Collections : [University of Michigan William L. Clements Library]

This collection is made up of 5 letters that Richard E. Byrd wrote to James B. Pond about his lecture tours in 1928 and 1931, and 1 letter that Byrd wrote to John Shuttleworth about speaking engagements related to World War II.

This collection is made up of 5 letters that Richard E. Byrd wrote to James B. Pond about his lecture tours in 1928 and 1931, as well as 1 letter that Byrd wrote to John Shuttleworth about speaking engagements related to World War II. In his first letter to Pond, he discussed the comparative appeal of his lectures about his successful transatlantic flight and his upcoming Antarctic expedition. In 1931, Byrd complained to Pond about low turnout, low-quality film equipment, and faulty loudspeakers at his lectures throughout the South. He blamed a lack of ticket-selling campaigns, rather than economic conditions, for the poor attendance and he expressed dissatisfaction with his contract and financial compensation.

Writing to John Shuttleworth in 1941, Byrd discussed his speaking engagements related to World War II, mentioning the perceived threat of a Nazi invasion of the United States and his speeches addressed to France. See the Detailed Box and Folder Listing for more information about each item.

This collection is made up of 4 items related to poet Joyce Kilmer and his poem "Trees," including its first printed appearance, a holograph manuscript of the poem, a partial musical setting by Oscar Rasbach, and a real photograph postcard portrait of Kilmer in uniform.

This collection is made up of 5 items related to Joyce Kilmer and his poem "Trees." Items include a holograph manuscript of the poem; an original copy of the magazine Poetry: A Magazine of Verse, in which the poem was first published; a partial manuscript musical setting of the poem signed by its composer, Oscar Rasbach, who set it to music in 1922; and a real photo postcard portrait of Kilmer. See the Detailed Box and Folder Listing for more information about each item.

The collection of composer Rudolf Friml (1879-1972) contains correspondence, documents, manuscript and printed sheet music, drafts of plays, and other miscellaneous material related to Friml and his frequent lyricist, Dailey Paskman (1897-1979).

The papers of Rudolf Friml are made up of 27 letters and documents, 34 photographs, printed sheet music and musical manuscripts related to over 60 works, drafts and notes for plays, theater ephemera, and other miscellaneous materials.

The 27 letters and documents of the Rudolf Friml collection follow two primary threads: Legal issues surrounding Rudolf Friml and Dailey Paskman's music, and the business, activities, and thoughts of Friml (expressed through letters to Paskman). The former topic is represented by documents regarding copyright and motion picture rights sales for High Jinks and Katinka to MGM; Annina to G. Schirmer; and Hawaiian Melody to Robbins Music Corporation, and a plagiarism claim pertaining to Kiss Me, Kate!

Three of seven documents, dated in the early months of 1949, relate the following information: Paskman and Friml suggested writing a musical version of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew in 1946 and proceeded to write a script. This script was submitted to Lee Shubert with the title Kiss Me, Kate! In 1948, another play entitled Kiss Me, Kate! opened on Broadway (with music and lyrics by Cole Porter). According to an LA Times article of January 9, 1949, the idea for this second Kiss Me, Kate! was conceived of and partly produced by Arnold Saint Subber, an ex-office boy of Lee Shubert. Despite the suggestion that Subber stole the idea for the play, legal council Edward C. Raftery informed Friml and Paskman that they could not prosecute the newer production based on copyright law.

In 18 letters and postcards from Rudolf Friml to Dailey Paskman (dated from 1954 to 1968), Friml discusses a variety of personal and business subjects. He considers difficulties encountered while writing Vagabond King (1954) and ideas for Rendezvous in Paris (1956). He also talks about Rose-Marie and Firefly. Some of the letters were written on personal stationary and a few contain musical quotations. Rudolf Friml authored the bulk of this correspondence while on different trips to Spain, France, Germany, and Switzerland. In one letter he stresses the importance of the sincerity of love in musical theatre (particularly regarding a proposed script in which the King of Wales loses his ring):

Take my advice and 'dickup' something where music predominate with beautiful Background -- and where love is sincere -- even thow disapointing -- in some parts -- with happy ending -- We all like happy ending -- It must be about something which is dear to us -- friendship love -- sacrifice -- forgiveness -- appreciation -- and not just 'a ring.' (October 3, [1950s?])

