2016-02-15 Guide to the Irene DeForest Papers, 1823-1940s, 2001 SPEC.TRI.IDF Finding aid prepared by Haley Goodson; Casey Blackmore

951536870

 Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
1858 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH, 43210
2025 December

Item 37 needs barcode. Only unaccounted item in shelf read is bust (191C3), but it does not have barcode and was not on shelf

 This finding aid was produced using the Archivists' Toolkit 2026-01-08T17:28-0500 English Describing Archives: A Content Standard Irene DeForest Papers SPEC.TRI.IDF Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections 50.019 Cubic feet 1823-1940s, 2001 The Irene DeForest Papers collection contains the traveling trunk, costumes, scripts, and personal and biographical materials of Irene DeForest, a stage actress from 1881-1895. Costumes, photographs, personal scrapbooks, scripts, and playbills illustrate the details of her acting career, while contracts, cashbooks, and theatrical supply lists provide insight into the life of actors during that time. A few items of her husband, actor John Mellon, supply additional information about Irene's life. (37) archival boxes; (1) framed item English DeForest, Irene Arrangement

The collection is arranged in three series:

Series 1: Clothing, Accessories and Costumes Series 2: Scripts Series 3: and Personal and Biographical Materials

 Acquisition Information

Donated by Anthea deForest, 2012; Accession No. TRI.2025.0056: Anthea Deforest Mellon, 2023 August.

 Preferred Citation

[identification of item], Irene DeForest Papers, SPEC.TRI.IDF, Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute, The Ohio State University

 Conditions Governing Access

Materials in the Irene DeForest Papers are available for research, but must be used in the Special Collections Reading Room in Thompson Library.

 Use of Materials

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.

 Processing Information

Processed by: Haley Goodson, 2015, March; Casey Blackmore, 2025 December; Finding aid written by: Haley Goodson, 2015 March; Casey Blackmore, 2025 December

 Biographical / Historical

Irene DeForest was born in Albany, New York, on August 30th, 1856. Her interest in acting began as a teenager in the 1870s, when her family moved to Cleveland, Ohio. In 1881, her father, B.S. DeForest, introduced her to the manager of the Euclid Avenue Opera House, John Ellsler. Irene joined the Felix A. Vincent touring acting troupe and began her acting career.

Irene toured throughout the United States and Mexico with various acting companies and acted in over 50 different roles from 1881-1895. She married fellow actor John Mellon in 1888. Irene continued to act in small towns until she learned of her pregnancy in 1895. John continued to act until his death in 1924.

 Scope and Contents

The Costumes series contains clothing and costumes, including the costume trunk, shoes, jewelry, parasols, gloves, a cape, jackets, hats, wigs, skirts, bodices, and blouses, worn by Irene during her acting career from 1881-1895, as well as items from John Mellon's stage career ranging from 1860-1924. The Scripts series contains handwritten and printed scripts from various plays between 1846-1893. The Personal and Biographical Materials series contains handbills, photographs, newspaper clippings, a lists of songs, four cabinet cards in a frame, and theatrical supply lists from 1823-1940s and 2001.

 DeForest, Irene Mellon, John Actors Actresses Cabinet photographs Costume accessories Costume--History Programs (documents) Scrapbooks Scripts (documents) Clothing, Accessories, and Costumes Series 1 1860-1924 Scope and Contents

This series contains theatrical costumes and clothing worn by actress Irene DeForest from 1860-1924. There are stockings, gloves, hats, skirts, blouses, dresses, shoes, jackets, shawls, a cape, handbags, fans, parasols, jewelry, wigs, and the costume trunk. Some of the items are costumes worn by Irene's husband, John Mellon.

