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Overview of the Collection |
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| Creator: | Leyda, Jay, 1910-1988 | |
| Title: | Sergei Eisenstein Collection | |
| Inclusive Dates: | 1900-1980 | |
| Quantity: | 2 linear feet | |
Arrangement |
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| The collection is arranged into five series as follows: | ||
| Series A. Scrapbook of Eisenstein Material | ||
| Series B. Correspondence | ||
| Series C. Miscellaneous: Cables, Notes, Receipts, Booklets, etc. | ||
| Series D. Manuscripts, Drawings, and Notes | ||
| Series E. Published Works | ||
| Series F. Russian Typescripts | ||
Sergei Mikhailovich Eisenstein was born in Riga, Latvia on January 23, 1898. At the age of 19 he helped to manage an experimental theater and a circus in Moscow while studying civil engineering and architecture. During the Russian Civil War he organized theatrical performances for the Red Army and also painted and designed the scenery. In 1920 he joined the first workers' theater, the Proletkult, where he served as art director and producer of plays.
He left the theater in 1924 and created his first film, Strike. The Battleship Potemkin (1925) brought him to the attention of critics in the United States and England. October of Ten Days that Shook the World followed in 1928 and, the next year, The General Line.
Eisenstein came to America in 1930 to work for Paramount. He was assigned to direct Sutter's Gold and a film adaption of Theodore Dreiser's novel An American Tragedy; neither project was completed. In 1932, in collaboration with Upton Sinclair, Eisenstein went to Mexico City to begin filming Que Viva Mexico. The picture generated much acrimony in the film world and was never completed. Eisenstein returned to Russia in 1932 where he began his next project, the pageant opera Alexander Nevsky (1938). In 1940 he worked on a project, Love of a Poet based on Pushkin's Boris Godunov. Between 1942 and 1946 Eisenstein completed parts I & II of his last film Ivan the Terrible, starring Cherkasov. He was working on part III when he died of a heart attack in Moscow, February 19, 1948.
Eisenstein is probably best known for his use of montage. His philosophy of films and film-making is revealed in published collections of his essays, especially The Film Sense (1942) and Film Form (1949).
A collection of material on the Russian filmmaker Sergei Eisenstein, 1898-1948, collected by Jay Leyda, eminent film historian and former assistant to the curator in the Museum's Film Library, 1936-1940. Especially noteworthy in the collection are Eisenstein's family scrapbook, correspondence with Leyda, and material relating to the filming of An American Tragedy. Much of the material in the collection was used by Leyda in his writing on Eisenstein, most notably in Eisenstein at Work, a book co-authored by Leyda and Zina Voynow in 1982 and published by Pantheon and MoMA.
The records are open for research and contain no restricted materials.
The Sergei Eisenstein Collection is the physical property of The Museum of Modern Art. Literary rights, including copyright belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. Rights to work produced during the normal course of Museum business resides with The Museum of Modern Art. For further information, and to obtain permission to publish or reproduce, contact the staff of the MoMA Archives.
Index Terms |
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| This collection is indexed under the following headings in the library catalog of The Museum of Modern Art. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings. | ||
| Subjects: | ||
| Dreiser, Theodore, 1871-1945 -- Film adaptations | ||
| Eisenstein, Sergei, 1898-1948 | ||
| Montagu, Ivor Goldsmid Samuel, 1904-1984 -- Correspondence | ||
| Motion picture producers and directors -- Soviet Union -- Archives | ||
| Motion pictures -- Soviet Union -- History -- Sources | ||
| Document Types: | ||
| Correspondence | ||
| Photographs | ||
| scrapbooks | ||
Most of the material was gathered by Jay Leyda, deposited in the MoMA Library circa 1980, and transferred to the MoMA Archives in 1998. Other items were given to the MoMA Library and transferred to this collection at various times over the past decades. The items in E.9 and E.11* were donated to the MoMA Library by Carl Gottlieb in 1978; they were transferred to this collection in 2023.
Published citations should take the following form:
Long version: Sergei Eisenstein Collection, [series.folder]. The Museum of Modern Art Archives, New York.
