Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Simonson (Lee) theater collection
M2972
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
Department of Special Collections and University Archives
Title: Lee Simonson theater collection
Identifier/Call Number: M2972
Physical Description:
28 Linear Feet
(1 manuscript box, 9 flat-boxes, 51 map-folders)
Date (inclusive): 1920s-1960s
Abstract: Designs for stage settings and costumes drawn by Lee Simonson primarily for New York theater productions during the 1920s
through the 1950s. Also included are materials from an exhibit on Simonson at Stanford Libraries.
Physical Location: Special Collections and University Archives materials are stored offsite and must be paged 36 hours in advance.
Language of Material:
English
.
Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended 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.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was given by Simonson to Stanford University, Special Collections.
Lee Simonson (1888-1967) was an American stage setting designer based out of New York. Simonson graduated from Harvard in
1909 and moved to Paris, France, with thoughts of becoming a mural painter. After being immersed in the European theater scene,
he returned to New York in 1912 and began his career as the set designer for the Washington Square Players, which became the
Theatre Guild in 1919. He remained at the Theatre Guild until 1940. Simonson's 1932 book 'The Stage Is Set' was, at the time,
considered to be the authoritative book on stage design. Among his design credits, Simonson designed the costumes and sets
for the Metropolitan Opera's 1948 'Ring' Cycle.
The Lee Simonson theater collection consists of designs for stage settings and costumes drawn by Lee Simonson. Most of the
designs are for productions in New York City around Broadway, but there are also designs for a production of
Romeo and Juliet put on at Stanford University by Simonson. Materials in the collection include a variety of sketches at different points
in the design process, blueprints for stage sets, photographs of finished productions, and posters drawn by Simonson. Series
3 contains materials that were pulled from the collection for an exhibit on Simonson at Stanford Libraries in 1986.
[identification of item], Lee Simonson theater collection (M2972). Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives, Stanford
Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
American theater
stage, set design
Costume design.