WILLIAM D. EPPES - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 08/01/1983 - HFSID 316675

WILLIAM D. EPPES
Friendly letter to John Willis, editor of Dance World, discussing agents and possible connections in Virginia
Autograph letter signed: "William" 2 pages (front and verso), 8½x11. New York City, August 1, 1983. On personal letterhead. In part: "Dear John, You can't imagine how deeply I appreciate your prompt reply! Have simply been [illegible] by (well meaning?) friends who have showered opinions, particularly on agents. Imagine, established you, not having one/!"....he includes a postscript, "Your Screen Worlds, Theatre Worlds are constantly included in my (very) selective bibliography". William D. Eppes was a writer and biographer whose writings have been archived by the Margaret Herrick Library. The William D. Eppes Collection (a gift to the Oscars Academy) covers the years 1931 to 1993, featuring collected materials for an unpublished biography of Gertrude Michael. It also includes his completed manuscripts "Gertrude Michael: A Star of the Golden Age of Hollywood" and "Gertrude Michael Alburn." Theatre World, founded in 1945 by Daniel Blum, is America's oldest annual record of Broadway, Off-Broadway and regional theatre, referenced by industry professionals, historians, students and theatre fans worldwide. Until 1998, when a separate nonprofit corporation was established, Theatre World's editorial staff bestowed the prestigious Theatre World Awards for outstanding Broadway and Off-Broadway debuts. Screen World (from 1950) and Dance World (from 1966), administered from the same office, furnished comprehensive information on those entertainment genres. John A. Willis (1916-2010), active in Theatre World from the beginning, became its chief editor in 1965, holding that position until 2008. Willis is regarded as one of the foremost theatre and film historians of the 20th century. While producing (and presenting) the annual Theatre World Awards, Willis also served on the nominating committee for the Tony Awards. Theatre World, which received its own Tony for Excellence in Theatre in 2001, continues under chief editor Ben Hodges. Normal mailing folds. Edges and corners creased. Otherwise, fine condition.