Short version: Eisenstein, [series.folder]. MoMA Archives, NY.
In 1983, the Series A. scrapbook was entirely dismantled and its contents placed in two albums and one manuscript box. The
entire scrapbook was microfilmed, mf no. 23, and a photocopy of the microfilm is stored in A.20. (As of 2023, this microfilm
reel is missing.)
In 2023, the collection was rehoused according to archival standards: scrapbook pages and large drawings were placed in folders
in one oversize box; other papers and publications were placed in folders in four manuscript boxes; and, three microfilm reels
were placed in one index card box. These three microfilm reels (D.3*, E.10*, and E.11*) and two bound typescripts (D.1 and
D.2) were transferred from the MoMA Library to this collection. Lastly, the physical arrangement of the items, according to
this finding aid, was restored.
Explanation of Abbreviations
E. is Sergei Eisenstein.
ALS is an Autographed Letter Signed.
TLS is a Typed Letter Signed.
TL stands for Typed Letter.
MoMA is The Museum of Modern Art.
n.d. stands for no date.
re: stands for regarding.
Series A. Scrapbook of Eisenstein Material 1900-1930 |
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Assembled by Eisenstein between approx. 1900-30. Gift to MoMA Library, 1936. Includes early photographs; portraits; typescript and translation of Principles of Film Form; typescript and correspondence regarding Que Viva Mexico; synopsis and drawings for Sutter's Gold; drawings for Hamlet.
The scrapbook was dismantled in 1983, and is now stored in an oversize archival box. The entire scrapbook was microfilmed, mf no. 23, and a photocopy of the microfilm is stored in A.20. (As of 2023, this microfilm reel is missing.)
The contents are described below by page number. |
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| Folder | Title | Date |
| A.0* | Table of Contents | |
| A.1* | Early Childhood Photographs | |
| A.1-A | Black and White Duplicate Print of a Photograph on the Scrapbook Page in A.1* | |
| A.1-B | Black and White Duplicate Print of a Photograph on the Scrapbook Page in A.1* | |
| A.1-C | Black and White Duplicate Print of a Photograph on the Scrapbook Page in A.1* | |
| A.1-D | Black and White Duplicate Print of a Photograph on the Scrapbook Page in A.1* | |
| A.2* | Boyhood Photographs | |
| A.3* | Photographs of Eisenstein in Character of an English Policeman | |
| A.4* | Portrait Photograph of Eisenstein | |
| A.5* | Photographs of Eisenstein | |
| A.6* | Photograph of Eisenstein with Mei Lan-fang | |
| A.7 | Photograph of Eisenstein This scrapbook page was blank. A note on the blank page, referring to the photograph that had once been there, reads, "Removed - Given to Robert Flaherty." See bound copy of microfilm in A.20 for an image of the photograph that is no longer part of this collection. |
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| A.8* | Photograph of Eisenstein and Staff During Filming of Ten Days | |
| A.9* | Portrait Photograph of Eisenstein by Gene Robert Richee | |
| A.9-A | Black and White Duplicate Print of a Photograph on the Scrapbook Page in A.9* | |
| A.10* | Portrait Photograph of Eisenstein by Gene Robert Richee | |
| A.10-A | Black and White Duplicate Print of a Photograph on the Scrapbook Page in A.10* | |
| A.11* | "Winter" (Childhood Poem) and Postcard | |
| A.12* | Reproduction of a Drawing by Duncant (Original Owned by Eisenstein) | |
| A.13 | Principles of Film Form 13 pages, carbon copy of typed translation into English by Ivor Montagu |
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| A.14 | Principles of Film Form 23 pages, original typescript in German, dated April 1929, Moscow |
1929 |
| A.14-A | Photocopies of Principles of Film Form in A.14 | |
| A.15* | Montage Fragments From Potemkin and Generallinee |
