Akins-Jannay Collection and Addenda: Finding Aid
mssAkinsjan
Gayle M. Richardson
The Huntington Library
May 2010
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, California 91108
Business Number: (626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
Note
Finding aid revised in July 2013; last updated on January 5, 2024, by Gayle M.
Richardson.
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
Box 1
Manuscripts -- Akins, S. - Akins, Z. (Autograph-Papa). HM
71484-71489
Akins, Sarah Elizabeth. "Memoirs of Sarah Elizabeth Akins:" [later draft],
carbon copy (MS., typewritten: 21 p.), ([1931-1941]).
HM 71484
Scope and Contents
With a few autograph corrections. Fragile -- please handle carefully.
[Akins, Sarah Elizabeth]. [American Civil War film scenario?: scene outline,
two early drafts], carbon copy (MS., typewritten: 88 p.), ([ca. 1935?]).
HM 71485
Scope and Contents
With autograph corrections. Enclosed: scene outline (7 p.), early drafts (blue ink,
60 p., black ink, 21 p.); some of the pages are duplicates, both drafts are
incomplete.
[Akins, Zoë, 1886-1958]. [Autograph notes for appraisal]?, A.MS. (2 p.),
([ca. 1932?]).
HM 71486
Akins, Zoë, 1886-1958. "The Daughters of Mars:" [script for:] Ethel Barrymore
Television Theater, mimeograph copy (MS., typewritten: 48 p.), ([ca.
1955?]).
HM 71487
Scope and Contents
With a few autograph notes by Akins; with original paper covers, with the name Lewis
Allen (the director). Also enclosed: carbon copy, typewritten early draft, incomplete
(35 p.).
Akins, Zoë, 1886-1958. "Others Than Myself: Some Memories:" [autobiography:
later draft:] cover page-chapter V, carbon copy (MS., typewritten: 124 p.), ([ca.
1953]).
HM 71488 (1)
Scope and Contents
With autograph corrections.
Akins, Zoë, 1886-1958. "Others Than Myself: Some Memories:" [autobiography:
later draft:] chapter VI-chapter XI, carbon copy (MS., typewritten: 124 p.), ([ca.
1953]).
HM 71488 (2)
Scope and Contents
With autograph corrections.
Akins, Zoë, 1886-1958. "Papa:" [play: script: later draft:] MS. (typewritten:
54 p.), ([ca. 1919?]).
HM 71489
Box 2
Manuscripts -- Akins, Z. (Plans-Woman) - Prewitt, M. HM 71490-71497
Akins, Zoë, 1886-1958. "Plans for Tomorrow:" [play: script: later alternative
draft], carbon copy (MS., typewritten: 123 p.), ([ca. 1950?]).
HM 71490
Scope and Contents
With autograph corrections & additions; with original paper cover.
Akins, Zoë, 1886-1958. "The Singing Swans:" play: [script: early alternative
draft], carbon copy (MS., typewritten: 107 p.), ([ca. 1950?]).
HM 71491
Scope and Contents
With autograph corrections.
[Akins, Zoë, 1886-1958]? "War Planes of Germany…" and "Word List," MS.
(typewritten: 2 p.), ([ca. 1930?]).
HM 71492
Scope and Contents
Note: pages are numbered 17 & 18; slightly stained.
[Akins, Zoë, 1886-1958]. "Women ----? I Hate Them:" [essay], carbon copy
(MS., typewritten: 3 p.), ([ca. 1920?]).
HM 71493
Scope and Contents
Fragile -- please handle carefully. With a duplicate page Three, signed by Marie
Prewitt, Akins' sister.
Fidelity Appraisal Co. Appraisal for 2041 Brigden Road, Altadena, Calif.:
prepared for Miss Zoë Akins, bound volume (MS., typewritten: 90 p.), (1932, Apr. 27)
[Los Angeles (Calif.)].
HM 71494
Scope and Contents
Some pages heavily annotated by Zoë Akins and others.
Metcalf, Laurie, 1955-. "Forever Young:" [essay], MS. (typewritten: 3 p.),
(1972).
HM 71495
Scope and Contents
Note: stained.
[Mielech, Ronald A.] [The Plays of Zoë Akins Rumbold: dissertation:] pages
24-41 only, phot. copy (MS., typewritten: 18 p.), ([1974]).
HM 71496
Scope and Contents
Note: this dissertation is part of the Addenda material and cataloged as HM 80301
(1-4).
[Prewitt, Marie]. "Papa and Four:" [short story: various drafts], A.MS. and
MS. (typewritten: 32 p.), ([1950-1953?]).
HM 71497
Box 3
Manuscripts, Correspondence, Photograph Album, Drawings & Ephemera -- HM
71498-71509
[Prewitt, Thomas]? "The Chief Retires…:" [short story?], MS. (typewritten: 19
p.), ([1935?]).
HM 71498
Scope and Contents
Incomplete. With extensive water and insect damage, with some loss of text; pages
very fragile -- please handle carefully.
[Prewitt, Thomas]? "In the meantime Tony had put Peter in an old Ford…:"
[short story?], carbon copy (MS., typewritten: 1 p.), ([1935?]).
HM 71499
Scope and Contents
Incomplete.
Prewitt, Thomas. "Unrecorded Notoriety:" [novel: later draft], carbon copy
(MS., typewritten: 37 p.), ([1935]).
HM 71500
Scope and Contents
Incomplete; with autograph corrections by Zoë Akins (in pencil). With extensive water
damage, with some loss of text; pages very fragile -- please handle carefully and do
not remove from mylar.
Robinson, Dorothy. "The Lingerie Ball:" [poem], carbon copy (MS.,
typewritten: 1 p.), ([ca. 1940?]), Louisville (Ky.).
HM 71501
Scope and Contents
Note: stained.
Guggenheimer, Untermyer & Goodrich. 1 letter to James Duff Akins, 1908-,
L.S. (typewritten: 1 p.), (1961, June 21), Washington (D.C.).
HM 71502
Scope and Contents
Signed by: Herbert A. Fierst. With extensive water damage, with some loss of text;
pages very fragile -- please handle carefully and do not remove from mylar.
Guggenheimer, Untermyer & Goodrich. 2 letters to Hastings & Lasker,
(1961), Washington (D.C.).
HM 71503-71504
Scope and Contents
Addressed to: Ross R. Hastings; signed by: Herbert A. Fierst. With extensive water
damage, with some loss of text; pages very fragile -- please handle carefully and do
not remove from mylar.
-----, Dorothea. 1 letter to Thomas Prewitt, L.S. (typewritten: 1 p.), ([ca.
1943?]), [Calif.].
HM 71505
-----, John. 1 letter to Thomas Prewitt, L.S. (typewritten: 2 p.), (1941,
Apr. 17), Los Angeles (Calif.).
HM 71506
Scope and Contents
With autograph postscript.
-----. Family Photograph Album: with photos of Fred Maginty, Zoë K. Maginty,
Zoë M. Maginty, Kathryn Maginty, Theron Mars, Mary E. Mars, John Mars and Libby Mars,
album with wood covers, (12 p.), ([ca. 1945?, Dec.]).
HM 71507
Scope and Contents
Pages are very brittle and coming loose -- please handle carefully; pages are the end
of the album are blank. Cataloger's Note: Zoë K. Maginty and Mary E. Mars were the
nieces of Zoë Akins. Hyde. "Six gentlemen and I arrived," 1 color pencil drawing,
([1933]). HM 71508. Note: stained and slightly damaged.
Hyde. "I met a young blond actress named Katherine," 1 color pencil drawing,
([1933]).
HM 71509
Scope and Contents
Note: stained.
-----. Ephemera: Lists of Manuscripts and Correspondence in the Zoë Akins
Collection: photostats & photocopy, 3 pieces, (1958-1968). Box 3(13). Cataloger's
Note: please consult the Zoë Akins Papers Finding Aid for more information about this
material.
-----. Ephemera: Bank statement, bridge score pad, printed pamphlets, 4
pieces, ([1950?]- 1992). Box 3(14).
Box 4
Manuscripts, Photograph & Ephemera -- HM 80300-80302
Akins, Zoë, 1886-1958. "Dinner Party:" teleplay: [revised script], mimeograph
copy (MS., typewritten: 34 p.), (1952, Mar. 18).
HM 80300
Scope and Contents
With original paper covers.
Mielech, Ronald A. "The Plays of Zoë Akins Rumbold:" dissertation: Title page
- Chap. One, mimeograph copy (MS., typewritten: 88 p.), (1974).
HM 80301(1)
Scope and Contents
Note: incomplete, missing pages 24-41; these missing pages were part of the original
collection and are cataloged as HM 71496.
Mielech, Ronald A. "The Plays of Zoë Akins Rumbold:" dissertation: Chap. Two,
mimeograph copy (MS., typewritten: 71 p.), (1974).
HM 80301(2)
Mielech, Ronald A. "The Plays of Zoë Akins Rumbold:" dissertation: Chap.
Three, mimeograph copy (MS., typewritten: 73 p.), (1974).
HM 80301(3)
Mielech, Ronald A. "The Plays of Zoë Akins Rumbold:" dissertation: Chap. Four
- Sources Consulted, mimeograph copy (MS., typewritten: 78 p.), (1974).
