Papers of John Cuming Walters relating to Shakespeare
Folger MS Y.d.1417 (1-2011)
Folger Shakespeare Library
2011.0 items
ca. 1898-1932
In English.
Autograph letters, manuscript and printed essays, newspaper and magazine clippings, scrapbooks, and printed programs, all pertaining to John Cuming Walters' interests in Shakespeare and involvement in the cultural community in Northwest England.
Walters, John Cuming, 1863-1933
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Preferred Citation
[Item title and date], Papers of John Cuming Walters relating to Shakespeare, Folger MS Y.d.1417 [item number or page], Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, DC.
Acquisition Information
Purchased from Richard Ford, June 2008.
The first part of this collection is comprised of autograph letters signed to Walters from various Shakespeare enthusiasts, scholars, Baconians, publishers, and printers. These correspondents include
William Salt Brassington (1859-1939),
Frederic Henry Fisher,
George Frisbee,
Granville George Greenwood (1850-1928),
William Jaggard (1868-1947),
Horace Nickson,
Cecil Palmer,
John Lewis Alexander Paton (1863-1946),
Richard Savage,
Bernard Rowland Ward (1863-1933),
Sir William Henry Bailey (1838-1913), and
William S. Smedley.
The bulk of the collection consists of manuscript drafts and printed essays by Walters on Shakespeare. There are also many printed programs, broadside advertisements, and manuscript drafts pertaining to Walters' lectures on Shakespeare (particularly those given in the Manchester area). Also in the collection are Walters' autograph notes, scrapbooks, and an abundance of newspaper and magazine clippings. Topics include the Shakespeare-Bacon theory (including the Northumberland manuscript and Baconian cipher),
Edward De Vere, critical interpretations of Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets, forgeries, The Shakespeare Tercentenary, Shakespeare's "dark period," Shakespeare and the stage, and the First Folio. Much of the collection sheds light on a network of English literary and cultural societies spreading from Knutsford to Nottingham (see Y.d.1417 (1472-1501) in particular).
Biographical/Historical note
John Cuming Walters (1863-1933), journalist and author, was a prodigiously energetic man who participated fully in the cultural life of Northwest England during the early twentieth century. He edited the
Manchester city news (from 1906 to 1932) and
Manchester evening chronicle and published numerous books on a variety of subjects including social housing, psychic phenomena, English topography, and King Arthur. Walters’ primary interests, however, were literary. He wrote and edited works on
Charles Dickens,
Alfred Tennyson and
Marie Corelli and was a central figure in the Lancashire Shakespeare community. Walters wrote essays on the topic and, in 1899, published a book,
The mystery of Shakespeare’s sonnets: an attempted elucidation. Walters used his position as editor to engage as a controversialist (see the Judge Parry material, Y.d.1417 (435-475)), and he lectured indefatigably all over the north of England (the talk “Shakespeare's literary debt” (Y.d.1417 (634-640)) was delivered before five audiences between 1893 and 1909, at places including Newcastle, Yardley and Manchester).
More information on Walters' life can be found in
Lancashire literary worthies by
Lionel Milner Angus-Butterworth (1980).
Materials are arranged into two series: Letters to John Cuming Walters (Series 1) and Manuscript material, newspaper clippings, notebooks, and ephemera (Series 2). Series 1 consists of correspondence to John Cuming Walters arranged by sender and date. Series 2 contains manuscript material and printed clippings further divided into subseries by subject matter (Baconian theory, Criticism and interpretation, Plays, Sonnets, Miscellaneous). All material that defies classification has been placed into the Miscellaneous subseries, which also includes contains a collection of twelve orange folders that have been left in the original order in which they were received.
Processing Information
Processed by Folger Shakespeare Library staff. The collection was received in two boxes divided into packets, many of which were marked with titles describing at least part of the content. Most of this arrangement has been retained, however, some packets have been split up or combined to create more continuity in the subject matter.
Bailey, William H., (William Henry), 1838-1913, Sir
Brassington, William Salt, 1859-1939
Fisher, Frederic Henry, 1849-1926
Greenwood, G. G., (Granville George), 1850-1928, Sir
Jaggard, William, 1868-1947
Paton, John Lewis Alexander,1863-1946
Marriott, E., (Elizabeth), b. 1814 or 15
Savage, Richard, 1847-1924
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Anniversaries, etc. -- Manuscripts
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Authorship -- Baconian theory -- Manuscripts
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Societies, etc. -- Manuscripts
Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Criticism and interpretation -- Manuscripts
Theobald, W., (William), 1829-1908
Ward, B. R. , b. 1863, Bernard Rowland
Clippings
Letters -- Manuscripts
Manuscripts
Programs
Series 1: Letters to John Cuming Walters
Y.d.1417 (1-53)
1898-1932
Typed letter signed from
Sir William Henry Bailey to
Mr. Cuming Walters
Y.d.1417 (1)
1 p.
1908 March 22
General note
Bailey, Shakespearean scholar, remarks: "I think the Shakespearean Dinner will be a triumph of the consolidation of cooperation. You appear to have worked like an automatic Machine." Signed "W.H. Bailey." On letterhead of Sale Hall, Cheshire.
Typed letter signed from
Harold Bayley
Y.d.1417 (2)
1 p.
1921 July 16
General note
Bayley, a Baconian, congratulates "Francisco Skepticus" (i.e. Walters) on his "incomparable reply to Capt. Jaggard": "...it is a great satisfaction to think that the Bacon-Shakespeare problem has still defenders of your calibre." On letterhead of Over-bye, Church Cobham, Surrey. Sent C/O The Manchester City News, 3 Strutt Street, Manchester.
Typed letter signed from
Arthur Bouchier to Mr. Cuming Walters
Y.d.1417 (3)
1 p.
1915 March 5
General note
Possibly from Arthur Bouchier. Bouchier thanks Cuming Walters for his notes on
The merchant of Venice. On letterhead of the
Garrick Theatre, Charing Cross Road, W.C., London.
Autograph letter signed from
William Salt Brassington to Mr. Walters
Y.d.1417 (4)
1 p.
