Archer, William, and Granville Barker [association copy Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) and Evert Jansen Wendell]; Scheme & Estimates for a National Theatre; New York: Duffield & Company 1908. 1st American Edition, 1st Printing. xxxii, 177 pages. Hardcover
Nation Theatre (London) British Culture - 20th Century Harvard College - Athletics - History
Good/noDJ. Library stamps/marks/labels/pocket, edgeworn, spine sun, otherwise light wear. Solid oversize hardcover.
An interesting association copy, with a gift inscription to Samuel Clemens by a philanthropist and noted collector of theatre memorabilia (as well as slave and indenture documents). Early 20th-century proposal for the establishment of a National Theatre in London. "The National Theatre’s passage into full, concrete existence is a roller-coaster story of ups and downs, deals and delays, and the sheer passion of obstinate, optimistic, remarkable individuals. One particularly passionate voice was the playwright Harley Granville-Barker. He, together with critic William Archer drew up a blueprint, ‘Scheme & Estimates for a National Theatre’, in 1904. Their remarkably detailed plans included everything from a proposed repertoire to company size, wages, seating capacity and seat prices. The outbreak of the First World War, however, brought plans to a halt." - "Our History : Beginnings"; National Theatre. The plan only came to final fruition in 1962 when Sir Laurence Olivier, as Director, reenergized the plans, and launched its first play, Hamlet starring a young Peter O'Toole. This 1908 US edition, contains A Preface For America by William Archer, that notes "We determined, then, to leave the book a purely English document, trusting that American readers would make for themselves the necessary adaptations, and appropriate to their own case as many of our suggestions as they "had any use for."" Archer believed the work done to create the proposal for a National Theatre in London could provide a framework for the action, and continues: "What I mean is simply a theatre commensurate to the artistic needs of a great city. There are at least half-a-dozen - perhaps a dozen - cities in the United States quite capable of supporting a theatre on the scale of that which is here outlined."
This copy has a striking gift inscription: "To Samuel L Clemens - "Mark Twain" - with every good wish for many merrie Xmas' - from his sincere friend - Evert Jansen Wendell - Dec 25th, 1909." There is no ownership notation by Clemens, and the volume ended up being withdrawn from the University of Minnesota Library, so its path is quite unclear. Evert Jansen Wendell was a noted Harvard track athlete, having lost only four of his 80 races. His grandfather began the family fortune as a shipowner and insurance agent in Portsmouth, New Hampshire; his father was a prosperous wool merchant. Evert Jansen's eldest brother, Barrett was a Harvard professor, another brother was an actor. "Starting in the leading part of the Hasty Pudding play "Dido and Aeneas," written by Owen Wister '82, Mr. Wendell soon achieved a reputation in amateur theatricals and became a member of the Players Club of New York. His interest in the stage caused him to gather together theatrical literature and pictures, play bills, and autographs of well known players. His library and collection are among the most complete in the world." - Harvard Crimson obituary for Evert Wendell.

Good/noDJ. Library stamps/marks/labels/pocket, edgeworn, spine sun, otherwise light wear. Solid oversize hardcover.

10.25 x 8 x 1.25 in

1.88 lb