Raḳoṿ, N. (Naḥum), 1866-1927

The collection contains play manuscripts, programs, playbills, posters, photographs, correspondence, agreements, scrapbooks, clippings, printed ephemera, and memorabilia relating to Yiddish theater primarily in the early twentieth century, especially the interwar period. Also included are items of printed ephemera related to Yiddish film, Hebrew theater, and a broad range of Jewish performers, including cantors, singers and dancers. Geographically, the materials originate predominantly in Poland and other parts of Eastern Europe, including parts of the Russian Empire and, later, the Soviet Union; and, to a lesser extent, the United States, especially New York City. Also included are materials from Western Europe, Palestine (Eretz Israel), South America, and other regions around the world. Among the theater personalities represented in the collection with significant amounts of material are Herz Grossbard, David Herman, Joseph Winogradoff, Rudolf Zaslavsky, Zygmunt Turkow, Jonas Turkow, Moyshe Lipman, Ida Kaminska, and Esther Rachel Kaminska. The theater groups best represented include the Varshever Yidisher Kunst-Teater (VYKT; Warsaw Yiddish Art Theater), founded by Zygmunt Turkow and Ida Kaminska; the Vilna Troupe; Yung Teater / Nay Teater (Warsaw; Vilna), under the direction of Michael Weichert; the Moscow State Yiddish Theater (known by its Russian acronym "GOSET"); Maurice Schwartz's Yiddish Art Theatre, of New York; and the Hebrew theater "Habimah." A wide variety of other professional as well as amateur theater groups are represented with smaller amounts of material.

Title page gives alternate title transliterated in Russian: "Khantshe in Amerike." Russian censor's stamp, St. Petersburg, 31 October 1913, and stamp for tax, 29 October 1913 (title page), as well as red wax seal (last page). Russian-language stamp of N. S. Lipovski Theater, 6 February 1917, and Yiddish-language stamp of N. Lipovski as administrator, "Idishe truppe," and honorary member of the Russian Imperial Dramatic Association. Accession no. 335/3596 (stamp).

According to the title page, a work by "Lebel," translated ("übersetzt") by N. S. Lipovski; however, it is evidently an adaptation of "Khantshe in Amerike" by N. Rakow.

- "Dzhekele blofer" in an unspecified locality. Production of Vilner Fareynigte Yidishe Trupe, under the direction of D. Fingerut. Benefit for Cecilia Strashun and Leyb Kuznietsov. Directed by Ben-Aminov.

- "Der talmed khokhem" in Koło, 1917.

In transliterated Yiddish. Russian censor's stamp, St. Petersburg, 26 October 1913, and stamp for tax, 20 September and 24 October 1913 (title page), as well as red wax seal (last page). Russian-language stamp of N. S. Lipovski Jewish Theater, and Yiddish-language stamp of Lipovski as administrator, "Idishe truppe," and honorary member of the Russian Imperial Dramatic Association. Accession no. 4/1194 (stamp). Original folder no. 4248.

The Rakow play (stamped no. 173445 to 173488) is signed at end as copied by Roza Osofsky. Includes song lyrics. On the page with list of characters, penciled names of actors, including "Lipovski." According to Zylbercweig (IV: 2503) a manuscript of this work by Rakow was held in the Nahum Lipovski archive in YIVO Vilna, and later YIVO New York (although the item does not have the typical stamp of the Lipovski theater). Accession no. 398/3659 (stamp).

The notebook also includes, starting at the back (no. 173496-173489), a partial copy of the following play:

שטיינבערג, שלמה / Steinberg, Samuel. די גערעכטיגקייט / Di gerekhtigkeyt (Justice). Drama in 4 acts.

Actor's role book for role of "Sorele." Refers to 4 acts. Notebook cover is printed in Russian. Accession no. 1074/5990 (stamp). 5 leaves. Originally stored together with role books related to three other works, in a paper enclosure bearing an Esther-Rachel Kaminska Theater Museum label. (The other items are in Folders 4107A, with the paper enclosure; 4251A; and 4271A.)

The alternate title is also given in German ("Die jüdische Romeo), characterized as an operetta instead of a tragic comedy. A note on the title page in German indicates the manuscript is the property of S. Gimpel. Cover has Russian-language labeling from an unidentified theater library. Accession no. 47/2325 (stamp).

Translation and adaptation by Rakow, of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet."

After the end of the play (verso of stamped no. 173527) is a separate section, apparently of song lyrics (no. 173528-173535). Russian-language stamp of N. S. Lipovski Theater, 6 February 1917. Accession no. 380/3641 (stamp).

Russian-language stamp of N. S. Lipovski Theater, 6 February 1917. Appears to be very similar to the manuscript of the same play found in Folder 4244, including a section of song lyrics at the end (verso of no. 173570 to 173580). Accession no. 381/3642 (stamp).

Copied by actor A. Gerer (signed on last page). Note on title page indicates copy of manuscript for censor, dated 20 June[?] 1911. Russian-language stamp of N. S. Lipovski Theater, 6 February 1917. Stationer's stamp (front flyleaf), Symon Lipowski, Wilno (Vilna). Accession no. 379/3640 (stamp).