Oberlin Conservatory Library Collection of Musicians’ Autographs and Photographs, 1786-1985 and undated | Oberlin Conservatory Library Special Collections

By Jeremy A. Smith

Collection Overview

Title: Oberlin Conservatory Library Collection of Musicians’ Autographs and Photographs, 1786-1985 and undated

Extent: 5.0 Linear Feet

Scope and Contents of the Materials

This collection contains a variety of autographs, letters, stamps, and photographs of musicians. Among the musicians represented are C.P.E. Bach, Amy Beach, Hector Berlioz, Nadia Boulanger, Henry Cowell, Claude Debussy, Lou Harrison, Vladimir Horowitz, Franz Liszt, Felix Mendelssohn, Clara Schumann, Richard Wagner, Iannis Xenakis, and many others. The overall collection is arranged into the following series, based on provenance: Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Best Collection of Autographs and Stamps, Frederick G. Marks Collection, Charles W. Morrison Collection of Photographs, Frank H. Shaw Collection of Photographs, and Miscellaneous Autographs and Photographs.

To request access to the collection, contact Conservatory Library special collections staff at: con.special@oberlin.edu.

Administrative Information

Repository: Oberlin Conservatory Library Special Collections

Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research. To request access to the collection, contact Conservatory Library special collections staff at: con.special@oberlin.edu.

Use Restrictions: The copyright interests in this collection may not have been transferred to Oberlin College. For more information, contact Conservatory Library staff.

Acquisition Source: Compiled by Library staff from a variety of sources. Information on provenance is included when known

Preferred Citation: [Identification of item], [Identification of series title], Oberlin Conservatory Library Collection of Musicians’ Autographs and Photographs, Oberlin Conservatory Library

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Series:

[Series 1: Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Best Collection of Autographs and Stamps],
[Series 2: Frederick G. Marks Collection],
[Series 3: Charles W. Morrison Collection of Photographs],
[Series 4: Frank H. Shaw Collection of Photographs],
[Series 5: Miscellaneous Autographs and Photographs],
[All]

Series 2: Frederick G. Marks Collection: This series consists of signed portraits and letters. Marks (July 20, 1919-June 20, 2005) graduated from Oberlin College in 1940, after which he served in the Army in World War II and then worked as an agent for New York Life Insurance Company. He had a specific interest in the music of Richard Wagner, which is reflected in the focus of these materials. Along with the signed portraits and letters, Marks donated 67 volumes of music and books, related primarily to Wagner, which have been separated and are available by conducting an author search in the Oberlin Library catalog for “Marks, Frederick G.”