I. Correspondence

Sub-series I-A: Correspondence between Edward Gordon Craig and Dorothy Nevile Lees is the largest sub-series within the Correspondence series, and almost all of the letters are from Edward Gordon Craig to Dorothy Nevile Lees, who stayed in Florence to run The Mask while Craig traveled, or set up residence in other parts of Europe. Many of the letters concern individual Mask editorial issues, but there is also discussion of the physical properties of the publication (inks, paper, cover stock, etc.) and the performance of suppliers, printers, and distributors (frequently not up to Craig's standards). Craig commented frequently on Lees' personal behavior and working methods, usually with much criticism. Lees was careful to mark letters with personal comments, whether flattering to her or not, as worthy of retention, especially if they mention her son "Davidino." The few letters from Lees to Craig that survive are either carbon copies or original letters sent to Craig and then returned to Lees with Craig's hand-written comments or responses.

Other subjects covered by the letters in this series include the acquisition and maintenance of the Arena Goldoni, Craig's frequent requests for supplies (including food, clothing, and tobacco), specific books and tools; his opinions of Americans, especially when it came to soliciting financial contributions for The Mask (Craig had a special fondness for "Mrs. Mac," i.e. McCormick (most likely, Edith Rockefeller McCormick), of the International Harvester family, whose deep pockets he admired); and all throughout the series, frequent mentions of his personal health and lack of money.

In the first half of 1917, while Dorothy Nevile Lees was pregnant with their son, David, there is some discussion of Lees' health and confinement; she also documents those months in letters and memorabilia that can be found in Series VIII-A.

While processing this collection, the staff of the Harvard Theatre Collection made notes on many of the folders indicating the subject of the letter. A small portion of the correspondence series did not yet receive this treatment, so researchers should not assume that the letters with no content notes are of any less importance.

Sub-Series I-B: Correspondence between Edward Gordon Craig or Dorothy Nevile Lees and other people. The letters in this series fall into several categories: personal letters written to DNL completely separate from Mask business (such as letters from pen pal, writer and mentor William Canton, and letters from Yoi Maraini, another British writer living in Florence); correspondence between DNL, EGC, and Mask assistants Anna Tremayne Lark and Henry Furst (the latter two were frequent subjects in letters in Series I-A); letters she wrote or received concerning her attempts to secure funding or pensions for Craig in his old age; and correspondence documenting her compilation of the Edward Gordon Craig Collection (of Craig-related books and manuscripts) which she donated to the British Institute, in Florence.

Sub-Series I-C: Holiday cards sent to Edward Gordon Craig or Dorothy Nevile Lees, contains only one folder, which holds Christmas and New Years cards sent to Craig or Lees in 1962.