Archives West Finding Aid

The Thomas A. Curry Papers contains several items related to Curry's tenure as secretary to famed producer David Belasco. There are numerous articles and drafts of articles about the life and career of Belasco and his associates. There is also draft material for an additional volume to William Winter's Life of David Belasco which was originally published in two volumes covering Belasco's life up to 1917. This volume, the work of Winter's son Jefferson Winter was either published for a very limited distribution or never at all. There are correspondence from Belasco and to Belasco and Curry from numerous associates including Ruth Dayton, W. Somerset Maugham and Lenore Ulric. There are other mementos including Curry's address book, used in conducting business for Belasco. Portraits have been removed to the library's photgraphic collection.

The collection includes about 100 prints, processed to the folder level. It is arranged in groups of David Belasco portraits, Belasco family and friends, production images, and photos of Belasco with colleagues. Many of the images are identified. The principal photographer is the White Studio of New York. With the exception of some of the early family images, the bulk of the collection dates from Curry's employment period, 1914-1931. Box 1 contains images up to 8x10, box 2 contains larger production images, and box 3 contains larger images of Belasco portraits and Belasco with colleagues.