1901 January 10
Brassington, Librarian of the Shakespeare Memorial Library, Stratford, asks on behalf of "Mr. Savage," whether Walters would "kindly favour the Shakespeare Club with your paper." Signed "W.S. Brassington." On bifolium letterhead of the Shakespeare Memorial, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Autograph letter from
Frank A. Bullock signed to Cumming Walters
Y.d.1417 (5)
2 p.
1920 January 19
General note
Bullock discusses Cumming Walters'
Bacon lecture and the "end of the autograph incident." Sent from 716 Leigh Road, Leigh, Lancashire.
Autograph letter signed from
J. Walter Clulow? to Mr. Cumming Walters with envelope
Y.d.1417 (6)
1 p.
1899 June 16
General note
Clulow sends Cumming Walters' his copy of
The mystery of Shakespeare's sonnets to obtain a signature inscription. On bifolium letterhead of Belize House, Handsworth.
Autograph letter signed from
Crosland
Y.d.1417 (7)
1 p.
1908 November 12
General note
Crosland comments on Cumming Walters "very clever paper." On bifolium letterhead of 67, King Street, Manchester.
Typed letter signed from
Frederic Henry Fisher to Mr. Cuming Walters Esq.
Y.d.1417 (8)
2 p.
1899 June 8
Fisher's "reviewer" considers much of Walters' letter "debatable matter and outside the range of his article." Quotes from reviewer's letter and invites Walters to "make a statement (confining yourself to say 50 lines)." Signed "F.H. Fisher Ed." On bifolium letterhead of The literary world, 13 Fleet Street, London. Includes autograph postscript.
Autograph letter signed from George Frisbee to the Editor of
The Manchester City news
Y.d.1417 (9)
2 p.
1932 January 4
Frisbee thanks Walters for the "kindly notice" of his book "Edward De Vere, A Great Elizabethan" (1931) in the Manchester City News. "Edward De Vere wrote for forty years; used many names; but never failed to weave his own in his work." He gives examples in the works of Shakespeare. "My next book will tell of the Elizabethans in Hamlet." Accompanied by a manuscript, in red and blue ink, headed "Enter Pucke," of supposed acrostics in passages from Shakespeare.
Autograph letter signed from G.F. (
George Frisbee) to Mr. Walters with envelope
Y.d.1417 (10)
5 p.
1932 September 18
Long letter, apparently putting
De Vere forward not only as author of
Shakespeare's plays, but also of the works of
Marloweand
Spenser. "...my only interest is to try to put De Vere before the world in his proper place in literature...I have much marked in my books. The task of transcribing appals me. I am alone in my study. None here is interested." Second postscript: "About two years ago
G.B. Harrison, London, and
Francis Needham, Welbeck Abbey wrote to T.L.S. I was able to answer them with the same set of acrostic readings. Dr. Harrison wrote 'I am no good at crossword puzzles.' Mr. Neeham wrote: 'Yours was the answer. Your work is like that I found in the Hebrew scriptures.' So you see acrostics are not my trick." On letterhead of 2235 Octavia Street, San Francisco.
Autograph letters signed from F.J. Griffiths to Cuming Walters Esq.
Y.d.1417 (11-17)
5 items.
1899
General note
Letters concern a series of articles by Walters, as well as his book
The mystery of Shakespeare's sonnets, an attempted elucidation, published by Griffiths in 1899. On February 20, 1899 Griffiths writes: "I am most decidedly of opinion that your researches should be permanently preserved in book form but I am not at all sure that the publication would 'pay' ...Candidly I don't think 250 copies would sell unless your own influence in town & in the Midlands is very large." Also includes a compliments slip and a receipt for twenty pounds, stamped and signed by Griffiths, "To share in production of The mystery of Shakespeare's sonnets" as per agreement. All are on letterhead of
The new century review, London. Three with envelopes. November 7, 1898 (1 p.); February 20, 1899 (2 p.); March 13, 1899 (2 p.); March 16, 1899 (1 p.); March 18, 1899 (1 p.)
Biographical/Historical note
F.J. Griffiths was Managing Director of The New Century Press, Limited.
Autograph letter signed from
Elizabeth C. Flanagan to Cuming Walters, Esq.
Y.d.1417 (18)
4 p.
1902 March 31
General note
Flanagan discusses authorship of the Sonnets. On bifolium mourning paper. Sent from 5, Chesnut Walk, Stratford-upon-Avon.
Autograph letter signed from
G. Hargreaves to Mr. Walters
Y.d.1417 (19)
2 p.
1917 February 13
General note
Hargreaves compliments Walters' article on
<em>Much ado about nothing</em>. On bifolium letterhead of the
Smedley Printing Works, Cheetham, Manchester.
Autograph note signed from
W.H. Harpeare to Mr. Walters
Y.d.1417 (20)
1914 December 17
General note
Harpeare presents proofs and manuscript for "'
The merchant of Venice' copy" [no longer with letter]. On letterhead of the
Manchester programme, "The Leading Theatrical Journal of the Provinces."
Autograph letter signed from
David Headridge to Cuming Walters
Y.d.1417 (21)
2 p.
1929 October 14
General note
Letter regarding Walters' address on the Baconian controversy. On letterhead of University Chambers, 323 Oxford Road, Manchester.
Autograph letter signed from
William Jaggard Capt. to Walters
Y.d.1417 (22)
2 p.
1921 June 23
Jaggard writes: "Here in the secluded fortresses and rural stillness of the Forest of Arden, rumours reach me almost daily of a fearful Baconian controversy in your organ, which is shaking Manchester to the very depths--...A Yorkshireman came here last week, full of enthusiasm after reading the 'City News' about the exposure of the long-continued Shakespeare 'fraud.' After a few minutes chat his enthusiasm ebbed, and finally he went out sadder and wiser, with intention of writing you a letter of renewd faith in Shakespeare." Accompanied by a small photograph captioned "Shakespeare Memorial Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon." On letterhead of the Shakespeare Memorial, Stratford-upon-Avon. Includes envelope.
Autograph letter signed from
John Robert Lancashire to W.C. Walters
Y.d.1417 (23)
2 p.
1921 July 14
General note
Lancashire tells Walters that he has identified him as the pseudonymous "Skepticus" and remarks on his "scathing reply to Captain Jaggard." 1 Parsonage [Lye?].
