Sam DeVincent loved music and art and began collecting sheet music with lithographs at an early age.
Series 18, Dance contains approximately 3,330 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards dance in the United States.
An overview to the entire DeVincent collection is available here: Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music.
Scope and Contents note:
Series 18, Dance, 1812-1978, undated, contains approximately 3,330 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards dance in the United States. The dates always refer to copyright of the music and not to the subject on the cover, songwriter's life, or other events. In addition, there is one box of ephemera arranged in the same subseries order as the music listing, which is described following the container list. Ragtime Dancing is in Series 3, subseries 4, Folder UU. Barn Dance is part of Series 16, Country, Western, and Folk. See Series 8, Geography, for dances in other countries. See future series, Education, for Prom songs. Music for the Quickstep is in the future series that includes "marches."
Subseries 1, General Songs about Dance, 1882-1967, undated This includes references to dance styles such as the Ballet, Cake Walk, and Glide, as well as dance marathon and the shimme [sic].
Subseries 2, Ballroom Dancers and Dance Institute, 1840-1951, undated Irene and Vernon Castle, Fanny Elssler, and Arthur Murray are in separate folders. Other professional dancers are in Folder D and throughout the series. Note that about 70% of these sheets are copyrighted between 1912-1914.
Subseries 3, Charleston, 1923-1964 Contains music for the dance known as the Charleston.
Subseries 4, Fox Trot, 1913-1932 Contains music for the dance known as the Fox Trot.
Subseries 5, Galop, 1842-1924, undated Contains music for the dance known as the Galop.
Subseries 6, Gavotte, 1874-1978, undated Contains music for the dance known as the Gavotte.
Subseries 7, Jigs and Reels, 1891-1951, undated Contains sheet music and folios of jigs, reels, contra dance, Morris dances, and strathspens.
Subseries 8, Lancers, 1857-1903, undated Contains music for the dance known as the Lancers.
Subseries 9, Maxixe, 1913-1914, undated Contains music for the dance known as the Maxixe.
Subseries 10, Mazurka, 1854-1940, undated Contains music for the dance known as the Mazurka.
Subseries 11, Minuet, 1875-1968, undated Contains music for the Minuet, also spelled Menuet.
Subseries 12, One Step, 1910-1921 Contains music designated as the One Step.
Subseries 13, Polka, 1845-1975, undated This section is divided into three parts --early editions, later editions, and folios. More polka music might be found with the accordion music in Series 19, Musicians and Musical Instruments.
Subseries 14, Quadrilles, 1831-1883, undated This section is divided into four parts --illustrated editions, unillustrated editions, quadrilles from operas, and folios. Note that contra dance appears with one of these folios, as well as in subseries 7, Jigs and Reels.
Subseries 15, Redowa, 1853-1908, undated Contains music for the dance known as the Redowa.
Subseries 16, Schottische, 1850-1944, undated This section is divided into four parts --illustrated editions, unillustrated editions, later editions, and multiple editions. Note that there are a variety of spellings for this dance.
Subseries 17, Skirt Dance, 1891-1893, undated Note the short time that music was designated for this dance style.
Subseries 18, Square Dance, 1926-1964 Contains music and folios for square dances. Also see Series 16, Country, Western, and Folk Music for Barn Dances and other country-style dances.
Subseries 19, Tango, 1909-1952 Compositions denoting the Tango Argentine are in a separate folder.
Subseries 20, Three Step, 1903-1913 Contains music for the dance known as the Three Step.
Subseries 21, Two Step, 1894-1925 Compositions by F. H. Losey are in a separate folder.
Subseries 22, Varsova, 1851-1917, undated Contains music for the dance known as the Varsova.
Subseries 23, Waltz, 1812-1968, undated This section comprises almost one third of the entire series. Sub-headings are as follows: Boston/Hesitation Waltz, Syncopated Waltz, Male and Female Images on Covers, Harry J. Lincoln Compositions, Early Editions, Later Editions, and Folios.
Subseries 24, Folios, 1888-1953, undated Folios designating a specific dance are placed with that dance. Sub-headings in this subseries are as follows: Scandinavian, Hungarian and Polish, Slovenian, Dance Folios (Feist, Gem, Jack Mills, Robbins, Select, Star, Victor, Witmark, Miscellaneous Dance), and Miscellaneous folios.
Ephemera Includes promotional items and brochures relating to dances and dancers; DeVincent's 'see' notes referencing other parts of the Collection; and folios with dance instructions.
Arrangement:
Arranged in 25 subseries.
18.1: General Songs about Dance
18.2: Ballroom Dancers and Dance Institute
18.3: Charleston
18.4: Fox Trot
18.5: Galop
18.6: Gavotte
18.7: Jigs and Reels - Folios
18.8: Lancers
18.9: Maxixe
18.10: Mazurka
18.11: Minuet (Menuet)
18.12: One Step
18.13: Polka
18.14: Quadrilles
18.15: Redowa
18.16: Schottische
18.17: Skirt Dance
18.18: Square Dance
18.19: Tango
18.20: Three Step
18.21: Two Step
18.22: Varsova
18.23: Waltz
18.24: Folios
18.25: EPHEMERA
Materials in Other Organizations:
Sam DeVincent Collection of American Sheet Music, Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
This collection contains duplicates of materials in the Smithsonian collection, as well as materials acquired by Mr. DeVincent after the donation to the Smithsonian. The phonograph records described above were transferred to the University of Missouri at Kansas City.
Materials in the Archives Center, National Museum of American History:
Donald J. Stubblebine Collection of Musical Theater and Motion Picture Sheet Music and Reference Material, 1843-2010 (AC1211)
Forms Part Of:
Series 18: Dance forms part of the
Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music
.
An ongoing, updated list of DeVincent topical series is available via the Smithsonian finding aid portal.
Provenance:
This collection was purchased by the Smithsonian Institution in 1988 from Sam and Nancy Lee DeVincent.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Citation:
The Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Sam DeVincent loved music and art and began collecting sheet music with lithographs at an early age.
Series 16: Country, Western, and Folk Music contains approximately 11,500 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards country, western, and folk music in the United States.
An overview to the entire DeVincent collection is available here: Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music.
Scope and Contents note:
Series 16 contains approximately 11,500 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards country, western, and folk music in the United States. The dates always refer to copyright of the music and not to the subject on the cover, songwriter's life, or other events. There are 78 boxes of sheet music and 16 boxes of ephemera. The ephemera section is arranged in the same subseries order as the music listing, described following the container list, with two additional subseries.
Subseries 1, Individual Male Entertainers, 1911-1983. Many entertainers were parts of groups from time to time, or had a spouse who was part of the team. With this in mind, it is important to search under subseries 2 and 3 if a name is not found in this subseries. Real names are used in place of stage names; i.e., "Uncle Ezra" is under Pat Barrett and "The Arkansas Woodchopper" is under Luther Ossenbrink.
Subseries 2, Individual Female Entertainers, 1902-1986, undated. If an individual's more significant work was with others, she would be in subseries 3, Groups. Example: Dale Evans and Roy Rogers are in subseries 3.
Subseries 3, Duos and Groups, 1910-1981, undated. The names in this section are listed in alphabetical order by the group name; i.e., "Lulu Belle and Scotty" is under "Lulu." Also see subseries 1 and 2 or individual names.
Subseries 4, The West, 1839-1984. The earliest copyright of this Series is "A Western Refrain (Westward Ho!)" in this subseries. Categories are: Covered Wagon and Wagon Train, "Home on the Range," Movie Cowboys and Showmen, Rodeo and Round-up, General Songs, and Folios. Note that folios specific to a category will be in that category.
