Search

Printed music from the 18th-20th centuries, primarily 19th century American. Almost half the items are popular editions of European composers' instrumental music. The collection contains a large quantity of patriotic music such as the 1798 "Adams and Liberty" and the first and third editions (both 1798) of "Hail Columbia" and a comprehensive collection of music from the Civil War. There are also early printings of "The Star Spangled Banner," first and later editions of Stephen Foster's music, and a large collection of Benjamin Carr materials. Collection of 16th-20th century rare music books was cataloged individually. Primarily collected by Arthur Billings Hunt, 1890-1971, baritone, musical director and broadcaster. Most of the items are of American origin, and reflect Hunt's wide-ranging interests in sacred and secular music.

Much of this material came from submissions to the literary magazine "Voyages" and includes correspondence between Claire and Mark and Dorothy Van Doren. There are also works by Robert Lax, Allen Tate, John Taglibue relating to Mark Van Doren.

Forty-three letters to Witmark which were taken out of autographed books given to the University by Mr. Witmark. The letters are from leading authors and artists of the world, chief among them John Kendrick Bangs, Harry B. Smith, and Frederick Kummer. They are mostly friendly notes, some of them in connection with Witmark's requests that authors autograph books for his library. Also, eight manuscript music scores written by various composers including Victor Herbert for the wedding of Witmark and Viola Cahn; and printed matter including programs, clippings, and prospectuses, two autographed photographs, and a typescript catalog of the "Autograph Library of Isidore Witmark, Esq.".

The 44 letters related to British theater in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, dating from 1773 to 1853. The collection is divided into five series: I. Letters to William Kenneth (8); II. Letters to or about Richard Brinsley Sheridan (3); III. Letters to James Winston (5); IV. Theatrical letters arranged alphabetically by sender (26); and V. Non-theatrica l letters (2). The two letters in the 5th series are a letter from a solicitor to Lady Emma Hamilton dated 1806 and a letter from Irish poet Thomas Moore dated 1832. Most of the theatrical letters deal with the engagement of players and theater personnel.