Scope and Content Note
The papers of Robert Orben (1927- ) span the dates 1941-2019. The collection documents Orben's career as a comedy writer and humor consultant, and speechwriter for President Gerald R. Ford. The papers are arranged into five series: General Correspondence, Alphabetical File, Speeches and Writings, Miscellany, and Oversize.
This collection documents Orben's work as a comedy writer and promoter of humor. Orben initially focused on magic and magicians, but over time expanded his reach and wrote material for use by a wide range of performers and public speakers. A strength of this collection is the compilation of jokes and one-liners he wrote over the second half of the twentieth century, that he published under his own name, prepared for other performers, created for The Red Skelton Hour television program, and supplied for corporate events. His periodical, Orben's Current Comedy, a topical subscription service, contains jokes relating to the public figures, cultural trends, and current events from 1958 to 1989. A smaller amount of similar material from the 1990s that he sent to columnists and others is dispersed throughout collection. Orben's work as a promoter of and advisor on the use of humor in public speaking and his life-long connection to magicians and the magic profession are also documented. The collection complements a larger collection of Robert Orben Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Library in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Material pertaining to Orben's time as a speechwriter in the Ford White House includes memorabilia, photographs, an oral history transcript, speeches, and an unpublished memoir.
The collection's series are listed and briefly described below. A fuller description of each series and a list of its contents can be accessed in the series descriptions within the container list.
The General Correspondence series comprises a chronological grouping of letters sent and received by Orben between the years 1963 and 2019.
The Alphabetical File series touches on all aspects of his career and documents Orben’s dealings with colleagues, publishers, publications, organizations, columnists, clients, and friends.
The Speeches and Writings series contains approximately sixty years of jokes, one-liners, writings, and remarks from Orben's career as a comedy writer and humor consultant for performers, television programs, public figures, and corporate clients.
A small Miscellany series contains additional material documenting Orben's life and career including press clippings and photographs depicting his work with President Gerald R. Ford.
The remaining series contains Oversize material.