Subseries 5, Barn Dance, Fiddle Tunes, and "Turkey in the Straw," 1878-1975. Sheets in the two Barn Dance folders have either "barn dance" in the title or cover illustrations of barn dances. The earliest music dates from 1878; the well-known WLS radio show National Barn Dance first aired in 1924. Researchers looking for more fiddle tunes than in this series will find them in the (future) series, Musical Instruments. In addition to the traditional "Turkey in the Straw," there are allied or companion pieces in this folder. Also see Series 20, Musicians and Musical Instruments and Series 18, Dance, Subseries 7, Jigs & Reels.
Subseries 6, Blues, Feuding, Hillbilly, Honky Tonk, and Yodeling, 1885-1975, undated. The Blues are country style dating 1929-1957. The items referring only to "hillbilly" are in this folder; see other subseries, especially Folios, for items with "hillbilly" included in the title. For more yodeling items, see Series 8, Geography, Switzerland.
Subseries 7, Miscellaneous Songs, 1913-1983. This is organized by publisher. By far the largest part is the Acuff-Rose/Milene output. The other named publisher is Combine Music Corp. Miscellaneous Publishers includes all other songs not particular to previous subseries. Subseries 8, Folios, 1914-1969, undated. Most of the folios are in this subseries but they are included in other sections where appropriate. Most of the folios have performers pictured on the covers. Also see Series 18, Dance and Series 20, Musicians and Musical Instruments.
Ephemera --Subseries 1-6 follow the same headings as for the sheet music. Subseries 7 contains materials concerning publishers. There is no subseries 8. Subseries 9 contains materials concerning the Grand Ole Opry. Subseries 10 is the largest section of ephemera and contains publications such as trade magazines and radio company newsletters.
Material related to this series within the DeVincent Collection may be found in Series 6, Movies; Series 10, Sacred Music and Religious Themes; Series 11, Entertainment; Series 18, Dance; and Series 20, Musicians and Musical Instruments.
Arrangement note:
Arranged in 9 subseries.
16.1: Individual Male Entertainers
16.2: Individual Female Entertainers
16.3: Duos and Groups
16.4: The West
16.5: Barn Dance, Fiddle Tunes, and Turkey in the Straw
16.6: Blues, Feuding, Hillbilly, Honky Tonk and Yodeling
16.7: Miscellaneous Songs
16.8: Folios
16.9: Ephemera
Materials in Other Organizations:
Sam DeVincent Collection of American Sheet Music, Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
This collection contains duplicates of materials in the Smithsonian collection, as well as materials acquired by Mr. DeVincent after the donation to the Smithsonian. The phonograph records described above were transferred to the University of Missouri at Kansas City.
Materials in the Archives Center, National Museum of American History:
Donald J. Stubblebine Collection of Musical Theater and Motion Picture Sheet Music and Reference Material, 1843-2010 (AC1211)
Forms Part Of:
Series 16: Country, Western and Folk Music forms part of the
Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music
.
An ongoing, updated list of DeVincent topical series is available via the Smithsonian finding aid portal.
Provenance:
This collection was purchased by the Smithsonian Institution in 1988 from Sam and Nancy Lee DeVincent.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Citation:
The Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Sam DeVincent loved music and art and began collecting sheet music with lithographs at an early age.
Series 10: Sacred Music and Religious Themes contains approximately 4,000 pieces of sheet music, much of which is traditional Christian music, but also documents popular attitudes towards religion in the United States.
An overview to the entire DeVincent collection is available here: Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music.
Scope and Contents note:
Series 10, Sacred Music and Religious Themes, 1822-1986, undated, contains approximately 4,000 pieces of sheet music, much of which is traditional Christian music, but also documents popular attitudes towards religion in the United States. Note that the Christmas and Easter subseries include their secular aspects. The materials are arranged by subject. The dates always refer to copyright of the music and not to the subject on the cover, songwriter's life, or other events. In addition, there is one box of ephemera arranged in the same subseries order as the music listing, which is described following the container list. A large part consists of Christmas items, both secular and religious.
Subseries 1, Adam, Eve, and Eden, 1882-1971. This couple and their first home are of endless fascination, with the religious aspect not being the main subject. There are sixteen Broadway shows and revues represented in this subseries.
Subseries 2, Angels, 1849-1961, undated. Almost all the sheets have "angel" in the title; the few that do not have angels depicted on the cover. More "angel" titles are also in subseries 8, Devil and Satan. Songs referring to girlfriends or mothers as angels can be found in Series 9:6, Domestic and Community Life.
Subseries 3, Bells and Chimes, 1848-1956, undated. All titles contain either "bells" or "chimes" which toll from cathedrals, convents, missions, and temples, and at various times of day. "Chime" titles are also in Series 14, Calendar, Time and Weather, subseries 5, Clocks and Time.
Subseries 4, Biblical Characters and Stories, 1876-1986, undated. Noah and Salome account for the largest portion. Others include Hagar, Hezekiah, Joshua, and Shadrach.
Subseries 5, Cathedral, Chapel, and Church, 1866-1966, undated. All titles contain one of these three words. Most of the songs are quite nostalgic, and many refer to the "little" church. Images of these buildings are on covers throughout the series, particularly in subseries 3, Bells and Chimes. Also see Series 14, Calendar, Time and Weather, subseries 4, Days of the Week/Sunday.
Subseries 6, Choir, 1880-1937. These songs are about choirs, and all titles contain the word "Choir." Three publications dedicated to choirs are included. Choral arrangements are integrated throughout the series and have their own folders in subseries 21.
Subseries 7, Christmas, 1828-1984, undated. This music accounts for twenty-eight percent of the entire series. Much of it has to do with the non-religious side of Christmas, such as the tree, family, Santa Claus, and toys.
Subseries 8, Devil and Satan, 1865-1979, undated. Over half the titles contain the word "devil" and are in Folder A. Other songs refer to demon, Satan, and hell, or have devilish covers. Also included are operas and professional copy scores.
Subseries 9, Easter, 1872-1975, undated. Most of this subseries is concerned with the religious context, but note the separate folder for Bunnies, Rabbits, and Eggs.
Subseries 10, Evolution, 1925-1963. This is a small grouping, with half of the titles including "monkey." Other monkey titles are in Series 12, Plants and Animals, subseries 3, Animals, Folders DD-GG.
Subseries 11, Heaven, 1866-1975, undated. Songs referring to "heaven" in a romantic context are in Series 9.6.
Subseries 12, Inspirational Singers, 1868-1977. Fanny Cosby and Stuart Hamblen have one folder each. Hamblen's secular music is in the Country, Western, and Folk Music Series. Note that the dates refer to the copyright of the music and not the lives of the singers.
Subseries 13, Madonna, The Virgin Mary, 1855-1953, undated. This small section all has to do with the Madonna, in various names. Note that the well-known "Ave Maria" is in subseries 21, Multiple Editions.
Subseries 14, Miracles, 1929-1959. These nine songs all have to do with specific places and/or events considered holy. Also see subseries 3, Bells and Chimes for specific churches or missions.
Subseries 15, Mormons, 1895-1933, undated. These few songs concentrate on polygamy and include one "coon" song.
Subseries 16, Paradise, 1900-1925, undated. There are just three titles in this subseries, one of which, "Dream of Paradise," has multiple editions Also see Series 9.6 for the romantic view of paradise.
Subseries 17, Pilgrim, 1868-1938, undated. This small folder contains five titles, one of which, "I'm a Pilgrim," has multiple editions.
Subseries 18, The Psalms, 1884-1980, undated. There are twelve different psalms represented, with Psalm XXIII having the most.
Subseries 19, Quakers, 1899-1940, undated. Most sheets have "Quaker" in the title. Two covers have girls dressed as Quakers, and one cover is of the Armstrong Quaker Orchestra.