Typed letter signed from [
C. Malinson?] to Mr. Walters
Y.d.1417 (24)
2 p.
1929 January 28
General note
Malinson speaks of Shakespeare's contemporaries and authorship and speculates that Cuming Walters is the pseudonymous "Janus" in the
City news. Letter contains manuscript edits. Sent from 20 Edge Lane, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester.
Autograph letter from
Elizabeth Marriott
Y.d.1417 (25)
1 p.
1899 July 17
General note
Letter in the third person on bifolium letterhead of The Close, Exeter. Presents a copy of Marriott's pamphlet "Bacon or Shakespeare? An Historical Enquiry" (1898).
Autograph memorandum from
Elizabeth Marriott
Y.d.1417 (26)
2 p.
1899 July 17
General note
Memo begins: "This Pamphlet was originally called forth by an Article by Mr.
R.M. Bucke's, entitled "Shakespeare dethroned."
Autograph letter signed from
Elizabeth Marriott
Y.d.1417 (27)
8 p.
1899 August 16
General note
Marriott discusses
Thomas Southwell,
Francis Bacon, Mr. Reed's statements, and pecuniary matters. Two bifolia sent from The Close, Exeter.
Autograph letter signed from
Elizabeth Marriott
Y.d.1417 (28)
4 p.
1899 August 25
General note
Marriott speaks of her reaction to an article in
The Birmingham gazette, which "on first perusal made [her] incline to throw [her] pamphlet into the fire." Sent from The Close, Exeter.
Manuscript relating to Reed and her pamphlet by
Elizabeth Marriott
Y.d.1417 (29)
1 p.
undated
Proofs of a pamphlet by
Elizabeth Marriott
Y.d.1417 (30)
16 p.
undated
General note
Paginated 3-18; p.11-15 and 18 heavily corrected with manuscript emendations and additions, including 3 p. discussing the position of
Edwin Reed.
Proof of a pamphlet by
Elizabeth Marriott
Y.d.1417 (31)
1 p.
undated
General note
Lightly-corrected and attached to a page containing 17 lines of manuscript additions, with six deleted lines on the reverse.
Autograph letter signed from
R.H. Minshall to Walters
Y.d.1417 (32)
3 p.
1905 May 14
General note
Minshall requests a signature and mentions
J.W. Gray's book,
Shakespeare's marriage. On letterhead of the
Stockport Literary Club.
Biographical/Historical note
R.H. Minshall was the President of the
Stockport Literary Club.
Autograph letter signed from
Horace Nickson to Mr. Walters
Y.d.1417 (33)
1 p.
1921 October 3
Nickson, a Birmingham tailor, discusses his paper "on the unbelief in the Church today." No Shakespearean content. On Nickson's business letterhead, 34 Cannon Street Birmingham.
Autograph letter signed from
Horace Nickson to Mr. Walters
Y.d.1417 (34)
1 p.
1923 January 26
Letter written on Nickson's business letterhead. Nickson encloses a letter from Sir George Greenwood of 1923 January 25. Greenwood writes on letterhead of 33 Linden Gardens, W2 [London]: "It is a real pleasure to find that we "anti-Stratfordians" have such an able ally." He also discusses the performance of the plays of
Shakespeare and
Jonson.
Autograph letter signed from
B. Ormerod to J. Cuming Walters Esq.
Y.d.1417 (35)
2 p.
1905 April
General note
Ormerod thanks Cuming Walters for the ticket to
Shakespeare Society dinner and mentions Walters'
The Jew which Shakespeare drew. On bifolium letterhead of Sandywood, Pendlebury, near Manchester.
Autograph letter signed from
Cecil Palmer to John Cuming Walters
Y.d.1417 (36)
2 p.
1932 August 23
Palmer, English publisher, thanks Walters for the "splendid reviews of the
Shakespeare books--if there were half-a-dozen Cuming Walters in England the question of the authorship of the plays of Shakespeare would become a burning question of supreme public importance." On letterhead of the Royal Crystal Palace Hotel, Upper Norwood.
Autograph letter signed from
Cecil Palmer to Cuming Walters
Y.d.1417 (37)
2 p.
1932 September 1
Palmer discusses "the suggested manual," asking why he should "go to the Shakespeare Fellowship." On the letterhead of the Royal Crystal Palace Hotel, Upper Norwood.
Autograph letter signed from
Cecil Palmer to Mr. Cuming Walters
Y.d.1417 (38)
1 p.
1932 September 3
Palmer writes: "I am in entire agreement with you about the whole project & I think your plans are beyond criticism." On letterhead of Royal Crystal Palace Hotel, Upper Norwood. Includes envelope.
Autograph letter signed from
John Lewis Alexander Paton to Mr. Cuming Walters
Y.d.1417 (39)
3 p.
[1908] April 18
Paton discusses
A merchant of Venice: "I am a schoolmaster & by habit look for faults in everything, even my plumpudding." On embossed letterhead of North Lodge, Broughton Park, Manchester.
Autograph note signed from
John Lewis Alexander Paton to Mr. Cuming Walters
Y.d.1417 (40)
1 p.
[1908] May 19
Paton writes: "You have not laboured in vain." Postscript: "How nice of you to allow those black-hearted Federationists to whitewash themselves." Accompanied by a newspaper cutting docketed "Sheffield Indep: May 18/08," headed "Shylock the Hero. The Poet Off His Pedestal. A Bold Sheffield Critic. [i.e. 'Mr.
F.J. Adkins.']" On letterhead of the Manchester Grammar School.
Autograph postcard signed from
Charles Pierson
Y.d.1417 (41)
1 p.
1929 October 11
General note
Pierson discusses authorship of "the Plays." Sent from Rodmarton, Cirencester.
Typed letter signed from
Harry L. Price to Mr. Cuming Walters
Y.d.1417 (42)
1 p.
1907 November 14
General note
Price returns a copy of Edwin Reed's Bacon vs. Shakespeare and thanks Walters for "having started me on a quest, which like so many other good folk, I was previously disposed to regard as the work of weird people with a mental twist." On letterhead of 15 Fountain Street, Manchester.
Autograph letter signed from
Fred W. Ridley
Y.d.1417 (43)
1 p.
