The collection contains scripts, treatments, synopses, and story material; some production material; and biographical data, clippings, some correspondence, diaries, financial papers, contracts, personal and family papers, and manuscript material for articles and lectures. It is especially rich in material documenting the process of story development for scripts both produced and unproduced.

Howard Estabrook (1884-1978) was born Howard Estabrook Bolles in Detroit. He dropped the surname Bolles in 1907 and was henceforth known as Howard Estabrook (Estabrook being his maternal grandmother's maiden name). Upon graduating from Detroit's Central High School, Estabrook's short-lived business career included clerking at Michigan Central Railroad and assistant cashiering at the Wayne County treasurer's office. Meanwhile, his appearances in Detroit's theatrical and stock company productions led to his first professional engagement under Charles Frohman's management in New York in 1904. Estabrook's first play script was for "Mrs. Avery," which premiered at Weber's Theatre, New York, in 1911. Estabrook continued acting on the stage and moved into stage direction in the 1910s.

21.5 linear ft. of papers

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