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| A.15-A | Photostats of Montage Fragments in A.15* | |
| A.16 | Que Viva Mexico Typescript of Upton Sinclair interrogation |
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| A.17 | Sutter's Gold Scene synopsis (typescript) and drawings. |
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| A.18a | An American Tragedy "Map of Action of American Tragedy." Includes brief summary of events in each chapter. |
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| A.18b | An American Tragedy 2 sketches |
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| A.18c | An American Tragedy Directives |
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| A.18d | An American Tragedy Letter from Eisenstein to his mother with English translations |
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| A.19* | Hamlet Drawings |
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| A.20 | Bound Copy of Microfilm of Scrapbook Included are a copy of the original scrapbook page A.7 (representing the photograph that is no longer part of this collection) and copies of several envelopes, which were also removed from the collection at some point prior to 1998. |
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Series B. Correspondence 1931-1949 |
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Includes correspondence from Eisenstein to Jay Leyda (1939?-1942), to Ivor & Hell Montagu (1933-39, 1946), to Elizabeth Eagan (1946), M. Renaud (October 13, 1932), to Mr. Koboyashi (Dec. 14, 1931), from Leyda to Eisenstein (1939-42); telegrams (1939-49), largely from E. to Leyda. |
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| Folder | Title | Date |
| B.1 | Pencil Drawings and Notes in Russian in Eisenstein's Hand (Black and red), of costume sketches, and listing of needed costumes for film Bezhin Meadow (never produced), single leaf, drawings and notes on both sides. |
n.d. |
| B.2 | 8"x10" Negative of Above Original Made by Leyda. |
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| B.3 | Letter in English in Eisenstein's Hand Single leaf in ink, from Moscow to Leyda, with envelope postmarked Moscow, writing on both sides, no date on either side; re: "El Greco y El Cinema" |
n.d. |
| B.4 | Letter in English in Eisenstein's Hand In ink, to Leyda, with envelope postmarked Moscow; 2 leaves, writing on both sides of each leaf (4 sides), signed by E. in large signature in colored red pencil. |
2/2/1937 |
| B.5 | Letter in English in Eisenstein's Hand In ink, to Leyda, with envelope postmarked Moscow. Letter undated, but postmarked "Received New York, August 28, 1939." Single leaf, folded, writing on 3 sides; re: film on Tamburlaine, and marvels of Samarkand, Bokhara. |
8/28/1939 |
| B.6 | Letter in English in Eisenstein's Hand To Leyda, with blue printed letterhead marked "BHHTOK," single leaf, writing on both sides, undated, but probably 1941 per Leyda. Re: Montage, 1938. |
ca. 1941 |
| B.7 | Typewritten Letter, Original From Eisenstein to Leyda, dated Moscow, January, 1946, single leaf, typing on one side only, signed in ink by E.; re: cutting and shooting second part of Ivan. |
1946 |
| B.8 | Glossy Positive Photostat Copy of Letter From Eisenstein In English, from Imperial Hotel, Mexico City, dated Dec.14, 1931, to Mr. Kobayashi, a theatre specialist, not the film director. 6 single leaves, writing one side only. |
12/14/1931 |
| B.9 | Manuscript Letter from Eisenstein to Miss [Elizabeth] Eagan Pencil, 1 leaf, both sides, envelope. |
5/26/1946 |
| B.10 | Manuscript Letter from Eisenstein to Miss Eagan Ink, 1 leaf, one side only, envelope. |
[4]/24/1946 |
| B.11 | Manuscript Letter from Eisenstein to Miss Eagan Blue pencil, 1 leaf, both sides, envelope. |
n.d. |
| B.12 | Manuscript letter from Eisenstein to Miss Eagan Blue pencil, 1 leaf, both sides. |
1946 |