Subseries 20, The Rosary, 1897-1953. In addition to several "Rosary" titles, there are nine composers of "My Rosary" (also, "The Rosary"), with words by Robert Cameron Rogers.
Subseries 21, General Religious Songs, 1822-1982, undated. Almost one half of the series is in this section. If you do not find a specific title in Folders A-BB, look under Buds and Blossoms editions in Folder CC, the multiple editions of twenty-eight individual titles in Folders DD-WW, or the choral arrangements in Folders CCC-EEE. Folios are in Folders XX-BBB.
Ephemera, 1899-1986, is in Ephemera Box 28. Christmas items account for about one half. The religious items include church programs, printed prayers, and newspaper articles.
Arrangement note:
Arranged in 22 subseries.
10.1: Adam, Eve, and Eden
10.2: Angels
10.3: Bells and Chimes
10.4: Biblical Characters and Stories
10.5: Cathedral, Chapel, Church
10.6: Choir
10.7: Christmas
10.8: Devil and Satan
10.9: Easter
10.10: Evolution
10.11: Heaven
10.12: Inspirational Singers
10.13: Madonna, The Virgin Mary
10.14: Miracles
10.15: Mormons
10.16: Paradise
10.17: Pilgrim
10.18: Psalms
10.19: Quakers
10.20: Rosary
10.21: General Religious Songs
10.22: Ephemera
Materials in Other Organizations:
Sam DeVincent Collection of American Sheet Music, Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
This collection contains duplicates of materials in the Smithsonian collection, as well as materials acquired by Mr. DeVincent after the donation to the Smithsonian. The phonograph records described above were transferred to the University of Missouri at Kansas City.
Materials in the Archives Center, National Museum of American History:
Donald J. Stubblebine Collection of Musical Theater and Motion Picture Sheet Music and Reference Material, 1843-2010 (AC1211)
Forms Part Of:
Series 10: Sacred Music and Religious Themes forms part of the
Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music
.
An ongoing, updated list of DeVincent topical series is available via the Smithsonian finding aid portal.
Provenance:
This collection was purchased by the Smithsonian Institution in 1988 from Sam and Nancy Lee DeVincent.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Citation:
The Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Sam DeVincent loved music and art and began collecting sheet music with lithographs at an early age.
Series 11: Entertainment contains more than 12,500 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards entertainers and entertainment in the United States.
An overview to the entire DeVincent collection is available here: Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music.
Scope and Contents note:
Series 11, Entertainment, 1841-1986, undated, contains more than 12,500 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards entertainers and entertainment in the United States. Note that movies and some musical entertainment are also covered in Series 6, Moving Pictures and Movie Stars, and in Series 16, Country, Western, and Folk Music. Blind musicians and performers are in Series 17. The materials are arranged by subject, with ephemera arranged in the same subseries as the sheet music and described following the container list. The ephemera has been placed in eighteen document boxes. News articles about Elvis Presley form a large part of this section.
Material related to this series within the DeVincent Collection may be found in Series 4, Songwriters; Series 6, Moving Pictures and Movie Stars; Series 16, Country, Western, and Folk Music; and in the as yet unprocessed Musical Instruments section.
Arrangement note:
Arranged in 18 subseries.
11.1: Early Troupes & Bandmasters
11.2: Dance Bands and Orchestras
11.3: Novelty Bands
11.4: Male Singers (Individual)
11.5: Female Singers (Individual)
11.6: Duos and Groups (Male and Mixed)
11.7: Female Duos and Groups
11.8: Child Entertainers
11.9: Male and Female Impersonators
11.10: Actors and Comedians
11.11: Theater
11.12: Jukebox, Nickelodeon
11.13: Phonographs and Sound Recordings
11.14: Radio, Transistor, Wireless
11.15: Television
11.16: Circus, Fair, Zoo
11.17: Rock and Roll
11.18: Ephemera
Materials in Other Organizations:
Sam DeVincent Collection of American Sheet Music, Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
This collection contains duplicates of materials in the Smithsonian collection, as well as materials acquired by Mr. DeVincent after the donation to the Smithsonian. The phonograph records described above were transferred to the University of Missouri at Kansas City.
Materials in the Archives Center, National Museum of American History:
Donald J. Stubblebine Collection of Musical Theater and Motion Picture Sheet Music and Reference Material, 1843-2010 (AC1211)
Forms Part Of:
Series 11: Entertainment forms part of the
Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music
.
An ongoing, updated list of DeVincent topical series is available via the Smithsonian finding aid portal.
Provenance:
This collection was purchased by the Smithsonian Institution in 1988 from Sam and Nancy Lee DeVincent.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Citation:
The Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Primarily published sheet music, plus some related ephemera. Originally included 781 boxes of American sheet music and assorted clippings, articles, photographs, etc.; also 93 boxes of 33-1/3 RPM phonograph records, 30 boxes of 45 RPM records, and 20 boxes of 78 RPM records
Scope and Contents:
Sam DeVincent organized his collection topically and the present organization is built upon his basic system. In the course of processing this huge collection organized into hundreds of topics, a set of more encompassing topical headings have been developed. For example, the series designation "transportation" gathers together DeVincent's topical headings of "automobiles," "railroads," "bicycles," etc. Each of these larger, conceptual, headings is considered a series and is given a series number. Transportation is series number 1. Each series will be described separately and a composite index will lead researchers into the appropriate series. Terminology is consistent with Library of Congress Subject Headings whenever possible.
Within each series, the topical headings used by DeVincent, or a heading of similar level and type, receive sub-series numbers. For example, "railroads" is part of series 1, transportation, and is given the sub-series number 7. Therefore, "railroads" is designated as 1.7.
All of the sheet music has been placed in folders (from 1 to 45 items per folder) and given a letter of the alphabet. Within each folder, the music is arranged alphabetically by song title. A researcher searching the index for the song Wabash Cannonball (note that very few song titles are indexed) would be directed to "1.7 V." The researcher would then turn to the railroad section of the container list (1.7) and look for folder V and read the folder description.
Most of the sheet music is either a solo piano or a piano/vocal arrangement. There are very few orchestral or band parts and very little music for instruments other than piano. When the word "instrumental" is used in folder descriptions and titles, the music referred to has no lyrics and is for solo piano. Music for other instruments or ensemble parts will be mentioned explicitly in the folder description and usually indexed. Also, duplicates have not been kept in the file unless the sheet is particularly old or fragile (in which case one duplicate was kept if available). Sheets with slightly different covers, different ink colors, or variations in advertising matter are not considered duplicates.
In addition to the sheet music, the collection includes ephemera files corresponding to each series. These files contain items such as lists of sheet music, DeVincent's correspondence with other collectors, wire service printouts received at the radio station where he worked, his notes to be used for cross-indexing ("see also" references), and miscellaneous items relating to the topic. Some materials kept by DeVincent have not been incorporated into the ephemera files, for example most of the popular magazines, Fort Wayne Indiana newspaper clippings about non-musical topics, and some advertising matter.
The ephemera files are numbered with the same series and sub-series numbers as the sheet music. For example bicycles are 1.3 in both the music and ephemera files. A description of the ephemera file follows the sheet music container list. It is followed by an index to the entire series. Many topical headings not directly concerned with the topic of the series are indexed (for example "Women, images of" is an important topic in the bicycle sub-series). The author of each series description made the decisions about topics for indexing.
