Skip to main content

Marjorie Hope Batchelder Puppetry Collection

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-716-BC

Scope and Content

This collection contains Marjorie Batchelder McPharlin's collection of puppet play scripts and puppetry literature from many countries. The collection was partially inherited from her late husband, Paul McPharlin, but also contains materials acquired on her international travels. Although the collection dates from 1880-1970, the bulk of the collection is from 1920-1950. Materials in the collection are in a variety of languages, including English. The collection is arranged by subject, and is divided into the following 5 series:

McPharlin Biographical Information and Correspondence: This series contains McPharlin's personal files including biographical information and the correspondence of Marjorie and Paul McPharlin.

Puppetry Literature: This series contains essays on puppetry, literature on puppet films, information on the National Youth Administration's Puppetry Project, Paul McPharlin's newsletter, the Puppetry Bulletin, and play programs that are organized alphabetically by country.

Puppet Play-Scripts: This series contains type-written copies of original puppet plays. The series is organized alphabetically by author.

Punch and Judy Literature: This series contains Punch and Judy memorabilia, Christmas cards, articles, comic books and plays.

Realia: Realia includes a Punch and Judy moving picture show; Punch and Judy woodcuts and a lineoleum cut by Paul McPharlin; zinc cuts from Nina Efirnova's Adventures of a Russian Puppet Theatre and a paper roll of Polichinelle and others.

Dates

  • 1880-1970 (bulk 1920-1950)

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication of CSWR material is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Biography

Marjorie Batchelder McPharlin was born in Winnetka, Illinois on November 15, 1903. Her family moved to Charlottesville, Virginia in 1905 and she graduated from high school in 1921. In 1922, she entered the School of the Art Institute in Chicago, and received a diploma in teacher training in 1925. She received her M.A. in 1934 and her Ph.D. in 1942 from Ohio State University. She taught art at Florida State University, Ohio State University, and the University of New Mexico.

Marjorie Batchelder McPharlin first became interested in puppetry in 1928 when she participated in a puppet show at a summer art camp in Monterey, Massachusetts. She spent her life working as a producer, writer, and teacher of puppetry. She published The Puppet Theatre Handbook (N.Y. Harper & Bros.) in 1947; Rod-Puppets and the Human Theatre (Columbus, Ohio State University Press) in 1947; and Puppets and Plays (Harper) in 1956.

She met Paul McPharlin in 1938 on a study tour of puppet theaters. Marjorie and Paul married in the summer of 1948. Tragically, Paul died of a brain tumor six months later. In 1952 she moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico where she made furniture and did other freelance projects. She also worked with the Museum of International Folk Art, helping produce various programs on puppetry.

In 1960, the U.S. State Department sent her to Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Poland, and Russia to lecture as an American Specialist on American Puppet Theater. In 1963, she received a Fulbright to teach puppetry in India.

Extent

3 boxes (2.3 cu. ft.)

Abstract

This collection consists of puppet play scripts, puppet play programs from different countries, and Punch and Judy literature, memorabilia, and realia collected by Marjorie Batchelder McPharlin and Paul McPharlin.

Related Material

Punch and Judy realia. 12 glass plates. University of New Mexico University Libraries (FAL XX Storage PN1979 P9 1900z)

Punch and Judy realia. 2 ceramic heads. University of New Mexico University Libraries (FAL XX Storage PN1979 P9 1946)

Paul McPharlin Puppetry collection Detroit Institute of Arts

Separated Material

Some publications have been catalogued for UNM University Libraries.

Relevant Secondary Sources

  • Puppetry library : an annotated bibliography based on the Batchelder-McPharlin Collection at the University of New Mexico. Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press, c1981.

Processing Information

Inquire with reference staff for access to unprocessed addition - 1 box, B3-11A.
Title
Finding Aid of the Marjorie Hope Batchelder Puppetry Collection, 1880-1970 (bulk 1920-1950)
Status
Edited Full Draft
Author
Processed by Alicia Brown
Date
©2003
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 716 BC::Marjorie Hope Batchelder Puppetry Collection)//EN" "nmu1mss716bc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451