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The papers concern psychical research, in particular the concept of cross-correspondence in the writings of automatic writers, and consist of automatic scripts by Margaret and Helen Verrall (later Helen Salter), with notes and correspondence relating to these and the writings of other automatists active during the early decades of the twentieth century, including those of Alice Fleming ("Mrs Holland") and Winifred Coombe Tennant ("Mrs Willett"). In addition, there are 32 privately printed volumes, including various scripts edited by the Verralls, J. G. Piddington, Alice Johnson, and G. W. Balfour; Piddington's nine-volume analysis 'Notes and Excursuses' and W. H. Salter's 'Introduction to the Study of Scripts'.

Carbon typescript suggesting scene treatments for a proposed movie, linked to a script (not present). Accompanied by a preliminary draft of the treatment in Shaffer's hand.

Concerning Shaffer's radio script 'Alexander the Corrector.'

In a letter from Peter to Johnson he explains that he wrote 'The Woman In the Wardrobe' under a pseudonym because he and Anthony [Shaffer] wanted to write two more together under that name; provides a riddle to guess the pseudonym they used. This is accompanied by fax transmission sheet. The reply from Johnson apologises for misattributing 'The Woman in the Wardrobe' to Anthony Shaffer, and for getting the type of work wrong: a detective novel and not a play, and notes that Shaffer has not revealed what happened at the end, prolonging his 'agony'; thanks him for kind remarks about his column.

This file contains items evidently collected by W. H. B. Bird at the celebrations connected with the sexcentenary of Michaelhouse, and some rough historical notes by him on Michaelhouse and King's Hall.

The 600th anniversary of the foundation of Michaelhouse was celebrated at Trinity College in 1924. The events included a service of commemoration in honour of Hervey de Stanton and a dinner, both held on Michaelmas Day (29th September). Michaelhouse was one of the two colleges (the other being King's Hall) which were merged to form Trinity in 1546. Bird probably attended both events.

The Works are listed in order of first production, or date of writing if not produced, with all associated correspondence, writings, printed material gathered under the title. The correspondence in this series has been listed, if not fully catalogued, and is arranged in date order. Materials are still being catalogued, and will be added when this complete.

Two images of Anthony, one of them damaged, with a note on the back from his widow Diane Cilento at New Year's 2008, and two images of Anthony's gravestone at Highgate Cemetery with two related design drawings.

18 portrait and candid photographs, including a proof sheet of photos of Shaffer and Peter Firth by Richard Avedon, three portraits of Shaffer by Claus Bach in Weimar, a set of photographs of Shaffer with Peter Firth and one with Paul Giovanni, a mock dust jacket of Jeffrey Archer's Kane and Abel with Peter's image on front as Abel, and a candid from a Theatre World Awards ceremony[?] with Shaffer and Colleen Dewhurst taken by Van Williams.

Nearly 1300 letters arranged alphabetically by surname, with letters received on the announcement of his knighthood in a separate file at the end, followed by a file of letters from unidentified correspondents. Other correspondence relating directly to various plays may be found in the Works series under the title of the play. Shaffer did not use email but printed emails provided by friends and agents may be found in the collection. Denis Zaphiro's letters are the earliest dated letters, beginning in 1944; some of them are addressed to both Peter and Tony Shaffer.

Correspondents include members of the Shaffer family, and friends from St Paul's School: James Mossman, Jerrold Weinstein and Denis Zaphiro, Trinity College friends Mal Diamond, Donald Friedman, Raymond Leppard, Richard Mayne (also at St Paul's with Shaffer), and Leopold de Rothschild. Shaffer's letters to his parents, and also to Jerrold Weinstein appear in the archive, as they were passed to Shaffer following the deaths of his parents and after Weinstein's early death. There are also letters from Shaffer's long time partner Robert Leonard, as well as colleagues from the theatre and performance arts including Leonard Bernstein, Simon Callow, John Dexter, Peter Firth, Paul Giovanni, John Gielgud, Peter Hall, Ian McKellen, Maggie Smith, Harold Pinter, Stephen Sondheim, Victor Spinetti, and Tom Stoppard.

