[ Percy Nash, English pioneering film director. ] Collection of miscellaneous material, from the Percy Nash papers, including typescripts of unpublished and unperformed plays, poetry collections, autobiographical account, correspondence.

The material, from the Percy Nash papers, is in fair condition, with light signs of age and wear. It is arranged in the following description in ten sections. ONE: Two drafts of an autobiographical account by Nash, ending in 1933. Both 2pp., 4to. The first is headed 'Percy Nash' and the second 'PERCY NASH. born December 5th 1868'. Of interest are the following statements: 'Owing to indisposition of Harry Loveday, was engaged by Sir Henry Irving to Stage Manage (associated with Laurence) the production of "Robespierre" at the Lyceum Theatre, and remain with him for several years. Joined Sir Herbert Tree as Stage Director at His Majesty's for "Ulysses" and remained for the Merry Wives [...] Joined T. P. O'connor on T.Ps Weekly, remained with him for five years, during which time I assisted in the purchase of the "ERA" from Edward Ledger. [...] Became a pioneer in the British Film World, organised and Directed the first pictures for the original London Film Company. Built the first Film Studios at Elstree. Directed Pictures in Rome for the CINES and TIBER Film Companies and the UNIVERSAL Film Co of America [...]'. TWO: Three typed short collections of humorous verse, each with its own title-page: 'Flashbacks | Of Verse and Adverse | by | "A Moody Member"' (9pp., 4to; 'Dedicated to The Green Room Club London | In memory of many Happy Years spent there.'), 'Flotsam and Jetsum' (5pp., 4to) and 'Eruptions during the World War' (12pp, 4to). Items Three to Nine below comprise typescripts of plays. THREE: Bundle of typed and manuscript material relating to 'Love's Strategy | A Comedy with Music. | Adapted from the celebrated Play "She stoops to Conquer' by Oliver Goldsmith | Music by Mendelssohn'. Totalling 40pp., 4to. Including drafts of various passages and Typed Letter Signed to Nash from Hilda G. Scott, and carbon copies of letters from Nash to Scott and Stanford Robinson, 1948 and 1949. FOUR: 'The New Musical Version of the Colleen Bawn by Percy Nash and Harry Mear | founded on the Drama of that name by Dion Boucicault'. On the title-page Nash has written: 'The Property of | Percy Nash | 39 St James St | London SW1'. 48pp., 4to. In grey card folder. With a few autograph notes. Loosely inserted is an estimate of the cost of the costumes for the production, from L. & H. Nathan, 'Court Costumiers and Theatrical Dressmakers', London, dated 16 November 1926. FIVE: Anonymous typescript: 'Vendetta. A Musical Comedy in two acts'. 62pp., 4to. In orange card folder with typed label on cover. SIX: Bundle of typed material relating to 'The Corsicans | A Play with Music in Three Acts | Freely Adapted from M. Dumas' Romance | Music by Edward Grieg'. Drafts of various scenes, synopses, notes on staging, list of music. Totalling 69pp., 4to. SEVEN: Untitled typescript: 'A Play with Music | Freely adapted from the play "A Lady of Lyons" by Lord Lytton. The Music from the Compositions of Edward Grieg.' 42pp, 4to. EIGHT: Untitled synopsis and list of characters for a comedy set in New York. 5pp., 4to. NINE: Typewritten sections, and list of 'Musical Numbers', of play titled 'Peg Woffington'. 16pp., 4to. TEN: Seven items of correspondence: letters to Nash from J. Gordon Elliott (two from 1931), M. Melville (undated), A. Cecil Barker of Ace-Bee Wireless Receivers (1923, with copy of Nash's letter to him), also a postcard to Nash from 'Cyjie' (1957) and a receipt from Edward Cranston's General Theatrical and Variety Agency (1931). Also a cutting of an article by Nash under the name 'Eustace Nash', from the Bournemouth Times, 7 June 1957.