Converted to EAD3 : Encoded Archival Description (EAD), Version 3 : Release: 1.1.1 : Release Date: 2019-12-16. Validating against latest version of schema.
Contact information: https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/perform.contact
Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2012562128
Material in English
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the LC Catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically.
Gift of Mary Ellin Barrett, Linda Louise Emmet, and Elizabeth Irving Peters,
No further accruals are expected.
The Irving Berlin Collection was processed by Ray White and Tom Barrick. The finding aid was coded by Janet McKinney in 2010. Additional items were added to the collection by Janet McKinney and the finding aid amended in 2018.
Audiovisual materials have been transferred to the Library of Congress Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division. The sound recordings have been cataloged and can be identified as part of the Irving Berlin Collection (MAVIS collection nos. 7692, 632, and 7715).
Materials from the the Irving Berlin Collection are governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.) and other applicable international copyright laws.
Three boxes of correspondence between Irving Berlin and Ellin Mackay Berlin are restricted and may only be accessed by researchers who have obtained permission from the Berlin family. Otherwise, the Irving Berlin Collection is open to research. Some items are stored offsite. Researchers are advised to contact the Music Division prior to visiting in order to determine whether the desired materials will be available at that time.
Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply.
The scrapbooks have been preserved on microfilm because of their fragile nature (Microfilm 92/20013 [MUS]).
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [item, date, and container number, as appropriate], Irving Berlin Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
The Irving Berlin Collection, spanning the years
The Show Music series consists of scores, sketches, lyric sheets, and scripts from Berlin's Broadway musicals and films, including
The Project Files series supplements the music with clippings, promotional material, correspondence, scripts, financial and legal documents, artwork and other materials from Berlin's musicals and films. The Subject Files series contains 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 Scrapbooks are filled with press clippings and show-related materials that detail Berlin's personal as well as professional accomplishments.
The Correspondence series contains extensive personal and professional correspondence that documents Berlin's relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and musical and political public figures, as well as his role in ASCAP. The personal items include letters and cards sent between Irving and his wife Ellin, and correspondence with multiple family members, including Ellin's father, Clarence Mackay. The correspondence also includes fan mail and milestone birthday wishes.
The documents in the Legal Papers series pertain to the Irving Berlin Music Co., copyright assignments, legal cases, and permission documentation. The Financial Papers series includes personal bank statements and insurance documents, household bills and receipts, correspondence, donations and contributions, royalty statements, and investments. In addition, financial records are held for the Irving Berlin Charitable Fund, Irving Berlin Music Company, and Irving Berlin, Inc.
The Photographs series contains photographs of Berlin, his family, and colleagues in the music business.
The Awards and Tributes series contains numerous tributes awarded to Berlin, many given by ASCAP. The Original Artwork series includes photographed reproductions of original paintings, and the Realia series contains personal artifacts, such as the flag that flew over the Capitol on Berlin's 100th birthday, address books, notebooks, and calendars. The final series, Non-Berlin Materials, contains music, lyrics, and screenplays by other individuals.
The Irving Berlin Collection is organized into thirteen series:
Although this section is categorized as non-show music, many items filed here are merely sketches or song fragments and the original intention of the song or melody is not known. Therefore, the song in question could have been written for a show, but without any evidence for this, these items have been filed as song titles in the Non-Show Music series. Confirmed show music was also found and kept among the non-show materials, giving an opportunity to study Berlin's skill at recycling material.
Microfilm #92/20013 will be served for scrapbooks.
Arranged alphabetically
Music, lyrics and screenplays by other composers.