Moses and Frances Asch Collection, 1926-1987
date: label: Date
content: 1939
label: Date
content: 1926-1987
label: Date
content: 18th century
label: Date
content: 20th century
label: Date
content: 19th century
name: label: Creator
content: Asch, Moses
label: Creator
content: Distler, Marian 1919-1964
label: Creator
content: Folkways Records
label: Subject
content: Courlander, Harold 1908-1996
label: Subject
content: Guthrie, Woody 1912-1967
label: Subject
content: Jenkins, Ella
label: Subject
content: Leadbelly 1885-1949
label: Subject
content: Ramsey, Frederic 1915-1995
label: Subject
content: Seeger, Pete 1919-2014
notes: label: Notes
content: The son of Yiddish writer Sholem Asch, Moses Asch was born in Poland in 1905. His childhood was spent in Poland, France, Germany, and New York. While young, Asch developed an interest in radio electronics, which was ultimately to lead him to his life's work, recording the music and sounds of the world. He established several record labels in succession, sometimes partnering with other record companies. His best-known and most successful label, Folkways Records, was founded in 1948 with Marian Distler (1919-1964) to document music, spoken word, instruction, and sounds from around the world. The 2,168 titles Asch released on Folkways include traditional and contemporary music, spoken word in many languages, and documentary recordings of individuals, communities, and current events. Based in New York City, Folkways grew to be one of the largest and most influential record companies in the world. Asch was still producing Folkways recordings when he died in 1986. In 1987, the Smithsonian Institution acquired Asch's significant output of recordings on Folkways and other labels, including Asch Records, Cub Records, Disc Records and Verve/Folkways Records. The Asch collection includes published recordings, master tapes, outtakes, acetate disks, business papers, correspondence, photographs, and film.
label: Notes
content: A detailed finding aid for the Asch paper collections is in process, and can be consulted on-site. Audio inventories are also available for consultation.
label: Organization
content: Arranged in 11 series: (1) Correspondence; (2) Folkways production files; (3) Business papers; (4) Woody Guthrie papers; (5) Early label materials; (6) Biographical materials; (7) Photographs; (8) Artwork; (9) Sound recordings; (10) Film; and (11) Miscellaneous . At this time, the collection is partially processed and digitized. Please contact the archivist for further information
label: Summary
content: This collection, which dates from 1939-1986, documents the output of Moses Asch through the various record labels he founded and co-founded, and includes some of his personal papers. The Asch collection includes published recordings, master tapes, outtakes, business records, correspondence, photographs, and film.
label: Repository Loc.
content: Smithsonian Institution, Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections, 600 Maryland Ave., S.W., Suite 2001, Washington, D.C. 20024. Call 202-633-7322 for appointment. Fax: 202-633-7019. Email: rinzlerarchives@si.edu
place: label: Place
content: United States
topic: label: Topic
content: Electronic music
label: Topic
content: Folk dance music
label: Topic
content: Folk music
label: Topic
content: Jazz
label: Topic
content: Music
label: Topic
content: Oral interpretation of fiction
label: Topic
content: Oral interpretation of poetry
label: Topic
content: Sounds
label: Topic
content: Vocal music
label: Topic
content: World music
label: Topic
content: Popular music
setName: label: See more items in
content: Woody Guthrie Papers 1944-1949
label: See more items in
content: Moses and Frances Asch Collection 1926-1987 [Asch, Moses]
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives and Collections
objectType: label: Type
content: Business records
label: Type
content: Collection descriptions
label: Type
content: Photographic prints
label: Type
content: Audiotapes
label: Type
content: Phonograph records
label: Type
content: Correspondence
objectRights: label: Restrictions & Rights
content: Access by appointment only. Contact the Ralph Rinlzer Folklife Archives and Collections at (202) 633-7322 for additional information
label: Restrictions & Rights
content: Copyright restrictions apply. Contact archives staff for additional information
physicalDescription: label: Physical description
content: 840.74 cubic feet