Guide to the Stage Set Design collection M1670
Emma Frothingham
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
July 2023
Green Library
557 Escondido Mall
Stanford 94305-6064
specialcollections@stanford.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Stage Set Design collection
Identifier/Call Number: M1670
Identifier/Call Number: 9489
Physical Description:
2 Linear Feet
[6 flat boxes]
Date (inclusive): circa 1930-1960
Abstract: Stage and set designs, primarily for opera and other musical theater productions, created by an unknown designer in England
circa 1930 to 1960.
Physical Location: Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 36 hours in advance.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was purchased by Stanford University, Special Collections in 1977.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged into six series. The first four series include set designs for specific productions with each series
corresponding to a type of production (1. Opera and Operettas; 2. Ballet; 3. Musicals; 4. Plays). Series 5 includes set designs
for non-specific productions grouped by theme. Series 6 includes other theater-related drawings and illustrations.
Custodial History
The collection was acquired by Stanford Libraries Department of Special Collections in 1977, shortly after the department
took responsibility for collecting theater materials following the closure of Stanford's theater library. In part because
of this transition, not much is known about the origins of the collection besides the date it was acquired and that the collection
originated in England. Despite the designs having plenty of information about the scenes they depict, none of the pieces are
signed and only a few are dated--making the creator a mystery.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], Stage Set Design collection (M1670). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford
Libraries, Stanford, Calif
Scope and Contents
The collection contains hundreds of stage set designs, primarily for opera and other musical theater productions. Although
the designer is unknown, the designs appear to have been made between the 1930s and 1960s in England. Most designs have notes
from the creator about what production and scenes the set design could be used for. Some descriptions are more generic and
do not specify a production. Illustrations in Series 6 were acquired at the same time as the set designs, but it is unclear
they were done by the same individual as the rest of the designs.
Conditions Governing Use
While Special Collections is the owner of the physical and digital items, permission to examine collection materials is not
an authorization to publish. These materials are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. Any transmission
or reproduction beyond that allowed by fair use requires permission from the owners of rights, heir(s) or assigns.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Operas
Musical theater
Theater -- England
stage, set design
Series 1. Opera and Operetta
Scope and Contents
Series 1 contains set designs for operas and operettas. This series makes up the bulk of the collection and is arranged in
alphabetical order by composer's last name.
Box 1, folder 6
Pelléas & Mélisande (Debussy)
Box 1, folder 7
Lucia di Lammermoor (Donizetti)
Box 1, folder 9
Rose-Marie (Firml & Stothart)
Box 1, folder 10
The Gondoliers (Gilbert & Sullivan)
Box 1, folder 11
The Mikado (Gilbert & Sullivan)
Box 1, folder 12
Patience (Gilbert & Sullivan)
Box 1, folder 13
Pirates of Penzance (Gilbert & Sullivan)
Box 1, folder 14
Princess Ida (Gilbert & Sullivan
Box 1, folder 16
Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagni)
Box 1, folder 17
La Belle Hélène (Offenbach)
Box 1, folder 17
Orpheus in the Underworld (Offenbach)
Box 1, folder 18
The Tales of Hoffman (Offenbach)
Box 1, folder 21
The Desert Song (Romberg)
Box 1, folder 22
Samson & Delilah (Saint-Saëns)
Box 1, folder 28
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (Wagner)
Box 1, folder 28
Tristan & Isolde (Wagner)
Series 2. Ballet
Scope and Contents
Series 2 contains set designs for ballets. They are arranged according to production.
Series 3. Musicals
Scope and Contents
Series 3 contains set designs for musicals. They are arranged according to production.
Box 2, folder 6
Cinderella (Rodgers & Hammerstein)
Box 2, folder 9
The Vagabond King (Hooker & Post)
Box 2, folder 10
West Side Story (Robbins, Sondheim, Bernstein & Lawrence)
Box 2, folder 11
The Belle of New York (Morton & Kerker)
Box 3, folder 2
Calamity Jane (Park, Hammer & Fain)
Box 3, folder 4
The Maid of the Mountains (Fraser-Simson, et al)
Box 3, folder 6
Tale of Two Cities (musical version)
Series 4. Plays & Revues
Scope and Contents
Series 4 contains set designs for plays, revues, and pantomines. They are arranged according to production.
Box 4, folder 1
A Midsummer' Night's Dream (Shakespeare)
Box 4, folder 2
As You Like It (Shakespeare)
Box 4, folder 6
The Blue Bird (Maeterlinck)
Box 4, folder 9
Lysistrata (Aristophanes)
Series 5. General & Unidentified Designs
Scope and Contents
Series 5 contains general set designs not specifc to a production and designs with no identifying information. The general
set designs are roughly grouped according to theme.
Box 5, folder 6
Water (Canals, Bridges, Wharves)
Box 5, folder 8
Period Pieces (e.g. Shakespeare, Greek & Roman, Medieval)
Box 5, folder 12
Stairway to Stars / Paradise / Skies
Series 6. Additional Theater Drawings & Designs
Scope and Contents
Series 6 includes drawings for theater buildings and characters in costume. It is unclear if they were done by the same designer
as the rest of the collection.
Box 6, folder 2
Theater Designs (Exterior Features)
Box 6, folder 5
Character & Stage Sketches
General
Also includes two photographs and handwritten note
