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Eugene O'Neill Papers
Series I. Correspondence by Eugene O'Neill

Typed letter signed, 2 pages, May 16, 1918, to Eddy [Edward Goodman].  Submits a contract.  Asks about booking of In the Zone, and expresses confidence in The Moon of the Caribbees.

Typed letter signed, 2 pages, June 28, 1918, to Eddy [Edward Goodman].  Says he is tired of one-act plays.  Complains of war time difficulties for theater.  Mentions various theater periodicals and the Ontario Players.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, February 5, 1919, to Eddy [Edward Goodman].  Sends script of Beyond the Horizon, and asks him to pass it on to [Richard] Madden.

Autograph letter signed, 3 pages, [December, 1919 or January, 1922], to "Sweetheart" [Agnes Boulton].  Probable boat trip from Massachusetts to New York.

Autograph note, 2 pages, [1919 or 1920], to Agnes Boulton O'Neill.  Expresses his love.

Autograph letter signed, 3 pages, February 27, 1920, to "My Own" [Agnes Boulton O'Neill].  Recounts drinking binge.  Must go to Atlantic City fro dress rehearsal.

Autograph letter signed, 1 page, [April 28, 1920], to Agnes Boulton O'Neill.  Refers to [Richard] Madden, and Beyond the Horizon holding its own.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, December 15, 1920, to Society of American Dramatists and Composers.  Sends check t Society for dues.

Autograph letter signed, 1 page, January 18, 1921, to Miss Ives.  Expresses interest in, support for "Society of Arts and Letters."

Typed letter signed, 1 page, February 5, 1921, to Jig [George Cram Cook].  Congratulations on Cook's play The Spring.  Comments on success of Provincetown Players.

Autograph letter signed, 1 page, December 23, 1921, to Judith Ish-Kishor.  Thanks for her letter to the Times.

Typed letter signed, 2 pages, January 10, 1922, to Harold de Polo.  Discusses involvement with two plays running simultaneously -- The Emperor Jones and The Straw.  Refers to family, Provincetown Players, drinking, Prohibition.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, January 24, 1922, to Harold de Polo.  Refers to Provincetown Players, the success of Emperor Jones and to his new play. Arranges meeting with de Polo in New York.

Typed letter signed, 2 pages, August 13, 1922, to Arnold Daly.  Sends autographed copy of Beyond the Horizon.  Hopes that one of his plays will be produced by Copeau in France.

Autograph letter signed, 1 page, [1923, late spring, early summer], to Harold de Polo.

Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, May 26, 1924, to Susan Glaspell.  Remarks on death of George Cram Cook, and his character and influence.

Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, June 3, 1924, to Susan Glaspell.  Refers to mother's and brother's estate problems.  Mentions The Experimental Theatre, Inc. and Provincetown Players.

Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, August 14, 1924, to Mr. Sutton.  Concerns his collected plays, to include Before Breakfast and The Dreamy Kid.  Explains provenance of Anna Christie, and provides information about other of his plays.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, February 2, 1926, to Harold de Polo.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, August 16, 1926, to Harold de Polo.

Autograph letter [pencil draft], 4 pages, ca. 1926-27, to G. H. Bullard.  Complains about work done badly at Spithead.

Autograph letter [pencil draft], 3 pages, ca. 1926-27, to Mr. Hill.  Complains about work and costs at Spithead.

Autograph letter, 2 pages, ca. 1926-27, to Mr. Hill.  Complains about work done at Spithead.

Autograph note signed, 1 page, [Summer, 1927], to Agnes Boulton O'Neill.  "Cheer up, dearest."

Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, August 7, 1927, to Harold de Polo.  Has revised Strange Interlude despite illness, and has Lazarus Laughed ready for publication. Plans visit to New York.  Mentions American Play Co., Jack Dempsey fight, George Jean Nathan review of Interlude.

Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, September 25, [1927], to Shane O'Neill.  Refers to Shane's swimming and fishing, and to Oona.

