James Robinson Planché Papers

The papers consist of the following series:

1. Manuscripts, Correspondence & Documents (Boxes 1-6) are arranged alphabetically by author and title. The majority of the material consists of manuscripts, correspondence, documents, and drawings directly related to James Robinson Planché and his work in the theatre, antiquarian pursuits, and costume expertise. Among the authors and correspondents are: John Baldwin Buckstone, William E. Gladstone, Benjamin Robert Haydon, Leigh Hunt, Ellen Kean, Frances Maria Kelly, Charles Kemble, Albert Denison (Baron Londesborough), Rosina Bulwer Lytton (Baroness Lytton), William Charles Macready, Richard Brinsley Peake, Jane Porter, David Roberts, William Makepeace Thackeray, and Carl Maria von Weber.

The other main part of the collection is the material, including fragments and clipped signatures, which were collected for the autograph value only, and have no relation to Planché or his work. Among the authors and correspondents are: Adelaide, Queen consort of William IV, William Blanchard, Richard Daly, Thomas Frognall Dibdin, George III, Edwin Henry Landseer, Robert Peel, William Pitt, Lucia E.B.Vestris, and Arthur Wellesley (Duke of Wellington). There is also a small group of letters written to Thomas Francis Dillon Croker, mainly regarding Planché and his work and family.

2. Ephemera (Box 7) is arranged alphabetically by author, title and format. The material includes printed play texts and proof sheets by Planché, newspaper clippings, a scrapbook mainly about Planché (possibly collected by T. F. Dillon Croker), and printed musical scores.

3. Manuscripts, Correspondence & Documents (Box 8) are arranged alphabetically by author. The majority of the letters are from Planché to Thomas Francis Dillon Croker, with one letter from Croker to Planché and one letter each from Planché to Thomas Hailes Lacy, Charles Roach Smith and John Thwaites.