Collections : [Yale University -Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library]

Collection consists of originals and typescripts of correspondence, writings, drawings, and other papers, and documents aspects of the life and work of Beatrice Wood.

The papers contain correspondence, business, and legal papers documenting the history of the Beaver Creek Ranch Company. Subjects discussed include the managment of the ranch, cattle drivers, and the responsibilities of ranch owners.

The Beinecke Family Papers consist of twenty-one albums containing manuscript and printed materials, photographs, and original documents detailing the history of Edwin J. Beinecke and his family, the Weigle and Mauer families, the Sperry and Hutchinson Company, and the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Materials contained within the albums date from the eighteenth century to 1980. These volumes were compiled by Fred L. Mayer between 1972 and 1980. Also included are eight volumes of letters and cards of condolence on the occasion of Edwin J. Beinecke's death in 1970. One box of miscellaneous print, typescript, and manuscript materials is also included.

The papers document the life and writing of poet and philosopher Benjamin Fondane. Writings include holograph manuscripts of approximately 650 poems, 55 works of prose and 9 playscripts. Prose writings consist chiefly of holograph drafts of short untitled essays or notes (some fragmentary) on topics related to poetry and philosophy. Also included is a holograph draft of Fondane's first book Tagaduinta lui Petru (1918). Poems consist of holograph drafts of original poems and translations, some titled, others untitled. While most of the writings are undated, they appear to date from before 1923, the year Fondane emigrated to France. Correspondence (incoming and outgoing) is with Fondane's sisters Lina and Rodica Wechsler, other family members, and the journal Hatikvah. Other papers include a catalog of the avant garde theater group Insula, which Fondane co-founded. Material is chiefly in Romanian; some correspondence is in French.

The majority of the collection consists of production programs, photographs, window cards, posters, and other publicity material relating to theatrical productions produced by Benjamin Mordecai at Yale Repertory Theatre and on Broadway. Award certificates, plaques and trophies he received as producer of Angels in America, The Piano Lesson, Seven Guitars, and other productions are included in the papers. In addition, there are legal and financial documents, correspondence, and other material relating to the production Golden Child, and computer disks containing Jitney production records. Audiovisual material includes videocassette and compact disc recordings of theatrical productions, Tony Award programs, and Benjamin Mordecai's memorial service, and a long-playing record album of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

The collection consists of material relating to Peter Barnes, which was created and accumulated by Bernard Frank Dukore in the course of his research on the work of the British dramatist and screenwriter. Material includes incoming and copies of outgoing correspondence between Dukore and Barnes, dating from 1978 to 2004; copies and typescripts of original plays, adaptations, and scripts by Peter Barnes, some of which are inscribed or annotated; audio recordings of BBC productions of Barnes's plays and copies of commercially-released films and television programs featuring scripts by Barnes on VHS and DVD-R; photographs and programs relating to the production of Barnes's plays; correspondence between Dukore and Gisele Joly, the French translator of Barnes's play Red Noses; transcripts of interviews with Barnes conducted by Dukore; and numerous clippings and photocopies of published writings by Barnes and about Barnes by Dukore.

The collection contains correspondence to Bernardine Szold-Fritz from well-known cultural figures from the 20th century.