Scope and Contents note
The Thomas A. Curry Papers contains several items related to Curry's tenure as secretary to famed producer David Belasco. There are numerous articles and drafts of articles about the life and career of Belasco and his associates. There is also draft material for an additional volume to William Winter's Life of David Belasco which was originally published in two volumes covering Belasco's life up to 1917. This volume, the work of Winter's son Jefferson Winter was either published for a very limited distribution or never at all. There are correspondence from Belasco and to Belasco and Curry from numerous associates including Ruth Dayton, W. Somerset Maugham and Lenore Ulric. There are other mementos including Curry's address book, used in conducting business for Belasco. Portraits have been removed to the library's photgraphic collection.
The collection includes about 100 prints, processed to the folder level. It is arranged in groups of David Belasco portraits, Belasco family and friends, production images, and photos of Belasco with colleagues. Many of the images are identified. The principal photographer is the White Studio of New York. With the exception of some of the early family images, the bulk of the collection dates from Curry's employment period, 1914-1931. Box 1 contains images up to 8x10, box 2 contains larger production images, and box 3 contains larger images of Belasco portraits and Belasco with colleagues.
Dates
- 1918-1933
Creator
- Curry, Tom, 1900-1976 (Person)
Language of Materials
English .
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.
Conditions Governing Use note
Property rights reside with Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish collection materials must be submitted to Special Collections and University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.
Biographical/Historical note
Thomas Albert Curry (dates unknown) was a writer and, from 1914 to 1931, private secretary to famed theater producer David Belasco (1853-1931). Curry was born in Hartford, Connecticut and was involved in the theater as a young man. After his marriage in 1893 he worked as a reporter and in advertising. He returned to the theater in 1913 when he submitted a play to several producers, including Belasco. Belasco liked the play enough to work on the script with Curry. After the death of Belasco's private secretary, he offered the position to Curry. Curry accepted and remained Belasco's secretary until the producer's death. Thomas Curry's son Thomas Albert Curry, Jr. (1900-1976) was a prominent writer of adventure stories and novels.
Extent
2.25 linear feet (5 containters)
Abstract
Thomas Albert Curry (1900- ) was the private secretary of famed theater producer David Belasco (1853-1931) from 1914 to 1931. Curry's papers contain articles, drafts and notes dealing with the life and career of Belasco. The collection includes portraits of Belasco, his family and colleagues, and publicity shots from Broadway productions, compiled for an unpublished biography. Collection also includes correspondence to and from Belasco, as well as numerous mementos relating to the producer.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
Gift of Thomas A. Curry Jr. in 1976.
Processing Information note
Collection photographs processed by Normandy S. Helmer, August 2009.
This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.
- Arts and Humanities Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Belasco, David, 1853-1931
- Correspondence Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Curry, Tom, 1900-1976
- Literature Subject Source: Archiveswest
- Photographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Theater -- United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Theatrical producers and directors -- United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Winter, William, 1836-1917
- Title
- Guide to the Thomas Albert Curry, Sr. papers Ax 315
- Status
- Complete Description
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by Erick Arenas
- Date
- 2004
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
- Sponsor
- Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Repository Details
Part of the University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives Repository