1907 January 26
General note
Ridley sends Walters an extract concerning
Shakespeare, which was published in 1694. Sent from 57 Algernon Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Autograph letter signed from
Richard Savage
Y.d.1417 (44)
2 p.
1901 January 22
Savage, Secretary and Librarian of
The Trustees & Guardians of Shakespeare's Birthplace, hopes that Walters will "kindly accept the hospitality of the Club, at the Red Horse Hotel." On bifolium letterhead, Shakespeare's Birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon. Includes Shakespere Club envelope.
Autograph letter signed from
F.B. Schwamenkruge to Mr. Walters
Y.d.1417 (45)
1 p.
1905 April 28
General note
Schwamenkruge thanks Walters for sending copies of
The Jew that Shakespeare drew. On letterhead of the Spencer Club, Birmingham.
Autograph letters signed from
William S. Smedley
Y.d.1417 (46-47)
8 p.
1910 September
General note
Both letters on bifolium letterhead of 36 Russell Square, W.C. [London]. (46) dated 1910 September 1, speaks of the merits of Mr. [Tanners?] work on the lines "To the Reader" in the first folio. (47) dated 1910 September 7, mentions the Sonnets, the identity of W.H., and a copy of Baconiana that Smedley has edited.
Autograph letters signed from
W. Theobald to C. Walters Esq.
Y.d.1417 (48-50)
11 p.
1899
Three bifolium letters (one with envelope), all written from Budleigh-Salterton: (48) 1899 July 26 (3 p.), (49) 1899 August 22 (4 p.), (50) [1899] October 10 (4 p.). The second letter, in which Theobald expounds his views on Shakespeare's sonnets, is accompanied by a newspaper cutting headed "Institute of Journalists," mentioning a paper to be given by Walters on "Professional Examinations."
Autograph letter signed from
Colonel Bernard Rowland Ward
Y.d.1417 (51)
3 p.
1923 March 23
General note
Ward discusses the Fellowship and the articles by its members in the "Hackney Spectator": "everything points to a group of writers of whom [
Bacon] was the chief editor and organiser." Sent from 28 Fitz George Avenue, W14 [London].
Autograph letter signed from
Colonel Bernard Rowland Ward
Y.d.1417 (52)
2 p.
1931 December 4
General note
Ward writes that the review of
Gilbert Slater's
Seven Shakespeares is "by far the best and most favourable review ever achieved by a member of the Fellowship." On letterhead of Wyvenhoe, Farnham Royal, Slough, Buckinghamshire.
Autograph letter signed from
Colonel Bernard Rowland Ward to Mr. Walters
Y.d.1417 (53)
2 p.
1931 December 13
General note
Ward says that if Walters could see his way "to joining the Fellowship and could persuade some fellow-Baconians to join, it would go a long way towards consolidating our forces." The Fellowship has "never concealed" its "unorthodox views" in its articles in the "Shakespeare Pictorial." On letterhead of Wyvenhoe, Farnham Royal, Slough, Buckinghamshire.
Series 2: Manuscript material, newspaper clippings, notebooks, and ephemera
Y.d.1417 (54-2011)
Baconian theory
Y.d.1417 (54-275)
"Bacon: 5th lecture"
Y.d.1417 (54-56)
(54) Manuscript lecture on
Francis Bacon dated September 29, 1907. (55-56) Fragments of essays on the same. (55) Entitled "The Bacon-Shakespeare enigma" and dated September 1907. In a packet marked, "Bacon: 5th lecture."
"Shakespeare/Bacon Donnelly, cipher"
Y.d.1417 (57-99)
Letters, essays, notes and newsclippings pertaining to the
Shakespeare authorship debate and
Francis Bacon's cipher. (57) Autograph letter signed from
Ignatius Donnelly, Minneapolis, to
Birmingham daily gazette, Birmingham, England, May 23, 1900; with (58) a pamphlet advertisement for his book,
The cipher in the plays and on the tombstone. (59) Manuscript essay entitled "Shakespeare's Epitaph & Bacon's Cipher." In a packet marked, ""Shakespeare/Bacon Donnelly, Cipher."
"Bacon-Shakespeare Jaggard"
Y.d.1417 (100-134)
Newsclippings containing articles on the Bacon-Shakespeare controversy. In a packet marked, ""Bacon-Shakespeare Jaggard."
"Sir George Greenwood & Bacon | Shakespeare"
Y.d.1417 (135-148)
Newsclippings by and about
George Greenwood's theories on the Bacon-Shakespeare controversy. In a packet marked, ""Sir George Greenwood & Bacon | Shakespeare."
"Bacon-Shakespeare | 50 points"
Y.d.1417 (149-184)
Manuscript essays (mostly fragments) and notes. (149) Entire typescript copy of "Some Points in the Case of Bacon versus Shakespeare," written in 1904. (150) "Fifty Points," manuscript list. Includes some newsclippings. In a packet marked, ""Bacon-Shakespeare | 50 Points."
"Bacon"
Y.d.1417 (185-208)
Typescript essay "Did Bacon write
Lucrece? -- a test piece" by Dr. Ed[ward?] Jones (p. 2- 17) and newsclippings on
Francis Bacon. In a packet marked, "Bacon."
"Bacon Shakespeare case 'for and against'"
Y.d.1417 (209-271)
(209) Small notebook with cover title "Bacon-Shakespeare Question Oct. 1898 JCW," containing manuscript material and newsclippings on the
Baconian case, Review of
Edwin Reed's and
W.H. Edwards's books,
Anne Hathaway's cottage, visit to Shottery, Shakespeare's shrine, and
Marie Corelli. (210) Letter from
J. Cuming Walters, Handsworth, Birmingham, to an unidentified recipient, March 4, 1902, entitled "The Shakespeare Enigma." (211) Typescript letter from
T. William Smedley,
The Baconian Society, London, April 27, 1916 to "The Editor of the Manchester City News." (112) Is a manuscript essay on the mysteries of Shakespeare's life and works. The rest includes an advertisement for a book by J.R. Lancashire, Esq., J.P., two copies of a printed list of lecture topics for the Warwickshire Baconian Society, and numerous clippings on the Baconian theory. In a packet marked, "Bacon Shakespeare Case 'for and against'."
