W. Macqueen-Pope (Ivor Novello) Papers,

This material is held atNational Library of Wales / Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru

Scope and Content

Letters and papers from W. J. Macqueen-Pope (1888-1960), commonly known as "Popie". He was a theatre historian, publicist, biographer and close friend of Ivor Novello (David Ivor Davies, 1893–1951).
Many of these papers were referenced by Macqueen-Pope when writing the Ivor Novello biography 'Ivor: The Story of an Achievement'.
The papers include a small number of original letters from Novello, reminiscences and correspondence from Novello's friends and associates including his librettist Christopher Hassall, business manager Fred Allen, novelist G. B. Stern, actresses Constance Colm, Mary Ellis, Olive Gilbert, Zena Dare, Jean Webster-Brough, actors Lyn Harding, Barry Jones, Henry Kendall, Keneth Kent, Philip Desborough, costume designer Gilbert Clark, aristocratic friends Lord Cromer and Lady Juliet Duff.
The main subjects are writings by Macqueen-Pope relating to Novello (including drafts from the biography); material relating to Novello's will; Macqueen-Pope’s role in organising Ivor Novello’s funeral (including funeral addresses by Hassall, Macqueen-Pope and Rev. E. Gwyn Evans); a memorial service; the placing of his memorial bust (by Clemence Dane) at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane; Macqueen-Pope's involvement in the BBC memorial radio broadcast; an apparently unsuccessful effort to found an Ivor Novello Fellowship; and letters from Novello fans.
An earlier programme of "I Lived With You”, has been added to the papers.

Arrangement

Arranged as 14 files. Ivor Novello, Letters to and from Macqueen-Pope, c.1948-1951; Novello's Circle, Eulogies and Reminiscences, 1951; Frederick W. Allen, Novello's business manager and executor, correspondence, 1946-1953; Macqueen-Pope: writing about Novello, [1946]-1951; Novello: Will, 1951; Novello: Funeral and Memorial Service, 1951; Novello: Memorial Bust, Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, 1952; BBC radio broadcast, 'Ivor Novello - Man of the Theatre', 1951; Macqueen-Pope: Miscellaneous Correspondence relating to Ivor Novello, 1951-1952; Macqueen-Pope: Miscellaneous Correspondence, mainly in response to Macqueen-Pope's biography, 1951; Ivor Novello Fellowship, 1954; Miscellaneous Items; “I Lived With You”; Letters to and from Macqueen-Pope (Various), 1950-1956.

Access Information

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Acquisition Information

Richard M. Ford Ltd., London. Purchased December 2020 with additional items from the same source received in February 2021.

Archivist's Note

Description of 2020 and 2021 purchase completed July 2021.

Compiled by Robert Evans.

The sales catalogue descriptions by Richard M. Ford Ltd., London was used in the compilation of this description.

Conditions Governing Use

Usual copyright laws apply.

Appraisal Information

All items have been retained.

Custodial History

Compiled by W. J. Macqueen Pope from his personal papers.

Accruals

Accruals are not expected.

Related Material

There is no single archive of Ivor Novello papers, however a number of collections at the National Library of Wales contain material relating to Ivor Novello:
D. R. Davies Collection (Aberdare) of Drama Scrap Books, 3/1, 4/3, 27/2, 52.
Maxwell Fraser Papers, H/24, O/129.
Selwyn Jones Papers 2.
NLW ex 2404. Papers relating to Ivor Novello, 1951-2004. (
NLW ex 2540. Madam Esther Cooper-Jones papers, 1911-2005. (Creation)
NLW ex 2980. Ivor Novello and Madame Clara Novello Davies memorabilia.
NLW MS 20972C. Letters to Ivor Novello from Sir Edward Marsh.
NLW MS 20973E. Letters to Sir Edward Marsh from Ivor Novello.
NLW MS 23204D. Ivor Novello papers, 1932-1983
NLW MS 23696E.
Ivor Novello letters, 1908-1955 (mostly 1938-1955)
NLW MS 23971D. Original musical manuscript, [c. 1930], of a song, 'Willow Pattern Plate'.
Dr Terence Rees Papers P3/4, P3/10.
Welsh National Opera Records, P1/29, P2/47.
Main catalogue should also be searched in relation to photographs and framed works

Additional Information

Published

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales