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Akins-Jannay Collection and Addenda
mssAkinsjan  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Access
  • Publication Rights
  • Preferred Citation
  • Provenance
  • Custodial History
  • Separated Materials
  • Biographical Note
  • Scope and Content
  • Arrangement
  • General

  • Contributing Institution: The Huntington Library
    Title: Akins-Jannay collection and addenda
    Creator: Akins, Zoë, 1886-1958
    Identifier/Call Number: mssAkinsjan
    Physical Description: 6.16 Linear Feet (6 boxes)
    Date (inclusive): 1920-1992
    Abstract: This collection consists of manuscripts by dramatist, novelist, poet and screenwriter Zoë Akins (1886-1958), and other Akins family members.
    Language of Material: Materials are in English.

    Access

    Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

    Publication Rights

    The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

    Preferred Citation

    [Identification of item]. Akins-Jannay collection and addenda, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

    Provenance

    The collection was acquired by the Huntington from Carla Jannay in April 2009; addenda purchased from Carla Jannay, May 2010.

    Custodial History

    James Nigra and Carla Jannay-Nigra, inherited the estate of Zoë Akins' nephew, Thomas Prewitt (Tommy's mother, Marie Prewitt, was Zoë Akins' sister). The estate included many papers, books, and furniture which originally belonged to Zoë Akins.

    Separated Materials

    The collection originally included five printed works; three of these volumes were transferred to the Rare Books Department: "The Poems and Prose Poems of Charles Baudelaire;" "Déclassée and Other Plays;" "Forever Young," with dust jacket. The remaining two volumes can be found in Box 5.

    Biographical Note

    Zoë Akins (1886-1958) was a dramatist, novelist, poet and screenwriter. In 1935, she won the Pulitzer Prize for her dramatization of Edith Wharton's story, "The Old Maid." In addition to many screenplays and plays, Akins also authored two volumes of poetry, criticism, two novels, teleplays, magazine and newspaper articles.

    Scope and Content

    The collection consists of the following material:
    1. Manuscripts (Boxes 1-3) are arranged alphabetically by author and title. Included in this series are manuscripts by Zoë Akins, including: "The Daughter of Mars," "Others Than Myself," (her unpublished memoir), "Papa," "Plans for Tomorrow," and "The Singing Swans." This series also includes manuscripts by Akins' family members: Sarah Elizabeth Akins (mother), Laurie Metcalf (great-niece), Marie Prewitt (sister), and Thomas Akins (nephew); also, an extensive appraisal for Akins' Brigden Road home, and a poem by Dorothy Robinson.
    2. Correspondence, Photograph Album, Drawings and Ephemera (Box 3) is arranged alphabetically by author and subject. This series includes three business letters concerning "The Old Maid," by Edith Wharton, and two personal letters to Thomas Prewitt. Also included are a family photograph album of the Maginty and Mars families (relatives of Zoë Akins), two pencil drawings and two folders of Ephemera.
    3. Addenda - Manuscripts, Photograph and Ephemera (Box 4) is arranged alphabetically by author and subject. This series includes the teleplay "Dinner Party," a dissertation by Ronald Mielech, a photograph of Zoë Akins, and printed material.
    4. Addenda - Printed Material, Ephemera, Reel-to-Reel Tapes and Printed Books (Boxes 5-6) is arranged alphabetically by author and format. This series includes printed material, tapes of interviews, and books inscribed by and to Zoë Akins.

    Arrangement

    Organized in the following manner:
    1. Box 1: Manuscripts (Akins) (HM 71484-71489)
    2. Box 2: Manuscripts (Akins cont. - Prewitt) (HM 71490-71497)
    3. Box 3: Manuscripts (Prewitt cont. - Robinson), Correspondence, Photograph Album, Drawings and Ephemera HM 71498-71509)
    4. Box 4: Manuscripts, Photograph & Ephemera (HM 80300-80302)
    5. Box 5: Printed Material & Addenda: Ephemera, Reel-to-Reel Tapes, Printed Books
    6. Box 6: Addenda: Printed Books

    General

    Individual call numbers included in the collection: HM 71484-71509; HM 80300-80302.

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Women dramatists, American -- 20th century -- Archives
    Drawings -- United States -- 20th century
    Ephemera -- United States -- 20th century
    Letters (correspondence) -- United States -- 20th century
    Manuscripts -- United States -- 20th century
    Photographs -- United States -- 20th century
    Plays -- United States -- 20th century
    Poems -- United States -- 20th century
    Akins family