater mogul Martin Beck, escape artist Harry Houdini, and her manager William Connors. Also in this series is an Alphonse Mucha sketch of Bernhardt as Medea, a copy of a letter from "Her Artistic Life," and several advertisements in which Bernhardt used her notoriety to sell various products.

Extent

11 boxes (5.04 linear feet)