Collection context
Summary
- Abstract:
- Miscellaneous tape recordings, mostly small donations, that span the history of the Archive of Recorded Sound.
- Extent:
- 15 box(es) : 419 open reel tapes, 15 audiocassettes, 60 videocassettes
- Language:
- Multiple languages
- Preferred citation:
-
ARS Audio Miscellany, ARS-0070. Courtesy of the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The ARS Audio Miscellany Collection consists of audio recordings on tape, largely from small donations and with limited documentation and context. Although the archivist may loath the word "miscellaneous," it is an unfortunately necessary descriptor for these kinds of loose ends. Small groups of items, having lost their provenance over time, may not necessarily require the designation of "collection" on their own. So while the title of this constructed collection is ARS Audio Miscellany, the entry points for searching the described items should be sufficient enough on their own to reduce the sting of that awkward name. In a sense, this is a collection that reveals the history of the Archive of Recorded Sound and its role both on the Stanford campus and in the greater community of collectors and researchers of audio recordings. The diversity of content speaks for itself: radio programs, recitals and performances, interviews, actualities, transfers of rare historical recordings, theater production sound effects, even arguably negligible personal recordings (such as "Craig’s Trumpet 6th Grade" and "Clinical Medical Electronics Narration"). Some are transfers of a donor’s originals. Many are stamped Archive of Recorded Sound, or Music Library: these tapes were teaching tools and reserve listening for classes. Among the many fascinating recordings listed here: Martin Luther King speaking at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco less than a week after the last Selby march ; King George V's 25th Jubilee Address in 1935, originally recorded on an aluminum disc ; Queen Elizabeth Coronation Ceremonies from a local broadcast in 1953 ; songs of the Berkeley Free Speech Movement ; the (unpublished) voices of Albert Schweitzer, Lee De Forest, Dylan Thomas, Ogden Nash, Robert Frost, and Pablo Neruda ; Lt. Commander Richard Stratton's POW confession in Vietnam ; interviews with the Chicago Seven in 1970 ; Country Joe and the Fish outakes from the KQED studios in 1967 ; Emperor Franz Joseph speaking into Poulson’s telegramophone in 1900 ; Duke Ellington recorded at Basin Street West in 1965 for use in the documentary "Love You Madly;" Marian Anderson in personal recordings made for RCA and in an interview at the United Nations in 1976 ; President Kennedy speaking with the Nigerian Prime Minister over the first satellite communication in 1963. Spelling has been corrected and expanded when reasonably certain. Brackets have been used for guesses. Also, it is important to note that none of this material has been verified by listening.
The ARS Audiotape Collection consists of audio recordings on tape from small donations with limited documentation and context. In a sense, this group of recordings represents the history of the Archive of Recorded Sound and its role both on the Stanford campus and in the greater community of collectors and researchers. The diversity of content here is beyond a simple listing: radio programs, recitals and performances, interviews, actualities, transfers of rare historical recordings, theater production sound effects, even arguably negligible personal recordings (such as "Craig’s Trumpet 6th Grade" and "Clinical Medical Electronics Narration"). Some are transfers of a donor’s originals which may not exist or be traceable today. Many tapes are stamped Archive of Recorded Sound, or Music Library; these were teaching tools and reserve listening for classes. Unsurprisingly, many tapes are minimally annotated. Spelling has been corrected and expanded when reasonably certain, and brackets have been used for guesses. Also, it is important to note that none of this material has been verified by listening. This finding aid is a work in progress, and tapes will be added or removed as it develops.
Among the many fascinating recordings listed here: Martin Luther King speaking at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco less than a week after the last Selby march; King George V's 25th Jubilee Address in 1935, originally recorded on an aluminum disc; Queen Elizabeth's coronation ceremonies from a local broadcast in 1953; songs of the Berkeley Free Speech Movement ; the (unpublished) voices of Albert Schweitzer, Lee De Forest, Dylan Thomas, Ogden Nash, Robert Frost, and Pablo Neruda; Lt. Commander Richard Stratton's POW confession in Vietnam; interviews with the Chicago Seven in 1970; Country Joe and the Fish outakes from the KQED studios in 1967; Emperor Franz Joseph speaking into Poulson’s telegramophone in 1900; Duke Ellington recorded at Basin Street West in 1965 for use in the documentary "Love You Madly;" Marian Anderson in personal recordings made for RCA and in an interview at the United Nations in 1976; President Kennedy speaking with the Nigerian Prime Minister as the first satellite communication in 1963; a series of interviews with early airplane pilots; audio from television specials from Tony Bennett, An-Margret and Nancy Sinatra 1967-1868; Russian Molokan Church Music recorded in Potrero Hill, San Francisco in the early 1950s.
- Processing information:
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This finding aid was produced with generous financial support from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission.
- Arrangement:
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Most recordings are described under the series marked "Miscellaneous" according to format and reel size. Some recordings with more distinct provenenance are listed alphabetically by main name or subject associated with it.
- Physical location:
- Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound Stanford University Libraries Stanford, California 94305-3076
- Material specific details:
- 3" reels-5 4" reels-1 5" reels-37 7" reels-334 10.5" reels-40 1/2" tapes on 10" reels - 4 audiocassettes-15 video reels-2 videocassette (VHS)- 59 videocassette (Beta) - 1
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Open for research; material must be requested at least two business days in advance of intended use. Contact the Archive for assistance.
- Terms of access:
-
Property rights reside with repository. Publication and reproduction rights reside with the creators or their heirs. To obtain permission to publish or reproduce, please contact the Head Librarian of the Archive of Recorded Sound.
- Preferred citation:
-
ARS Audio Miscellany, ARS-0070. Courtesy of the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.
- Location of this collection:
-
Braun Music Center, 541 Lasuen MallStanford, CA 94305-3076, US
- Contact:
- (650) 723-9312