Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Phillips H. Lord papers, 1923-1969 (bulk 1930-1942)
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Lord, Phillips H. (Phillips Haynes)
- Title
- Phillips H. Lord papers
- Dates
-
1923-1969 (bulk 1930-1942) (inclusive)Date of CollectionDate of Collection
- Quantity
- 16.28 cubic ft. (35 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 06798
- Summary
- Contains the papers of Phillips Lord, radio program writer, creator, producer, narrator, and actor.
- Repository
-
American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
-
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
- Sponsor
- The creation of the EAD-version of this finding aid has been made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.
Historical NoteReturn to Top
Lord (1902-1975) created over eighteen radio and television programs, including "Seth Parker"; "Seth Parker's Old Fashioned Singing School"; "G-Men"; "Gangbusters"; and "Mr. District Attorney." The "Seth Parker" series was his most popular work, in which he appeared, wrote, produced, and directed. Lord was born in Hartford, Vermont but moved shortly after to Meriden, Connecticut where his father became the pastor of a local church. He graduated with honors from Bowdoin College in 1923 and then became principal of the high school in Plainville, Connecticut, at just twenty-two years old, the youngest person to hold such a post in the state. However, he tired of the academic life and began writing short stories, eventually moving to New York City in 1927. His break came from his first program "Old Fashioned Singing School," broadcast on a Hartford station, which received favorable letters and was picked up by five stations. Eventually, NBC decided it wanted the series, which led to the formation of "Seth Parker." In 1935 Lord bought a schooner and attempted to sail around the world, but the ship was wrecked in a storm near Tahiti. Lord and the crew survived, but the trip was curtailed as the ship was wrecked and sold for parts.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
Collection contains extensive correspondence; manuscripts; musical scores; news clippings; publications; advertisements; legal and financial material; photographs; negatives; scrapbooks; scripts; a log kept while on his world-wide voyage; the manuscript for "Seth Parker's Scrapbook"; and 78 rpm phonograph records for the radio programs "Seth Parker," "Seth Parker's Old Fashioned Singing School," and "Sunday Evenings at Seth Parker's."
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Restrictions on Use
Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in CollectionsThe American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.
Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.
Preferred Citation
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Related Materials
Related MaterialsThere is another archival collection pertaining to Phillips Lord's radio character "Seth Parker" at the Library of Congress.
Acquisition Information
This material was received from Jean Lord Greenlaw (daughter), in 1977 and 1990.
Processing Note
The collection was processed by Kathryn Brooks in March 2012.
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Series I. CareerReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 1 | Agreement of Sale between General Teleradio, Inc. and Phillips H.
Lord, Inc. |
1954 January 29 |
| 1 | Blueprints - Country Store |
undated |
| 28 | Book - Uncle Hosie by Lord |
1930 |
| 1 | Briefs |
circa 1935-1941 |
| 2 | Contracts |
1933-1967 |
| 28 | In the Matter of the Income & Excess Profits Taxes of Visual
Drama, Inc. |
1951-1957 |
