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Chamberlain and Lyman Brown Papers
Sub-series 4 – Lectures, 1932 – 1954 and undated
1 box
Arrangement: Chronological
This series consists of correspondence, publicity materials, lecture notes, tickets,
and clippings for Chamberlain Brown’s lectures on the theater. Much of the
papers are solicitations for bookings and local audience members for a particular
engagement. Brown lectured with occasional success at venues such as women’s
clubs, at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, Connecticut (1947), and the
Browne & Nichols School in Cambridge, Massachusetts (1952) which he had
attended. There are also materials for cancelled bookings, such as the Jersey City
Women’s Club.
Sub-series 5 – Publications, 1934 – 1954 and undated
.75 boxes
Arrangement: Alphabetical
This series consists of correspondence, talent forms, financial papers, galleys, and
individual issues of Chamberlain Brown’s publications on theater, another of his
many financially unsuccessful attempts to redefine himself professionally.
Publications include Chamberlain Brown’s Dramatic Mirror (1934-1935), Paint
and Powder (1936-1937), and Theatre Record (1938-1953). Publication runs are
incomplete.
Sub-series 6 – Writings, 1909 – 1951 and undated
1.25 boxes
Arrangement: Alphabetical by Author, then by Title
Included in this series are the Brown brothers’ plays, articles, book project ideas,
and outlines. Chamberlain Brown’s works range from his earliest handwritten
manuscript for The Social Stew (1909) to published columns such as “The Man
Who Owns Broadway,” “Up and Down Broadway,” and “Casting Roundup” (ca.
1951). Lyman Brown’s writings include an outline for The Passing Show of New
York (1925) through materials relating to a proposed book, Blueprint for Summer
Theatre (1948) and several articles on summer stock. Additional manuscripts by
the Brown brothers (Idle Tongues by Chamberlain Brown and Brilliants and Zero
Hour by Lyman Brown) are contained in the Productions series.
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