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Myself," (her unpublished memoir), "Papa," "Plans for Tomorrow," and "The Singing Swans."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:
- Box 1: Manuscripts (Akins) (HM 71484-71489)
- Box 2: Manuscripts (Akins cont. - Prewitt) (HM 71490-71497)
- Box 3: Manuscripts (Prewitt cont. - Robinson), Correspondence, Photograph Album,
Drawings and Ephemera HM 71498-71509)
- Box 4: Manuscripts, Photograph & Ephemera (HM 80300-80302)
- Box 5: Printed Material & Addenda: Ephemera, Reel-to-Reel Tapes, Printed
Books
- 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