Autograph letter signed, 6 pages, [1927], to "Dearest Wife" [Agnes Boulton].  Mentions Arthur Hopkins' Burlesque.  Hopes that Strange Interlude will be chosen for book-of-the-month.  Discusses finances and purchase of house.  Gives news of New York theatre activity, with P.S. regarding Lillian Gish and George Jean Nathan.

Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, [1928], to Agnes Boulton O'Neill.  Discusses new happiness since their separation and wishes same for her.  Is working on Dynamo; urges her to sell Spithead.

Autograph letter signed, 3 pages, [Spring, 1928], to Agnes Boulton O'Neill.  Refers to their estrangement and the need to be open with the press to dispel false rumors.  Discusses separation settlement, and urges her not to allow Shane to forget his father.

Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, [1928], to Agnes Boulton O'Neill.  Discusses the handling of adverse publicity, and divorced settlement.  Mentions work on Dynamo.

Autograph postcard signed, 1 page, March 1, 1928, to Oona O'Neill.  From Paris.

Autograph letter signed, 4 pages, [May 9, 1928], to Harold de Polo.  Discusses travels about Europe, progress on Dynamo, and breakup of marriage.  Notes how the past haunts him, and his need to live without illusion.  Will return to New York when divorce settled.

Autograph postcard signed, 1 page, October 3, [1928], to Agnes Boulton O'Neill.  Says Agnes must visit the Chateau Royal when next in France.

Autograph postcard signed, 1 page, October 29, 1928, to Oona O'Neill.  From Djibouti.

Autograph postcard signed, 1 page, [October ?, 1928], to Shane O'Neill.  Note about riding on pictured wagon.

Autograph letter signed, 1 page, [1928 or 1929], to Oona O'Neill.  Says he has not seen Oona for almost a year.

Autograph letter signed, 1 page, March 14, 1929, to Oona O'Neill.  Sends pictures of self, and money for a gift.  "Don't forget me."

Autograph letter signed, 6 pages, May 11, [1929], to Harold de Polo.  Discusses travels in Far East, illness, gambling.  Refers to new personal happiness and new attitude toward writing.  Is making changes in Dynamo.  Reports on his growing reputation in Europe.  Mentions plans to marry Carlotta.

Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, October 5, 1929, to Oona O'Neill.  Has received drawings from Oona, and requests a photo.

Autograph postcard signed, 1 page, [October 29, 1929], to Shane and Oona O'Neill.  From Paris.

Autograph letter signed, 1 page, May 27, 1930, to Shane O'Neill.  Refers to Lazarus Laughed, and to Eugene at Yale.  Mentions that All God's Chillun Got Wings and Desire Under the Elms are being performed by the Kamerny Theatre of Moscow in Paris.  Mentions his continuing work on Mourning Becomes Electra.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, February 4, 1931, to Shane and Oona O'Neill.  Thanks for Christmas present.  Advises Shane regarding education.  Refers to illness.

Autograph letter signed, 2 pages, November 28, 1931, to Mr. Faw.  Thanks for offer of a photograph of his father in Passion Play.

Autograph letter signed, 3 pages, December 27, 1932, to Robert Sisk.  Thanks Sisk for sending him the Monte Cristo program. Reports that he has been working hard on two plays, Ah, Wilderness and Days Without End, since arriving at Sea Island, which has proved harder work than doing the play Mourning Becomes Electra, "The one I've worked hardest and longest at is based on the idea I told you about, but it has managed to get itself involved in all sorts of tangles -- the old trouble (mine) of trying to make a thing hold more than it can hold -- and I don't yet see my way out."  He sums up his difficulties, "I feel sort of in an intermediary phase, full of all sorts of new ideas -- too many, that's just the trouble -- while at the same time obsessed with a more than usual lack of enthusiasm about the theatre and my own job of playwright as represented by my past work."  He also mentions trouble with indigestion, the effects of the Depression upon his area of Georgia, and his plans to take a New Year's vacation.

Autograph letter signed, 1 page, June 9, 1933, to Oona O'Neill.  Thanks for picture.  Mentions trip to Adirondacks and Shane's visiting him in Sea Island, Ga.