The 34 photographs of the Friml Collection include three items of particular significance: One signed cabinet card portrait photograph of Rudolf Friml as a young man (taken by H. Eckert in Prague); one undated group photograph of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), signed by Victor Herbert, Irving Berlin, Rudolf Friml, and others; and one 8x10 group photograph of U.S. Senator Roman Hruska (Neb.), Rudolf Friml, Kay Friml, Danny Kaye, Dailey Paskman, and an unidentified man. This third photograph is signed by Hruska, the Frimls, and Paskman. The remaining images include a photograph and enlargement of Rudolf Friml and Dailey Paskman standing on the grounds of Friml's home in Palm Desert, California; one photograph and enlargement of Friml signing photographs at Smetana Concert Hall in Prague, November 1959; one photo enlargement of Rudolf and Kay Friml (undated); 21 professional promotional photographs (most of them taken after radio broadcast by Voice of America in Washington, D.C.); and 5 other professional portraits.

The Rudolf Friml collection contains over 60 different songs and manuscript musical quotations, written from 1901 to the 1960s. Many of these pieces are present in multiple copies, illustrating various stages of the music writing process. A number of the works are represented only by Friml's manuscript music, while others also have words penciled in. Manuscript lyric notes by Paskman accompany many of the sheets and some are present only as final published copies. A selection of titles include: Jen trochu lásky, I Know the Loveliest of the Lovely, Darling, Je Vous Adore, A Happy New Year to You, Adorable (aka Lovely You), Amour Coquet, Swanee The River Road to Heaven, Holiday for Love, Somewhere in My Heart, Never Say Good-Bye, Valse Christine, and others. Two published collections of music and three technique books (by Friml) are also included.

Drafts and notes for two plays by Dailey Paskman and Rudolf Friml are present in the collection. Related to Kiss Me, Kate!: Notes on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, a 97-page manuscript draft of the Paskman and Friml's Kiss Me, Kate!, and typed copies of the final draft (c. 1947-1948). These manuscripts are especially significant, given the plagiarism accusations of Friml and Paskman as outlined above. The papers also include 173 pages of manuscript notes for The Friml Story: Love Everlasting by Dailey Paskman, and a 42-page typed and registered copy of the re-named Love Everlasting, based on the Life and Music of Rudolf Friml.

Miscellaneous additional material in the collection includes five printed theater programs and souvenir books with performances of Friml's music, 1914-1962. Among the pieces performed: Exodus to Hong Kong, Tarantella: Slavonic Rhapsody, High Jinks, Rose-Marie, The Three Musketeers, and The Vagabond King. A Variety magazine advertisement celebrates Friml's 50 years with ASCAP. Three printed catalogues list copyrighted musical works (from Irving Berlin, Inc., ABC Standard Music Publications, and Leo Feist, Inc.).

This collection is made up of letters that Jacob A. Riis sent to Elgin R. L. Gould and an unidentified female correspondent in the early 20th century. Riis commented on his health, politics, and tenement housing.

This collection is made up of outgoing letters that Jacob A. Riis wrote to Elgin R. L. Gould (6 items) and an unidentified female correspondent (1 item) in the early 20th century. In his letters to Gould, Riis discussed his health and requested that Gould help find employment for "Mrs. Heath," a former colleague. On several occasions, he referred directly or indirectly to tenement housing and political issues, such as the dominance of Tammany Hall. Riis enclosed a letter from Henry C. Wright of the Cincinnati Union Bethel in his letter of February 18, 1901. An undated letter from Riis to an anonymous woman contains his promise to forward her suggestions to the secretary of the Public Education Society and his agreement with her sentiments about the inclusion of children's playrooms in tenement apartments. See the Detailed Box and Folder Listing for more information about each item.

This collection contains correspondence, speeches, ephemera, and photographs related to James Naismith, the inventor of basketball. Naismith's incoming correspondence includes letters about the history of basketball in locations across Canada and the United States, and his typed speech notes primarily concern the relationship between athletics, morality, and religion.

