Container List

The notebook consists of Craig's annotated proof copy of Shaw's introductory essay to the Terry-Shaw correspondence. In it, Craig responds to a number of specific claims made in Shaw's preface. This item is also noteworthy for containing a complete copy of the rare Shaw proof; this proof is usually identified by the title Very private: preface to be attached to the correspondence of Ellen Terry and Bernard Shaw should it ever be published. At the top of the first page of the proof, "private, of course, except to trusted friends" has been written in red ink (apparently in Shaw's hand) and "E.G.C. 7.9.29" has been written in black ink (this proof lacks a formal title page). The notebook is composed of 47 leaves with 4 leaves of notes lain in; 1 newspaper article ("William Archer's Advice to G.B.S." from News Chronicle, June 2, 1931) lain in; and 1 article ("G.B.S. Letters to Ellen Terry" from Daily Express, April 8, 1930) tipped in. Craig makes reference to both of these articles in "A Plea to G. B. S."

Draft of a brief essay (3 leaves) by Craig entitled, "On the publication of the Correspondence of Ellen Terry and Bernard Shaw, and on Mr. Shaw's Preface to that publication." The content is similar to the short introduction that opens "A Plea to G. B. S."

A lengthy draft of a letter to Bernard Shaw (16 leaves), which shares some content with "A Plea to G. B. S." although it differs in taking the form of a direct address and in lodging many more specific complaints against Shaw's preface. It is possible that the letter is not a draft for "A Plea to G. B. S.", but an actual letter from Craig to Shaw. Craig accuses Shaw of lying when he initially claimed to have no interest in publishing the Terry-Shaw correspondence; he also takes issue with Shaw's characterization of Irving and of Victorian actors in general. At the top of the first page of the letter, the author has typed the following note in the same red ink: "First copy, 31st May, 1931; Revised, and recopied 7th June: Put into letter form, and recopied 14th July." The typescript appears to be incomplete.