Scope and Content Note
The Burton Lane Papers span the years 1915 to 2012, the bulk of which dates from 1950 to 1997. The Music series includes holograph and printed piano-vocal scores, scores for piano, piano-conductor scores, and vocal scores for revues, musicals, films, and popular songs that Lane composed. It contains a significant amount of holograph music for his shows Finian’s Rainbow (1947), On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1965), and Carmelina (1979). Songbooks, sketch books, and typescript lyric sheets constitute the remaining materials.
The Scripts are for Lane’s musical theater productions, including multiple versions of Finian's Rainbow and On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, as well as events honoring his achievements.
The Programs and Posters document events that Lane attended, performances of musical theater productions, and tribute events.
The Photographs, some of which are inscribed, depict Lane alone and with others in both candid and professional settings. Materials also include a small number of childhood photographs.
The Correspondence consists primarily of letters that prominent figures in music, film, and theater wrote to Lane and his wife, Lynn. It also contains a small number of letters that Lane wrote to others.
Magazine and periodical Clippings are concerned with Lane’s professional activities and events that he attended. They consist of advertisements, reviews, interviews, and his writings on copyright infringement.
The Awards and Certificates honor Lane for his professional achievements, contributions to the arts, and work with charitable organizations.
The Miscellany consists of business and personal papers, biographical information, caricatures, reviews, contracts, and writings.