http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/dcsf268k425
The collection is open for research.
Purchased from Arthur Fournier in June 2025 (AM 2026-026).
No materials were removed from the collection during 2025 processing.
Materials are in the order in which they were received from the dealer.
Previously in the collection of Dr. Paul Génard.
For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the
Collection described and processed by Lauren C. Williams in September 2025, incorporating description provided by the dealer.
Consists of typed manuscripts of plays from the repertoire of the Théâtre Noir et Blanc, including some illustrated with photographs and printed plates of shadow scenes, as well as typed and manuscript articles, advertisement leaflets, newspaper clippings, and a typed manuscript list of shadow plays in the French language.
Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under
Paul Vieillard (1883-1955) was a student at the École polytechnique in Paris when he participated in the school's annual tradition of a puppet theater show that depicted the faculty. Following the show, Vieillard took up shadow puppetry, initially as a hobby. In 1910, the year Vieillard turned 27, his theater company, Théâtre Noir et Blanc, debuted the first of at least thirteen shows, which included both original works by Vieillard and new stagings. The theater was both a passion project he operated alongside his work as a scientist, and a centerpiece of Vieillard's life. After retiring around 1930, he dedicated his full attention to the Théâtre Noir et Blanc.
Two satirical albums, oblong 8° (16x25 cm), in facsimile printing, 1919-1920, 43 and 49 pages, illustrating the teachers and officers of Ecole Polytechnique, with shadow portraits accompanied by lyrics to be sung under specific musical tunes.
Two albums, 8°, entitled "Ombres d'hier et d'aujourd'hui, X," 22 and 24 pages, containing 82 shadow portraits.
The illustrated program of a play created by Paul Vieillard and some fellow students, "Le cocon magnifique. Revue des noces d'argent de la promo 1904. Donnée en unique représentation à la maison de X le 26 mai 1929, Despinoy Ingénieur, Paris." One printed pamphlet, 4°, (2), 40, 2 pages.
Les Ombres à l'X et hors de l'X. Versailles 10 Mai 1931. Groupe versaillais des anciens "X" ; 29 pages.
Rayons X. Versailles 20 Mai 1933. "Grande revue Ombresque et Polytechnicienne," 3 typed notebooks of 33 pages each, 2 of them annotated.
Two notebooks dated 1934, containing the reduced version of the play; 2 notebooks, one dated 1937-1949, with the full version; 4 pages of typed text on the "Grand Prix de Caran d'Ache."
Two typed notebooks of 21 pages each.
Two typed notebooks; one pamphlet titled "Revue fantaisiste des Actualités de Juillet 1937."
Consists of: one pamphlet containing 5 typed pages with the description of each scene and 5 manuscript pages of technical details (observations, subject, place, time, etc.), illustrated with 27 shadow figures; 8 notebooks without the illustrations but with manuscript indications to the team of the Théâtre Noir et Blanc (electrician, stage manager, operators, etc.); one notebook with the typed text only; one notebook with the typed text and the 27 shadow figures.
One pamphlet with 23 shadow plates, some folding.
Consists of: one typed pamphlet, 5 pages, illustrated with 45 small photographs of settings; one typed notebook, (1), 12 pages of text, followed by a typed list of the scenes, 5 pages; 2 typed notebooks with 5 pages of text.
Consists of: 3 typed notebooks; 2 typed notebooks illustrated with 44 tiny photographs of the settings and zinc figures designed by Amédée Lynen and preserved by E. Vial; one typed notebook illustrated with 44 small photographs of settings and zinc figures; one typed notebook illustrated with 94 small photographs.
Consists of: 3 typed notebooks with text and 75 small photographs of settings; one typed notebook with text only; one typed notebook with text only, dated 1941.
Preliminary project, typed text with ink annotations and drawings of the 9 scenes
Early version of the text and manuscript notes.
One typed notebook and one loose leaf with manuscript description of the settings.
Three copies, 4°, typed manuscript with numerous manuscript annotations, sleeve with manuscript title. Some manuscript notes indicate that the copies were updated between 10 and 15 December 1952. With a Liste des pièces d'ombres françaises dont on a au moins quelques éléments, 3 copies, 4°, 18 typed pages.
Manuscript article on the shadow figures designed by the Belgian painter Amédée Lynen (1852-1938). 12°, (6) leaves of text and (10) leaves of notes on the use of Lynen's zinc figures.
Includes 10 typed pages of an "Abrégé des principes, procédés et tours de mains mis en oeuvre dans ce théatre par son fondateur," May 1949, and several typed leaves compiling the "opinions of specialised critics", 1935-1939.
Four drawings of puppets, on calque paper, and one ink drawing of a shadow puppet from Java ("Ombre javanaise").
Various presentation brochures of shadow plays (20 x 16 cm), 1937-1955, printed and typed, illustrated with shadow figures.
Newspaper clippings on Paul Vieillard and his Theatre.