George S. Pelton Papers, 1905-1914, bulk 1912-1914

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Summary

Creators:
Pelton, George S.
Abstract:
This collection contains papers of investor George Pelton concerning Pelton's agreement and disputes in the early 1900s with novelist Jack London concerning the film rights of London's novel The Sea Wolf (1904), and with director Cecil B. DeMille concerning various productions of plays.
Extent:
54 items in 3 boxes
Language:
English.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains papers concerning George S. Pelton's agreement and disputes with Jack London concerning the film rights of his novel, The Sea Wolf (1904), and with Cecil B. DeMille concerning various productions of plays and Pelton's efforts to recover money advanced for plays that were never produced.

Persons represented by 5 or more pieces:

  • DeMille, Cecil Blount: 4 letters (1912-1913), HM 50983-50986; 2 documents (1912), HM 50987.
  • London, Jack: 2 manuscripts (ca. 1912 and ca. 1913), HM 50991-50992; 4 letters (1905-1914), HM 50993-50996. 1 document (1906), HM 50997.
  • Noel, Joseph J.: 4 manuscripts (1911-ca. 1914), HM 50999-51002; 3 letters (1914), HM 51003-51005; 2 documents (1908-1914), HM 51006-51007.
  • Pelton, George S.: 21 letters and telegrams (1912-1914), HM 51009-51030; 4 documents (1911-1914), HM 51031-51033.

Some notable items include:

  • Bradstreet Company. Private investigator's reports on the financial status of Jack London, 1913, September 27, and 1914, April 1. HM 50981-50982.
  • London, Jack. The Judge: play; typescript, and carbon copy of early draft, (ca. 1912-ca. 1913), HM 50991-50992. Note: Although the play was ascribed to Jack London, he repudiated it in a letter to George S Pelton, March 27, 1914, listed below. London, Jack. Letter (1914, March 27) to George S Pelton accusing Pelton and Joseph J Noel of double-crossing him over the sale of the rights to The Sea Wolf, HM 50995.
  • Noel, Joseph J. Letters (1914, April 3 and May 10) to George S Pelton discussing Jack London and the Sea Wolf rights disagreement, HM 51004-51005.
  • Pelton, George S. Letters and telegrams (1914) to his lawyer, Fred W Heath, discussing a possible lawsuit against Cecil Blount DeMille over money advanced to produce plays, HM 51015-51019.
  • Pelton, George S. Letter (1914, March 31) to Jack London responding to London's accusations concerning The Sea Wolf, HM 51021. Note: This letter is a carbon copy; its original is part of the Jack London Collection, JL 16417.
  • Pelton, George S. Letters (1914) to Joseph J Noel discussing Jack London and the Sea Wolf disagreement, HM 51025-51029.

Biographical / historical:

George S. Pelton (active 1905-1915) was a businessman and investor who entered into agreements with Jack London and Joseph J. Noel regarding the dramatic rights to The Sea Wolf. He also invested with Cecil B. DeMille in various productions of plays.

Acquisition information:
Purchased from Dawson's Book Shop, May 23, 1985.
Arrangement:

Arranged in the following order:

  • Boxes 1-2: Manuscripts and correspondence, arranged alphabetically by author.
  • Box 3: Xerox copies

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open to qualified researchers by prior application through the Reader Services Department. For more information, contact Reader Services.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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