J.C. Williamson (firm) collection, ca.1875-ca.1980

fonds

ca.1875-ca.1980

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Watercolours, Moving Images

431095

J.C. Williamson Ltd., for many years the dominant theatrical agency in Australia, was formed in 1911. (Prior to that date James Cassius Williamson (1845-1913) had, from the early 1880s, operated variously as a sole entrepreneur and in a number of partnerships, including Williamson, Garner & Musgrove; Williamson, Garner & Co; Williamson and Musgrove; and Williamson, Tallis & Ramaciotti). Theatres were leased, purchased or built in major Australian and New Zealand cities, and international actors, singers and dancers imported. J.C. Williamson Ltd. purchased J & N Tait Ltd. in 1920. Further changes occurred in 1938 when the parent company became the property and investment arm and the newly formed J.C. Williamson Theatres Ltd. the production company, with the Tait brothers as Managing Directors. A subsidiary, Williamson-Edgley Theatres, was formed in 1971 with Michael Edgley as Managing Director, but the venture ceased in 1973. The theatres were sold in 1976 and other assets realised. The rights to the J C Williamson name were acquired by Kenn Brodziak. For further information see entries in Philip Parsons (gen. ed). Concise Companion to Theatre in Australia. Sydney: Currency Press, 1997.

SERIES 01
J C Williamson (firm) - Sydney Office Publicity Department subject files, 1946-1966

SERIES 02
J C Williamson (firm) - Sydney Office Publicity Department general correspondence, 1951-1956

SERIES 03
J C Williamson (firm) - miscellaneous correspondence, ca. 1895-1940

SERIES 04
J C Williamson (firm) - production files, ca.1882-1968

SERIES 05
J C Williamson (firm) - Sydney Office Publicity Department appointment diaries and address books, 1956-1962

SERIES 06
J C Williamson (firm) - Sydney Office Publicity Department programme sales and attendance summaries book, 1956-1960

SERIES 07
J C Williamson (firm) - Sydney Office Publicity Department programme commencement book, 1940-1941

SERIES 08
J C Williamson (firm) - Stage Manager's time sheets and nightly report books, 1925-1952

SERIES 09
J C Williamson (firm) - Weekly admission summary books, 1917-1930

SERIES 10
J C Williamson (firm) - music hire books and return sheets, 1920-1970

SERIES 11
J C Williamson (firm) - autograph book collected, 1900-1903

SERIES 12
J C Williamson (firm) - press books, 1895-1967

SERIES 13
J C Williamson (firm) - programmes, and programmes collected, 1877-1970

SERIES 14
J C Williamson (firm) - programme books, 1927-1955

SERIES 15
J C Williamson (firm) - other printed material, 1875-1969

SERIES 16
J C Williamson (firm) - farewell message from Dame Nellie Melba, 1924

SERIES 17
J C Williamson (firm) - poster books, 1887-1909

SERIES 18
J C Williamson (firm) - artwork, ca. 1958-1966

SERIES 19
J C Williamson (firm) - audiovisual material, I do, I do, advertisement, approximately 1948

SERIES 20
J C Williamson (firm) - playscripts and parts, dates unknown

SERIES 21
J C Williamson (firm) - librettos and parts, ca. 1888-ca.1950

SERIES 22
J C Williamson (firm) - printed music, ca. 1892-1961

SERIES 23
J C Williamson (firm) - Music manuscripts, ca.1888 - ca.1960

SERIES 24 Part 01
J.C. Williamson (firm) - pictorial archive, ca. 1890-1970

SERIES 24 Part 02

J.C. Williamson (firm) - pictorial archive

This collection includes posters 1910-ca. 1980
The posters are located at POSTERS 1585-1593; POSTERS 1596-1598

Other records for J.C. Williamson (firm) are held by: The National Library of Australia; Arts Centre, Performing Arts Collection, Melbourne; State Library of Victoria.