| 7 | Manuscripts - story outlines |
undated |
| 5 | Manuscripts |
1929-1943, undated |
| 6 | Manuscripts |
1926-1947, undated |
| 7 | Manuscripts |
1934-1942, undated |
| 8 | Music scores |
undated |
| 9 | Music scores |
undated |
| 10 | Music scores |
undated |
| 11 | Music scores |
undated |
| 12 | Music scores |
undated |
| 13 | Music scores |
undated |
| 14 | Music scores |
1928, circa 1940, undated |
| 15 | Music scores |
undated |
| 17 | Outlines |
circa 1933-1953 |
| 34 | The Panama Canal Log Book of the S.S. Seth
Parker
|
1934-1935 |
| 18 | Poetry |
undated |
| 34 | Print - "The Seth Parker" |
undated |
| 18 | Prospectus |
undated |
| 19 | Reports |
undated |
| 19 | Resumés |
circa 1932 |
| 19 | Schedules |
1938-1939 |
| 21 | Script - radio - "Jonesport Star" |
undated |
| 20 | Script material |
1932, undated |
| 20 | Scripts - movie - "Obeah" |
1935, undated |
| 21 | Scripts - movie - "Way Back Home" |
1931 July 6 |
| 22 | Scripts - radio - "Seth Parker" |
1938-1939 |
| 23 | Scripts - radio - "Seth Parker" |
1939-1940 |
| 23 | Scripts - radio - "Seth Parker's Old Fashioned Singing
School" |
1928-1932, undated |
| 24 | Scripts - radio - "Seth Parker's Old Fashioned Singing
School" |
undated |
| 21 | Scripts - radio - "Sunday Evening at Seth Parker's" |
undated |
| 24 | Scripts - radio - "Sunday Evening at Seth Parker's" |
1928-1929, undated |
| 25 | Scripts - radio - "Sunday Evening at Seth Parker's" |
1930-1931, undated |
| 26 | Scripts - radio - "Sunday Evening at Seth Parker's" |
1932-1935 |
| 27 | Scripts - radio - "Sunday Evening at Seth Parker's" |
1933-1935, undated |
| 19 | Scripts - radio |
undated |
| 21 | Scripts - radio |
1933-1940, undated |
| 24 | Scripts - radio |
1934, 1939-1941, undated |
| 28 | Scripts - theatre |
undated |
| 21 | Scripts - TV |
undated |
| 19 | Seth Parker book mock-up |
circa 1930-1931 |
| 18 | Seth Parker production and Lord biographical
information |
undated |
| 19 | Seth Parker scrapbook |
1929-1935 |
| 1 |
Seth Parker's Hymnal (3) |
1930-1931 |
| 19 | Seth Parker's Old Fashioned Songbook |
undated |
| 30 | Seth Parker's Scrapbook |
1935 |
| 29 | Ship log |
1934 |
| 29 | Sketches |
undated |
| 30 | Telegrams |
1933-1937 |
Series II. Printed materialsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 1 | Advertisements |
1929-1939 |
| 17 |
The American Magazine with story on Lord (p.
68) |
1931 September |
| 17 |
Association Men (with story on Seth Parker, p.
345) |
1930 April |
| 17 |
Broadcast Weekly (Seth Parker on cover) |
1931 February 28 |
| 17 |
Caravan (with piece on Lord, p. 10) |
1948 July |
| 17 |
The Christian Home (with piece by Lord) |
1950 January |
| 4 | Envelopes |
1969 |
| 4 | Forms |
undated |
| 17 |
Good Housekeeping with story about "Seth
Parker" |
1929 December |
| 28 |
The Grade Teacher (with piece by Lord as Seth
Parker) |
1933 January |
| 17 |
Hearst's International combined with Cosmopolitan
(with Seth Parker story by Lord) |
1932 May |
| 4 | Magazine clippings |
circa 1929-1940 |
| 17 |
The Model Craftsman (with piece on Seth Parker, pp.
70-71) |
1934 April |
| 28 |
National Magazine (with feature on Lord, p.
450) |
1930 July |
| 15 | Newspaper clippings |
1929-1932 |
| 16 | Newspaper clippings |
1934-1938, 1960-1962 |
| 17 | Newspaper clippings |
1939-1942, undated |
| 28 | Newspaper clippings |
1953, 1966 |
| 17 | Newspapers |
1933-1935 |
| 17 |
Radioland story - "The Seth Parker
Disaster" |
1934 November |
| 17 |
Real America (with piece on Seth Parker, p.
8) |
1934 July |
| 28 |
Rockefeller Center Weekly (with piece on the Seth
Parker, p. 10) |
1935 February 21 |
| 17 |
Stamps (contains feature on Lord, p.
210) |
1934 August 11 |
| 17 |
Stamps (contains piece on Seth Parker, p.