HM 80301(4)
Murrell. Zoë Akins, 1886-1958, 1 B&W photograph, ([ca.
1935]?).
HM 80302
-----. Ephemera: Akins, Zoë, 1886-1958. "The Little Miracle:" A Play in One
Act: [printed article from Ladies' Home Journal], 4 pages, (1936, Apr.). Box 4(7).
Note: incomplete; very fragile -- please handle carefully.
-----. Ephemera: "Zoë Akins:" The Revealing Eye: Personalities of the 1920s:
Atheneum: [printed article & photo], 2 pieces (glued together), (1967), New York
(N.Y.). Box 4(8). Also enclosed: A.N. on a post-it with title information.
Box 5
Printed Material & Addenda: Ephemera, Reel-to-Reel Tapes, Printed
Books
Box 5, Folder 1
Akins, Zoë, 1886-1958. "Interpretations" (poems), ([ca. 1912]).
Scope and Contents
Inscribed by Akins to Ray Prewitt, her brother-in-law. Very fragile -- loose pages,
handle carefully.
Box 5, Folder 2
Akins, Zoë, 1886-1958. "The Old Maid" (play), ([ca. 1951]).
Scope and Contents
Note: heavy water damage -- please handle carefully.
Box 5, Folder 3
Reel-to-Reel Tape. [Interview with Zoë Akins: Scott Fitzgerald - 1st Take]?,
([before 1958]).
Scope and Contents
With a few autograph notes by Akins.
Box 5, Folder 4
Reel-to-Reel Tape. [Interview with Zoë Akins: Scott Fitzgerald - 1st half /
Orrick Johns - 2nd half]?, ([before 1958]).
Scope and Contents
With a few autograph notes by Akins.
Box 5, Folder 5
Reel-to-Reel Tape. [Interview with Zoë Akins: Orrick Johns]?, ([before
1958]).
Scope and Contents
With a few autograph notes by Akins.
Box 5, Folder 6
Akins, Zoë, 1886-1958. "Cake Upon the Waters:" sample copy, ([ca.
1919]).
Scope and Contents
Pages are blank, with a few pencilled lists and drawings by Akins.
Box 5, Folder 7
Cabell, James Branch. "Chivalry" (New York and London: Harper & Brothers
Publishers, 1909).
Scope and Contents
With Zoë Akins' bookplate: "Ex Libris / Zoë Rumbold."
Box 5, Folder 8
Carstairs, Carroll. "A Generation Missing" (London: William Heinemann Ltd.,
1930).
Scope and Contents
With inscription and signature by Carroll Carstairs: New York, January 7, 1935. Also:
dust jacket in very poor condition; removed and placed in mylar.
Box 5, Folder 9
Housman, A. E. "Last Poems" (New York: Henry Holt and Company,
1937).
Scope and Contents
With dust jacket. Signed by Zoë Akins as "Z A Rumbold."
Box 6, Folder 1
Kipling, Rudyard. "Poems, Ballads" (New York and Boston: H. M. Caldwell
Company, 1899).
Scope and Contents
With inscription and signature by John N. Edwards: Christmas 1907.
Box 6, Folder 2
Lepper, John Heron (trans.). "The Complete Poems of François Villon" (New
York: Boni and Liveright, 1924).
Scope and Contents
With dust jacket. With inscription and signature by Thomas Robert Smith.
Box 6, Folder 3
Mann, Thomas. "The Magic Mountain" (New York: Alfred A. Knopf,
1928).
Scope and Contents
With Zoë Akins' bookplate: "Ex Libris / Zoë Rumbold."
Box 6, Folder 4
O'Hara, John Myers. "Embers" (Portland, Maine: Smith & Sale,
1921).
Scope and Contents
Note: pages uncut. With inscription and signature by John Myers O'Hara: May 7,
1921.
Box 6, Folder 5
O'Neil, George. "Special Hunger: The Tragedy of Keats" (New York: Horace
Liveright, Inc., 1931).
Scope and Contents
With dust jacket, damaged. With Zoë Akins' bookplate: "Ex Libris / Zoë Rumbold." With
inscription and signature by "Gige."
Box 6, Folder 6
Penzer, N. M. (ed.) "Selected Papers on Anthropology, Travel &
Exploration by Sir Richard Burton, K.C.M.G." (London: A. M. Philpot Ltd.,
1924).
Scope and Contents
With Zoë Akins' bookplate: "Ex Libris / Zoë Rumbold."
Box 6, Folder 7
Wagnalls, Mabel. "The Mad-Song" (New York and London: Funk & Wagnalls
Company, 1926).
Scope and Contents
With Zoë Akins' bookplate: "Ex Libris / Zoë Rumbold."
