Samuel and Bella Spewack papers, 1920-1980

Creator:: Spewack, Samuel, 1899-1971 and Spewack, Bella Cohen, 1899-1990
Extent:: 67 linear feet 155 boxes
Language:: English .
Scope and content:: Correspondence, manuscripts, playscripts, screenplays, diaries, documents, contracts, financial records, photographs, phonograph records, motion pictures, playbills, posters, sheet music, cartoons, art work, memorabilia, scrapbooks, and printed materials. . The collection consists chiefly of correspondence and production files relating to the creation, production, and performance of their works for stage, screen, radio, and television, such as Leave It To Me and Kiss Me Kate (with music by Cole Porter), Boy Meets Girl, and My Three Angels. Correspondence (with twentieth century authors, playwrights, musicians, political figures, and actors) includes: George Abbott, Jean Arthur, Bennett Cerf, Katharine Cornell, Jo Davidson, George and Ira Gershwin, Alec Guinness, W. Averell Harriman, Lilli Lehmann, Mary Martin, Laurence Olivier, Mary Pickford, Cole Porter, Regina Resnick, Eleanor Roosevelt, Robert E. Sherwood, Lincoln Steffens, Kurt Weill, Rebecca West, and Thornton Wilder. There is also correspondence concerning Bella Spewack's work with the New York Girls' Scholarship, UNRA, and the Sports Center of Israel. In addition to the production files, there are manuscripts and typescript drafts for novels, short stories, and articles by the Spewacks.
Biographical / historical:: Samuel Spewack, 1899-1971 (Columbia College B.A., 1919) and Bella Cohen Spewack, (1899-1990), were authors of Broadway plays and musicals, novels, short stories, and articles. They were also foreign correspondents for Europe and Russia for the New York World, 1919-1926, and the New York Herald Tribune, 1922-1926, respectively.

Acquisition information:

Papers: Source of acquisition--Bella Spewack. Method of acquisition--Bequest of the estate of.

Bequest of the estate of Bella C. Spewack, 1990.

Processing information:

Papers Entered in AMC HR 02/--/1991.

Processed by Henry Rowen 2/91 and 8/93.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into 23 series.

Accruals:

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Alternative form available:

Posters are also available on: Type of reproduction--microfiche. Agency responsible for reproduction--New York State Program for the Conservation and Preservation of Library research Materials. Physical description of reproduction--29. Dates and / or sequential of issues reproduced--filmed in 1996.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Boxes A, B, C, D, and E are located on-site. The following boxes are located off-site: 1-150. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

Terms of access:

Permission required to publish, or quote: Minna Elias, 336 West End Ave, 5A, New York, NY 10023

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred citation:: Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Samuel and Bella Spewack papers; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:: Rare Book & Manuscript Library

RBML Home Page
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:: Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.

Contact:: rbml@library.columbia.edu

Collection