Series 1: Transportation:
Dates -- circa 1800-1980
Contents -- Series 1: Transportation contains circa 3,900 pieces of sheet music documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards transportation technology in the United States.1.1: Aeronautics1.2: Automobiles1.3: Bicycles1.4: Boats and Boating1.5: Horse-Drawn Vehicles1.6: Motorcycles1.7: Railroads1.8: Urban Transportation1.9 Ephemera
Series 2: Armed Forces:
Dates -- circa 1810-1980
Contents -- Series 2: Armed Forces contains circa 3,400 pieces of sheet music and song folios documenting the military history of the United States; there are only a handful of foreign imprints. 2.1: Pre-Civil War2.2: Civil War2.3: Pre-World War I2.4: World War I2.5: World War II2.6: Post -World War2.7: Naval History2.8: Marine CorpsEphemera
Series 3: African-American Music:
Dates -- circa 1828-1980
Contents -- Series 3: African-American Music contains circa 7,800 pieces of sheet music and folios dating from the 1820s to the 1980s; most of the material dates from after 1890. 3.1: Minstrel Shows and Blackface Entertainers3.2: Uncle Tom's Cabin3.3: African-American Folk-songs and Spirituals3.4: Songs about African-American/Vocal Ragtime3.5: Instrumental and Ragtime Music3.6: Ragtime Composers and Publishers3.7: Blues and Jazz Music3.8: Composers and PerformersEphemera
Series 4: Songwriters:
Dates -- 1817-1982
Contents -- Series 4: Songwriters: The song sheets associated with each songwriter in this series are generally arranged in the following order: General Songs; Ethnic Songs; Armed Conflict Songs or other Topical Headings; Ragtime; Instrumental; Musical Theater Production Songs; Motion Picture Production Songs; Specialized Song Sheets/Editions; Professional/Artist Copy Song Sheets; and Folios/Volumes. List: 4.1 - 4.217Ephemera
Series 5: Politics and Political Movements:
Dates -- circa 1817-1982
Contents -- Series 5: Politics and Political Movements contains circa 1,565 pieces of sheet music and song folios documenting the political history of the United States. 5.1: Patriotic Music5.2: Politicians and Political Figures5.3: Politics and Political Parties5.4: Ku Klux Klan5.5: Prohibition and Temperance5.6: Trade Union5.7: Women's RightsEphemera
Series 6: Moving Pictures and Movie Stars:
Dates -- 1911-1986
Contents -- Series 6: Moving Pictures and Movie Stars: 6.1 Academy Award Songs6.2 Child Stars6.3 Dance Folios6.4 Disney Productions and Other Cartoon Movies6.5 Female Stars6.6 Male Stars6.7 Movie Music6.8 Silent Films6.9 Songs About the MoviesEphemera
Series 7: Sports:
Dates -- 1834-1983
Contents -- Series 7: Sports contains 1,254 pieces of sheet music and song folios. Most of the sheet music is either piano or piano/ vocal arrangements. 7.1: Baseball, 1860-19767.2: Boxing, 1893-19827.3: Fishing, 1847-19627.4: Football, 1894-1978; undated7.5: Gambling and Games of Chance, 1891-19807.6: Golf, 1893-19537.7: Horse Racing, 1899-19687.8: Hunting, 1834-19517.9: Ice Skating, 1861 -1978; undated7.10: Olympics, 1932-19837.11: Ping Pong, 1901-19027.12: Roller Skating, 1871-1980; undated7.13: Skiing, 1908-19717.14: Sleighs and Sledding, 1846- 1967; undated7.15: Sports, Miscellaneous, 1866-19777.16: Tennis, 1893-1914, 1951Ephemera
Series 8: Geography:
Dates -- 1794-1987
Contents -- Series 8: Geography is divided into three sections: the United States, Foreign Countries, and Natural Features. The more than 13,000 sheets date from 1830-1987 and include undated sheets that are probably earlier. The series comprises 33 cu. ft. 8.1-8.49: United States, 1830-1987 (States)8.50-8.51: United States, 1830-1987 (U. S. Regions)8.53-8.89: Foreign Countries, 1794-1982 (Afghanistan - Italy)8.90-8.126: Foreign Countries, 1794-1982 (Japan - Vietnam) & (Foreign Regions)8.127-8.128: Natural Features, 1834-1980Ephemera
Series 9: Domestic and Community Life:
Dates -- 1827-1986; undated
Contents -- Series 9: Domestic and Community Life documents family, love, marriage, home, and social organizations. It does not include Health or Business items, which are included in separate series. Certain issues, such as women's rights, are in Series 2: Politics and Political Movements. 9.1: Adult Family Members, 1836-1985; undated9.2: Children, 1855-1971; undated9.3: Dolls, Stories, Toys, 1860-1984; undated9.4: Songs About and Images of Men and Women, 1828-1972; undated9.5: Home, Neighborhood, and Immigrants/Refugees, 1830-1980; undated9.6: Love, 1827-1982; undated9.7: Marriage, 1829-1976; undated9.8: Friendship and Social Organizations, 1838-1982; undated9.9: Age, Death, and Dying, 1834-1951; undated9.10: Domestic Art and Clothing, 1843-1978; undated9.11:Albums, Lockets, and Memories, 1857-1952; undatedEphemera
Series 10: Sacred Music and Religious Themes:
Dates -- 1822-1986, undated
Contents -- Series 10: Sacred Music and Religious Themes contains approximately 4,000 pieces of sheet music, much of which is traditional Christian music, but also documents popular attitudes towards religion in the United States. Note that the Christmas and Easter subseries include their secular aspects. 10.1, Adam, Eve, and Eden, 1882-197110.2, Angels, 1849-1961, undated10.3, Bells and Chimes, 1848-1956, undated10.4, Biblical Characters and Stories, 1876-1986, undated10.5, Cathedral, Chapel, Church, 1866-1966, undated10.6, Choir, 1880-193710.7, Christmas, 1828-1984, undated10.8, Devil and Satan, 1865-1979, undated10.9, Easter, 1872-1975, undated10.10, Evolution, 1925-196310.11, Heaven, 1866-1975, undated10.12, Inspirational Singers, 1868-197710.13, Madonna, The Virgin Mary, 1855-1953, undated10.14, Miracles, 1929-195910.15, Mormons, 1895-1933, undated10.16, Paradise, 1900-1925, undated10.17, Pilgrim, 1868-1938, undated10.18, Psalms, 1884-1980, undated10.19, Quakers, 1899-1940, undated10.20, Rosary, 1897-195310.21, General Sacred Songs, 1822-1982, undatedEphemera, 1899-1986
Series 11: Entertainment:
Dates -- 1841-1984, undated
Contents -- Series 11: Entertainment contains more than 12,500 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards entertainers and entertainment in the United States. Note that movies and some musical entertainment are also covered in Series 6, Moving Pictures and Movie Stars, and in Series 16, Country, Western, and Folk Music. Blind musicians and performers are in Series 17. 11.1: Early Troupes & Bandmasters, 1841-1944, undated11.2: Dance Bands and Orchestras, 1905-1964, undated11.3: Novelty Bands, 1901-195211.4: Male Singers (Individual), 1846-198111.5: Female Singers (Individual), 1845-197111.6: Duos and Groups (Male and Mixed), 1903-198111.7: Female Duos and Groups, 1896-196611.8: Child Entertainers, 1852-1927, undated11.9: Impersonators, 1904-198211.10: Actors and Comedians, 1853-198211.11: Theater, 1873-1973, undated11.12: Juke Box, Nickelodeon, 1923-198111.13: Phonograph, Records, Tapes, 1878-197111.14: Radio, Transistor, Wireless, 1898-198411.15: Television, 1931-198711.16: Circus, Fair, Zoo
Series 12: Plants and Animals:
Dates -- 1831-1984, undated
Contents -- Series 12: Plants and Animals contains approximately 4,000 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards plants and animals in the United States. 12.1, Trees, 1833-1969, undated12.2, Plants and Flowers, 1840-1979, undated12.3, Animals, 1831-1984, undated12.4, Fish, Mermaids, and Aquatic Species, 1832-1978, undated12.5, Birds, 1834-1976, undated12.6, Insects and Spiders, 1853-1968, undated
Series 13: Agriculture, Business, and Law:
Dates -- 1827-1985, undated