Autograph letter signed, 1 page, June 22, 1933, to Jero Magon.  Thanks for photos of marionette production of The Emperor Jones.

Autograph letter signed, 1 page, October 20, 1933, to Jero Magon.  Thanks for watercolor of Peaked Hill Bar.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, December 7, 1936, to Edward Goodman.  Thanks for congratulations on the Nobel award.  Mentions the Federal Theatre project.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, January 8, 1938, to Clifton Fadiman.  Declines invitation to contribute to second series of Living Philosophies.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, March 4, 1938, to L. W. Worcester.  Answers questions regarding publication of his plays.  Refers to first collection, Thirst, published by Badger's Gorham Press.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, March 25, 1938, to Shane O'Neill.  Sends money and train information for visit to Oakland.  With ANS from Carlotta O'Neill.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, May 30, 1938, to Shane O'Neill.  Discusses horses and Shane's interest in Colorado University.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, October 18, 1938, to [Jero] Magon.  Thanks for A Book of Puppetry.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, October 21, 1938, to Shane O'Neill.  Concerns Shane's schooling at Lawrenceville.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, December 4, 1938, to Jero Magon.  Thanks for Marco Millions program.  Sends inscribed copy of the play.

Typed letter signed, 2 pages, July 14, 1939, to Oona O'Neill.  Discusses preparation for her visit.

Typed letter signed, 2 pages, August 22, 1939, to Shane O'Neill.  Advises Shane on career.  Encourages him to pursue illustrating.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, December 24, 1939, to Jero Magon.  Refers to puppet productions of Marco Millions and The Hairy Ape.  Thanks for copy of Puppetry 1939, and drawing of Nicolo Polo.

Typed letter signed, 2 pages, January 18, 1940, to Shane O'Neill.  Refers to Fare to Midlands, The Education of Henry Adams, and to George Bellows and Keefe.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, March 13, 1940, to Jero Magon.  Thanks for photos of marionette production of The Hairy Ape in 1931.

Typed letter signed, 2 pages, July 3, 1940, to Oona O'Neill.  Discusses her schooling, the war, and his discouragement regarding own work.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, October 25, 1940, to Oona O'Neill.  Mentions movie "The Long Voyage Home, " and praises work of John Ford and Dudley Nichols.

Typed letter, 1 page, [October, 1940], to Shane O'Neill.  Concerns Shane's job possibilities.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, October 16, 1941, to Jero Magon.  Thanks for birthday gift of lucite portrait bust, made by Magon.

Typed letter signed, 2 pages, May 17, 1945, to E. J. Halter.  Considers Mourning Becomes Electra as his best play, The Great God Brown his favorite.  Recommends former as collector's item.

Autograph letter [draft of telegram], 1 page, n.d., to ___.  Has not granted permission to produce Gold.

Autograph letter signed [draft of telegram], 1 page, n.d., to Richard Madden.  Concerns royalties and other financial terms of London production of his work.

Autograph note signed [draft of telegram], 2 pages, n.d., to Richard Madden.  Concern about letter not received.  Shopping list on verso.

Autograph note, 1 page, n.d., to ___.  "I'm going out..."

Autograph note signed, 1 page, n.d., to Bernard Gallant.  Requests royalties.  With pencil doodles.

Typed letter signed, 1 page, n.d., to Shane and Oona O'Neill.  Reports on travels to Far East and return to Europe.

Autograph note signed, 1 page, n.d., to Oona O'Neill.  Sends Christmas wishes.

Autograph letter signed, 1 page, n.d., to Mr. Faulke.  Concerns sale of his property.

Autograph letter signed, 1 page, August 26, __, to Harold de Polo.

Telegram, 1 page, December 23, __, to Harold de Polo.

Autograph note signed, 1 page, Sunday, to Harold de Polo.

Autograph letter signed, 1 page, n. d., to Harold de Polo.

Autograph postcard signed, 1 page, n. d., to Harold de Polo.

Typed copies and photostats of letters, 256 pages, 1919-1939.  Depository for originals unknown.

 

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