| B.13 | Photocopy of Manuscript Letter from Eisenstein to M. Renaud Moscow, in French, 4 pages, re: Que Viva Mexico. |
10/13/1932 |
| B.14 | Manuscript Letter from Eisenstein to Jay [Leyda] Moscow, blue ink, 1 leaf, both sides, signed in red pencil, re: Nevsky clippings. |
5/12/1939 |
| B.15 | Manuscript Letter from Eisenstein to Jay [Leyda] Green ink, 1 leaf, both sides, re: Ivan the Terrible. |
10/1933 or 10/1943 |
| B.16 | Carbon Copy of Typed Letter from Jay Leyda to S.M. [Eisenstein] 2 leaves, re: Nevsky and a new film magazine (Martin Kamin) |
5/2/1939 |
| B.17 | Carbon Copy of Typed Letter from Leyda to Sergei Mikhailovich [Eisenstein] 3 leaves, re: Eisenstein's book on film. |
10/5/1941 |
| B.18 | Carbon of Typed Letter from Leyda to S.M. "The night before Christmas," 1 leaf, attached: 8 pages of typed notes. |
n.d. |
| B.19 | Carbon of Typed Letter from Leyda to Sergei Eisenstein "Happy New Year," 1 leaf, re: Film Form |
n.d. |
| B.20 | Carbon of Typed Letter from Leyda to Eisenstein 1 leaf. |
3/2/1942 |
| B.21 | Carbon of Typed Letter from Leyda to S.M. Beginning "Your book is a success," 3 leaves. |
n.d. |
| B.22 | Holiday Card from Ivor and Hell Montagu to Jay Leyda and Silvia Includes a reproduction of a drawing by Eisenstein, titled "The Script Writer." |
1949 |
| B.23 | Photocopied Correspondence between Eisenstein and Ivor Montagu Photocopies were originally sent to Jay Leyda in 1979. |
1933-1946 |
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Series C. Miscellaneous: Cables, Notes, Receipts, Booklets, etc. |
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| Folder | Title | Date |
| C.1 | Carbon of Cable from Irsky Amtorg to E. | 11/26/1941 |
| C.2 | 9 Cables Bearing RCA Letterhead from Eisenstein to Leyda in New York | 1939-1942 |
| C.3 | 3 Cables Bearing MacKay Radio Letterhead from Eisenstein to Leyda in New York Two have no year indicated. |
12/4/1944 |
| C.4 | 21 Cables Bearing Western Union Letterhead from Eisenstein to Leyda in Hollywood, CA. | 1945-49 |
| C.5 | 6 Typed Pages of Notes First page entitled "Table of Contents for QVM Bulletin;" other pages provide more detailed outline of planned contents. |
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| C.6 | 1 Typed Page in Purple Ink Essay in Russian, "On Cinematic Form," Berlin, Autumn 1929. |
1929 |
| C.7 | 7 Pages, Carbon, of Russian Typing by Eisenstein Includes 2 page essay by Eisenstein, "Our October," and 5 additional pages (biography of E.) |
3/8/1928 |
| C.8 | 1 Montage Fragment In negative photostat form, of a sketch by E. from the film An American Tragedy, showing Roberta alone in the boat. (Also 3 positive prints of the photostat.) |
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| C.9 | 2 Small Notebook Pages With notes in pencil; one in English beginning "Yes more than interested ... " the other in Russian. |
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| C.10 | 2 Copies of the Dust Jacket for Eisenstein's Book The Film Sense (Harcourt, Brace & Company). Jacket design by E. McKnight Kauffer. |
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| C.11 | 3 Receipts from Brentano's Bookstore, Los Angeles For books purchased by Leyda, only one dated. |
2/5/48 |
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Series D. Manuscripts, Drawings and Notes |
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Includes two bound copies and one microfilm copy of Eisenstein's Treatment of An American Tragedy, 1930; several facsimiles of drawings for Pushkin film; and one photograph of Cherkasov as Ivan the Terrible, inscribed. |
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| Folder | Title | Date |
| D.1 | Eisenstein's Treatment of An American Tragedy Carbon copy, bound in green buckram. |
1930 |
| D.2 | Eisenstein's Treatment of An American Tragedy Carbon copy, bound in red buckram. |