Contents -- Series 13, Agriculture, Business, and Law contains approximately 3,300 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards business, commerce, farming and food, finances, labor, law, and social order in the United States. The series comprises nine cubic feet, plus two boxes of ephemera. 13.1, Business and Jobs, 1927-1982, undated13.2, Farming, Food, and Tobacco, 1836-1986, undated13.3, Finances and Valuables, 1841-1982, undated13.4, Law and Social Order, 1858-1972, undated13.5, Public Services and Utilities, 1836-1984, undatedEphemera, 1901-1987, undated
Series 14: Calendar, Time, and Weather:
Dates -- 1811-1980, undated
Contents -- Series 14, Calendar, Time, and Weather contains approximately 1,800 pieces of sheet music, documenting attitudes toward and consequences of natural events. The four seasons comprise the larger part. 14.1, Years, 1880-1945, undated14.2, Seasons, 1850-1978, undated14.3, Months, 1855-1978, undated14.4, Days of the Week, 1853-196514.5, Clocks and Time, 1844-1967, undated14.6, Weather, 1911-1980, undatedEphemera, 1952-1982, undated
Series 15: Holidays and Celebrations:
Dates -- 1847-1982, undated
Contents -- Series 15, Holidays and Celebrations contains approximately 500 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards holidays, celebrations, and travel in the United States. Note that Christmas items are in Series 10, Sacred Music and Religious Themes, subseries 7. 15.1, Holiday, Travel, Vacation, 1866-198215.2, Carnival, 1847-1937, undated15.3, Mardi Gras, 1892-1958, undated15.4, Masquerade, 1900-1973, undated.15.5, Halloween, 1853-1962, undated.15.6, Thanksgiving, 1853-1974, undated.15.7, New Year, 1852-1970, undated15.8, Park, 1869-1969, undated15.9, Picnic, 1854-1964, undated15.10, Rolling Chairs, 1905-1923, undatedEphemera
Series 16: Country, Western, and Folk Music:
Dates -- 1839-1986, undated
Contents -- Series 16: Country, Western, and Folk Music, contains approximately 11,500 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards country, western, and folk music in the United States. The dates always refer to copyright of the music and not to the subject on the cover, songwriter's life, or other events. There are 78 boxes of sheet music and 16 boxes of ephemera. 16.1, Individual Male Entertainers, 1911-1983, undated16.2, Individual Female Entertainers, 1902-1986, undated16.3, Duos and Groups, 1910-1981, undated16.4, The West, 1939-198416.5, Barn Dance, Fiddle Tunes, and "Turkey in the Straw," 1878-197516.6, Blues, Feuding, Hillbilly, Honky Tonk, and Yodeling, 1885-1975, undated16.7, Miscellaneous Songs, 1913-198316.8, Folios, 1914-1969Ephemera --subseries 1-7 and subseries 9-10
Series 17: The Human Condition--Physical, Mental, Behavioral:
Dates -- 1833-1987
Contents -- Series 17, The Human Condition--Physical, Mental, Behavioral contains approximately 1,000 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards the human condition in the United States. 17.1, Physical Health, 1833-1982, undated17.2, Happiness, 1845-1978, undated17.3, Crazy, Foolish, 1904-1973, undated17.4, Rubes, 1888-1938Ephemera
Series 18: Dance:
Dates -- 1812-1978, undated
Contents -- Series 18, Dance contains approximately 3,330 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards dance in the United States. 18.1, General Songs about Dance, 1882-1967, undated18.2, Ballroom Dancers and Dance Institute, 1840-1951, undated18.3, Charleston, 1923-196418.4, Fox Trot, 1913-193218.5, Galop, 1842-1924, undated18.6, Gavotte, 1874-1978, undated18.7, Jigs and Reels, 1891-1951, undated18.8, Lancers, 1857-1903, undated18.9, Maxixe, 1913-1914, undated18.10, Mazurka, 1854-1940, undated18.11, Minuet, 1875-1968, undated18.12, One Step, 1910-192118.13, Polka, 1845-1975, undated18.14, Quadrilles, 1831-1883, undated18.15, Redowa, 1853-1908, undated18.16, Schottische, 1850-1944, undated18.17, Skirt Dance, 1891-1893, undated18.18, Square Dance, 1926-196418.19, Tango, 1909-195218.20, Three Step, 1903-191318.21, Two Step, 1894-192518.22, Varsova, 1851-1917, undated18.23, Waltz, 1812-1968, undated18.24, Folios, 1888-1953, undatedEphemera
Series 19: Art and Literature:
Dates -- 1830-1977, undated
Contents -- Series 19, Art and Literature contains approximately 860 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting popular attitudes towards art and literature in the United States. 19.1, Art and Artists, 1839-1977, undated19.2, Cover Artists and Early Lithograph Covers, 1830-1931, undated19.3, Photography, 1848-196619.4, Carving and Whittling, 1906-194719.5, Books, Diary, and Stories, 1849-198319.6, Poets and Poetry, 1836-1969, undated Ephemera Index
Series 20: Newspapers:
Dates -- 1844-1968, undated
Contents -- Series 20, Newspapers, 1844-1968, contains materials documenting the business of and popular attitudes towards newspapers in the United States. 20.1, Songs about Advertising, the News and the Press20.2, Songs published by Newspapers or about serialized stories20.3, Songs about Newsboys and Newsgirls20.4, Cartoons, Cartoonists, and Comics20.5, Newspaper and Magazine SupplementsEphemera
Series 21: Musical Instruments:
Dates -- 1824-1981 and undated
Contents -- Series 21, Musical Instruments, 1824-1981, undated, contains approximately 4,900 pieces of sheet music and other materials documenting the development of and popular attitudes towards the playing of music in the United States. Numerous teaching manuals are included.21.1, Accordion, 1902-1964, undated21.2, Banjo, 1853-1975, undated21.3, Cello, 1891-1935, undated21.4, Clarinet, 1905-1958, undated21.5, Concertina, 1905-1941, undated21.6, Cornet, 1848-1924, undated21.7, Double Bass, 1939-195521.8, Drums, 1867-1971, undated21.9, Fiddle, 1893-1981, undated21.10, Flute, 1847-1936, undated21.11, Guitar, 1824-1977, undated21.12, Harmonica, 1904-1974, undated21.13, Harp, 1866-1976, undated21.14, Hurdy Gurdy, 1899-196921.15, Mandolin, 1843-1954, undated21.16, Music Boxes, 1848-1979, undated21.17, Organ, 1856-1973, undated21.18, Saxophone, 1907-195321.19, Tambourine, 1854-196021.20, Trombone, 1906-195721.21, Trumpet, 1904-1945, undated21.22, Ukulele, 1915-1964, undated21.23, Violin, 1843-1957, undated21.24, Zither, 1970-1951, undated21.25, Various Instruments, 1835-1968, undatedEphemera
Series 22: American Indian:
Contents -- Series 22: American Indian
Dates -- 1899-1975
Series 23: Universe:
Contents -- Series 23: Universe
Dates -- 1842-1970
Series 24: Education:
Contents -- Series 24: Education
Dates -- 1834-1964
Series 25: Vocal:
Contents -- Series 25: Vocal
Series 26: General Sheet Music:
Contents -- Series 26: General Sheet Music
Series 27: Gypsies:
Contents -- Series 27: Gypsies
Series 28: Opera:
Contents -- Series 28: Opera
Series 29: Piano:
Contents -- Series 29: Piano
Series 30: Marches and Quicksteps:
Contents -- Series 30: Marches and Quicksteps
Series 31: Dialects:
Contents -- Series 31: Dialects
Series 32: Christopher Columbus:
Contents -- Series 32: Christopher Columbus
Series 33: Reveries:
Contents -- Series 33: Reveries
Series 34: Indiana Publishers:
Contents -- Series 34: Indiana Publishers
Series 35: Sam DeVincent Personal Papers:
Contents -- Series 35: Sam DeVincent Personal Papers
Series 36: Folios and Songbooks:
Contents -- Series 36: Folios and Songbooks
Series 37: Other Materials:
Contents -- Series 37: Other Materials
Dates -- 1853-1976
Additional Topical Series:
An updated list of DeVincent topical series is available via the Smithsonian finding aid portal.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into topical series.