Shakespeare's handwriting and the Northumberland manuscript by
Sir George Greenwood
Y.d.1417 (272)
1 v.
1925 November
Annotated copy of a pamphlet printed by
Watts & Co: London, 1925. In a packet marked, "Shakespeare & Ben Jonson, Shakespeare & Critics, First Folio, Shakespeares Fortune, The Name Shakespeare, Northumberland MS, A Midsummer Nights Dream."
Copies of an essay on the Northumberland manuscript
Y.d.1417 (273-275)
Fragments of three copies.
Criticism and interpretation
Y.d.1417 (276-911)
"Shakespeare & Ben Jonson"
Y.d.1417 (276-316)
Manuscript notes and clippings. In packet marked, ""Shakespeare & Ben Jonson" within a packet, "Shakespeare & Ben Jonson, Shakespeare & Critics, First Folio, Shakespeares Fortune, The Name Shakespeare, Northumberland MS, A Midsummer Nights Dream."
"Shakespeare commentators"
Y.d.1417 (317-345)
Manuscript essays; mostly fragments. In a packet marked, "Shakespeare Commentators."
"Shakespeare and his contemporaries MS"
Y.d.1417 (346-418)
(346) Printed pamphlet,
Shakespeare amid his contemporaries by J. Cuming Walters, M.A., 1916. (347-381) Fragments of manuscript essays and notes. (382-415) Cuttings. (399) printed book chapter title "The lyrism of the English Romantic drama." (411-415) in a packet marked, "Shakespeare & Voltaire, Rabelais, Moliere." (416) Printed schedule for the autumn session of the
Manchester Shakespeare Society, 1915. (417) Printed letter from
H. Derwent Simpson,
The Fortnightly Society, Manchester, to J. Cuming Walters, Esq., Mancheser, 1916 September 1; with envelope and a syllabus for the Society's forthcoming meeting. (418) Typescript letter from
Edwin T. Heys,
Stockport Garrick Society, to Mr. Walters, 1915 September 30; with manuscript notes on the reverse. In a packet marked, "Shakespeare and his Contemporaries MS."
"Shakespeare & critics"
Y.d.1417 (419-434)
Newsclippings, (419) typescript excerpts from
Recollections of Italy by
F.A. de Chateaubriand, (420) book fragment; essay entitled "Benedetto Croce on Shakespeare" by
Rev. T.M. Phillips, (432) a bifolium card schedule for the
Manchester Shakespeare Society autumn session, 1917, and (434) a manuscript essay entitled "Shakespeare criticism." In a packet marked "Shakespeare & Critics" originally within a packet, "Shakespeare & Ben Jonson, Shakespeare & Critics, First Folio, Shakespeares Fortune, The Name Shakespeare, Northumberland MS, A Midsummer Nights Dream."
"Cuming Walters & (Edw) Parry Cuttings Shakespeare"
Y.d.1417 (435-475)
(435-436) Manuscript fragments of essays and notes. (437-439) "'The box office' by His Honour Judge Parry"; "Circe and the pig"; "The folk-lore of the County Court by His Honour Judge Parry." (440-475) clippings. In a packet marked, ""Cuming Walters & (Edw) Parry Cuttings Shakespeare."
"Shakespeare's dark period"
Y.d.1417 (476-478)
(476) Notebook labeled "Dark period"; filled throughout with loose notes, fragments of essays and clippings. (477) Poster of the
Knutsford Literary Society for Cuming Walters lecture on "Shakespeare's Dark Period," March 10, 1902 or 3. (478) Flyer for a performance of
Merchant of Venice presented by
The Bolton Shakespeare Society on February 18th, 1924. All originally in a packet marked, "Shakespeare's Dark Period."
"Shakespeare parallels & the dark period"
Y.d.1417 (479-480)
Two manuscript notebooks; includes loose pages of notes and a syllabus for the 42nd Annual Session, 1903-1904 at the
Manchester Literary Club. (479) t.p.: Parallels in Shakespeare's Dramas and the Sonnets. J. Cuming Walters. 1903. (480) t.p.: Shakespeare Parallels & note II. J. Cuming Walters 1903. In a packet marked, "Shakespeare Parallels & the Dark Period."
"Shakespeare and dreams"
Y.d.1417 (481-520)
(481) Manuscript essay entitled "Shakespeare and his dream themes." (482) Manuscript essay or fragments of an essay on "Psychic phenomena." (483) Manuscript fragment of an essay on "Shakespeare's dream dramas." (484) Typescript fragment of an essay with manuscript edits. (485-508) Miscellaneous manuscript notes. (509-510) Printed cards advertising Cuming Walters' paper presentations on Shakespeare and dreams. (511-520) Clippings. In a packet marked, "Shakespeare & Dreams."
"Shakespeare enigma inc. Frank Harris on Sh"
Y.d.1417 (521-598)
(521) Notebook with manuscript notes for Walter Cumings'' paper "The Shakespeare Enigma"; loose manuscript notes and various printed ephemera inserted throughout (larger pieces removed). (522) Manuscript essay entitled "The strangest of all Shakespeare theories." (523-598) Newsclippings and essays removed from journals such as
The Garrick magazine. (525-586) Seem to have originally been in a crumbling folder marked, "
W.H. Mallock on Shakespeare, Bacon and En..." and includes a lot of material on anti-Baconian
J.M. Robertson. (587-598) in a folder marked, "Shakespeare Enigma | J. Cuming Walters." All in a packet marked, ""Shakespeare Enigma inc. Frank Harris on Sh."
"Hazlitt on Shakespeare"
Y.d.1417 (599-627)
(599-624) Fragments of manuscript and typed essays. (625-627) Card and syllabuses advertising Walter Cummings' talk on
William Hazlitt and Shakespeare. In a packet marked, "Hazlitt on Shakespeare."
"Shakespeare & learning MS"
Y.d.1417 (628-633)
(628) Manuscript essay on the books that Shakespeare read. (629-633) Newsclippings. In a packet marked, "Cuming Walters Shakespeare and Learning MS."
"Shakespeare's literary debt"
Y.d.1417 (634-640)
(634-637) manuscript essay, "Shakespeare's literary debt" and fragments of essays. (638-640) Manuscript notes. In a packet marked, ""Shakespeare's literary debt."
