John Challis Records
name: label: Creator
content: Challis, John, 1907-1974
label: Donor
content: Frayer, William W.
label: Creator
content: Truesdale, Ephraim
topic: label: Topic
content: Musical instrument makers
label: Topic
content: Harpsichord
label: Topic
content: Harpsichord makers
label: Topic
content: Musical instruments
label: Topic
content: Clavichord
acqinfo: label: Provenance
content: Collection donated by Dr. William W. Frayer, 2016.
creator: label: Creator
content: Challis, John, 1907-1974
label: Donor
content: Frayer, William W.
label: Creator
content: Truesdale, Ephraim
bioghist: label: Biographical / Historical
content: John Challis was an American builder of harpsichords and clavichords. He attended Michigan Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University), where his interest in constructing keyboard instruments emerged. He spent four years apprenticing with Arnold Dolmetsch in England, returning in 1930, when he set himself up building instruments in a two-story space above a dress shop in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
physdesc: label: Extent
content: 24 Cubic feet
unitdate: label: Date
content: circa 1900-1974
custodhist: label: Custodial History
content: Dr. Frayer had had possession of the papers since Challis' death.
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives Center, National Museum of American History
identifier: label: Identifier
content: NMAH.AC.1375
objectType: label: Type
content: Collection descriptions
label: Type
content: Archival materials
label: Type
content: Advertisements
label: Type
content: Ledgers (account books)
label: Type
content: Sound recordings
label: Type
content: Photographs
label: Type
content: Magazines (periodicals)
label: Type
content: Design drawings
label: Type
content: Letters (correspondence)
label: Type
content: Concert programs
label: Type
content: Drawings
label: Type
content: Musical scores
label: Type
content: Diplomas
label: Type
content: Trade literature
label: Type
content: Clippings
label: Type
content: Business records
arrangement: label: Arrangement
content: Collection is unarranged.
genre_format: label: Genre/Form
content: Advertisements -- 20th century
label: Genre/Form
content: Ledgers (account books) -- 20th century
label: Genre/Form
content: Sound recordings
label: Genre/Form
content: Photographs -- 20th century
label: Genre/Form
content: Magazines (periodicals) -- 20th century
label: Genre/Form
content: Design drawings
label: Genre/Form
content: Letters (correspondence) -- 20th century.
label: Genre/Form
content: Concert programs
label: Genre/Form
content: Drawings -- 20th century
label: Genre/Form
content: Musical scores
label: Genre/Form
content: Diplomas
label: Genre/Form
content: Trade literature
label: Genre/Form
content: Clippings -- 20th century
label: Genre/Form
content: Business records -- 20th century
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents
content: The collection documents the Challis Harpsichord business, and the lives of Mr. Challis and his partner, Ephraim Truesdale. The collection contains correspondence, both personal and business; business records, including ledgers and journals; drawings, including design drawings for harpsichord decorations and elements; client files; subject files, especially on harpsichord and musical instrument subjects; printed materials such as concert programs, trade literature, magazines on the subject of music and musical instruments, clippings, advertisements and publicity materials; photographs, including many of instruments and many of Challis' family members; music scores; ceremonial items such as diplomas; templates for elements of harpsichords; and recordings.