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Title: William Selig papers
Date (inclusive): 1857-1979
Date (bulk): 1900-1923
Collection number: 2
Creator:
Selig, William N.
Extent:
15 linear feet of papers.
6 linear feet of photographs.
Repository:
Margaret Herrick Library. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Languages:
English
Important Information for Users of the Collection
Available by appointment only.
Property rights to the physical object belong to the Margaret Herrick Library. Researchers are
responsible for obtaining all necessary rights, licenses, or permissions from the appropriate companies
or individuals before quoting from or publishing materials obtained from the library.
William Selig papers, Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
"Colonel" William N. Selig was an American producer active in film from 1896 to 1938. He founded the
Selig Polyscope Company and co-founded the Motion Picture Patents Company. Selig shared a 1947 Special
Academy Award for being a pioneer in the developing art of motion pictures.
Collection Scope and Content Summary
The William Selig papers span the years 1857-1979 (bulk 1900-1923) and encompass 21 linear feet. The
collection consists of production files (continuities and credit sheets for many of the Selig one- and
two-reel shorts from 1908 to 1917), scripts and story material, clippings, correspondence files, subject
files (primarily related to early film history patents and Selig Polyscope Company releases), books and
pamphlets, oversize material, scrapbooks, and photographs.
Arrangement
Arranged in the following series: 1. Production files, subseries A-B as follows: A. Feature films and
serials; B. Short subjects; 2. Story files; 3. Correspondence, subseries A-B as follows: A. William
Selig; B. Foreign; 4. Subject files, subseries A-B as follows: A. General; B. Books and periodicals; 5.
Oversize; 6. Scrapbooks; 7. Photographs, subseries A-C as follows: A. Motion picture production; B.
Biography; C. Subject
Selig, William N. , 1864-1948--Archives
Executives
Producers