 Clothing Blouses Long sleeved, sheer blouse of white and black netting with white embroidery 23 92 1881-1895 Ivory sheer blouse with pink embroidered flowers 27 114 1881-1895 Dresses Red satin empire gown, off shoulder, short sleeves with lace trim and a train 16 69 1881-1895 Dark green velvet bodice, square neck, black Elizabethan lace collar with beads, black lace sleeve caps over long sleeves, open skirt with train 16 70-71 1881-1895 Green and white striped bodice with a square neck, white lace Elizabethan collar, long "leg-o-mutton" sleeves, and open front train,and five tiered ivory lace skirt 22 86-87 1881-1895 American Indian brown muslin, sleeveless bodice with orange and black fringe, long brown muslin skirt with fake fur trim 22 88-89 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

This costume correlates with a photo of Irene as Telie Doe in "Nick of the Woods".

 Full, burgundy cotton skirt with button front, burgundy cotton bodice, and sheer, ivory, Dotted Swiss blouse with long sleeves 23 94-96 1881-1895 Ivory and bronze chiffon dress with shirtwaist top and full skirt in an East Indian style pattern, bronze satin sash, and fabric scraps. 25 104-105 1881-1895 Beige and brown Bengaline bodice and skirt with turquoise beads 25 106-107 circa 1910 Scope and Contents

The fabric was given to Irene by her Aunt Eunice Potts circa 1870s. Irene made the dress for her sister, Maud, circa 1910

 White cotton dress with embroidery, lace, 3/4 sleeves, and open front bodice 25 108 circa 1910 Scope and Contents

Made by Irene

 White cotton "Napper" with a high neck, eyelet embroidered front panel, long sleeves, and train 26 109 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Made by Irene

 White cotton skirt with three tiers of "ric-rac" lace and a white cotton, "ric-rac" bodice with long sleeves and black ties in front 26 110-111 1881-1895 Red, blue, and ivory square patterned bodice with "leg-o-mutton" sleeves, a high neck, lace trim, and an ankle length skirt 28 116-117 1881-1895 Ivory cotton dress with red floral print, v-neck, red collar and cuffs, and red satin bands along bottom of skirt 28 118-119 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Worn by Irene as Esther in "Enoch Arden". There is a correlating photo.

 Outerwear Black wool cutaway coat 17 72 1861-1924 Scope and Contents

Worn on stage by John Mellon, including during last engagement as Mulchay in "Sally, Irene, and Mary" 1923-1924

 Paisley lounge robe 17 75 1861-1924 Scope and Contents

Made by Irene's mother, Elizabeth, for her husband, B.S. DeForest (1823-1886). It was later worn by John Mellon

 White and brown rabbit fur cape with red satin lining and scraps 20 81 1881-1895 Black lace mantilla (104"x 53") 24 97 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Worn by Irene in "Hazel Kirke"

 Ecru lace shawl 24 98 1881-1895 Mandarin-style black satin evening jacket with hidden buttons and black beaded decorative fastener 23 90 circa 1870 Scope and Contents

Made by Irene in Chicago circa 1870

 Spanish style, black jacket with beige cording and black/beige fringe trim 23 93 1881-1895 Skirts Turquoise cotton skirt with hand painted flowers 21 82 1881-1895 Off-white skirt with two lavendar ribbons along bottom 21 83 1881-1895 Blue cotton skirt with pink floral ribbon along bottom 21 84 1881-1895 Off-white skirt with 6" crocheted lace trim and red embroidered "D" on the waistband 21 85 1881-1895 White cotton skirt with scalloped, eyelet embroidery 26 112 circa 1860 Scope and Contents

Made by Irene's mother, Elizabeth Walker Deforest, circa 1860.

 White cotton over-skirt open at back with single button at waist 27 115 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

May have been worn when Irene was practicing nursing.