"Shakespeare & love"
Y.d.1417 (641-727)
(641-714) Fragments of manuscript essays and notes. (715) Typed fragment of an essay (or essays?). (716) Typescript list of characters in Shakespeare's plays organized by play genre and type of character. (717-719) Printed cards containing information on meetings of the
Manchester Shakespeare Society (with envelope) and the
Bolton Shakespeare Society. (720) Pamphlet of
The English Association,
The normality of Shakespeare illustrated in his treatment of love and marriage by
C.H. Herford, 1920. (721-727) Newsclippings. In a packet marked, ""Shakespeare & Love."
"Love & marriage in Shakespeare's plays"
Y.d.1417 (728-731)
(728) Typescript essay with manuscript notes interpsersed throughout. (729) Manuscript outlining "The points in Bacon's essay...of marriage and single life...on love." (730) Manuscript outlining the purpose of Cuming Walter's paper on the topic. (731) Manuscript note. In a packet marked, "Love and marriage in Shakespeare's plays mss unsorted."
"Shakespeare and posterity"
Y.d.1417 (732-836)
(732-824) Manuscript fragments of essays and notes. (825-826) Typescript (fragments?) of essay(s?). (827) Typescript letter to Cumming Walters signed from
Oliver de [Gelais?], Sheffield, 1924 March 3. (828-829) Postcards to Cumming Walters from
Josephine Doran, Manchester, ca. 1924 January 17 and from an unidentified correspondent, Manchester, ca. 1929 October 6. (830) An empty envelope addressed to Cumming Walters from London, March 18. (831) Printed card advertising lectures from 1926 to 1927 at the
Preston Shakespeare Society. (832) Printed, annotated excerpt from
The Garrick magazine on "The stage and the poetic drama." (833-836) Newsclippings. In a packet marked, "Shakespeare & Posterity."
"Shakespeare & servants"
Y.d.1417 (837-853)
(837-851) Manuscript fragments of essays and notes. (852) Typed essay(s?). (853) Annotated newsclipping on "Comedy in Tragedy." In a packet marked, "Shakespeare & Servants MS uncollated."
"Shakesperian sisterhood"
Y.d.1417 (854-860)
(854-858) Fragments of manuscript essays; (858) entitled "A Shakespearean sisterhood: Imogen, Desdemona, & Hermione by J. Cuming Walters." (859-860) Printed pamphlets of (858). In a packet marked, "A Shakespearian Sisterhood 1906 booklet, canceled vers., manuscript (defective), and manuscript fragments."
"Shakespeare and the stage"
Y.d.1417 (861-909)
(861-886) Fragments of manuscript essays and notes. (887) Empty envelope addressed to Cumming Walters, Manchester, 1922 July 31. (888) Typed and manuscript essay with manuscript heading: "
Webster and
Tourneur '
The white devil' by
J. Addington Symonds, Webster's tribute to his fellow dramatists." (889) Card advertising lectures for Spring 1924 at the
Sheffield Poetry Club. (890-909) Newsclippings. In a packet marked, "Shakespeare and the Stage."
"Shakespeare the Stratford case MS"
Y.d.1417 (910)
Fragments of manuscript essay pasted to pages (some loose); separated into two columns, "Biographical Facts" and "Commentaries." In a packet marked, "Shakespeare The Stratford Case MS."
"Shakespeare's three earls"
Y.d.1417 (911)
Notebook containing a manuscript essay and notes. Filled with numerous newsclippings, excerpts from periodicals such as
The Englishwoman, cards listing upcoming lectures at
The Bolton Shakespeare Society and
The Manchester Shakespeare Society. In a packet marked, "Shakespeare's three earls."
Plays
Y.d.1417 (912-1094)
All's well that ends well,
Henry VIII,
Julius Caesar
Y.d.1417 (912-923)
In an envelope marked, "Cuming Walters Shakespeare | Alls well | Henry VII | Antony & Brutus | MS notes & cuttings." (912) Manuscript essay on
All's well that ends well, dated 1932. (913-914) Cards advertising the lecture schedule for the
Bolton Shakespeare Society for 1932-1933, including Cuming Walters' talk "A neglected drama:
All's well that ends well." (915-921) Newsclippings on
Cleopatra and
Henry VIII. (922) Typed essay answering the question posed in a newsclipping pasted at the top: "Debate: In the play of
Julius Caesar is
Brutus or
Antony the greater character?" (923) Printed copy of the first scene from each act of
Julius Caesar.
Antony and Cleopatra
Y.d.1417 (924-940)
(924) Manuscript essay "Shakespeare's tragedy of Antony & Cleopatra." (925-928) Fragments of manuscript and typed essays. (929-937) Miscellaneous manuscript notes. (938) Receipt from Cuming Walters to
Dr. Oliver, Treasurer of the
Manchester Shakespeare Society for five shillings. (939) Card listing upcoming lectures and events at the Autumn 1916 session of the
Manchester Shakespeare Society. (940) Newsclipping from
The times literary supplement on
Antony and Cleopatra. In a packet marked, "Shakespeare: Antony & Cleopatra MS notes & cuttings."
Cymbeline
Y.d.1417 (941-972)
(941-964) Full and fragmented manuscript notes and essays with titles such as "Coincidences & parallels between
Cymbeline and other Shakespeare dramas" and "Imogen's husband." (949) is a review of a performance of
Cymbeline held at the
Royal Amphitheatre Liverpool on July 25, 1863. (965) Is an undated autograph letter signed from
William Palmer, artist, to Cuming Walters regarding a production of
Cymbeline at the
Queen's Theatre; includes newsclippings on the same production. (966) Printed postcard to Mr. and Mrs. Cuming Walters announcing an upcoming meeting at the
Manchester Shakespeare Society. (967-972) Newsclippings. In a packet marked, "
Cymbeline."
Hamlet
Y.d.1417 (973-993)
(973-979) Fragments of manuscript essays and notes. (980) Printed flyer advertising a lecture by
Mrs. Leo Grindon on "some overlooked points in the text of
Hamlet." (981-993) Newsclippings. In a packet marked, "Shakespeare Hamlet."
