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SERIES I. MANUSCRIPT AND SCRAPBOOK (1892 – 1928)
One (1) Book, One (1) Box
Series Scope and Content Summary:
This collection consists of one (1) approx. 8” (l) x 13” (w) book featuring a red, yellow, and blue design resembling marbled paper. On the front cover written on a scrap of notepaper is the name “John D. Lane, Esq.” and the words “Manuscript Book Never Despair”. Inside this one-hundred and seventy-eight (178) page scrapbook are approx. fifty-three (53) pages of postcards dating from the early 1900’s to the mid-1920’s which have been pasted over Jack (also known as John ) Lane’s 1892 script of the play “Never Despair”. Pasted to the back and front cover of this book are a fragment and a whole playbill from the performance of this play which premiered at the Bijou Theatre, San Francisco in 1892. From page 54 onward, fully visible pages can be seen of the play’s script, along with accounts and notes on purchases that an unknown person made in 1923. The color postcards are in good condition, and are from places such as Windsor Castle, England; Glenwood Springs, Colorado; London England; Detroit, Michigan; Mexico; San Francisco, CA; and much more, including three of Santa Cruz on pg. 36 of the book which is of Natural Bridge at Redwood Park, California State Highway and the Santa Cruz Boardwalk Casino. Some of these postcards are addressed to Eloise Rodriguez, Cornelia Hopcroft’s foster sister. Other items in this book include four or five pages of photographs of unidentified men, women, and infants posing outdoors, in studios, or near redwood trees; and of Eton College, England. About six (6) of these photos depict a man who may be William Walter Hopcroft standing in front of a sign believed to say “Tacoma Beer”, in front of the words “W.W. Hopcroft Prop.”, and inside a business that looks like a saloon. It is believed these photos may depict W.W. Hopcroft at his saloon in Oakland, CA. This collection is in good to fair condition and appears to have belonged to Mr. and Mrs. Hopcroft. It is not known for certain how they acquired Jack Lane’s manuscript. The postcards and black and white photos are in intact yet the manuscript of the play is cracking and peeling, and some pages are coming loose from the binding, though the ink is fairly readable despite its age. Handle with care. Date range: 1892-1928
BOX ID#:
Box 1
