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Inventory | History | Using The Collection

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Inventory

A complete inventory of the collection is available (also as a PDF), and a digital collection featuring highlights from the materials is also available.

Series 1: Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Best Collection of Autographs and Stamps:

This series, consisting autograph letters from various musicians along with postage stamps from various countries commemorating musical people and events, was given to Oberlin College in 1948. Cyrus W. Best (April 22, 1865-June 14, 1948) was an 1890 graduate of Oberlin Conservatory. After additional studies with Martin Krause in Leipzig, Germany, Mr. Best returned to the US to direct conservatories in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Alabama. Among the musicians represented in this series are C. P. E. Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Amy Beach, Johannes Brahms, Frederic Chopin, Franz Liszt, Clara and Robert Schumann, and Richard Wagner. In 1967, the staff of the Conservatory Library translated each letter in the collection and published a guide, containing the translations along with select facsimiles (cataloged as ML94.B53).

Series 2: Frederick G. Marks Collection:

This series consists of signed portraits and letters. Marks (July 20, 1919-June 20, 2005) graduated from Oberlin College in 1940, after which he served in the Army in World War II and then worked as an agent for New York Life Insurance Company. He had a specific interest in the music of Richard Wagner, which is reflected in the focus of these materials. Along with the signed portraits and letters, Marks donated 67 volumes of music and books, related primarily to Wagner.

Series 3: Charles W. Morrison Collection of Photographs:

This series consists of 25 signed photographs and portraits of musicians. Morrison was Director of the Conservatory from 1902-1924.

Series 4: Frank H. Shaw Collection of Photographs:

This series consists of signed photographs and portraits of musicians. Shaw was Director of the Conservatory from 1924-1949.

Series 5: Miscellaneous Autographs and Photographs:

This series was compiled by Library staff from a variety of purchases and donations. Information on provenance is included, when known.

History

The Oberlin Conservatory Library Collection of Musicians' Autographs and Photographs was compiled over many decades from a variety of sources. The foundational gift for the collection was given by Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus W. Best in 1948, consisting of autograph letters from various musicians along with postage stamps from various countries commemorating musical people and events. Best (April 22, 1865-June 14, 1948) was an 1890 graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory. After additional studies with Martin Krause in Leipzig, Germany, Mr. Best returned to the U.S. to direct conservatories in Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Alabama. Among the musicians represented in this gift are C. P. E. Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Amy Beach, Johannes Brahms, Frederic Chopin, Franz Liszt, Clara and Robert Schumann, and Richard Wagner. In 1967, the staff of the Conservatory Library translated each letter in the collection and published a guide containing the translations along with select facsimiles (cataloged as ML94.B53.856)

A later gift by Frederick G. Marks of signed portraits and letters, focusing primarily on the music of Richard Wagner, enhanced the collection. Marks (July 20, 1919-June 20, 2005) graduated from Oberlin College in 1940, after which he served in the Army in World War II and then worked as an agent for New York Life Insurance Company. Along with the portraits and letters, Marks also donated 67 volumes of music and books which are individually listed in Oberlin's online library catalog.

Signed portraits and photographs of musicians given by Charles W. Morrison and Frank H. Shaw are also a part of the collection. Morrison and Shaw were both directors of the Conservatory, from 1902-1924 and from 1924-1949, respectively. Additional miscellaneous items acquired from a variety of purchases and donations round out the holdings.

Using the Collection

Restrictions: Collection is open for research.

Rights: The copyright interests in this collection may not have been transferred to Oberlin College.

Preferred Citation: [Identification of item], [Identification of series title], Oberlin Conservatory Library Collection of Musicians’ Autographs and Photographs, Oberlin Conservatory Library