Finding Aid for Frank Wilstach papers on Sothern and Marlowe, 1900-1933.

• Descriptive Summary
• Biographical Note
• Scope and Content Note
• Organization
• Series Descriptions/Container List
  • Series I. Correspondence, 1911-1933 and n.d.
  • Series II. Writings, 1913 and n.d.
  • Series III. Printed material, 1900-1922 and n.d.

Access

Collection is open to the public. Photocopying prohibited. Advance notice may be required

Publication Rights

For permission to publish, contact the Curator, Billy Rose Theatre Division.

Preferred Citation

Frank Jenners Wilstach Papers on Sothern and Marlowe, *T-Mss 1934-001, Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

Custodial History

Papers were found in the Library's Cage Files. The Manuscripts Division of the New York Public Library also holds some papers of Frank J. Wilstach received from his estate in 1934. The papers pertaining to Sothern & Marlowe probably arrived then and were transferred to the Theatre Collection at a later date.

Frank Jeffords Wilstach (1865-1933), American theatrical manager and press agent, was the press representative for Sothern and Marlowe. Born in Indiana, he was the author of The Dictionary of Similes, 1916 and wrote a book and articles about Wild Bill Hickok.

E. H. Sothern (1859-1933), one of the great Shakespearean actors of his day, was born in New Orleans, educated in England and made his New York debut in 1879. The pinnacle of his career was perhaps his Romeo and Juliet with his second wife, Julia Marlowe. He continued to act after she retired in 1924. His first wife was Virginia Harned.

Julia Marlowe (1865-1950), leading American actress in the early 20th century, was born Sarah Frances Frost in England but came to the United States at the age of four. She first appeared as a child under the name Fanny Brough in HMS Pinafore in 1878 and made her New York debut in 1887. She had a long career as a leading actress in Shakespeare and comedies and toured with her husband E. H. Sothern whom she married in 1904. She retired from the stage in 1915, but made a comeback before retiring again in 1924.

Collection consists of correspondence, mostly letters by Sothern to Wilstach, press releases by Wilstach on Sothern and Marlowe, articles and drafts by Sothern or Marlowe and clippings about them. The collection sheds light on the acting careers of the husband and wife team of Sothern and Marlowe and documents the work of their press agent, Frank J. Wilstach.

• Series I: Correspondence
• Series II: Writings
• Series III. Printed material