 White lace petticoat 27 113 1881-1895 Vests Burgundy wool vest with gold lining and embroidery 17 73 1861-1924 Scope and Contents

Belonged to John Mellon

 Brown and black striped satin vest 17 74 1861-1924 Scope and Contents

Belonged to John Mellon

 Bolero vest made of yellow, polished cotton with black lace and garnet buttons 23 91 1881-1895 Accessories Aprons White apron with lace and multicolored polka dots and red/blue ribbon bands along bottom 24 99 1881-1895 White apron with black and gold ribbon bands along bottom 24 100 1881-1895 White apron with lace trim and yellow ribbon bands 24 101 1881-1895 Black apron with red ribbon bands and black lace trim 24 102 1881-1895 Bags Tan linen handbag with blue embroidery, metal clasp and chain 11 52 1881-1895 Cream linen handbag and coin purse with cream floral embroidery, metal clasp 11 53 1881-1895 Tapestry style embroidered handbag with silvery beads, metallic clasp and chain, green and pink silk lining 11 54 1881-1895 Crocheted handbag with black, coral, tan, brown, green, yellow, and purple stripes with multi colored tassel, cinched at top 12 55 1881-1895 Black velvet handbag with yellow and red paisley stripes and black taffeta lining, cinched at top 12 56 1881-1895 Envelope style, black handbag with small, white plaid print and embroidered letter M 12 57 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Made by Irene

 Large, black satin handbag with red and beige embroidery, intricate silver clasp and chain, green lining 12 58 1881-1895 Brown velvet handbag and change purse with rounded top, hammered silver clasp, and brown velvet chain 13 59 1881-1895 Green velvet wristlet with silver beading, tassel, and emerald beads 13 60 1881-1895 Tan beaded handbag with beaded fringe, cinched at top 13 61 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Made by Irene

 Cream, crocheted handbag, cinched at top, thick tassels 13 64 1881-1895 Cream, crocheted handbag, cinched at top, round tassels 13 65 1881-1895 Black velvet beaded handbag with black/silver beading and black/silver fringe 29 121 1881-1895 Fans 9" ivory fan with yellow feathers, hand painted floral design 6 23 1881-1895 13" white silk fan with hand painted flowers 6 24 1881-1895 8" ivory silk fan with ivory lace, ivory trim, and gold sequins 6 25 1881-1895 13" burgundy satin fan 6 26 1881-1895 8" sandalwood fan with turquoise silk, black lace trim, and silver sequins 6 27 1881-1895 13" black satin fan with hand painted flowers 6 28 1881-1895 Gold fan with white silk background 6 29 1881-1895 Gloves 20" long, white kid gloves 33 17 1881-1895 Long black silk mitts 31 6 1881-1895 Long red silk mitts 31 7 1881-1895 Medium long, pink kid gloves 33 16 1881-1895 Short, black crocheted gloves 5 21 1881-1895 Short, ecru crocheted gloves 5 20 1881-1895 Short, white kid gloves with one beige button, scalloped cuffs, and beige stitched design 33 14 1881-1895 Short, white kid glove with two black buttons, black and beige stitched design 33 15 1881-1895 Short, white kid glove with white button and ivory stitching 33 18 1881-1895 Short, white and burgundy crocheted gloves 5 19 1881-1895 Tan riding gloves with 4" stiff cuffs 5 22 1881-1895 Hats, Hairpieces, Wigs Italian headdress (20" x 5") made of tan linen with blue, green, yellow, and red ribbon bands, and clear beads. 29 120 1881-1895 Ivory satin and lace cap 29 122 1881-1895 Straw "Leghorn" hat with wide brim and black ribbon band 34 123 1881-1895 Gold, black, and blue beaded headband with blue and pink beaded flowers 35 127 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Made by Irene