Biographical note:
Sam DeVincent was born January 8, 1918 and lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana for most of his life. DeVincent collected sheet music and related materials during most of his lifetime. His interest included both the music and the cover art. Because he had little money to support his collecting, DeVincent gathered most of his material through careful searches and travel.
DeVincent and his wife used much of the music he collected in their musical group "Nancy Lee and the Hilltoppers." The group performed regularly on radio station WOWO in Fort Wayne, Indiana, from 1945 to 1955. After 1955 (and the emergence of rock and roll), "Nancy Lee and the Hilltoppers" played only once a week on the radio station. At this time, Mr. DeVincent worked as an all-night disc jockey at WOWO. In 1960 he became music director and music librarian at the station. His position as music librarian helped him to add to his collection, especially the phonograph recordings (many promotional copies are included).
DeVincent retired from WOWO in 1983. He and his wife continued to perform publicly including a weekly radio show on WOWO. The National Museum of American History acquired the DeVincent collection in the spring of 1988. Sam DeVincent passed away November 29, 1997.
Materials in Other Organizations:
Sam DeVincent Collection of American Sheet Music, Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
The Sam DeVincent Collection of American Sheet Music contains approximately 24,000 pieces of sheet music, songbooks, and folios. DeVincent arranged his collection into categories based on either personal names of musicians or performers or on subjects he defined that were as diverse as the American Red Cross and Halloween. The Lilly Library has maintained this arrangement.
All the sheet music in the DeVincent collection is listed in the IN Harmony: Sheet Music from Indiana: Lilly Library web site. Digitized images are available for some items.
Materials in the Archives Center, National Museum of American History:
Donald J. Stubblebine Collection of Musical Theater and Motion Picture Sheet Music and Reference Material, 1843-2010 (AC1211)
Provenance:
This collection was purchased by the Smithsonian Institution in 1988 from Sam and Nancy Lee DeVincent.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Sam DeVincent loved music and art and began collecting sheet music with lithographs at an early age.
Series 2: Armed Forces contains circa 3,400 pieces of sheet music and song folios documenting the military history of the United States; there are only a handful of foreign imprints.
An overview to the entire DeVincent collection is available here: Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music.
Scope and Contents note:
The Armed Forces series contains circa 3,400 pieces of sheet music and song folios documenting the military history of the United States; there are only a handful of foreign imprints. The World War I subseries (2.4) is particularly impressive with circa 1,150 items. The Post-World War II subseries (2.6) is very small. Some additional military items can be found in the DeVincent file for Presidents of the United States.
The illustrated covers offer the military historian fine portraits of well-known officers, visual evidence about uniforms and other military regalia, and dramatic portrayals of battle scenes. The series also contains material of interest to the social and cultural historian as well as the musicologist. The changing character of the songs indicates something about the accepted public face of different eras--from the Civil War's anguished songs of youthful death to the World War II songs of near denial of the possibility of death; from the Civil War's primary relationship of the soldier boy to his mother to a World War II emphasis upon the relationship of the young service man to his girlfriend.
The material dates from circa 1810 to 1983. Many early imprints are in the armed forces series, subseries 2.1--Pre-Civil War. Most pre-1840 imprints are not dated. Estimates have been made for the dates of many early imprints by checking publisher and address of the publisher in the "Index of Publishers, Engravers and Printers" in volume III of Richard Wolfe's Secular Music in America 1801-1825: A Bibliography and in Oscar Sonneck's A Bibliography of Early Secular American Music. Several sheets that appear to be very old could not be dated by this method.
The Ephemera file, arranged in the same subseries as the sheet music, is described after the subseries. The armed forces ephemera file is placed in two document boxes numbered with the same series and subseries numbers as the sheet music.
The seven subseries in the armed forces series are arranged chronologically except for the last subseries, Naval History. These subseries includes: 2.1 Pre-Civil War; 2.2 Civil War; 2.3 Pre-World War I; 2.4 World War I; 2.5 World War II; 2.6 Post-World War II; 2.7 Naval History; 2.8 Marine Corps.
Arrangement:
Arranged in 9 subseries.
2.1: Pre-Civil War
2.2: Civil War
2.3: Pre-World War I
2.4: World War I
2.5: World War II
2.6: Post -World War
2.7: Naval History
2.8: Marine Corps
2.9: Ephemera
Materials in Other Organizations:
Sam DeVincent Collection of American Sheet Music, Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
This collection contains duplicates of materials in the Smithsonian collection, as well as materials acquired by Mr. DeVincent after the donation to the Smithsonian. The phonograph records described above were transferred to the University of Missouri at Kansas City.
Materials in the Archives Center, National Museum of American History:
Donald J. Stubblebine Collection of Musical Theater and Motion Picture Sheet Music and Reference Material, 1843-2010 (AC1211)
Forms Part Of:
Series 2: Armed Forces forms part of the
Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music
.
An ongoing, updated list of DeVincent topical series is available via the Smithsonian finding aid portal.
Series 2: Armed Forces forms part of the Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music .
Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music
Series 1: Transportation
Series 2: Armed Forces
Series 3: African-American Music
Series 4: Songwriters Volumes I and II
Series 5: Politics and Political Movements
Series 6: Moving Pictures and Movie Stars
Series 7: Sports
Series 8: Geography
Series 9: Domestic and Community Life
Series 10: Sacred Music and Religious Themes
Series 11: Entertainment
Series 12: Plants and Animals
Series 13: Agriculture, Business, and Law
Series 14: Calendar, Time, and Weather
Series 15: Holidays and Celebrations
Series 16: Country, Western, and Folk Music
Series 17: The Human Condition, Physical, Mental, Behavioral
Series 18: Dance
Series 19: Art and Literature
Series 20: Newspapers
Series 21: Musical Instruments
Provenance:
This collection was purchased by the Smithsonian Institution in 1988 from Sam and Nancy Lee DeVincent.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Citation:
The Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Electronic records
Web sites
Date:
2010-2013
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of a blog and a website maintained by Smithsonian/Folkways Recordings as they existed on August 4, 2013.
The Smithsonian Folkways Tumblr account highlighted recordings from its collections, often tied to anniversaries or special events. The first post to the blog was in March
2010. In January 2012, a post noted that the account would no longer be updated.
The "Performed Words" website allows the public to listen to recorded, living performances and hear the performer's voices speaking and singing with their own tone, rhythm
and nuance. Due to technical issues, this accession only includes the non-Flash version of the website.
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Electronic records
Web sites
Date:
2013
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of the Smithsonian/Folkways Recordings website as it existed on December 27, 2013. Folkways is the non-profit recording label of the Smithsonian
Institution, dedicated to supporting cultural diversity and increased understanding among peoples through the documentation, preservation, and dissemination of sound. The
website includes information about the program, educational resources, and podcasts as well as an online version of "Smithsonian Folkways Magazine." This accession does not
include audio tracks. Materials are in electronic format.
