Scope and Content Note
The Irving Berlin Collection, spanning the years 1895-1990 with the bulk of the material dating from 1915-1990, documents the life and work of one of the twentieth century's most legendary American musical figures. While the collection provides a comprehensive record of Berlin's life as a composer, lyricist, publisher and theater owner, it also serves as a resource for the study of American popular music. Berlin wrote more than 1,200 songs, including such standards as "White Christmas," "There's No Business Like Show Business," and "God Bless America," that gave a musical voice to much of the American experience of the twentieth century. A large part of his reputation also justifiably rests on his great ballads of the 1920s and 1930s, including "Always," "Cheek to Cheek," "How Deep Is the Ocean (How High Is the Sky)," "Let's Face the Music and Dance," and "What'll I Do." The materials in the Irving Berlin Collection document additional aspects of Berlin's career, such as music publishing, theater ownership, and founding membership in the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. The breadth of his activity coupled with his longevity (he died at age 101) produced one of the largest collections in the custody of the Library of Congress Music Division.
The Show Music series consists of scores, sketches, lyric sheets, and scripts from Berlin's Broadway musicals and films, including Annie Get Your Gun, This is the Army, and Holiday Inn. Much of the material in the Non-Show Music series comes from Berlin's early career. Full scores, piano-vocal scores and sketches are in the hand of various musical secretaries, primarily that of longtime secretary Helmy Kresa (1905-1991). Manuscript lyric sheets are in the hand of Irving Berlin.
The Project Files series supplements the music with clippings, promotional material, correspondence, scripts, financial and legal documents, artwork and other materials from Berlin's musicals and films. The Subject Files series contains documents relating to various business interests, including ASCAP and Berlin's Music Box Theatre, and personal items relating to his family and private life.
The Scrapbooks are filled with press clippings and show-related materials that detail Berlin's personal as well as professional accomplishments.
The Correspondence series contains extensive personal and professional correspondence that documents Berlin's relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and musical and political public figures, as well as his role in ASCAP. The personal items include letters and cards sent between Irving and his wife Ellin, and correspondence with multiple family members, including Ellin's father, Clarence Mackay. The correspondence also includes fan mail and milestone birthday wishes.
The documents in the Legal Papers series pertain to the Irving Berlin Music Co., copyright assignments, legal cases, and permission documentation. The Financial Papers series includes personal bank statements and insurance documents, household bills and receipts, correspondence, donations and contributions, royalty statements, and investments. In addition, financial records are held for the Irving Berlin Charitable Fund, Irving Berlin Music Company, and Irving Berlin, Inc.
The Photographs series contains photographs of Berlin, his family, and colleagues in the music business.
The Awards and Tributes series contains numerous tributes awarded to Berlin, many given by ASCAP. The Original Artwork series includes photographed reproductions of original paintings, and the Realia series contains personal artifacts, such as the flag that flew over the Capitol on Berlin's 100th birthday, address books, notebooks, and calendars. The final series, Non-Berlin Materials, contains music, lyrics, and screenplays by other individuals.