Samuel Stark

Biography

Authority on the history of the theatre, particularly American theatre, and collector of theatre photographs and ephemera.

From the guide to the Stark, Samuel. Theatre scrapbook collection., 1860-1950, (Stanford University. Libraries. Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives.)

The signatures of George W. Lewis, William Burke Wood, and William Warren, all active in the theater worlds of Philadelphia and New York City, are found in many of the prompt books.

From the description of 19th century British and American stage : promptbooks, 1820-1880. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 754863211

Expert on American theater, the "Stark Index" was Stark's means of amassing data from all sources. Some references on the file cards refer to publications including journals and news articles, some refer to specific scrapbooks that Stark, himself, assembled and then gave to the library. The original goal of the file was to compile an encyclopedia of American theater; in the end the maintenance and building of the file became an end in itself.

From the description of American theater : card file, 1752-1990. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 754866600

Authority on history of the theatre, particularly American theatre, and collector of theatre material, including photos, autographs, clippings, etc. Particular interest in Cole Porter.

From the description of Theatre collection addenda, 1868-1990. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122332795

Authority on the history of the theatre, particularly American theatre, and collector of theatre photographs and ephemera. Collection actuallystarted by Stark's mother and aunt. Stark's paternal grandmother was the sister of Joseph Schurmann of Holland, a French impressario who brought Bernhardt, Duse, and Patti to the U.S. The core collection came to Stark on his mother's death in 1936, and he built on it through additional gifts and purchases.

From the description of Theatre scrapbook collection, 1860-1950. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 122510863

Biographical Note

Authority on history of the theatre, particularly American theatre, and collector of theatre material, including photos, autographs, clippings, etc. Particular interest in Cole Porter.

From the guide to the Samuel Stark Theatre collection addenda, 1868-1990, (Stanford University. Libraries. Dept. of Special Collections and University Archives.)