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Mark Schweid (1891-1969) Papers

 Collection — Box: CB-P10, Folder: P-430
Identifier: P-340

Scope and Content Note

This collection consists of fifteen typescripts and manuscripts of Yiddish radio plays dealing with topics in early American Jewish history, written by Yiddish actor and director Mark Schweid. The plays were produced on station WEVD in New York in 1935-1936. There is also a newspaper clipping, a blank subscription card, and two envelopes, all related to the Bronx Art Theatre, where Schweid was the director in 1930-1931.

Dates

  • Creation: undated, 1930-1936

Creator

Language of Materials

The collection is in Yiddish and English.

Access Restrictions

The collection is open to all researchers, except items that may be restricted due to their fragility, or privacy.

Use Restrictions

No permission is required to quote, reproduce or otherwise publish manuscript materials found in this collection, as long as the usage is scholarly, educational, and non-commercial. For inquiries about other usage, please contact the Director of Collections and Engagement at mmeyers@ajhs.org.

For reference questions, please email: inquiries@cjh.org

Biographical Note

Yiddish actor, director, writer, and theater critic Mark Schweid was born on May 15, 1891 in Warsaw, Poland. He graduated from the Polish Dramatic Society in Warsaw and acted in the Yiddish and Polish theater. He also wrote numerous plays and poems and was part of I.L. Peretz’s circle in Warsaw, publishing extensively on Peretz’s life and work. He immigrated to the New York in 1911 where he collaborated on productions with Maurice Schwartz in the Yiddish Art Theater.

Schweid acted on the Yiddish stage as well as on Broadway in the 1910s through the 1940s. He also and also made a few movies with director Sidney M. Goldin, including “East Side Sadie” (1929) and “Uncle Moses” (1932) with Maurice Schwartz. He made his film directorial debut on the 1929 film, “Wedding on the Volga,” in which he also acted. From 1930 to 1931, Schweid was the director of the Bronx Art Theatre, where he also acted. Despite positive reviews, the Bronx theater was perhaps too far from Second Avenue and Schweid only lasted for one year. Mark Schweid died on December 2, 1969 in New York City from Parkinson’s Disease.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet (3 folders)

Abstract

This collection consists of typescripts and manuscripts of Yiddish radio plays written by Yiddish actor and director Mark Schweid (1891-1969). Also includes There are also four items of ephemera related to the Bronx Art Theatre.

Arrangement

The collection has been arranged alphabetically in one series.

Physical Location

Collection is located in Consolidated Box P10.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Mark Schweid in 1940.

Related Material

The YIVO Archives have the Papers of Mark Schweid, RG 357. There are also numerous Yiddish theater collections at YIVO in which Mark Schweid is represented, including the Records of the Hebrew Actors Union, RG 1843. The libraries at YIVO and the American Jewish Historical Society have several of his plays, books of poetry, and his English and Yiddish translations of plays. The YIVO Library also has copies of the film “Uncle Moses.” Several of the posters in the Theater and Film Poster Collection of Abram Kanof, P-978 are of productions that Schweid acted in.

Separated Material

There is no information about materials that are associated by provenance to the described materials that have been physically separated or removed.

Processing information

Processed by Rachel S. Harrison as part of the Leon Levy Archival Processing Initiative, made possible by the Leon Levy Foundation.

Title
Guide to the Mark Schweid (1891-1969) Papers, undated, 1930-1936 P-340
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Rachel S. Harrison
Date
©2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Description is in English.
Sponsor
as part of the Leon Levy Archival Processing Initiative, made possible by the Leon Levy Foundation.

Revision Statements

  • June, October 2020: EHyman: post-ASpace migration cleanup.

Repository Details

Part of the American Jewish Historical Society Repository

Contact:
15 West 16th Street
New York NY 10011 United States