University of Chicago Library

Guide to the Adelaide Eunice Goodrich Collection circa 1837-1916

Descriptive Summary

Title:	Goodrich, Adelaide Eunice. Collection
Dates:	ca. 1837-1916
Size:	2 linear feet (4 boxes)
Repository:	Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.
Abstract:	Adelaide Eunice Goodrich (1861-19??). Actress and author. Collection contains prompt books of plays, scrapbooks, photographs, and a small group of patents and other legal documents of her father H. C. Goodrich. The collection also includes newspaper clippings featuring interviews with Goodrich in which she voices her opinions on comedy, drama, and the theater in general, as well as her impressions of the towns and cities where she performed.

Information on Use

Access

The collection is open for research.

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Citation

When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Goodrich, Adelaide Eunice. Collection, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

Biographical Note

Adelaide Eunice Goodrich was born in Chicago about 1861, one of seven daughters, of H. C. Goodrich, a wealthy Chicago socialite and inventor and patentee of numerous sewing machine parts. She married William Pottle, Jr., an actor an also a member of an aristocratic Chicago family. Their daughter, Theodora, was born in 1889. Theodora Pottle received a B.A. and an M.A. from the University of Chicago and served for many years as head of the Art Department at Western Illinois University.

Goodrich began her stage career around the age of thirteen when she gave recitations before various groups in Chicago, including the Women's Benevolent Society. In 1877 she joined McVicker's Theatre stock company in 1877. The experience Goodrich gained in that theatre led to larger and better roles and eventually she left McVicker's and formed her own company. Between 1882 and about 1904, Goodrich starred in many roles with this troupe. Her husband, William Pottle, Jr. was business manager of the company, while their daughter, billed as "Baby Pottle," began playing roles at the age of two and a half.

The family and company toured throughout the western States and Canada, performing in most of the larger cities of that region and, according to the press clippings, were received warmly at all of their stops.

Besides acting, Miss Goodrich wrote a few novels and many plays. Among the former her most successful was Raouleau, A Story of the Nile. Of her plays, several appear in this collection in the form of prompt books. She also translated works of the poet Sappho into English.

Scope Note

The Adelaide Eunice Goodrich Collection contains prompt books of plays, scrapbooks, photographs, and a small group of patents and other legal documents of H. C. Goodrich. The collection also includes newspaper clippings featuring interviews with Goodrich in which she voices her opinions on comedy, drama, and the theater in general, as well as her impressions of the towns and cities where she and her troupe performed.

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Subject Headings

Goodrich, Adelaide Eunice
Goodrich, H.C.
Women in the theater
Actresses
Scrapbooks
Letters (correspondence)
Photographs
Prompt books
Patents

INVENTORY

Box 1 Folder 1

Publicity materials, 1882-1905

“Annual tour of Carol Arden in Polly Primrose.” 1 p., printed; 8 letters from Theatre managers laudatory in nature. Sept-Oct 1905. (8/1’”x11”)
Press notices, “Everybody’s favorite, Eunice Goodrich.” Eight squibs from newspapers concerning E. G. and Theodora. No date. 4 pp. (6”x9”)
Press notices, “The Sterling Young Comedienne, Miss Eunice Goodrich,” 26 clippings from newspapers about EG’s company. No date; 2 copies. (9 3/4x13 1/4”)
Harry McKay Harrison’s Star Comedians in “Wanted, A Husband,” Season 1893-94
Playbill, Two Orphans. Starring Simon J. Forhan, supported by Eunice Goodrich and the Forhan Comedy Company. Hessemer’s Aetheneum Nov. 20, 1882. Pink Satin cloth. (5”X12”)
Playbill, Mary of Magdola, starring Mrs. Fiske, At Grand Opera House, Nov. 10, 1902. 1 p. (6 1/2”x10”)
Playbill, Polly Primrose, starring Carol Arden, at the Grand Opera House, Nov. 5, (circa 1905). 4 pp
Playbill, Announcing E. G., Theodora, and the E. G. Company in a number of plays. Red printing on white paper; no date or place mentioned. (5”x20”)