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Electronic records
Web sites
Date:
2012
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of the website for Smithsonian/Folkways Recordings as it existed on April 2, 2012. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is the non-profit recording
label of the Smithsonian Institution, dedicated to supporting cultural diversity and increased understanding among peoples through the documentation, preservation, and dissemination
of sound. The website includes information about the program, educational resources, and podcasts as well as an online version of "Smithsonian Folkways Magazine." Materials
are in electronic format.
The Smithsonian Institution Festival of American Folklife, held annually since 1967 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was renamed the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 1998. The materials collected here document the planning, production, and execution of the annual Festival, produced by the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage (1999-present) and its predecessor offices (1967-1999). An overview of the entire Festival records group is available here: Smithsonian Folklife Festival records.
Scope and Contents note:
This collection documents the planning, production, and execution of the 1986 Festival of American Folklife. Materials may include photographs, audio recordings, motion picture film and video recordings, notes, production drawings, contracts, memoranda, correspondence, informational materials, publications, and ephemera. Such materials were created during the Festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., as well as in the featured communities, before or after the Festival itself.
Arrangement note:
Arranged in 6 series.
Series 1: Program Books, Festival Publications, and Ephemera
Series 2: 20th Anniversary Music Stage
Series 3: American Trial Lawyers
Series 4: Cultural Conservation: Traditional Crafts in a Post-Industrial Age
Series 5: Japan: Rice in Japanese Folk Culture
Series 6: Tennessee
Historical note:
The Festival of American Folklife, held annually since 1967 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., was renamed the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in 1998.
The 1986 Festival of American Folklife was produced by the Smithsonian Office of Folklife Programs and cosponsored by the National Park Service.
For more information, see Smithsonian Folklife Festival records.
Introduction:
1986 saw the 20th annual Festival. Twenty years previously, the Smithsonian's 1967 Festival of American Folklife had announced in a national forum that study and conservation of living traditional cultures were a continuing part of the Federal government's engagement with arts, humanities, and science. Since that time, this idea has resonated outside the Institution in a way that helped to shape a coordinated Federal approach to traditional cultures.
1986 marked as well the 10th anniversary of the American Folklife Center in the Library of Congress, on whose board the Secretary of the Smithsonian sits as an ex-officio member. In his remarks for the Festival Program Book, Secretary Robert McC. Adams took note that the Smithsonian had collaborated with the Center on several folklife matters, among them the Federal Cylinder Project, which preserved and was actively making available to Indian communities the earliest sound recordings of American Indian music. He offered his congratulations to the American Folklife Center and also to the Folk Arts Program at the National Endowment for the Arts, in its 14th year in 1986, for their continuing good work.
The 1986 Festival featured four thematic programs and a series of musical performance celebrating the Festival's 20th anniversary. The 1986 Program Book included schedules and participant lists for each program; the Program Book essays provided a larger context for the Festival presentations, without being limited to traditions actually presented at the 1986 Festival.
The 1986 Festival took place for two five-day weeks (June 25-29 and July 2-6) between Madison Drive and Jefferson Drive and between 10th Street and 14th Street, south of the National Museum of American History and the National Museum of Natural History (see site plan). A visual highlight of the 1986 Festival site was a large flooded rice paddy in the Japan program, where daily rice-transplanting rituals were enacted. The Festival was co-presented by the Smithsonian Institution and National Park Service and organized by the Office of Folklife Programs.
Office of Folklife Programs
Peter Seitel, Director; Richard Kurin, Deputy Director; Diana Parker, Festival Director; Thomas Vennum, Jr., Senior Ethnomusicologist; Alicia MarÃa González, Assistant Director for Program Development; Marjorie Hunt, Phyllis M. May, Nicholas R. Spitzer, Folklorists; Richard Derbyshire, Archivist
National Park Service
William Penn Mott, Jr., Director; Manus J. Fish, Jr., Regional Director, National Capital Region
Forms Part Of:
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: 1986 Festival of American Folklife forms part of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival records .
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records
Smithsonian Folklife Festival records: Papers
1967 Festival of American Folklife records - [Ongoing]
Related Archival Materials note:
Within the Rinzler Archives, related materials may be found in various collections such as the Ralph Rinzler papers and recordings, the Lily Spandorf drawings, the Diana Davies photographs, the Robert Yellin photographs, and the Curatorial Research, Programs, and Projects collection. Additional relevant materials may also be found in the Smithsonian Institution Archives concerning the Division of Performing Arts (1966-1983), Folklife Program (1977-1980), Office of Folklife Programs (1980-1991), Center for Folklife Programs and Cultural Studies (1991-1999), Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage (1999-present), and collaborating Smithsonian units, as well as in the administrative papers of key figures such as the Secretary and respective deputies. Users are encouraged to consult relevant finding aids and to contact Archives staff for further information.
Restrictions:
Access by appointment only. Where a listening copy or viewing copy has been created, this is indicated in the respective inventory; additional materials may be accessible with sufficient advance notice and, in some cases, payment of a processing fee. Older papers are housed at a remote location and may require a minimum of three weeks' advance notice and payment of a retrieval fee. Certain formats such as multi-track audio recordings and EIAJ-1 videoreels (1/2 inch) may not be accessible. Contact the Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections at 202-633-7322 or rinzlerarchives@si.edu for additional information.
Rights:
Copyright and other restrictions may apply. Generally, materials created during a Festival are covered by a release signed by each participant permitting their use for personal and educational purposes; materials created as part of the fieldwork leading to a Festival may be more restricted. We permit and encourage such personal and educational use of those materials provided digitally here, without special permissions. Use of any materials for publication, commercial use, or distribution requires a license from the Archives. Licensing fees may apply in addition to any processing fees.
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Use of archival audiovisual recordings with no duplicate copy requires advance notice.
Collection Rights:
The Cosmos Andrew Sarchiapone papers are owned by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Literary rights as possessed by the donor have been dedicated to public use for research, study, and scholarship. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Collection Citation:
Cosmos Andrew Sarchiapone papers, circa 1860-2011, bulk 1940-2011. Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
The Emmy Lou Packard papers measure 9.4 linear feet and date from 1900 to 1990, and focus on the career of painter, printmaker, muralist, and sculptor Emmy Lou Packard. Also found are extensive materials relating to Packard's personal and professional relationship with muralist Diego Rivera and painter Frida Kahlo, with whom Packard lived for one year in Mexico. Papers include correspondence, financial records, notes, writings, exhibition files, photographs, and printed material.
Scope and Contents note:
The Emmy Lou Packard papers measure 9.4 linear feet and date from 1900 to 1990, and focus on the career of painter, printmaker, muralist, and sculptor Emmy Lou Packard. Also found are extensive materials relating to Packard's personal and professional relationship with muralist Diego Rivera and painter Frida Kahlo, with whom Packard lived for one year in Mexico. Papers include correspondence, financial records, notes, writings, exhibition files, photographs, and printed material.
Biographical materials include resumes, personal forms, and certificates. Correspondence is with family, friends, and colleagues, including muralist Anton Refregier, songwriter Malvina Reynolds, and composer John Edmunds. There is one letter from Dorothea Lange. Also found is correspondence with various political and arts organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union and the Russian magazine Soviet Woman. Much of the correspondence discusses personal relationships and political and art-related activities. Additional correspondence with and concerning Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo is arranged in Series 6.
