Herbert Ashcroft theater scrapbook collection

Collection

Identifier: D.153

Staff Only

Biographical/Historical note

Herbert Ashcroft, Sr. (1880-1964) was a Traveling Agent for the Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad, and retired as an insurance executive after fifty years in that field. Ashcroft was an inveterate theater-goer, and because of his deep interest in drama, he didn't merely enjoy each play, but studied it and learned all he could about the author and cast as well. As a result Ashcroft began collecting theatrical memorabilia and putting it in scrapbook form for future enjoyment and reference.

Scope and Contents

This collection is composed of ten scrapbooks, dating from 1897 to 1905, which Herbert Ashcroft, Sr. assembled as a result of this interest in the theater. The earlier scrapbooks contain material on plays which were staged in a variety of locations throughout New York state and Pennsylvania; after 1900, the productions represented were primarily of New York City theaters. Ashcroft's analysis of the plays he attended began with the play's program and included any additional photographs and articles he discovered pertaining to every aspect of the play's production. One of the scrapbooks, however, departs from the strict theme of theatrical memorabilia and encompasses material reflecting the humor, social life, and historical concerns of the period. This material takes the form of newspaper articles, cartoons, and poetry and prose selections from literary magazines.

Creator

Ashcroft, Herbert, 1880-1964 (Person)

Dates

Creation: 1897-1905

Language of Materials

English

Extent

10 volume(s)

Access

The Herbert Ashcroft Theater Scrapbook Collection is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Rare Books Special Collections & Preservation Department prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

In consultation with a curator, reproductions may be made upon request. Permission to publish materials from the collection must be requested from a curator. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Herbert Ashcroft, Jr., May 1975.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Herbert Ashcroft Theater Scrapbook Collection, D.153, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester