Special Collections Department
Richard Hoffman
David Mamet
Collection
1975 - 2002
Manuscript Collection Number: 496
Accessioned: Purchase October 2004
Extent: 1.5 linear ft.
Content: Letters, play scripts,
film scripts, poster, photographs, playbills, presskits, lobby cards, stamp,
poetry, interviews, and programs
Access: The collection is open for research.
Processed: October 2004 by
Anita A. Wellner
for reference assistance email Special Collections
or contact:
Special Collections, University of Delaware Library
Newark, Delaware 19717-5267
(302) 831-2229
Table of Contents
Biographical Note
Richard Hoffman
Richard Hoffman, the Brooklyn theater collector and book dealer, built the David Mamet Collection over the years. During his service in the United States Army, Hoffman's experience as an actor led to an assignment to create a television program titled "Your Army in View," which consisted of interviews and live drama.
After his discharge from the service in 1955, Hoffman taught in the drama department of The City College of New York. During this period he was awarded a Eugene O'Neill Fellowship for playwriting. He also seriously began to collect rare books and first editions of contemporary American dramatists, notably the playwrights Eugene O'Neill, Arthur Miller, Neil Simon, and David Mamet. Richard Hoffman's interest in collecting first editions led to his career as an antiquarian book dealer.
David Mamet
American playwright, screenwriter, director and producer David Mamet was born November 30, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois. Mamet attended Neighborhood Playhouse School of Theater in 1968 and 1969 and received a B.A. from Goddard College in 1969.
David Mamet began his career as an actor and director, founding and serving as the artistic director of St. Nicholas Theater Company in Chicago from 1973 to 1976. In 1976 three plays which Mamet had written, American Buffalo, Duck Variations, and Sexual Perversity in Chicago, achieved success on Off-Off Broadway. American Buffalo and Sexual Perversity in Chicago won both Joseph Jefferson Awards and Obie Awards in 1975-1976.
In 1984 Mamet's most acclaimed play, Glengarry Glen Ross, received a Pulitzer Prize for drama and an Antoinette Perry ("Tony") nomination for best play. Mamet's play, Speed-the-Plow was awarded a "Tony" in 1988.
In addition to playwriting, David Mamet is an accomplished screenwriter, adapting his own plays, such as American Buffalo (1996) and Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), for the screen and writing original screenplays such as Hoffa (1992) and Heist (2001). Mamet has also successfully adapted the writing of others for the screen, for example James Cain's The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981) and Larry Barnhart's novel, American Hero, which was titled Wag the Dog for film. Mamet has also written a number of television screenplays, novels, poetry, and children's books.
David Mamet has directed for stage and screen. Some of the films directed by Mamet include House of Games (1987), Homicide (1992), Oleanna (1994), and Heist (2001). He has also has taught at Goddard College, the Yale Drama School and New York University.
As an acclaimed playwright and screenwriter, David Mamet has received numerous awards, including induction into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1994, an Academy Award in 1986, and the Pulitzer Prize in 1984.Literature Research Center Biographies retrieved on 11/2/2004 at http:/galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/LitRC
Source:
Literature Research Center Biographies retrieved on 11/2/2004 at
http:/galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/LitRC
Scope and Content Note
The Richard Hoffman David Mamet Collection spans the dates 1975 – 2002 and consists of 1.5 linear feet of letters, play scripts, screenplays, posters, theater programs, periodicals, photographs, presskits, and ephemera related to American playwright and screenwriter David Mamet. The collection was assembled by Brooklyn book dealer Richard Hoffman.
Most of the published works in the collection, such as published plays, screenplays, essays, poetry, novels, and children's books, as well as several volumes written about Mamet, have been cataloged individually for the printed collections.
The collection is organized into six series, the most substantial of which is Series I. Dramatic work, which includes play scripts, screenplays, poster, presskits, and other materials which represent Mamet's writing for dramatic presentation, both stage and screen. Material for twenty- five of Mamet's drama works are arranged in alphabetical order and embody a fine sample of Mamet's work.
In Series I. are remnants of Mamet's earliest successes, achieved in 1976 with the staging of three Off- Off Broadway plays, including a play script for American Buffalo, programs and production photographs from Duck Variations, and a contract, program and photographs for Sexual Perversity in Chicago. Also represented in this series are Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, Glengarry Glen Ross, the controversial stage and screenplay, Oleanna, his first screenplay, The Postman Always Rings Twice, and an episode for the television series Hill Street Blues titled "A Wasted Weekend."
Series II. Poetry, comprises an issue of Grand Street which includes Mamet's poem, "Hotel Atlantic." Series III. Letters includes five letters written by Mamet to various individuals between 1975 and 1992. In his 1975 letters he discusses the opening of American Buffalo and work left to complete it and his daily activities. A letter written in 1990 includes Mamet's whimsical drawings of a pig and panda, while in a 1992 letter Mamet refers to himself as an "underachiever" and says "I never found anything I was good in until I found writing, when I was in my 20's."
Series IV. Interviews, consists of published or photocopied interviews and conversations with Mamet. Series V. Honors awarded Mamet includes an issue of Proceeding of the American Academy of Arts and Letters which records Mamet's induction as a member in 1994. Series VI. Miscellaneous, consists of a George M. Cohan commemorative stamp and a 22kt. gold replica.
Related Collections:
Ms 484 Richard Hoffman Arthur Miller Collection
Ms 485 Richard Hoffman Neil Simon Collection
Series List
I. Dramatic work, 1975-202
II. Poetry, 1992
III. Letters written by Mamet, 1975-1992
IV. Interviews and conversations with Mamet, 1981-1997
V. Honors awarded Mamet, 1994
VI. Miscellaneous, 1978
Contents List
Box -- Folder -- Contents
Series I. Dramatic Works, 1975-2002
1 American Buffalo, 1975-1996
F1 American Buffalo, a play by David Mamet, 1977 Mar 15
New York: Lansbury/Beruh Productions, 1977
Loose typescript copy pages for Mamet's first
Broadway play that starred Robert Duvall.
F2 Poster, [1975]
New York: Circle in the Square Downtown, [1975]
Theatre window poster in black and white with
stylized portrait of Al Pacino. Removed to map
case
F3 Poster, [1983]
New York: Booth Theatre, [1983]
Theatre poster for the Broadway revival with Al
Pacino, with stylized portrait of him. Removed to
map case
F4 Presskits, 1996
Los Angeles, CA: The Samuel Goldwyn Company, 1996
Two presskit with 38 pages of publicity material for a
film starring Dustin Hoffman, Dennis Franz, and
Sean Nelson. The first page of one kit features Mamet's
signature, a small drawing and Mamet's rubber
stamp. Additionally, this kit includes 6 black and white
stills of the play, an 8" x 10" color photograph
portrait of Hoffman that is signed by him, and a
bookmark. The second kit has 38 pages of publicity
material, an 8"x10" color photograph of Mamet and a
September 1987 issue of American Theatre which features
Mamet.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X, 1983
F5 The Autobiography of Malcolm X: a screenplay, 1983 Apr 14
Burbank, CA: Warner Bros., 1983
Typescript copy of the second draft of the
screenplay which was never produced. Paper covers
bear the Warner Brothers logo.
*Death Defying Acts – see Lawyer in Hell (F18 and
F19)
The Disappearance of the Jews, 1983
F6 The Disappearance of the Jews: a play by David Mamet, 1983 Jun 14
New York: Rosenstone/Wender Agency, 1983
Typescript copy of play script which bears the
rubber stamp of The Goodman Theatre (Chicago) on
the title page as is the agency address. The
script is in a binder with a label for the Jewish
Repertory Theatre (New York). The play was
published by Samuel French in 1987 under the title
Three Jewish Plays.
1 The Duck Variations, 1977 and n.d.
See also F28 and F29 for programs.
F7 Best Short Plays 1977
Radnor, Pa.: Chilton Book Co., 1977 Aug
Uncorrected galley proofs edited by Stanley
Richards which include The Duck Variations. The
first published appearance of a play by Mamet.
F8 Production photographs, n.d.
Two original 8" x 10" productions photographs
taken by Rena Hansen of the first New York City
production performed at St. Clement's Church. See
also F29 for 1976 Cherry Lane Theatre (New York)
programs
Edmond, 1982
F9 Poster, 1982
2 copies
Provincetown, CT: The Provincetown Playhouse, 1982
Theatre window card illustrated with design by
Donald Sultan in blue and black. Removed to
mapcase
Glengarry Glen Ross, 1984-1992
F10 Glengarry Glen Ross: screenplay by David Mamet, 1987 Mar 1
Los Angeles, CA: Zupnik Enterprises, Inc., 1987
Typescript copy of the first draft of this
screenplay. In paper covers with Creative Artists
Agency logo on the front cover and the stamp of
Zupnik Enterprises, Inc. on the title page.
Labeled #10 on title page. Cast included Jack
Lemmon, Al Pacino, and Kevin Spacey.
F11 Playbill, 1984
New York: John Golden Theatre, 1981 Mar 25
Opening night program for a play starring Joe
Mantegna, Robert Prosky, James Tolkan, Mike
Nussbaum, Lane Smith, Jack Wallace, & J.T. Walsh.
F12 Poster, [1984]
2 copies
New York: The Golden Theatre, [1984]
Black and red theatre window poster illustrated
with photographs of some of the cast and labeled
"Winner Best American Play, 1984 Pulitzer Prize,
1984 New York Drama Critics Circle Award."
Removed to mapcase
F13 New Line Cinema presskit, 1992
Los Angeles, CA: New Line Cinema Corp., 1992
Presskit with 20 pages of publicity material plus
6 photograph stills of the stars, Al Pacino, Jack
Lemmon, Alec Baldwin, Ed Harris, Alan Arkin, and
Kevin Spacey
1 Heist, 2002
F14 Poster, 2002
New York: Morgan Creek Productions/ Warner Bros.
Pictures, 2002
Sheet poster for the 2002 videocassette and DVD
release of a film starring Gene Hackman, Danny
DeVito, Delroy Lindo and Rebecca Pidgeon.
Illustrated in color with photographs of the cast.
Removed to map case
Hoffa, 1992
F15 Presskit, 1992
Beverly Hills, CA: Twentieth Century Fox, 1992
Folder with 41 pages of publicity and promotional
material, plus 14 photographs with several stills
per page. Film starred Jack Nicholson and Danny
DeVito.
Homicide, 1990
F16 Homicide: a screenplay by David Mamet, 1990 May
Cambridge, MA: Copyright 1990 by David Mamet
Typescript copy in black binder, dated May 1990.
House of Games, 1987
F17 Photograph, 1987
Los Angeles, CA: Orion Pictures Corporation, 1987
Black and white still of Mamet on the Orion
Pictures set with Joe Mantegna and Lindsay Crouse.
A Lawyer in Hell or An Interview, 1993-1995
F18 A Lawyer in Hell, 1993
New York: Rosenstone/Wender, 1993
Typescript copy in black binder. A one act play
which was titled "An Interview" when part of the
evening of short parts titled "Death Defying
Acts." A flyer for "Death Defying Acts" at the
Variety Arts Theatre in New York (1995), starring
Paul Guilfoyle and Gerry Becker, is laid in.
F19 Playbill for "Death Defying Acts," 1995 Feb
New York: Variety Arts Theatre, 1995 Feb
Playbill for an evening of short plays which
includes Mamet's An Interview, which stars Paul
Guilfoyle and Gerry Becker
*Mr. Happiness – see The Water Engine
1
The Old Neighborhood, 1997
F20A Playbill, 1997 Nov 19
New York: Booth Theatre, 1997 Nov 19
Opening night production of Mamet's The Old
Neighborhood starring Peter Riegert, Patti Lupone,
Vincent Guastaferro, Rebecca Pidgeon, and Jack
Willis. See also F49 for copies of a press
release regarding the Booth Theatre production.
F20B Booth Theatre, New York City, poster, 1997
Removed to MAPCASE.
Oleanna, 1992-1993
F21 Oleanna: a play by David Mamet, 1992 Jun 26
New York: Rosenstone/Wender Agency, 1992 Jun 26
Typescript copy of a draft manuscript dated June
23, 1992, with Rosenstone/Wender Agency on the
title page. Titled has note: "Arthur Cantor's
copy." Final page notes: "Draft, Revised June 26,
1992."
F22 Playbill, 1993 Jan
New York: Orpheum Theatre, 1993 Jan
Two Orpheum Theatre playbills with different
covers. Production stars William H. Macy and
Rebecca Pidgeon.
