Historic Scenic Collection, 1865-2012 | Northern Illinois University

Collection Overview

Title: Historic Scenic Collection, 1865-2012

ID: RBSC/SPX/012

Extent: 250.0 Linear Feet

Arrangement:

Series I: Production Notebooks, Series II: Blueprints, Series III: Floorplans, Series IV: Photographs, Series V: Illustrations, Series VI: Programs, Series VII: Libretto, Series VIII: Scripts, Series IX: Correspondence, Series X: Timesheets, Series XI: Accounts, Series XII: Expense Reports, Series XIII: Purchase Orders, Series XIV: Material Orders, Series XV: Receipts, Series XVI: Property Lists, Series XVII: Inventory, Series XVIII: Reference Material, and Series XIX: Miscellaneous.

A copy of the old finding aid is located in Series I, Box 1 and it provides details of the orginal inventory made for the collection. When the collection was fully processed this inventory was adapted and used in the current finding aid which includes how some series were arranged.

Languages: English, French, German, Italian

Abstract

The Historic Scenic Collection contains intriguing documentation, photos, blueprints, and advertisements of the Chicago Opera dating back to the early 1900s. This collection is 250 linear feet that spans an entire century of theatre performances. Some of the highlights are production photos of scenes and play actors, blueprints of the sets and stages, and old-time programs that were handed out to avid theatre goers.

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection consists of printed paper-based materials, photographs, books, correspondence, illustrations, and blueprints that relate directly to the Lyric Opera of Chicago. This collection is divided into series based upon format. Series I is composed of production notebooks; Series II and III are Blueprints and Floorplans respectively (which are currently still being processed). Series IV consists of photographs; Series V is Illustrations of sets, stage design, and costumes; Series VI consists of Programs that describe the opera acts and story; Series VII is Libretto (which are the texts of the opera, translated from their original language into English). Series VIII is Scripts; Series IX is Correspondence; Series X consists of Timesheets, which are further broken down into Timesheet subseries of Anuual Tours, Rehearsal Timesheets, and Performance Timesheets. Series XI is Accounts; Series XII Expense Reports; Series XIII is Purchase Orders; Series XIV is Material Orders; Series XV is Receipts; Series XVI is Property Lists; and Series XVII is Inventory. Series XVIII is Reference Material that includes books (some of these books have call numbers listed that can be found in our online catalogue). Lastly, Series XIX is Miscellaneous material.

Administrative Information

Repository: Northern Illinois University

Access Restrictions: no restrictions

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series I: Production Notebooks],
[Series II: Blueprints],
[Series III: Floorplans],
[Series IV: Photographs],
[Series V: Illustrations],
[Series VI: Programs],
[Series VII: Libretto],
[Series X: Timesheets],
[Series VIII: Scripts],
[Series IX: Correspondence],
[Series XI: Accounts],
[Series XII: Expense Reports],
[Series XIII: Purchase and Work Orders],
[Series XIV: Material Orders],
[Series XV: Receipts],
[Series XVI: Property Lists],
[Series XVII: Inventory],
[Series XVIII: Reference Material],
[Series XIX: Miscellaneous],
[All]

Series XIII: Purchase and Work Orders

Box 1

Folder 1: Electrical Order Book, July 1925 - Oct 1925
Folder 2: Electrical Order Book, Sep 1925 - 1928, Jan 1929
Folder 3: Electrical Order Book, Oct 1925 - Nov 1925
Folder 4: Electrical Order Book, Nov 1925 - Dec 1925
Folder 5: Electrical Order Book, Sep 1926 - Nov 1926
Folder 6: Electrical Order Book, Nov 1926 - Jan 1927
Folder 7: Electrical Order Book, Apr 1927
Folder 8: Electrical Order Book, Dec 1927 - Sep 1928

Box 2

Folder 1: Wardrobe material orders [cloth, beads, shoes, papers, etc.], no date
Folder 2: Metals and related material orders [sheet metal, pulleys, screws, etc.], no date
Folder 3: Metals and related material orders [sheet metal, bolts, pulleys, screws, etc.], no date
Folder 4: Metals and related material orders [sheet metal, bolts, pulleys, screws, etc.], no date
Folder 5: Stones and keystone orders, no date
Folder 6: Coverings and container orders, no date
Folder 7: Blade orders [saw blades], no date
Folder 8: Wood and related material orders [lumber, sandpaper, etc.], no date
Folder 9: Rope material orders, no date
Folder 10: Electrical and lighting orders, no date
Folder 11: Writing and painting [art] material orders [raw paints, plaster, crayon, stencil ink, etc.], no date
Folder 12: Household supply orders [toliet paper, candles, seating, etc.], no date
Folder 13: Adhesive orders [tape, glue, etc.], no date

Box 3

Folder 1: Theatre supplies, no date
Folder 2: Chemicals and cleaning supplies orders [dexterine, alcohol, emoil polish, etc.], no date
Folder 3: Cleaning and decoration supplies orders [brushes, sponges, steel wool, etc.], no date
Folder 4: Miscellaneous purchases, no date
Folder 5: Aida - Witch of Salem [work orders for materials and labor], no date
Folder 6: Various plays [work orders 1-55 for materials and labor], no date
Folder 7: Various plays [work orders 56-119 for materials and labor], no date
Folder 8: Various plays [work orders 120-302 for materials and labor], no date
Folder 9: Various [work orders and payroll], no date