Scope and Content Note
The George and Böske Antheil Papers span the period 1875-1984, with the majority of materials dating from 1920-1958. They include holograph music manuscripts, printed music, published and unpublished writings, business and personal correspondence, subject files, photographs, programs and promotional materials, scrapbooks, artwork, biographical materials, and memorabilia.
"Music" consists principally of holograph or copyist manuscripts and printed scores of George Antheil’s compositions. These manuscripts span the entire range of Antheil’s career as a composer, with works from the 1920s through the 1950s. Manuscript reproductions frequently contain pencil or ink annotations in the hand of the composer. Notable works include a photo-reproduction of the holograph manuscript full score for Ballet Mécanique, a holograph manuscript piano rehearsal score for Capitol of the World, holograph manuscript full scores for The Happy Journey, The Wish, and Helen Retires, as well as scores for Antheil’s numbered symphonies and his Jazz Symphony. Typescript or printed libretti are available for some of the stage works. The materials are arranged alphabetically by title. Researchers are also encouraged to examine Antheil holograph music manuscripts in ML 96.A723 and photo-reproductions in ML 96.5.A62 that are closely affiliated with others from this collection.
"Writings" includes books, articles, essays, dissertations, interviews, and literary musings by or about George Antheil, as well as several short stories and other compositions by Böske Antheil. George Antheil was a prolific writer who penned articles for Esquire, Modern Music, Cinema Arts, and other publications, in addition to his personal, unpublished writings. These works span from 1923 to 1957 and are arranged first by literary form and then alphabetically by title. All are typed manuscripts unless otherwise noted. Included is a typed manuscript of Antheil’s book The Shape of the War to Come, with annotations and holograph maps. Substantial writings about Antheil are arranged by author-title, while most newspaper clippings and reviews are organized by date, ranging from 1919 to 1991. Böske Antheil's works include drafts of her unpublished autobiography, short stories, and drafts of an unpublished cook book, Stay for Dinner: Recipes for Recession, based on life experiences with George and family.
"Correspondence" chiefly contains business and personal letters sent and received by George and Böske Antheil. Notable correspondents include Sylvia Beach, Jean Cocteau, Luigi Dallapiccola, Vladimir Golschmann, James Joyce, Otto Kahn, Ezra Pound, Leopold Stokowski, Igor Stravinsky, Kurt Weill, W. B. Yeats, and others. The largest of these files consists of personal letters between the composer and his wife. Also of interest are exchanges between George and agents of the federal government, including J. Edgar Hoover. Posthumously dated folders generally indicate correspondence with Böske regarding George's musical compositions or performance permissions. All files are arranged alphabetically by correspondent.
"Subject files" address a wide range of musical and non-musical topics. Contracts, miscellanous notes, and ballet scenarios related to specific Antheil musical works are arranged by title. The majority of the files, however, focus upon performance and publication of works, radio broadcasts, estate issues, and other general subjects. Included are materials of estate executor, conductor, and Antheil enthusiast Charles Amirkhanian, files concerning the Antheil’s art collection, requests and permissions, and financial documents. Perhaps the most intriguing materials in the series are those for Antheil’s See-Note music notation system and documents for a Secret Communication System invented by Antheil and actress Hedy Lamarr.
"Photographs" chiefly showcases images of George Antheil alone or with friends and family members. Ezra Pound and Sylvia Beach stand out among the various dignitaries, while a series of albums captures family life with Böske and son Peter. Also present are photographs from several performances of Antheil’s stage works. Images date from about 1875 through 1977 and are arranged first by general subject and then chronologically by year. "Programs and Promotional materials" documents performances from 1923 to 1984. Oversize posters are described individually and are listed at the end of the chronological file.
"Scrapbooks" consists of bound and unbound albums of clippings, articles, and programs that span from 1922 to 1957. "Drawings" includes both original sketches by George Antheil and commissioned portraits of himself and Böske. Antheil’s sketch books feature cartoon sequences and drawings of friends and acquaintances, including Ernest Bloch, Sylvia Beach, Igor Stravinsky, Ezra Pound, and many others. "Biographical materials" is a loose collection of personal and family documents, including genealogical materials, certificates, membership cards, and several biographical sketches of George. "Memorabilia" includes a stopwatch owned by Antheil and the David Bispham Memorial Medal for American Opera, awarded to George for Helen Retires.