Personal business records found within the papers include studio real estate and rent records, insurance records, price lists for artwork, consignment records, and miscellaneous receipts. There is one interview transcript of an interview with Packard for the Radical Elders Oral History Project. The papers include a series of notebooks/diaries, address lists, and other notes.
Packard's reference files and personal papers documenting her professional and close personal relationship with Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo are arranged into a separate series. They include her research files for a planned book on the two artists, personal letters between Packard and the couple, as well as several interesting photographs. Also found in this series are notes, writings, and printed materials relating to Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and other Mexican artists, such as Covarrubius, Juan O'Gorman, and Pablo O'Higgins.
The collection also includes typescripts and additional writings by Packard and others. Artwork consists of orginal drawings and prints by Packard and others not directly associated with projects. Exhibition and project files for many of Packard's commissioned projects are also found within the collection, including her files for the restoration of Anton Refregier's Rincon Annex Post Office mural in San Francisco and the Coit Tower murals in San Francisco. Many of the project files contain correspondence, reports, contracts, printed material, photographs, and artwork.
The papers also include photographs of Packard, her family, residences, artwork, friends, and colleagues, including Cesar Chavez, Juan O'Gorman, Malvina Reynolds, Charles Safford, Ralph Stackpole, and Tennessee Williams. Two scrapbooks are found, as well as additional printed materials such as clippings and exhibition announcements and catalogs. There are also two artifact items, a vinyl record of Malvina Reynolds and a political campaign button.
Arrangement note:
The collection is arranged into fifteen series.
Series 1: Biographical Material, 1942-1985 (Box 1; 1 folder)
Series 2: Correspondence, 1919-1990 (Box 1-3; 2.6 linear feet)
Series 3: Personal Business Records, 1945-1985 (Box 3; 21 folders)
Series 4: Interview Transcript, 1979 (Box 3; 1 folder)
Series 5: Notes, 1900-1985 (Box 3-4, 10; 1.1 linear feet)
Series 6: Reference Files on Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo, 1929-1986 (Box 5, 10, OV 11; 0.9 linear feet)
Series 7: Writings by Packard, 1953-1984 (Box 6; 17 folders)
Series 8: Writings by Others, 1955-1984 (Box 6; 19 folders)
Series 9: Artwork, 1921-1976 (Box 6; 10 folders)
Series 10: Exhibition Files, 1950-1964 (Box 6, OV 11; 5 folders)
Series 11: Project Files, 1953-1985 (Box 6-7, 10, OV 11; 1.8 linear feet)
Series 12: Photographs, 1914-1982 (Box 8, 10; 0.8 linear feet)
Series 13: Scrapbooks, 1947-1950 (Box 8, 10; 0.2 linear feet)
Series 14: Printed Material, 1936-1988 (Box 8-9, 10; 1 linear foot)
Series 15: Artifacts, 1984 (Box 9-10, OV 11; 2 folders)
Biographical/Historical note:
Emmy Lou Packard was born in Imperial Valley, California on April 15, 1914, to Walter and Emma Leonard Packard. In the late 1920s she lived with her family in Mexico City where she became acquainted with Diego Rivera, from whom she received regular art criticism and encouragement. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley and completed courses in fresco and sculpture at the California School of Fine Arts in 1940. That year and the next, Packard worked as a full-time painting assistant to Rivera on his 1,650 square-foot fresco at the World's Fair in San Francisco. During this project, Packard became very close to Rivera and Frida Kahlo and returned to Mexico with them and spent a year living with the couple.
From then on, except for in 1944-1945 working for a defense plant, Packard worked and grew in various aspects of her art. In addition to her work in fresco, Packard is known for her work in watercolor, oil, mosaic, laminated plastic, concrete, and printmaking, both in linocuts and woodblocks. She received numerous commissions that included installations for ships, hotels, and private homes for which she executed large woodcuts and mural panels. During the 1950s and 1960s, Packard was hired to restore several historic murals, most notably the Rincon Annex Post Office mural by Anton Refregier and the Coit Tower murals in San Francisco.
Between 1966 and 1967 she was commissioned by architects to design and execute a number of concrete and mosaic pieces, one of which went to the Mirabeau Restaurant in Kaiser Center, Oakland. She also designed and executed a mural for the Fresno Convention Center Theater during that same period. In 1973-1974, she designed and supervised a glazed brick mural for a public library in Pinole, California.
Packard had one-woman shows at the San Francisco Museum of Art, Raymond and Raymond Gallery (San Francisco), Addison Gallery of American Art (Andover, Mass.), Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts, Pushkin Museum (Moscow), and March Gallery (Chicago). Emmy Lou Packard died in 1998.
Related Archival Materials note:
Also found in the Archives of American Art is an oral history interview with Emmy Lou Packard conducted by Mary Fuller McChesney in 1964.
Provenance:
Emmy Lou Packard donated her papers to the Archives of American Art from 1984-1988.
Restrictions:
Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C. Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.
Rights:
The Emmy Lou Packard papers are owned by the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution. Literary rights as possessed by the donor have been dedicated to public use for research, study, and scholarship. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.
Occupation:
Sculptors -- California -- San Francisco Search this
Interview of Paul Burlin, conducted on December 5-6, 1962, by Dorothy Gees Seckler, for the Archives of American Art, Smithsonian Institution.
Burlin speaks of his childhood education in England; working for the magazine Delineator; his education at the National Academy of Design; his travels in the American Southwest; his early exhibitions in New York; his first wife's writings on folk music; visiting Europe before the first World War; discovering Cubism and Fauvism; working on the WPA under the Whitney Museum; joining and then leaving the American Artists' Congress in protest; his thoughts on overtly political art; exhibiting at the Downtown Gallery; his image-making process; and his critique of Pop art. Burlin also recalls James Huneker, Franz Boas, Albert Gleizes, Henri Matisse, Edith Halpert, Georgia O'Keeffe, and others.
Biographical / Historical:
Paul Burlin (1886-1969) was a painter in New York, New York.
General:
Originally recorded on 5 sound tape reels. Reformatted in 2010 as 5 digital wav files. Duration is 2 hr., 39 min.
Provenance:
This interview is part of the Archives' Oral History Program, started in 1958 to document the history of the visual arts in the United States, primarily through interviews with artists, historians, dealers, critics and others.
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Electronic records
Web sites
Date:
2011
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of the main website of the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage as it existed between July 7 and 11, 2011. The website includes information
about the Center, its research initiatives, and its archival collections as well as online exhibitions and electronic versions of the newsletter, "Talk Story." Online exhibitions
include "Waterways: Mid-Atlantic Maritime Communities;" "Forest Service, Culture, and Community;" "Navigating the Mekong;" "Creativity and Resistance: Maroon Culture in the
Americas;" "Borders/Fronteras;" and "Lu'au: A Hawaiian Feast." Materials are in electronic format.
Smithsonian Institution. Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Search this
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Electronic records
Web sites
Date:
2010-2013
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of three websites maintained by the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival website, crawled on July 18, 2013, provides information about the 2013 Festival and background information about each of the featured
programs. It also contains historical information about the Festival and a blog, with posts dating as early as June 2010. Due to technical issues, much of the video was not
properly captured.
The Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage website, crawled on July 31, 2013, includes information about the Center, its research initiatives, and its archival collections.
It also includes online exhibitions and electronic versions of the newsletter, "Talk Story."
The Smithsonian/Folkways Recordings website as it existed on August 4, 2013. Folkways is the non-profit recording label of the Smithsonian Institution, dedicated to supporting
cultural diversity and increased understanding among peoples through the documentation, preservation, and dissemination of sound. The website includes information about the
program, educational resources, and podcasts as well as an online version of "Smithsonian Folkways Magazine." This accession does not include audio tracks and, due to technical
issues, much of the video was not properly captured.