This collection contains correspondence, speeches, ephemera, and photographs related to James Naismith, the inventor of basketball. Naismith's incoming correspondence includes letters about the history of basketball in locations across Canada and the United States, and his typed speech notes primarily concern the relationship between athletics, morality, and religion.

The Correspondence series contains 44 letters, including 27 Naismith received about the history of basketball and the implementation of basketball programs. Between 1917 and 1939, Naismith collected responses to his inquiries about basketball from Canada, Uruguay, and universities within the United States. These letters often reported the dates of the first recorded local basketball games, and some described early equipment and rules. A letter from Edmonton, Alberta (October 15, 1929) concerned the development of women's basketball, and one from Osage City High School stated that theirs was the first high school in Kansas to have a basketball team (March 22, 1932). Some correspondents inquired about Naismith's experiences with the game, shared their own experiences, or discussed rule changes.

Letters written after Naismith's death are commemorative, including one signed by members of the Wheelchair Bulldozers, written on stationery bearing the team's logo (November 6, 1948). Additionally, Raymond Kaighn, the last surviving member of Naismith's first basketball team, wrote 8 letters to Kenneth Crouch between April 16, 1958, and July 28, 1962, reminiscing about his experiences and extolling Naismith's contribution to the world of sports. The collection also holds four letters Naismith wrote, providing his thoughts on the center jump ball rule (January 7, 1930), requesting information on Canadian basketball (with two responses, December 15, 1930), describing the game around the time of its invention in 1891 (February 4, 1939), and addressing his wife about personal matters (undated).

The Speech Notes and Essays series contains 7 typed speeches delivered by Naismith, with his manuscript annotations. The speeches pertain to the historical and contemporary relationship between athletic activities, morality, and religion, such as the role of athletic and physical education in moral and ethical development. Naismith lamented the commercialization of basketball and discussed the effects of the radio on the presidential election of 1928 (October 1928). One undated essay relates to sexual immorality among soldiers in the United States military.

Photographs and Ephemera include one photograph each of James Naismith and Raymond Kaighn, a souvenir program, a magazine article, and an invitation.

An inventory of items in the final two series appears in the Detailed Box and Folder listing below.

The Winston Churchill collection contains 11 items related to various aspects of Churchill's life, written by Churchill, his wife, and their acquaintances. Of particular interest are Churchill's annotated notes for a speech he delivered at the University of Miami's commencement ceremonies on February 26, 1946. In his speech, Churchill discussed U.S.-British cooperation during World War II, the importance of secondary education, and the education of servicemen returning from the war.

The Winston Churchill collection contains 11 items related to various aspects of Churchill's life, written by Churchill, his wife, and a few of their acquaintances. The earliest item in the collection is a letter by Churchill's father, Randolph Spencer Churchill, relating to a request for a speech (July 11, 1889). The remainder of the items deal directly with Winston Churchill's life, including a letter written by Churchill to James B. Pond about Churchill's anticipated visit to North America in 1900 (September 11, 1900). Other material pertains to political and personal affairs, including two letters regarding historic plates sent to the Churchill family. Churchill's typed notes, with manuscript annotations, used for a commencement address he made at Miami University on February 26, 1946, concerning the U.S.-British cooperation during World War II, the importance of secondary education, and the education of servicemen returning from the war. Other items related to Churchill's activities in Miami include a printed copy of his address and two photographs of Churchill during the event. Also of interest is a letter written by architect Leo Sylvester Sullivan, who attended school with Churchill in the early 1900s. Sullivan recalled Churchill's extensive oral preparations, and remembered, "Every stuttering sentence was repeated over & over again & was altered to avoid the stutter" (July 6, 1956). The collection includes a copy of The New York Times from January 25, 1965, with two copies of a Special Supplement regarding the life and death of Winston Churchill. See the box and folder listing below for a detailed inventory of the collection.

The Douglas MacArthur collection is made up of military documents related to General Douglas MacArthur and the 42nd (Rainbow) Division during the first World War, and miscellaneous letters, documents, photographs, published works, and one diary illuminating various aspects of the General's public career and personal life.

The MacArthur collection contains 885 letters, documents, photographs, and published works dating from March 23, 1885, to July 5, 1983. The bulk of the material (710 items) consists of military documents and manuscript notes from September 8, 1917 to January 27, 1919.

