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: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/perform.contact
Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2014565649
Collection 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, Dorothy B. Hammerstein, 1981
Purchase, Jane Howard Hammerstein, 2003-2013
Gift, Susan Blanchard, 2005
Gift, Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization, various dates
Gift, Hugh Fordin, 2005
According to Library of Congress records from the 1950s, Oscar Hammerstein II had intended on giving his papers to the library. It wasn't until after his death that his wife Dorothy gave her husband's papers on deposit to the Library of Congress in 1961. She began converting Hammerstein deposits to gifts from 1961 through 1967, with the last conversion occuring in 1981. Musical theatre researcher and archivist Amy Asch originally prepared and inventoried the Jane Howard Hammerstein portion of the papers from 2000 to 2003.
No further accruals are expected.
The collection was processed by Nancy Seeger and Mark Horowitz between 2016 and 2018. Nancy Seeger created the finding aid and coded it for EAD format in 2018.
Audiovisual materials from the collection have been transferred to the Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division (MBRS), where they are identified as part of the Oscar Hammerstein II Collection (MAVIS collection no. 4566). An inventory of this material is available in the Music Division's collection file.
Some of the audio recordings have been cataloged in the Library of Congress online catalog where they are identified as part of the "Oscar Hammerstein II Collection (Library of Congress)."
The Richard Rodgers Papers at New York Public Library contains correspondence with Oscar Hammerstein II, photographs, posters, newspaper clippings, and other material related to the career of Richard Rodgers.
The Music Division and Manuscript Division within the Library of Congress both contain several additional special collections that contain materials related to Oscar Hammerstein II. The Music Division owns the collections for two of Hammerstein's most significant collaborators, the Richard Rodgers Collection primarily contains Rodgers' music holographs, and also includes full scores for eight Rodgers and Hammerstein shows; and the Jerome Kern Collection contains the music for many Kern shows, including
The Manuscript Division holds ten collections that contain Hammerstein correspondence, of particular interest are the Joshua Logan Papers , Rouben Mamoulian Papers , and James A. Michener Papers all of which contain correspondence and materials relating to their collaborations with Hammerstein.
In addition, the Library of Congress holds a South Pacific libretto prepared for the original publication by Random House, with annotations and inserted pages by Oscar Hammerstein II. The Theatre Guild business papers in the Ira and Leonore S. Gershwin Fund Collection of the Library of Congress contain two cartons of materials related to
Materials from the Oscar Hammerstein II Collection are governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.) and other applicable international copyright laws.
The Oscar Hammerstein II Collection is open to research. 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.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [item, date, container number], Oscar Hammerstein II Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.
Biographical chronology is adapted from the one that appears in
The collection of Oscar Hammerstein II (1895-1960) span the years 1864-2000, with the bulk of the material dating from 1920 to 1960. They document the life and work of this pioneering lyricist, librettist, and theatrical producer and director who was one of the major innovators responsible for ushering in a new, more complex and fully integrated form of American musical theater. Hammerstein, whose collaborations, especially with Jerome Kern and Richard Rodgers, are well-documented here, interacted with major figures in the theater, the arts, and in entertainment of the first half of the twentieth century. The papers are in English. The collection is organized into the following series: Show and Project Files, General Correspondence and Business Papers, Miscellaneous Music and Lyric Sketches, Writings, Personal Correspondence and Papers, Subject Files, Scrapbooks, Visual Materials, Awards and Citations, Programs, William Hammerstein Materials, Scripts Submitted to Oscar Hammerstein II, Books, Realia, and Miscellany.
The Show and Project Files and the General Correspondence and Business Papers series are the largest series in the collection with the bulk of materials documenting Hammerstein’s creative process and the details of producing his shows. The collection was originally organized in either chronological order or alphabetical order by topic or show, and these two series reflect both approaches. The
The Show and Project Files series contains a broad array of materials, such as correspondence, lyrics and lyric sketches, scripts and screenplays, photographs, and programs that documents the range of Hammerstein’s productivity, though the quantity of material relating to each production varies. It spans 40 years of his career, beginning with
Hammerstein’s creative process is on display in several shows. For example,
The General Correspondence and Business Papers series documents Hammerstein’s relationships with collaborators, colleagues, and friends from the worlds of theater, motion pictures, and literature, as well as a wide array of artists, publishers, publicists, attorneys, and admirers. It spans his career, but is particularly strong in documenting the 1940s and 1950s. The correspondence discusses multiple projects at a time, and topics cover the entirety of Hammerstein’s professional life, shedding light on the details of his artistic collaborations and the complex process of creating works for theater and film whether or not they were brought to fruition. Adding to the richness of the collection are carbons for much of Hammerstein’s outgoing letters that provide a more complete picture of the issues at hand. In addition to correspondence, the series contains financial and business papers of various kinds, including royalty statements, contracts, earning sheets, bank statements, deposit slips, and receipts.
