Series I: Non-Dramatic Material, 1904-1920
This series contains non-dramatic writings by Gibson, notably the complete manuscript for an untitled novel and a memoir of Gibson's military training entitled "The Courage of Ignorance." Personal papers consist mostly of the correspondence of William Everts Benjamin, Gibson's father-in-law, and include inquiries into the copyrights held on the multi-volume Library of American Literature (which Benjamin published) and documents relating to Benjamin's purchase of a portrait of Ralph Sheldon, painted by Sir Joshua Reynolds, from M. Knoedler and Co. A number of photographs of Gibson with members of the Pratt family and the actor Douglas Fairbanks are also part of the collection.
Box 1 Folder 1
"The Courage of Ignorance,", 1916
Box 1 Folder 2
Novel (Untitled), undated
Box 1 Folder 3
Personal Papers, 1904-1920
Box 1 Folder 4
Photographs, 1918-1920
Box 1 Folder 5
Writings, undated
Series II: Constructive Course, undated
This series contains a "constructive course" on playwriting that outlines and describes the facets of a dramatic work. Analyses of the various elements of three well-known plays are also included. While not so marked, this course appears to be the work of W.T. (William Thompson) Price, author of The Technique of the Drama and The Analysis of Play Construction. A letter from Price is also included in this series.
Box 1 Folder 6
"Constructive Course,", undated
Box 1 Folder 7
Camille--Exercises, undated
Box 1 Folder 8
A New Way to Pay Old Debts--Exercises, undated
Box 1 Folder 9
Still Waters Run Deep--Exercises, undated
Series III: Plays, 1903-1920
The vast majority of the collection is comprised of scripts, in varying stages of completeness, for a number of plays. Included are bound scripts, handwritten notes, scenarios outlining plots, and drafts, both partial and complete. In the case of The Splendid Sinner there are also printed materials, including a pamphlet on the life of Lola Montez, printed in Munich in 1848. While the collection does not contain a manuscript of Gibson's best-known play, The Turning Point, there are production notes for this work.
N.B. Several of the plays have more than one title; in these cases, the titles under which Gibson registered the works for copyright are given first and earlier titles or working titles are listed parenthetically.
Box 1 Folder 10
Anthony
, undated
Box 2 Folder 1 to 2
The Conflict
, 1909, (2 Folders)
Box 2 Folder 3
Crossed Wires
, undated
Box 2 Folder 4
Faith
, undated
The Golden Calf (The Score)
Box 2 Folder 5
Notes, circa, 1920
Box 2 Folder 6
Scenarios, circa, 1920
Box 2 Folder 7
Scripts
Box 2 Folder 8
Script
Box 2 Folder 9
Script
Box 2 Folder 10
Scripts
Box 3 Folder 1
Grabbe and Runne
, 1920
Box 3 Folder 2
The Lucky Strike (The Silver Star)
, 1919
Moonshine (Stray Lock)
Box 3 Folder 3
Notes, circa, 1920
Box 3 Folder 4
Script, circa, 1920
Box 3 Folder 5 to 6
Scripts, circa, 1920, (2 Folders)
Box 3 Folder 7
Nine-Time-Out-of-Ten
, undated
The Splendid Sinner (Lola Montez)
Box 3 Folder 8
Notes, 1903-1920
Box 3 Folder 9
Printed Materials, 1848-circa, 1920
Box 3 Folder 10
Scenarios, 1903-1920
Scripts
Box 4 Folder 1
1903
Box 4 Folder 2 to 3
1910, (2 Folders)
Box 4 Folder 4 to 5
1920, (2 Folders)
Box 4 Folder 6
1903-1920
Box 4 Folder 7
The Turning Point--Notes, 1904