 Long, brown, curly wig with bangs - human hair 7 31 1881-1895 White wig - human hair 7 30 1881-1895 Small, dark brown, curly hair piece - human hair 7 32 1881-1895 Small, red hair piece - human hair 7 33 1881-1895 Small, blonde, curly hair piece - human hair 8 34 1881-1895 Small, dark brown, feather designed hair piece - human hair 8 35 1881-1895 Small, auburn, curly hair piece - human hair 8 36 1881-1895 Long, auburn, curly hair piece - human hair 8 37 1881-1895 Long, auburn ponytail hair piece - human hair 8 38 1881-1895 Strawberry blonde wig - human hair 8 39 1881-1895 Long, white braided hair piece - human hair 8 40 1881-1895 Short, brown toupee - human hair 8 41 1881-1895 Short, brown ponytail hair piece - human hair 9 42 1881-1895 Long, auburn ponytail hair piece - human hair 9 43 1881-1895 Long, brown ponytail hair piece - human hair 9 44 1881-1895 Short, thin brown hair piece - human hair 9 45 1881-1895 Long, red hair piece - human hair 9 46 1881-1895 Long, black braided rope hair piece - human hair 9 47 1881-1895 Black straw bonnet with plaid ties, flowers, and feathers 14 66 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Believed to have belonged to Irene's mother, Elizabeth Walker DeForest, circa 1850.

 Round, black satin hat with black velvet trim and black, moon shaped hat pin 15 67 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Made by the May Company, Cleveland

 Jet hat ornament 15 68 1881-1895 Curved, cut steel hair pin with cattail floral design and crystal beads 36 142 1881-1895 Large, round fake diamond hair pin 36 147 1881-1895 Jewelry Blue beaded necklace with black and white geometric pattern and two black beads with tassels 35 124 1881-1895 Clear beaded necklace with blue, green, yellow, and burgundy geometric designs 35 125 1881-1895 Black beaded necklace with white cross pattern 35 126 1881-1895 Black velvet choker with silver bead and seed starburst desgin 35 129 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Made by Irene

 Pair of black rectangular earrings with etched design 36 130 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Matches item 132

 Pair of green rectangular earrings with etched leaf design 36 131 1881-1895 Black oval pin with etched design 36 132 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Matches item 130

 Square metal shoe clip with lattice pattern and a center row of flowers 36 133 1881-1895 Pair of round metal shoe clips with floral design, center purple bead, four smaller circles along the edge, and one with a diamond shaped metal piece hanging from the bottom 36 134-135 1881-1895 Lavender satin choker with a bow and two rows of black crocheted floral trim 36 136 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Made by Irene

 Large rectangular belt buckle with stripes of multicolored beads 36 137 1881-1895 Silver toned cut steel tiara with intricate swirl design 36 138 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Matches item 139

 Pair of intricate swirl desgined, silver toned cut steel shoe clips with a flower welded to the top of one 36 139 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Matches item 138

 Pair of curved, bronzed cut steel shoe clips with geometric hammered bead design and brown leather backing 36 140 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Marked LW Paris on back

 Diamond shaped belt buckle made of two black beaded triangles that clasp together in the center 36 141 1881-1895 Silver toned, cut steel round belt buckle made of two beaded semicircles that clasp together in the center to form a circle 36 143 1881-1895 Shield shaped, cast metal belt buckle 36 144 1881-1895 Small, rectangular pin with three rows of fake diamonds 36 145 1881-1895 Loose strands of seed beads strung on black thread 36 146 1881-1895 Large, round fake diamond ring 36 149 1881-1895 Round pin with a wreath of fake diamonds 36 148 1881-1895 Diamond horseshoe shaped pin 36 150 1881-1895 Semicircle, gold colored pin with fake diamonds 36 151 1881-1895 Pair of diamond shaped, cast metal shoe clips with floral detailing and a turquoise bead in the center 36 152 1881-1895 Gold moon and star shaped pin with fake diamonds 36 153 1881-1895 Flower pin with large fake diamond in center circled by smaller fake diamonds 36 154 1881-1895 Small cross necklace with fake diamonds 36 155 1881-1895 Stockings, Shoes Gold cotton stockings 30 1 1881-1895 Grey silk stockings 30 3 1881-1895 Ivory cotton stockings with pink floral design 32 11 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

These stockings were worn as Jeanette in the play White Farm.

