An Inventory of His
Manuscript for History of the Arch Street Theatre at the Harry Ransom Center
Creator:
Mann, Charles N., 1839 or 1840-1912
Title:
Charles N. Mann Manuscript for History of the Arch Street Theatre,
Dates:
1901-1904
Extent:
5 bound volumes (bv)
Abstract:
Charles N. Mann (1839 or 1840-1912) was an antiquarian who maintained a private theater
library of books, playbills, programs, scrapbooks, and dramatic souvenirs in his Philadelphia
home. The Charles N. Mann Manuscript for the History of the Arch Street Theatre, 1901-1904,
consists of five bound manuscript volumes (Volumes II-VI) that provide a record of
every performance at this Philadelphia theater from 30 August 1834 to 18 June 1869.
Call Number:
Performing Arts Collection PA-00214
Language:
English
Access:
Open for research
Administrative Information
Acquisition:
Acquired as part of the Messmore Kendall Collection in 1958.
Charles N. Mann (1839 or 1840-1912) was an antiquarian who maintained a private theater
library of books, playbills, programs, scrapbooks, and dramatic souvenirs in his Philadelphia
home. Trained as a lawyer, Mann worked in various civil service positions for the
city of Philadelphia and state of Pennsylvania while he pursued his hobby of collecting
books and theatrical memorabilia. His collection was sold at auction in New York City
in 1907. Charles N. Mann died at his Philadelphia home on March 7, 1912. He was seventy-two
years old.
Sources:
"A Dramatic Antiquarian."The Times, October 9, 1884. Transcript of article in William H. Dorsey Scrapbook Collection,
250.36, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania Archives and Special Collections. Accessed
May 5, 2015. https://www.princeton.edu/~davpro/documents/Max_docs/1884_Dorsey%20250.36.doc
"Obituary Notes."New York Times, March 8, 1912.
"Theatrical Library, $7000. Sale of historical playbills collected by Charles N. Mann."New York Times, April 27, 1907.
Scope and Contents
The Charles N. Mann Manuscript for the History of the Arch Street Theatre, 1901-1904,
consists of five bound manuscript volumes (Volumes II-VI) that provide a record of
every performance at this Philadelphia theater from 30 August 1834 to 18 June 1869.
The author, Charles N. Mann, lists in chronological order the date, title, and principal
performers of each play presented, and also provides biographical sketches of actors,
actresses, and playwrights, notes on critics’ reactions to the plays, and other information
regarding the history of the Arch Street Theatre. Mann likely drew upon the primary
source materials in his own collection to create this richly detailed chronicle of
one of the United States’ oldest theaters.
Related Material
Volume I., 1828-1834, of the Charles N. Mann Manuscript for the History of the Arch
Street Theatre is part of The Free Library of Philadelphia’s Theatre Collection. The
Performing Arts Collection at the Ransom Center contains other materials related to
the Arch Street Theatre, including programs and playbills in the Playbills and Programs
Collections, an illustration of the theater in the Prints Collection, prints and photographs
in the Theater Buildings Collection, and clippings and tickets in the Theater Business
Collection.
