The “Theatricals in Philadelphia” Scrapbooks: Or, How Yesterday’s Old Stuff Became the Treasure Trove of Today
Luckily for us, Arthur H. Quinn thought differently. An English professor at Penn, Quinn (1875-1960) was in charge of what was then known as the Clothier Collection of American Drama of the University of Pennsylvania, a remarkable resource that, in 1918, was described as “one of the three foremost Collections of American Drama in the Country.” Considering the breadth and purpose of the Clothier Collection, it only makes sense that Quinn was also interested in materials documenting the recent theatrical life of Philadelphia. The 4-foot long set of “Theatricals in Philadelphia” scrapbooks well served the purpose, and joined the Clothier Collection in May 1920. These volumes contain a wealth of programs, posters, newspaper clippings, images, and portraits of artists of the stage, and offer a unique perspective on every possible theatrical genre of the second half of the 19th century, from opera, melodramas, and Shakespeare dramas to circus, minstrels, and freak shows.
