“The Patchwork Quilt” / The Way We Were
In an antiques store this past week, I picked up a little booklet that contains a play that was published in 1924. I haven’t gotten beyond the lengthy copyright page. Since this was published before 1929, I can share it with you.
“The Patchwork Quilt”
Reprinted by permission of the author and the publisher, Charles Scribner’s Sons, from the volume, Six Plays.
COPYRIGHT, 1924, BY CHARLES SCRIBNER’S SONS
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Especial notice should be taken that the possession of this book without a valid contract for production first having been obtained from the publisher, confers no right or license to professionals or amateurs to produce the play publicly or in private for gain or charity.
In its present form this play is dedicated to the reading public only, and no performance, representation, production, recitation, or public reading, or radio broadcasting may be given except by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, 25 West 45th Street, New York, one week before the date when the play is given.
Whenever the play is produced the following notice must appear on all programs, printing and advertising for the play: “Produced by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH of New York.”
Attention is called to the penalty provided by law for any infringement of the author’s rights, as follows :
“SECTION 4966: – Any person publicly performing or representing any dramatic or musical composition for which copyright has been obtained, without the consent of the proprietor of said dramatic or musical composition, or his heirs and assigns, shall be liable for damages thereof, such damages, in all cases to be assessed at such sum, not less than one hundred dollars for the first and fifty dollars for every subsequent performance, as to the court shall appear to be just. If the unlawful performance and representation be wilful for profit, such person or persons shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction shall be imprisoned for a period not exceeding one year.” – U.S. Revised Statutes : Title 60, Chap. 3.
Ed. Note: I was waiting to hear that said offenders would have one ear cut off and be put in the stocks for two weeks, followed by a jail term. I guess the people who decide such legalities were feeling particularly benevolent that day.
To tell you the truth, after reading the whole disclaimer, I have not had the time or energy to go back to this small pamphlet, to read the play. I’m sure many people today would be pleased, if only a fifty dollar penalty were required for violating copyright.
Patricia Cummings