Two letters include parts of letters written by Peter Shaffer: a letter from Elizabeth Cavendish, 29th September 1974 (C42) and a typed letter from Costas Gianakaris 27 Sept. 2014 (G6) which includes the draft of a love letter[?] on the back of the second sheet.

The Personal Papers series is arranged into Incoming correspondence, Outgoing correspondence, Diaries, Photographs and artwork, Printed Material, and Other papers. All of the incoming and outgoing correspondence has been listed, if not catalogued in full. Letters Shaffer received on his knighthood are together after the general alphabetic run, as are letters from unidentified correspondents. Other correspondence relating directly to various plays may be found in the Works series under the title of the play.

The papers consist of correspondence, writings, diaries, photographs, and printed material which document the life and work of playwright Sir Peter Levin Shaffer.

Other papers consist of a miscellaneous group of materials, including the extensive transcript of 27 audio cassettes of oral history interviews conducted by Shaffer's friend Richard Mayne in 2005. This subseries also contains an early version of Shaffer's will and a group of marked student essays.

Shaffer's diaries span 56 volumes and run from 1958 to 2015. There are two diaries for 1963, and no diary for 1966, 1967, 1973, and 2008. The 2008 diary was lost by Shaffer at JFK Airport in New York. Shaffer used these primarily as appointment books, but regularly added short descriptions of events, including reviews of plays and concerts attended, as well as occasional descriptions of dinner parties. While traveling he made lengthier entries recording activities. He also used the diaries as a way of keeping track of the number of days spent in the UK and the US.

Grieved that Sidgwick was not a Christian, thanks for portrait [Well Walk, Hampstead]

Abbott’s indebtedness to John E B Mayor: Wellside, Well Walk, Hampstead

Thanks for sending two publications, criticism of Paley's Evidences: Wellside, Well Walk, Hampstead

Congratulations for being taken in at Clare [?]: King Edward's School

Settlement of college accounts, description of his early days teaching in Birmingham: King Edward VI School, Birmingham

Condolences on the death of Joseph Bickersteth Mayor

Over 40 essays and summaries of texts, presumably from his university days, with teachers' comments and grades. The focus of most of the essays are early modern and modern history, with a very few related to literature.

Fragments of a statement about Anthony Shaffer, fragments of a statement about tax implications of staying in the UK because of ill health, and a fragment of a statement of intent to donate a painting (unidentified).

Materials relating to the award to Shaffer in June 1998 with letters, programme, photograph, an issue of the El Periódico dated 26 junio de 1988., accompanied later correspondence dated 2006 and 2014. On the verso of the letter from April 2006, is an unfinished draft of a letter to an actor[?] in a play he had just seen the week before.

Letters, photographs, and printed material relating to the award of the William Inge Award for Distinguished Achievement in the American Theatre in April 1992. Includes letters and faxes of congratulation from those who could not be there: Nancy Landon Kassebaum, Julie Harris, Jessica Tandy Cronyn, Anthony Shaffer, Stephen Sondheim, Milos Forman, Roddy McDowall, Simon Callow, Ian McKellen, Bob Dole, Anthony Hopkins, Sidney Lumet, Michael Blakemore, Robert Lantz, Brian Bedford, David Carradine, and Gerald Schoenfeld.

Refers to consecrating the headstone at Robert's grave in Highgate Cemetery.

Includes programme of events for Leo de Rothschild's 50th birthday party 11 May 1997; a hand-painted programme for the celebration of the Prince of Wales's 50th birthday featuring a concert by Evgeny Kissin on 26 Nov. 1998 (programme signed by Kissin); and an invitation to the celebration of 50 years of the National Theatre 2 Nov. 2013.

A small group of tickets, which includes two tickets to 'Amadeus' 8 Nov. 1979.

A small group of business cards and pamphlets, with a notification of guest privileges accorded to Shaffer by The Players Club in New York, 16 Feb. 1967.

Includes insurance receipts for fine art floaters for specific paintings, statement of proceeds from Samuel French Limited in 1970-1971, and a letter from Clark, Eckersley & Co. dated 5 April 1968 enclosing the accounts for Shaffer Services Limited dated 30 Sept. 1966.