 Nude silk stockings 32 9 1881-1895 Pink silk stockings 30 4 1881-1895 Purple silk stockings 31 5 1881-1895 Turquoise/burnt orange cotton stockings 30 2 1881-1895 White cotton stockings with red top 32 10 1881-1895 White silk stockings 31 8 1881-1895 One black satin, high heeled boot with gold decoration and pink kid lining 10 48 1881-1895 White kid opera pumps with pointed toes 10 49 1881-1895 Other Navy blue cotton bandana kerchief 32 12 1881-1895 Red cotton bandana kerchief 32 13 1881-1895 Small, wood framed makeup mirror 10 50 1861-1924 Scope and Contents

According to an inscription on the back, the mirror belonged to John A. Mellon.

 Black satin parasol with carved wooden handle 24 103 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

In very delicate condition.

 Clear beaded belt with multicolored floral pattern and heart shaped metal clasp 35 128 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Made by Irene

 Ivory fabric with gold sequined design 11 51 1881-1895 Olive green, crocheted fabric with metallic beads and tassels 13 62 1881-1895 Red and gold striped fabric with red and gold tassels and two round, metal beads 13 63 1881-1895 Costume Pieces Gypsy costume, satin patchwork bodice with black lace trim, satin streamers with bells, red cotton skirt with satin streamers and bells 18 76-77 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Probably work as Cynthia in " Flowers of the Forest"

 Irish costume, floral cotton tuck-up jacket with long sleeves, dark green floral cotton skirt 18 78-79 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Worn in photo of Irene as Eily O'Conner in "Coleen Baun"

 Gypsy costume hat, multicolored satin with black trim and metal decorations 19 80 1881-1895 Scripts Series 2 1846-1893 Scope and Contents

This series contains the handwritten and printed scripts of actress Irene DeForest and her husband John Mellon. Some scripts include actors' names, side notes, and stage directions for individual roles within the play. Materials are dated 1846-1893.

 Area Belle, by William Brough and Andrew Halliday, script 1 1 Undated Aurora Floyd, by C. H. Hazlewood, script 1 2 Undated Scope and Contents

There are two copies. The first copy belonged to Irene and the second copy belonged to J.A. Mellon.

 Black-Eyed Susan: A Nautical and Domestic Drama, by Douglas Jerrold, Esq., script 1 3 Undated Camille, by Matilda Heron, script 1 4 Undated Caprice; Or, A Woman's Heart, by Oliver S. Leland, Esq., script 1 5 Undated A Celebrated Case, script 1 6 Undated Clari: or, The Maid of Milan, by John Howard Payne, Esq., script 1 7 Undated Coleen Baun, script 1 8 Undated Damon and Pythias, script 1 9 circa 1890s, undated Deborah; [Leah,] Or, The Jewish Maiden's Wrong, by Charles Smith Cheltnam, script 1 10 undated The District School At Blueberry Corners, by Laura M. Parsons, script 1 11 1889 Don Caesar De Bazan, script 1 12 1846, undated Dora, script 1 13 undated East Lynne, by Mrs. Henry Wood, script 1 14 undated Engaged, by W.S. Gilbert, script 1 15 undated Esmeralda, script 1 16 undated Fanchon, The Cricket, by Aug. Waldauer, script 1 17 undated The Female Detective; or, The Mother's Dying Child, by C.H. Hazlewood, script 1 18 undated Florence Grantley, script 1 19 undated Flowers of the Forest: A Gypsy Story, by John Baldwin Buckstone, script 1 20 undated Hazel Kirke, script 1 21 1893, undated Held by the Enemy, script 1 22 undated Helen MacGreagor, script 1 23 circa 1890s Helvei the Unknown, by Thomas Egerton Wilks, script 1 24 undated The Hidden Hand, by Robert Jones, script 1 25 undated How to Tame Your Mother-in-law, script 2 1 undated The Hunchback, by James Sheridan Knowles, script 2 2 1846 Ireland As It Is, by J.H. Amherst, script 2 3 undated Job, script 2 4 undated Lady Audley's Secret, by C.H. Hazlewood, script 2 5 undated The Lady of Lyons; r, Love and Pride, by Sir Edward Lytton Bulwer, script 2 6 1846 Lancashire Lass, script 2 7 undated Leah the Forsaken, by Augustin Daly, script 2 8 undated A Lesson of Love, script 2 9 undated The Long Strike, by Dion Baucicault, Esq., script 2 10 undated Lost in London, by Watts Phillips, Esq., script 2 11 undated Michael Strogoff, script 2 12 1893, undated "M.P."(Member of Parliament.), by T.W. Robertson, script 2 13 undated The Modern Standard Drama, script 2 14 1846 Muldoon's Picnic, script 2 15 undated My Partner, script 2 16 circa 1890s, undated A Noble Outcase, by John A. Fraser, script 2 17 1888 Octoroon: or, Life in Louisiana, by Dion Boucicault, script 2 18 circa 1890s, undated Our Boys, script 2 19 undated Passion's Slave, script 2 20 undated Scope and Contents