The Postman Always Rings Twice, 1980-1981
F23 The Postman Always Rings Twice, 1980
Privately printed copy of the screenplay from a
novel by James M. Cain, leather bound with
marbleized endsheets, which belonged to executive
producer Merv Adelson, whose name is embossed on
the cover.
F24 The Postman Always Rings Twice, 1981
Typescript mimeograph copy bound in black paper
covers with title lettering.
F25 Presskit, 1981
New York: Paramount Pictures Corporation, 1981
Folder of publicity and promotional material
including a 35 page book of production
information, 26 additional pages of biographical
other information and two photograph stills. The
film starred Jack Nicholson, Jessica Lange, and
Michael Lerner.
Series I. Dramatic Works (cont'd)
1
F26 Photograph, 1981
New York: Paramount Pictures Corporation, 1981
Black and white 8" x 10" still of
Producer/Director Bob Rafelson, Jack Nicholson
Jessica Lange, and Director of Photography, Sven
Nykvist on the set, with a note from the Publicity
Department of Paramount Picture
F27 Paramount Picture poster, 1981
New York: Paramount Pictures Corporation, 1981
Half sheet full color poster for Mamet's first
screenplay. Poster is illustrated with artwork of
Jack Nicholson and Jessica Lange. Removed to map
case
Sexual Perversity in Chicago, 1975-1976
F28 Contract, 1975 Sep 25
Carbon copy of the three- page contract for the
production of Sexual Perversity in Chicago at St.
Clement's Church in New York City. Signed Mamet
and Lawrence Goossen.
F29 Programs, [1976]
New York: Cherry Lane Theatre, [1976]
Includes two programs for a production of Sexual
Perversity in Chicago and Duck Variations, with
one cast list laid in. The cast varied on each
program.
F30 Photographs, n.d.
Two black and white 8" x10" production stills from
a performance.
Things Change, 1987-1988
F31 Things Change: an original screenplay by David
Mamet and Shel Silverstein, 1987 Sep 9-12
New York: Cinehaus, Inc., 1987
Offset typescript screenplay in bound paper covers
which bear the Creative Artists Agency logo. The
typescript has a memorandum explaining changes and
revised pages have been added throughout the
script and photocopied handwritten notes, possibly
by Mamet.
F32 Presskit, 1988
Burbank, CA: Columbia Pictures, 1988
Includes 49 pages of publicity material and three
photograph stills from the production in a folder.
Film starred Don Ameche and Joe Mantegna.
The Untouchables, 1986-1987
F33 The Untouchables: a screenplay by David Mamet, 1986 May 5
Offset typescript revised script bound in brown
binder, dated May 5, 1986.
F34 Presskit, 1987
New York: Paramount Pictures Corporation, 1987
Presskit includes a four-page fold-over preview
brochure, a 32-page book of production information
and 19 black and white photograph stills from the
production starring Robert DeNiro, Charles Martin
Smith, Sean Connery, Kevin Costner, and Andy
Garcia.
2 The Verdict, 1981
F35 The Verdict: a screenplay by David Mamet, 1981 Nov 23
New York: The Zanuck/Brown Company in association
with Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation, 1981
Original offset typescript of final draft with
revisions made on blue pages. Bound in red paper
covers with the studio logo. This copy is signed
by Director Sidney Lumet on the title page.
F36 The Verdict: a screenplay by David Mamet, 1981 Nov 23
New York: Fox-Zanuck/Brown Productions, 1981
Original offset typescript of final draft with
revisions incorporated into the script. Bound in
red fabricord binder, the copy is signed by Mamet
with a small drawing and inscribed by Sidney Lumet
"for Emily & Richard." Script also bears a few
autograph pencil changes.
Vint, 1986
F37 Playbill, 1986 Apr 28
New York: Lucille Lortel Theatre, 1986 Apr 28
Program for Orchards: Seven American Playwrights
Present Stories by Chekhov, which includes Mamet's
"Vint," adapted from the short story translated by
Avrahm Yarmolinsky.
Wag the Dog, 1997
F38 Presskit, 1997
New York: New Line Cinema Corporation, 1997
Presskit includes 41 pages of publicity and
production information, plus 13 photograph stills
in folder. Film stars Dustin Hoffman, Robert
DeNiro, Anne Heche, Denis Leary and Willie Nelson.
2
"A Wasted Weekend" for Hill Street Blues, 1986 Oct 8-14
F39 "A Wasted Weekend" script for episode of Hill Street Blues, 1986
Property of MTM Enterprises Inc., 1986
Typescript copy of a script for an episode of Hill
Street Blues originally written in 1981. This
copy is dated October 8, 1986 and has pink and
blue revision pages for October 13 and October 14
of 1986. The script has paper covers with the
Creative Artists Agency logo on the cover. Title
page notes: "Script #11" and "Prod. #6401."
The Water Engine and Mr. Happiness, 1999 Oct
F40 Playbill, 1999 Oct
New York: The Atlantic Theater Company, 1999
Production of Mamet's The Water Engine and his Mr.
Happiness starring Steven Goldstein and Mary
McCann.
We're No Angels, 1987 Dec
F41 We're No Angels: an original screenplay by David Mamet, 1987 Dec
Beverly Hills, CA: William Morris Agency, Inc.,
1987
Typescript copy of a Paramount Pictures film in
paper covers with William Morris Agency logo on
the cover. Labeled "First Draft" and dated
December 1987. Title page notes: "Produced by Art
Linson, Paramount Pictures."
F42 We're No Angels: an original screenplay by David Mamet, 1987 Dec
Los Angeles, CA: Creative Artists Agency, Inc., 1987
Typescript copy of a Paramount Pictures film in
paper covers with Creative Artists Agency logo on
the cover. Labeled "First Draft" and dated
December 1987. Title page notes: "Produced by Art
Linson, Paramount Pictures."
The Winslow Boy, 1999
F43 Photograph, 1999
Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc., 1999
Black and white 8" x 10" photograph of David Mamet
directing the production, with an mailing envelope
from New York photographer Rena Hansen.
F44 Lobby cards, 1999
Sony Picture Entertainment, Inc., 1999
Set of eight full color photograph lobby cards for
the film, starring Nigel Hawthorne, Jeremy
Northam, Rebecca Pidgeon, and Gemma Jones.
2 Series II. Poetry, 1992
F45 "Hotel Atlantic," 1992
New York: Grand Street Press, 1992
Issue No. 41 of Grand Street contains Mamet's
three-page poem, "Hotel Atlantic."
Series III. Letters written by Mamet, 1975-1992
Three typed and two handwritten letters written by
David Mamet.
F46 Letters, 1975-1992
1975 Sep 29 TLS 1p To "L"
1975 Nov 4 TLS 1p To "Larry"
1990 Jan 12 ALS 1p To Mr. Cross
Note: Includes Mamet's drawings of a panda
and a pig and his personal stamp.
1992 Oct 23 ALS 1p w/env To
Tom Callos
[n.d.] Friday TNS 1p To "L, J, J, G,
et al."
Series IV. Interviews and conversations with
Mamet, 1981-1997
F47 "Short Plays and Small Musicals," 1981 Winter
New York: The Dramatist Guild, 1981
Issue (Vol. 17, No. 4) of The Dramatist Guild
Quarterly which includes a forum discussion in
which Mamet participated with Eve Merriam, Albert
Innaurato, and Terrence McNally.
F48 "Mamet on Playwriting," 1993 Spring
New York: The Dramatist Guild, 1993
Issue (Vol. 30, No. 1) of The Dramatist Guild
Quarterly which includes a piece titled "Mamet on
Playwriting" which records Mamet's responses to a
question and answer session in New York City.
F49 Photocopies of various printed interviews and
newspaper articles, 1994-1997
Also includes press releases for The Old
Neighborhood at the Booth Theatre.
2 Series V. Honors awarded Mamet, 1994
F50 American Academy of Arts and Letters induction, 1994
New York: American Academy of Arts and Letters, 1995
Issue No. 45 of the 2nd series of Proceeding of
the American Academy of Arts and Letters which
records Mamet's induction as a member in 1994.
Includes a brief biographical sketch and a
photograph. A brief note is laid in.
Series VI. Miscellaneous, 1978
F51 George M. Cohan commemorative stamp and gold replica, 1978
Stamp was issued July 3, 1978 and is mounted on a
board with the 22 kt. gold replica. Also bears
Mamet's personal stamp and signature.
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