Irving Berlin collection
Contributors: Kresa, Helmy, 1904-1991; Irving Berlin, Inc; Irving Berlin Music Company; Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co; Irving Berlin Collection (Library of Congress)
Published: 1895
Language: eng
Number of pages: 914
Subjects: Composers; Photographs; Theater; Motion picture music; Writing and publishing; Musical theater; Music; Archives; Waterson, Berlin & Snyder Co; Excerpts; Songs; Correspondence; Popular music; Inc Irving Berlin; Music publishing; Texts; Authors and Publishers American Society of Composers; Musicals; Music Box Theater (New York, N.Y.); Scores; Irving Berlin Music Company; Musical films; Manuscripts
Description: The collection, which documents all aspects of Berlin's life and career, contains music scores and sketches, many in the hand of Berlin's longtime musical secretary Helmy Kresa, Berlin's handwritten and typewritten lyric sheets, and scripts that span Berlin's career in theater and films. The personal correspondence includes items to and from his wife Ellin, while the professional correspondence relates to Berlin's various show business interests. The legal and financial files contain personal business records as well as papers pertaining to Berlin's various companies, copyright and permission issues, publishing concerns, and legal cases. In addition, the project files include clippings, publicity and promotional material, correspondence, scripts, financial and legal documents, artwork and other materials from Berlin's musicals and films. The subject files contain documents relating to various business interests, including ASCAP and Berlin's Music Box Theatre, and personal items relating to his family and private life. The collection also contains scrapbooks filled with press clippings; photographs; awards and honors; and artwork and realia.
Notes: Open to research.

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Irving Berlin Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress.

Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply.

Gift; Mary Ellin Barrett, Linda Louise Emmet, and Elizabeth Irving Peters; 1992.

transferred to the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division, Library of Congress.

Irving Berlin (b. May 11, 1888, in Russia; d. Sept. 22, 1989, in New York City) was an American composer and lyricist of over 1,200 songs. He was also a music publisher, theater owner, and a founding member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP).

Finding aid available in the Library of Congress Performing Arts Reading Room and at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/eadmus.mu012008