The military materials include general orders, field orders, field messages, memoranda, intelligence, and communications, related to the U.S. 42nd Division (The Rainbow Division), A.E.F., founded in 1917. The majority of the collection falls during the period of time from late 1917 to early August 1918, when Douglas MacArthur was Chief of Staff for the 42nd Division. Documents from military units that fought alongside the 42nd Division (both French and American), the U.S. Chemical Warfare, and the Intelligence Divisions -- as well as various German, French, and American communications -- are included. Organizational documents, such as training schedules, and march tables, are also present. A considerable number, if not all, of these materials must have been approved or viewed by MacArthur, and many of the items in this collection bear his initials or the initials of his information assistant, William Hughes, Jr. From early August 1918 until the armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, MacArthur acted as the commanding officer for the 84th Infantry Brigade, and several military orders bear his name.

Seventy-six letters in the collection (located in Box 1) are either from Douglas MacArthur or pertain in some way to him. Six of these items, dated 1904, pertain to MacArthur and Florence Adams, whom he met in the Philippines, including a 46-page diary MacArthur wrote to Adams while he was on board a ship from Manila to the United States. Five letters, dated 1921 and 1925, are written by MacArthur to Louise Brooks who became Mrs. Douglas MacArthur in 1922. These letters contain both romantic content as well as personal reflections on the events in MacArthur's life at the time. Also included are nine letters from MacArthur to Hamilton Fish, Jr., dated 1921-1934. The remainder of the correspondence is a miscellaneous collection of letters written by Douglas MacArthur, Jean MacArthur, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Harry S. Truman, and others.

The Douglas MacArthur collection also contains a notebook kept by Kenneth A. Sutherland, veteran of the 42nd Division, which contains a selection of items related to the Division's post-war activities and reunions; 40 aerial photographs and negatives taken by the 91st Reconnaissance Squadron, October 10, 1918; several photographs of Douglas MacArthur; thirteen published works by or about the General; and other miscellaneous materials.

The Samuel F. Smith collection contains material related to the author of the poem "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" ("America"), including holograph manuscripts of the lyrics, correspondence, and photographs.

The Samuel F. Smith collection contains material related to the author of "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" ("America"). Many items pertain to the song, such as holograph copies of the lyrics signed by the author and a facsimile of its first printed version. Other items include handwritten copies of the poem "The Eve of Decoration Day" and the hymn "The Morning Light is Breaking," along with a letter to D.A. Wilbur in which Smith expressed doubts about the legitimacy of what Wilbur believed to be an original copy of "The Morning Light is Breaking" (January 4, 1895).

The collection also has several personal letters that Smith wrote near the end of his life, a brief autobiographical statement, a prose work entitled "The Prayer," a statement about the Harvard College Class of 1829, and several portraits, including one bearing Smith's autograph. Also included is a printed program from a "Testimonial Benefit Tendered to Rev. S. F. Smith, D. D.," held on April 3, 1895, as well as a published volume, Poems of Home and Country, once owned by J. F. C. Hyde. See the Detailed Box and Folder Listing for a complete inventory.

This collection is made up of personal letters written by William Jennings Bryan. Bryan discussed many different subjects, including his political career and speeches.

This collection is made up of 10 personal letters written by William Jennings Bryan, as well as a letter by his wife Mary and an autograph quotation from his famous "Cross of Gold" speech. Several of the letters contain brief references to Bryan's education, political career, beliefs, and speeches. He wrote many of the letters on personalized stationery. See the Detailed Box and Folder Listing for more information about each item.

This collection contains material related to Daniel Decatur Emmett and the song "Dixie," which he published in 1860. The collection has 4 autograph items by Emmett, an additional letter, a photograph, and a first edition music score.

This collection contains material related to Daniel Decatur Emmett and the song "Dixie," which he published in 1860. The collection has 4 autograph items by Emmett, as well as an additional letter, a signed photograph of Daniel Emmett, and a first edition music score of "Dixie" (1860). Two items concern the debate about the song's authorship. The collection also includes an undated holograph manuscript of Emmett's song "Old Dan Tucker." See the Detailed Box and Folder Listing for more information.