This series also documents Hammerstein’s involvement in a variety of theatrical, social, political, and charitable organizations (see also The
Identified lyrics, draft lyrics, and lyric sketches, or unidentified lyrics thought to belong to a particular show are filed with their appropriate show in the
The
The Writings series is subdivided into two subseries: Writings by Oscar Hammerstein II and Writings about Oscar Hammerstein II. The first subseries contains several talks and articles that Hammerstein wrote on behalf of the United World Federalists, an organization in which he was heavily involved, including “If I thought I could write a song about world peace” and “If we are leaders, let us lead.” His support of racial tolerance and equality are evident in such pieces as “Intolerance and Negroes” from 1952 and “On segregation and integration” from 1955. There also are drafts of and materials relating to his book
Hammerstein’s profile in the
In addition, at the end of the series, there are several scripts that feature Hammerstein as a guest on radio and television programs, and as the subject of live events and an exhibit.
The Personal Correspondence and Papers series contains most of the correpondence between Hammerstein and his family. Hammerstein’s autobiographical notes and narratives for a memoir he was planning to write are here, in addition to touching letters written to his wife Dorothy. Materials related to his death include hundreds of condolence letters and telegrams, plans for his burial and memorial, and a will. His drafts and notes for a biography of his grandfather, Oscar Hammerstein I, are included, in addition to drafts of a screenplay on his grandfather’s life that Hammerstein was working on with his uncle Arthur. Please note that there is additional personal correspondence in the
The Subject Files series primarily focuses on organizations, people, and topics of interest to Hammerstein. Many of the organizations found here also will be represented in the
Most of the scrapbooks in the Scrapbooks series document Hammerstein's shows and professional endeavors. The Scrapbooks series is divided into two subseries: Paper Albums (with items pasted in) and Bound Volumes (professionally bound books). In the first subseries, three scrapbooks dated from 1929 to 1942 contain clippings about Hammerstein’s shows, in addition to reports about his 1929 marriage to Dorothy Blanchard Jacobson. There also is a scrapbook dated 1920-1922 containing programs with Hammerstein’s written synopses, criticisms, and notes for several plays written by others.
The second subseries is comprised of bound volumes devoted to individual Hammerstein shows. Articles, clippings, photographs, programs, scores and sheet music, and scripts and screenplays are included, but the variety and quantity of material pertaining to each show varies. The scrapbooks primarily focus on original productions, but also may include touring company and film versions. Of note is the presence of a published score for Bizet’s
There is a small number of photographs in the Hammerstein collection, and sets of photographs that document a particular show are filed with that show in the
The number of awards and citations given to Hammerstein and the breadth of organizations bestowing them attest to how highly regarded he was, not only as an influential master in his field, but as a socially conscious individual. The Awards and Citations series contains hundreds of honors conferred upon Hammerstein individually and with Rodgers as a team, nearly spanning his career. It includes citations for his Tony Awards, Academy Awards, and Screen Writers Annual Awards. After his death, both ASCAP and the NAACP honored Hammerstein with “in memoriam” awards. There are several honorary academic degrees, as well as citations from the state of Oklahoma and one from a favorite Hammerstein charity Welcome House.
Programs can be found in several different series within the collection. Whenever possible, individual programs for Hammerstein shows were placed with that show in the
Oscar Hammerstein II’s eldest child William had a long theatrical career in his own right that lasted from the 1940s until his death in 2001. In addition to William’s personal correspondence, the collection contains materials related to his career as a theatrical and television producer and director. The William Hammerstein Materials series contains extensive correspondence to and from William, including a significant amount while he was in the U. S. Navy during World War II. There are letters from his father in which they discuss various personal and professional topics, including the elder Hammerstein’s latest show.
The professional materials contain several theatrical and television production scripts for projects that William Hammerstein either directed or produced. These scripts may be accompanied by correspondence, clippings, promotional materials, contracts, and financial papers. The series is rounded out by a handful of songs composed by William, three of which contain lyrics by his father.
The Scripts Submitted to Oscar Hammerstein II series contains several scripts having no clear connection to Hammerstein. Friends and colleagues probably sent these to him for professional advice and guidance. It is also possible that Hammerstein considered some of them as source material for potential shows or collaborations. The scripts are arranged alphabetically by title. The Books series contains several works that provided the source material for Hammerstein shows, including Edna Ferber’s
The Oscar Hammerstein II Collection is organized in fifteen series:
Catalog Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/2014565649
Materials relating to shows and projects (both produced and not produced) on which Hammerstein worked as a creator and/or producer. Includes correspondence; various versions of scripts, screenplays, and synopses; lyrics and lyric sketches; holograph music and sheet music; production notes and working papers; programs and promotional materials; financial materials and contracts; clippings and reviews; photographs; scrapbooks; and designs.
