Richard and Mildred Crooks Collection, 1913-1984

Summary

Creators:

Richard and Mildred Crooks

Abstract:

Materials documenting virtually every stage of Crooks career.

Extent:

9 linear ft.

Language:

Languages represented in the collection: English

Preferred citation:

RIchard and Mildred Crooks Collection, ARS-0004. Courtesy of the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Background

Scope and content:

Materials documenting virtually every stage of Crooks' career, starting with newspaper clippings and programs apparently kept by his mother from his appearances as a boy soprano in churches, at resort concerts and in vaudeville. Included are materials related to Crooks' high school classmate George Antheil. The collection contains photographs, programs, and other items for nearly every role Crooks undertook at the Metropolitan Opera and memorabilia from the numerous concert tours and the years broadcasting the Voice of Firestone radio program (1932-1945), as well as sheet music. Included are letters from colleagues and friends from throughout his career and into retirement. Finally, Crooks' own recording collection, with test pressings, privately recorded materials, and several air checks (with Bing Crosby) are included.

Biographical / historical:

Alexander Richard Crooks, tenor, was born in Trenton, N.J. on June 26, 1900. He toured widely, and sang with the Metropolitan Opera Company from 1933 to 1942. Crooks recorded extensively for the Victor record company, and was featured on several radio series from 1929 to 1945. He married his childhood friend Mildred Pine in 1921 and they had two children, Patricia and Richard, Jr. In retirement, the couple settled in Portola Valley. Richard Crooks died on September 30, 1972.

Arrangement:

Organized into 12 series. I. Correspondence. II. Documents. III. Programs. IV. Photographs. V. Scrapbooks. VI. Clippings. VII. Publications. VIII. Libretti. IX. Sheet music. X. Sound recordings. XI. Audio-visual materials. XII. Miscellany.

Rules or conventions:

Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Indexed terms

Subjects:

Tenors (Singers)
Opera.

Names:

Crooks, Richard, 1900-1972.

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research. Listening appointments may require 24 hours notice. Contact the Archive Operations Manager.

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:

RIchard and Mildred Crooks Collection, ARS-0004. Courtesy of the Stanford Archive of Recorded Sound, Stanford University Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Location of this collection:

Stanford University, Archive of Recorded Sound

Braun Music Center, 541 Lasuen Mall

Stanford, CA 94305-3076, US

Contact:

(650) 723-9312

soundarchive@stanford.edu

Website