Merchant of Venice
Y.d.1417 (994-1036)
(994-1007) Manuscript essays (mostly fragments) and notes; (994) titled "The merchant of Venice: a study of Jewish & Christian characters." (1008) Autograph postcard signed from [R & S?] to J.C. Walters, City News Office, Manchester; with two clippings of a news story on "Shakespeare's day: annual commemoration by
The Arts Club." (1009-1010) Flyers advertising Shakespeare commemorative events at
The Arts Club in Machester. (1011-1012) two offprint copies of Cuming Walter's essay "'The Merchant of Venice' a study of Jewish and Christian characters." (1013-1015) Cards advertising a Shakespeare birthday commemoration sponsored by the
Manchester Shakespeare Society and the 1904-5 lecture series at the
Manchester Social Club Literary & Debating Society. (1016) Manuscript notebook dated 1905; "
Merchant of Venice" on t.p. (1017) Full manuscript copy of
The Jew that Shakespeare drew. (1018-1019) Two print copies of
The Jew that Shakespeare drew. (1020-1036) Newsclippings.
A midsummer night's dream
Y.d.1417 (1037-1060)
(1037-1052) Partial manuscript copies or drafts of essays on
A midsummer night's dream. (1037), The longest fragment, is entitled "'
A midsummer night's dream' some thoughts on the drama of a young man by J. Cuming Walters." Also, notes and newsclippings on the same topic and (1060) a card advertising Cuming Walters'' lecture on "Great diaries--old and new" at the
Mechanics' Institute, September 25, 1925. Originally in packet marked, "Shakespeare & Ben Jonson, Shakespeare & critics, first folio, Shakespeares fortune, The name Shakespeare, Northumberland MS, A Midsummer nights dream."
Much ado about nothing
Y.d.1417 (1061-1067)
(1061) Manuscript essay, "Much ado about nothing: A short study of Shakespeare's comedy" by J. Cuming Walters. (1062-1066) Manuscript notes. (1067) Proof of Cuming Walters' essay with corrections. In packet marked, "
Much ado about nothing."
Romeo and Juliet
Y.d.1417 (1068-1085)
(1068-1071) Fragments of manuscript essays and notes. (1072) empty envelope dated 1914 September 17. (1073-1075) Cards and papers advertising lectures and events at the
Manchester Shakespeare Society, 1912-13, 1918. (1076-1085) Newsclippings. In a packet marked, "
Romeo and Juliet."
Twelfth night
Y.d.1417 (1086-1091)
(1086) Two leaves of manuscript notes. (1087-1091) Newsclippings. In a packet marked, "Twelfth night."
Two gentleman of Verona
Y.d.1417 (1092-1093)
(1092) Manuscript essay, "Verona and the Shakespeare dramas." (1093) Card advertising Walter Cumings' lecture "With Shakespeare in Verona" at the
Preston Shakespeare Society. In a packet marked, "Two gentleman of Verona."
The winter's tale
Y.d.1417 (1094)
Manuscript essay "'Winter's tale, historical and critical exposition" by J. Cuming Walters. In a packet marked, "Winter's tale."
Sonnets
Y.d.1417 (1095-1230)
"Jew sonnet theory"
Y.d.1417 (1095)
Manuscript notebook labelled "Jew sonnet theory" containing an essay dated 1903, some loose cards advertising lectures, clippings, and notes.
"Parallels between Shakespeare's sonnets and the dramas"
Y.d.1417 (1096)
Manuscript notebook. On t.p.: "Parallels bewteen Shakespeare's sonnets and the dramas: proving the connection between the two, and that the sonnets served to suggest subjects, to preserve leading ideas, to register thoughts and passing emotions, subsequently used up in the dramas."
"Shakespeare: sonnets
Mary Tytton cuttings ms"
Y.d.1417 (1097-1193)
(1097-1103) Manuscript essays and notes. (1104) Autograph letter signed from Cuming Walters to an unidentified recipient, 1899 June 3, regarding a review in the
Literary world of his book
The mystery of Shakespeare's sonnets. (1109-1113) Printed cards and flyers announcing upcoming events at the
Manchester Shakespeare Society and
Manchester Literary Club. (1114) Copy of
The guide: a monthly magazine for young men, July 1899, which contains a review of Cuming Walters'
The mystery of Shakespeare's sonnets. (1115-1193) Newsclippings. In a packet marked, "Shakespeare: sonnets
Mary Tytton cuttings ms."
"Shakespeare sonnets"
Y.d.1417 (1194-1228)
(1194-1222) Manuscript essays (mostly fragments) and notes; (1197) titled "The Pembroke theory in Shakespeare's sonnets." (1223-1228) Newsclippings. In a packet marked, "Shakespeare sonnets."
"The sonnets"
Y.d.1417 (1229-1230)
(1229) Manuscript essay, "The sonnets." (1230) Two leaves on "The
Mary Fitton theory."
Miscellaneous
Y.d.1417 (1231-2011)
The academy
Y.d.1417 (1231-1253)
Printed excerpts from
The academy, 1908-1913, bulk 1912-1913.
"Cuming Walters Shakespeare"
Y.d.1417 (1254-1261)
Miscellaneous material in a packet marked, "Cuming Walters Shakespeare." (1254) Manuscript of an essay, When '
Twelfth night' was first performed by J. Cuming Walters. (1255) Edited printed proof of (1254), with two bifolia of manuscript additions. (1256) Manuscript essay, "The mystery of Mr. W.H." (1257) Excerpt from
The Manchester quarterly, containing Cuming Walters' essay, "A Shakespearean sisterhood: Imogen, Desdemona and Hermione." (1258) Autograph letter signed from
Alfred F. Robbins,
Birmingham daily post, to Cuming Walters, discussing (1259), a printed copy of Robbins' address, "Shakespeare as a journalist." (1260) Print copy of an article from the
Manchester city news regarding the Shakespeare tercentenary celebration in Manchester. (1261) a blank notebook containing some newsclippings.
"First folio"
Y.d.1417 (1262-1302)
(1262-1284) Wrapped in a folder marked, "First folio." Newsclippings, a review of
Lewis Theobald's edition of Shakespeare's
Works (1733), an essay on the "Early mutilators of Shakespeare" in
Poet-lore magazine, and "The genuine text of Shakespeare" in
The national review. Originally in packet marked, "Shakespeare & Ben Jonson, Shakespeare & Critics, First Folio, Shakespeares Fortune, The Name Shakespeare, Northumberland MS, A Midsummer Nights Dream." (1285-1302) Fragments of mansucript essays and notes.