Handwritten by Irene

 Philistines, script 3 1 circa 1890s Pygmalion and Galatea, by W. S. Gilbert, script 3 2 undated Richard III, script 3 3 undated Richelieu; or, The Conspiracy, by Sir Edward Lytton Bulwer, 3 4 undated Two Orphans, script 3 2 1893 Scope and Contents

Written on paper from the Gold Dust Hotel in Fredonia, Kansas

 Scrap of Paper, by J. Palgrave Simpson, Esp., script 3 5 undated The Serious Family, by Morris Barnett, script 3 6 undated The Shaughraun, by Dion Boucicault, script 3 7 undated The Streets of New York , script 3 8 undated The Streets of New York (?), script 3 9 undated The TIcket-of-Leave Man, by Tom Taylor, Esq., script 3 10 undated Scope and Contents

There are two copies. The second copy belonged to J.A. Mellon

 Turn Him Out, by Thomas J. Williams, Esq., script 3 11 undated Two Orphans, script 3 12 1893 Uncle Tom's Cabin, script 3 13 undated Under the Gaslight, by Augustin Daly, script 3 14 undated Unidentified side: George, Harry, script 3 15 undated Unidentified side: Marguerite, Valentine, Martha, script 3 16 circa 1890s, undated Unidentified side: Sidney, Abigail, Belle, script 3 17 undated Wild Mab, by Minnie Polson, script 3 18 1891 Scope and Contents

Belonged to J.A. Mellon

 Won at Last, by Wybert Reeve, script 3 19 undated Personal and Biographical Materials Series 3 1823-1940s, 2001 Scope and Contents

This series contains the personal and biographical materials of Irene DeForest. It includes photographs of Irene in costume, photographs of her friends and colleagues, playbills from her acting career, a scrapbook from her childhood, newspaper clippings, a list of songs, descriptive lists of plays and stage necessities, four cabinet cards featuring Deforest in various productions, and a cashbook of expenses. There are photos of her husband, John Mellon, and playbills from his acting career. Materials are dated 1823-1940s, 2001.

 John Mellon Programs 3 20 1861-1924 Scope and Contents

Play programs of Irene's husband

 Cashbook 3 21 1893 August-December Scope and Contents

Irene and John's cash account book for the 1893 August- December acting contract with Mr. Leslie Davis.

 Costume trunk 37 156 1881-1895 Scope and Contents

Made by C.A. Taylor, 180 W. Madison St., Chicago

 List of Songs as sung by Edw. O'Connor 3 22 undated Descriptive Catalogue of Ames' Theatrical Plays 3 23 undated French's Descriptive List 3 24 undated Newspaper Clippings 3 25 circa 1940s An Unitiated Chorus Girl's Experience (New York Daily Graphic) 3 26 1887 Photos 3 27 1823-1892 Scrapbook 3 28 1872-1877,1917 Scrapbook 3 29 1878-1942 Scrapbook 4 30 1881-1886, 2001 Framed cabinet cards 1 circa 1881-1895