Search Results

1. Robert Orben papers, 1941-2019

   23,800 items. 52 containers plus 17 oversize. 35.8 linear feet. 81 digital files (5.88GB). -- Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

   Summary:

   Comedy writer and political speechwriter. Correspondence, jokes and other writings, business papers, photographs, printed matter, interviews, and speeches in both physical and digital formats pertaining to Orben's work as a comedy writer and humor consultant for entertainers, public figures, and corporate clients, editor of a topical humor service, writer for television, and speechwriter for President Gerald R. Ford.

2. McManus-Young clipping collection of materials on magic, 1870-1955

   42 boxes. Approximate number of items: 17,000. -- Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

   Summary:

   With a date span of 1779 through 1955, the McManus-Young Collection provides a rich survey of the literature of "illusion practices," which includes works on conjuring, ventriloquism, fortune-telling, spiritualism, witchcraft, gambling, hypnotism, automata, and mind reading comprised of a gathering of thousands of pamphlets and offprints. This ephemeral literature is the backbone of modern magic. Through these small publications, tricks are revealed and outlined, techniques are discussed and performances are detailed. The clippings in the collection include nearly 17,000 items.