This extensive series is divided into two subseries: DEA/1/1, Letters to Basil Dean, 2259 items, 1906-1972; and copy letters from Basil Dean, 1763 items 1912-1972. Correspondence include a wide range of dramatists, writers, actors, theatre managers, producers, directors, critics and other distinguished persons.
The largest volumes of correspondence are with: H.E. Bates, 51 items (DEA/1/1/153-176, DEA/1/2/112-138); Arnold Bennett, 84 items (DEA/1/1/217-281, DEA/1/2/172-190); Dame Lilian Braithwaite, 69 items (DEA/1/1/371-409, DEA/1/2/242-271); Noel Coward, 80 items (DEA/1/1/599-637, DEA/1/2/397-437); Clemence Dane (Winifred Ashton), 77 items (DEA/1/1/655-684, DEA/1/2/446-492); Gracie Fields, 57 items (DEA/1/1/785-822, DEA/1/2/554-572); John Galsworthy, 222 items (DEA/1/1/871-994, DEA/1/2/611-708); George W. Harris, 126 items (DEA/1/1/1123-1168, DEA/1/2/779-858); Sir Barry Jackson, 56 items (DEA/1/1/1314-1346, DEA/1/2/935-957); Margaret Kennedy, 89 items (DEA/1/1/1380-1420, DEA/1/2/965-1012); Walter Macqueen-Pope, 87 items (DEA/1/1/1601-1656, DEA/1/2/1169-1199); James Parish, 153 items (DEA/1/1/1838-1944, DEA/1/2/1313-1358); Louis N. Parker, 56 items (DEA/1/1/1945-1969, DEA/1/2/1359-1389); Godfrey Tearle, 49 items (DEA/1/1/2220-2241, DEA/1/2/1540-1566); Robert Vansittart, 53 items (DEA/1/1/2306-2334, DEA/1/2/1604-1627); and Virginia Vernon, 110 items (DEA/1/1/2337-2419, DEA/1/2/1629-1655).
There is a large volume of correspondence relating to individual productions in DEA/2, while personal correspondence is to be found in DEA/13.