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Mary Jane Irving Papers, 1917-1956

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Irving, Mary Jane, b. 1914
Title
Mary Jane Irving Papers
Dates
1917-1956 (inclusive)
Quantity
cubic ft. (3 boxes)
Collection Number
06736
Summary
Mary Jane Irving was a child actress between 1917 and 1926. She was featured in films with William S. Hart, Hobart Bosworth, Sessue Hayakawa, and Bessie Barriscale. The collection includes correspondence, motion picture stills and other photographs, a scrapbook, and publicity materials.
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
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 was made possible through a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission.
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Historical Note

Mary Jane Irving began her film career at the age of two. Thomas Ince called her “my first real find in pictures.” She was featured with William S. Hart in “The Square Deal Man” in 1917 and became a popular child star of the silent film era. She worked for Cecil B. DeMille in “Patriotism” in 1918 and “The Godless Girl” in 1928. Robert Brunton cast her in a number of his films. She did several films each with William S. Hart, Bessie Barriscale, and Sessue Hayakawa. She appeared with Hobart Bosworth in “His Own Law” in 1920. In 1922 she traveled to Tahiti to shoot “Lost and Found” on location. Her popularity continued until about 1926, but as she entered her teenage years roles became less frequent. She was largely relegated to secondary and non-speaking roles. Irving married screenwriter Robert Carson in 1938. She died in 1983.

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Content Description

The Mary Jane Irving Papers contain photographs, including stills from some of Irving’s motion pictures, portraits, and a number of candid shots. There are snapshots from her trip to Tahiti in 1922 showing shipboard and island life. There is publicity material, including periodicals and a scrapbook of press clippings. Also included are letters from friends and fans (1919-1932) and letters from Robert Carson to Mary Jane Irving Carson (1930s-1940s).

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Copyright Information

The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.

Preferred Citation

Preferred Citation

Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Mary Jane Irving Papers, 1917-1956, Collection Number 06736, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.

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Administrative Information

Related Materials

Related Materials

There are no other known archival collections created by Mary Jane Irving as of the date of processing. The Robert Carson Papers are housed at Boston University.

Acquisition Information

Acquisition Information

The papers were received from Mary Jane Carson in 1983.

Processing Note

Processing Information

The collection was processed by D.C. Thompson in June 2005.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Container List

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Silent films.

Personal Names

  • Barriscale, Bessie, ca. 1884-1965.
  • Hart, William S.

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographs.

Occupations

  • Child actors.
  • Motion picture actors and actresses.

Other Creators

  • Personal Names

    • Carson, Robert, 1909-

Processed by D.C. Thompson
2006

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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