Arranged alphabetically by title.
Primarily business correspondence, to and from Hammerstein, with collaborators, colleagues, friends, and associates. Relates to various Hammerstein and non-Hammerstein shows and projects; his involvement on behalf of theatrical concerns, such as unions, writers and producers, actors and performers, and rights and publishing; and personal activities in support of such causes as world peace and racial equality; and charitable organizations such as Welcome House. Includes letters and requests from the public, and some personal correspondence. Materials may also include programs, promotional materials, photographs, clippings, royalty statements, and financial papers.
Arranged chronologically.
The lyric sketches include handwritten and typewritten drafts and samples of lyrics for unidentified shows, notes about lyrics and characters, and ideas for lyrics. The music includes published sheet music, music manuscripts, and some holographs. There is a significant amount of songs with lyrics by Hammerstein. The
Arranged in two subseries. The Music is arranged alphabetically by composer name.
Arranged in two subseries: By Oscar Hammerstein II and About Oscar Hammerstein II. Arranged chronologically therein.
Articles, speeches, eulogies, reviews, essays, statements, and notes by Hammerstein on various professional and personal topics. Unidentified fragments, notes and writings can be found at the end of the subseries. The box of index cards containing handwritten notes most likely pertain to unidentified Hammerstein shows and lyrics.
Articles, clippings, interviews and oral histories, press releases, scholarly essays, and tributes. Includes a 1954
Materials that relate to Hammerstein's personal life and death, and to his family. Includes a diary and address book; family correspondence, including the letters from Oscar to his wife Dorothy; autobiographical narratives and notes; college programs; clippings and scrapbooks; financial and business papers; family documents; obituaries, tributes and memorials; and materials relating to Hammerstein's grandfather Oscar Hammerstein I, including biographical notes, and drafts for a screenplay he was writing on his grandfather's life. The
Primarily focuses on organizations, people, and topics of interest to Hammerstein. Includes correspondence, press releases, promotional materials, membership materials, memos, brochures, committee materials, clippings, agreements, reports, agendas, minutes, by-laws, notes, programs, photographs, scripts, production materials, and business and financial papers.
Arranged alphabetically by topic.
Paper albums contain clippings about Hammerstein's professional and personal life; reviews of non-Hammerstein plays; and theater programs (for works by others) with Hammerstein's handwritten synopses, criticisms and notes. The bound volumes document individual Hammerstein shows, and contain articles, clippings, photographs, programs, reviews, scores and sheet music, scripts, and screenplays.
Arranged in two series: Paper Albums and Bound Volumes. Arranged chronologically therein.
Formal and informal photographs, and contact sheets of Oscar Hammerstein II, his relatives, and friends at various events. Includes photographs from recording sessions, and from a television show honoring Rodgers and Hamerstein. Also includes drawings and designs.
Awards, citations, certificates, proclamations, honorary degrees and memberships. Some items are accompanied by correspondence.
Includes early playbills and programs from Oscar Hammerstein I's Victoria Theatre; programs from plays, musicals, and sporting events that Oscar Hammerstein II attended; and programs from events that celebrate Rodgers and Hammerstein. This series also includes scrapbooks of programs for Hammerstein and non-Hammerstein shows that Oscar Hammerstein II and his son William Hammerstein compiled.
Arranged chronologically.
Materials relating to the life and work of Hammerstein's eldest son, director and producer William Hammerstein. Extensive personal correspondence to and from William, his friends and family, including his father. Materials relating to shows William directed and/or produced include production scripts, correspondence, clippings, contracts, promotional materials, and programs.
Scripts, screenplays, and synopses for plays and projects that were not Hammerstein projects, which may have been submitted to Hammerstein for review, or which Hammerstein may have considered as potential collaborations.
Arranged alphabetically by title.
Works that provided the source material for several Hammerstein musicals, including
Arranged alphabetically by author.
Cigarette boxes, cigar press, watch, clock, metal box, and other items belonging to Oscar Hammerstein I, Oscar Hammerstein II, Reggie Hammerstein, or William Hammerstein.
Arranged alphabetically by type of item.
Hammerstein's collection of autograph letters from theatrical and literary figures, Civil War letters, documents about the Oscar Hammerstein II collection, and an inventory of the collection.
Arranged chronologically.