125) |
1934 July 28 |
Series III. Audiovisual itemsReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 18 | Glass negatives |
undated |
| 35 | Negatives (converted to interpositives) |
undated |
| 31 | Phonograph record - Radio Mirror Dedication Program "Phil
Lord" |
1936 October 25 |
| 32 | Phonograph record - Seth Parker broadcast |
1939 February 12 |
| 32 | Phonograph record - Seth Parker broadcast |
1938 December 4 |
| 31 | Phonograph record - Seth Parker Chor. "The Lost Chord"
broadcast |
1939 March 2 |
| 33 | Phonograph record - Seth Parker Singers |
1942 May 12 |
| 33 | Phonograph record - Seth Parker's Neighbors Audition |
undated |
| 33 | Phonograph record - Seth Parker's Neighbors
broadcast |
1939 June 2 |
| 33 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker & male quartet with two
duplicates (6) |
undated |
| 33 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker (2) |
undated |
| 32 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (2) |
1939 January 22 |
| 32 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (2) |
1939 March 12 |
| 31 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1939 March 19 |
| 31 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1939 February 26 |
| 31 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1939 March 5 |
| 31 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1938 November 6 |
| 31 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1938 October 9 |
| 31 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1939 January 15 |
| 31 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1938 October 30 |
| 31 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1938 December 11 |
| 31 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1938 December 25 |
| 31 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1939 January 29 |
| 31 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1938 November 20 |
| 31 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1938 October 23 |
| 32 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1938 September 25 |
| 32 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1939 January 1 |
| 32 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1939 February 5 |
| 32 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1939 February 19 |
| 32 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1938 December 18 |
| 32 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1938 October 2 |
| 32 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1938 November 13 |
| 32 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1938 October 16 |
| 32 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1939 January 8 |
| 32 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker broadcast (3) |
1938 November 27 |
| 32 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker chorus (4) |
1939 March 2 |
| 33 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker special & male quartet
(3) |
1939 January 23 |
| 33 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker's Neighbors (4) |
1939-1940 |
| 33 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker's Neighbors Audition
(2) |
1939 June 2 |
| 33 | Phonograph records - Seth Parker's Neighbors with Mother Parker
original with two duplicates (3) |
1939 June 2 |
| 18 | Photographs - characters Ma & Seth Parker |
undated |
| 19 | Photographs - Haiti - Sans Souci Palace |
undated |
| 19 | Photographs - Lord, Albert J. (Dr.) |
undated |
| 19 | Photographs - Lord, Phillips H. |
undated |
| 18 | Photographs - miscellaneous identified photos |
1932-1935, undated |
| 19 | Photographs - Palmer, Effie Lawrence |
undated |
| 18 | Photographs - Phillips H. Lord with others, some
identified |
undated |
| 18 | Photographs - Phillips H. Lord |
undated |
| 18 | Photographs - Seth Parker the ship |
1934, undated |
| 19 | Photographs - Ship-Schooner Seth Parker
|
undated |
| 18 | Photographs - the Seth Parker crew &
visitors |
undated |
| 18 | Photographs - unidentified people |
undated |
| 18 | Photographs - unidentified |
undated |
| 19 | Photographs - Wittmer, Alfred; Wittmer, Heinz and Margret; Galapagos Islands; Floreana Island |
1934, undated |
| 32 | Unlabeled phonograph records (4) |
undated |
Series IV. PersonalReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Box | ||
| 1 | Certificates |
1943-1966 |
| 2 | Correspondence |
1932-1933 |
| 3 | Correspondence |
1934-1969, undated |
| 15 | Correspondence - Harriet M. Cheney |
1946-1947, undated |
| 4 | Financial records |
1947-1969, undated |
| 28 | Legal correspondence & related |
1925-1968 |
| 4 | Lists |
circa 1932-1968 |
| 7 | Memos |
circa 1923-1969 |
| 7 | Minutes - Exposé, Inc. |
1947-1948 |
| 7 | Minutes - Hancock County Development Co. |
1966-1967 |
| 7 | Minutes - Treasury Agent, Inc. |
1951 |
| 28 | Miscellaneous Harold Herzstein |
1957-1959 |
| 30 | Miscellaneous |
circa 1933-1957 |
| 15 | Philately & notes |
circa 1939-1955 |
| 19 | Receipts |
circa 1935-1969 |
| 34 | Scrapbook |
circa 1929-1938 |
| 29 | Statements |
1956-1968 |
| 30 | Statements |
circa 1957-1969 |
| 1 | Stock certificates - Exposé |
1948 |
| 34 | Stock certificates - Lord, Inc. |
1941 September 5 |
| 1 | Stock certificates - Treasury Agent, Inc. |
1947 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Ocean travel
- Shipwrecks
- Radio programs -- United States.
- Voyages and travels.
Form or Genre Terms
- Phonograph records.
- Photographs.
- Radio scripts.
- Scores.
- Scrapbooks.
Titles within the Collection
- Seth Parker (Radio program)
Processed by Kathryn Brooks
2012
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