1930 |
| D.3* | Microfilm Copy of Eisenstein's Treatment of An American Tragedy Microfilm copy of the bound typescript in D.1. |
1930 |
| D.4 | Facsimile of Drawings for Pushkin Film | 1940 |
| D.5 | Photograph of Cherkasov as Ivan the Terrible Inscribed. |
1943 |
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Series E. Published Works |
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| Folder | Title | Date |
| E.1 | Booklet entitled
CTAYKA 17 pages in Russian. Inscription by E. inside front cover marked Moscow 1934 (?). Also marked Strike (1924). |
ca. 1924-1934 |
| E.2 | Small Booklet on Mei Lan-Fang 6.5"x4.75," paginated 7 through 34. Articles by E. and Tretyokov, Moscow, 1935, in Russian. |
1935 |
| E.3 | Small Booklet by Vishnevsky Defending E. 6.25"x4.5," in Russian, Moscow, 1939. 31 numbered pages, signed inscription to Leyda on the title page. |
1939 |
| E.4 | Program Booklet for
Die Walküre, Moscow Text by V. Ferman and S.M. Eizenshtein; Eisenstein designed the scenery and costumes for the production. MoMA's copy inscribed by Eisenstein, "Dear Jay [Leyda]!This here is for your personal fun and enjoyment..." with sketches and annotations. |
1940 |
| E.5 | Film Chronicle no. 2 2 articles by E. |
Feb. 1945 |
| E.6 | Dreiser, Theodore, An American Tragedy (New York: Boni & Liveright, 1925) Volume 2 only; boxed and bound in black. Cataloged: Spec. Coll. 88.2/D814 An inquiry by Ted Berry to C. Phillpot, 4/6/78, prompted the following conclusions: vol. 2 was the only volume annotated by E.; vol. 2 was the only volume given to MoMA Library by Jay Leyda. |
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| E.7 | Montagu, Ivor,
With Eisenstein in Hollywood (New York: International Publishers, 1967) Uncataloged, another copy cataloged and on regular shelf: 81.5/Ei84W |
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| E.8 | Albera, Francois,
Notes sur l'Esthetic d'Eisenstein (Bron: C.E.R.T. and Lyon: C.I.R.S., 1973) Uncataloged; another copy cataloged and on regular shelf 81.5/Ei84/AL14; gift of the author. |
1900-1980 |
| E.9 | Printed Copy of a Russian Translation of Dreiser, Theodore, Amerikanskai︠a︡ Tragedii︠a︡ Roman (Moskva: Zemli︠a︡ i Fabrika, 1928) According to Jay Leyda, marginal notes were probably made by Grigori Alexandrov, who worked on the script of the film with Eisenstein. |
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| E.10* | Microfilm Copy of Dreiser, Theodore, An American Tragedy (New York: Boni & Liveright, 1925) Microfilm copy of annotated publication in E.6. |
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| E.11* | Microfilm Copy of a Russian Translation of Dreiser, Theodore, Amerikanskai︠a︡ Tragedii︠a︡ Roman (Moskva: Zemli︠a︡ i Fabrika, 1928) According to Jay Leyda, marginal notes were probably made by Grigori Alexandrov, who worked on the script of the film with Eisenstein. Microfilm copy of annotated publication in E.9. |
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Series F. Russian Typescripts |
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All items in this series were at one time tightly rolled. |
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| Folder | Title | |
| F.1 | 27 Photostat Pages (Positive) of Russian Typescript 9.5"x12" |
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| F.2 | 3 Photostat Pages (Positive) of Handwritten Russian Text | |
| F.3 | 5 Typeset Pages of Russian Book Numbered 192-199, of scenario by Sergei Tretyokov for film on China. |
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| Series | Folders | Box |
| A | 1-A-1-D, 7, 9-A, 10-A, 13-14, 15-A, 16-18d, 20 | 1 |
| B | 1-12 | 1 |
| B | 13-23 | 2 |
| C | 1-11 | 2 |
| D | 1-2, 4-5 | 2 |
| E | 1-5 | 2 |
| E | 6-9 | 3 |
| F | 1-3 | 4 |
| D | 3* | 5 |
| E | 10*, 11* | 5 |
| A | 0*-1*, 2*-6*, 8*-9*, 10*, 11*-12*, 15*, 19* | 6 |