"Forgeries"
Y.d.1417 (1303-1311)
Manuscript notes on apocrypha and forgeries and a printed leaf from
The great Victorian imposture. In a packet marked "Forgeries."
"Shakespeare's fortune"
Y.d.1417 (1312-1326)
Manuscript notes on Shakespeare's finances along with miscellaneous newsclippings. Originally in packet marked, "Shakespeare & Ben Jonson, Shakespeare & critics, First folio, Shakespeares fortune, The name Shakespeare, Northumberland MS, A midsummer nights dream."
"The name Shakespeare'"
Y.d.1417 (1327-1331)
Part of a manuscript essay and manuscript notes. In a folded front cover of the
Manchester opera house's publication,
The courier, No. 3 Vol. 1, September 1932. Originally in packet marked, "Shakespeare & Ben Jonson, Shakespeare & critics, First folio, Shakespeares fortune, The name Shakespeare, Northumberland MS, A midsummer nights dream."
"Shakespearian pamphlets??"
Y.d.1417 (1332-1425)
Miscellaneous material in a packet marked, "Shakesperian pamphlets??" (1332-1351) Fragments of manuscript essays and notes, mainly pertaining to
The merchant of Venice. (1352-1361) Autograph letters and postcard signed to Cuming Walters, 1914-1924; mostly from
Isabel Hutchinson at the
Bolton Shakespeare Society; Some undated. (1362-1364) Typed essay fragments with manuscript corrections and additions on
The Jew of Malta and
The merchant of Venice. (1365-66) Card and flyer advertising Walter Cumings' lectures on Shylock. (1367-1400) Clippings. (1401) Folder labelled, "Personality & Shakespeare," filled with manuscript notes. (1402-1411) Folder of clippings and manuscript notes mostly pertaining to Shakespeare authorship and
Francis Bacon. (1412-1421) Manuscript notes and clippings in a packet marked, "Misc. Bacon." (1422-1425) Letter facsimile, clipping, and advertisement for
Alfred Dodd's edition of Shakespeare's sonnets.
Shakespeare Tercentenary
Y.d.1417 (1426-1471)
Tickets, flyers and card advertisments, a printed article, manuscript notes, newsclippings concerning Shakespeare tercentenary celebrations.
Printed syllabuses and programs
Y.d.1417 (1472-1501)
Cards and flyers announcing lectures and events at the
Manchester Shakespeare Society,
Knutsford Literary Society,
Machester Literary Club,
Manchester Social Club Literary and Debating Society,
Manchester Shakespeare Tercentenary Association,
Manchester Principal Teachers' Association,
Birmingham Dramatic Club, and the
Arts Club Manchester. Also, two copies of a printed pamphlet on The Shakespeare Fellowship sponsored by the
Hackney spectator.
Loose newsclippings
Y.d.1417 (1502-1524)
Newsclippings found loose in the original collection boxes.
"The [appearance?] of the problem | how the search began"
Y.d.1417 (1525-1527)
Three manuscript chapters for a book. In a folder marked, "The [appearance?] of the problem | how the search began."
"The open question"
Y.d.1417 (1528-1546)
Manuscript essays and notes in a folder marked "The open question." Headings include "The problem of
Ben Jonson" (1528) and "
Venus and Adonis" (1533).
Notebook of newsclippings
Y.d.1417 (1547)
Notebook (mostly blank) containing loose and pasted in newclippings. Topics include Shakespeare and
Rabelais and Shakespeare's birthplace.
"Shakespeare's Biography"
Y.d.1417 (1548)
Manuscript essay.
"Bibliography"
Y.d.1417 (1549)
Manuscript bibliography for an unidentified project, separated into sections such as "Stratford," "Baconian," "Oxfordian."
A. Stage action, etc.
Y.d.1417 (1550-1589)
Manuscript essays and notes on Elizabethan theatre. (1550) entitled "Shakespeare for the study or the stage?" (1589) is a newsclipping from the
Radio times, May 12, 1933, "
S.R. Littlewood explains why Shakespeare is the greatest radio dramatist."
In orange folder.
B. Bacon
Y.d.1417 (1590-1680)
Manuscript notes and fragments of essays; headings include "Bacon on poetry," "Bacon and bribes," "Bacon's character," "The life of
Francis Bacon," "Did Bacon confess?" "Bacon &
Poetaster."
In orange folder.
B. Bork and [Kefer?]
Y.d.1417 (1681-1689)
Miscellaneous manuscript notes on the Shakespearea authorship controversy.
In orange folder.
C. Conclusions and summaries
Y.d.1417 (1690-1776)
Manuscript notes and essays. (1702) headed "The concealed authorship."
E. Evidence & witnesses
Y.d.1417 (1777-1801)
Manuscript notes and essay fragments. (1777) is headed "Chapter: a cloudy witness." (1801) Newsclipping of a letter to the editor from
G.B. Harrison, regarding "Shakespeare, Essex and 'Richard the Second'"
In orange folder.
G. Group and collaboration
Y.d.1417 (1802-1830)
Manuscript notes and essay fragments; headings include "Was Shakespeare a woman?" and "The derby theory."
In orange folder.
L. Language letters
Y.d.1417 (1831-1855)
Manuscript notes on Shakespeare's education and the existence of his alleged signature and handwriting.
In orange folder.
O. [Outlines?]
Y.d.1417 (1856-1905)
In orange folder.
P. Preface and preliminaries
Y.d.1417 (1906-1964)
In orange folder.
R. References authorities sceptics
Y.d.1417 (1965-1987)
Manuscript notes and essay fragments, including lists of Stratfordians and anti-Stratfordians.
In orange folder.
V. De Vere
Y.d.1417 (1988)
Manuscript essay on
Edward de Vere.
In orange folder.
V. Volumes analyzed and Tri[butes?]
Y.d.1417 (1989-2011)
(1989-2009) Manuscript notes. (2010-2011) Printed form, "Notice of Interest and Dividend," for
A.W. Gamage, Limited.
In orange folder.