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Guide to the Papers of Molly Picon (1898-1992),
undated, 1877-1971

P-38

Processed by AJHS staff

American Jewish Historical Society

Center for Jewish History

15 West 16th Street

New York, NY 10011


Phone: (212) 294-6160

Fax: (212) 294-6161

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URL: http://www.ajhs.org

© November 2001. American Jewish Historical Society, Newton Centre, MA and New York, NY. All rights reserved. All rights reserved.
Center for Jewish History, Publisher.
Machine-readable finding aid created by Michelle Feller-Kopman as MS Word document, July 2001. Electronic finding aid converted to EAD 1.0 by Dianne Ritchey Oummia, November 2001. Description is in English.
April 2003. Converted to EAD 2002. Revised as MollyPicon02.xml by Tanya Elder. Removed deprecated elements and attributes, updated repository codes, added language codes, changed doctype declaration, removed boilerplate entities, etc.

Descriptive summary
Creator: Picon, Molly (1898-1992)
Title: Picon, Molly Papers
Dates undated, 1877-1971
Abstract: This collection comprises the papers of the Yiddish actress and entertainer Molly Picon. The papers consist of extensive manuscripts of Yiddish and non-Yiddish plays, numerous radio and television scripts, programs and announcements for Picon’s performances, and personal material such as correspondence and photographs. Also included is a large amount of musical material such as songbooks, handwritten lyrics, and sheet music, much of it in Yiddish
Languages: The collection is in English, Yiddish, French, German, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, and Spanish.
Quantity: 49 Linear Feet
Identification: P-38
Repository: American Jewish Historical Society
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Biographical Note

portrait of Molly Picon as Zipke Lo (1924)
Molly Picon as Zipke
Second Ave. Theatre, 1924
Hand-colored photograph
Molly Picon Papers

Molly Picon
(1898-1992)

An entertainer for over 70 years, Molly Picon was one of the most celebrated and beloved actresses of Yiddish theater and film. At once an all-American girl and a Yidishe meydel, her engaging performances earned her world-wide appeal.

Picon was born Margaret Pyekoon on February 28, 1898, on the Lower East Side of New York, the first of two daughters of Clara Ostrovsky and Louis Pyekoon (later Picon). After Louis left the family, Clara moved with her daughters and her mother to Philadelphia and supported them by working as a seamstress at Kessler’s Yiddish theater. At age five, Molly entered and won a local theater contest, and her career in the spotlight thus commenced. She continued performing while growing up, appearing both in Michael Thomashefsky’s Yiddish repertory troupe at the Arch Street Theater and in cabaret.

In 1918 Picon joined a touring English-language vaudeville show. The tour led her to Boston in 1919, where she was cast in a production by the manager of the Boston Grand Opera House, Jacob Kalich. Picon and Kalich married on June 29 of that same year in Philadelphia. In keeping with the theme of their relationship, Picon wore a dress fashioned by her mother from a theater curtain, and thus draped in drapery, Picon began a lifelong partnership with her Yonkel.

Picon and Kalich’s partnership proved to be an extremely productive and successful one. Following their wedding, they traveled through Europe for two years, allowing Picon to improve her Yiddish and gain experience. Forced to leave Romania because of anti-Semitism, Picon and Kalich returned to New York and proceeded to create some of the most memorable shows ever to appear on the Yiddish stage. While Kalich scripted and directed, Picon starred and often wrote lyrics. Picon and Kalich’s 1920s collaborations included “Yankele,” “Mamele,” “Circus Girl,” “Molly Dolly,” and “Shmendrik.” Her performances in these roles established Picon’s reputation as a leading actress of the Yiddish stage and propelled her to national stardom. Dangling by one leg or suspended by a pole, Picon displayed a seemingly boundless energy as she somersaulted, sparred, and swung her way through role after role, an acrobatic approach that gave her performances a distinctive physical edge. Attesting to her popularity on the Yiddish stage, during the 1920s the Second Avenue Theater in New York, one of the premier Yiddish theaters in America, was renamed the Molly Picon Theater.

In addition to her stage performances, Picon appeared in Yiddish films. Her first film was Das Judenmadel, filmed in Austria in 1921. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, despite growing anti-Semitism in Europe, Picon traveled there to star in several other Yiddish films, including Ost und West, also known as Mezrach un Maarev (1923). In 1937, in Warsaw, Poland, she filmed Idl Mitn Fidl, one of her best-known films. Picon returned to Poland even as late as 1938 to film Mamele--the last Jewish film made in Poland before the Nazis obliterated European Yiddish culture.

While Picon’s roots were in Yiddish theater and film, she demonstrated her versatility by taking on a wide variety of roles in many different venues, including radio, television, Hollywood films, and Broadway theater. For many years beginning in 1936, Picon hosted a regular radio program, known as the Maxwell House Coffee program for its sponsor. Picon’s Broadway debut came in 1940, and she was still somersaulting in 1964 in the Broadway production of Milk and Honey. In 1981, she was inducted into the Broadway Hall of Fame. Her Hollywood film roles included the Italian mother in Come Blow Your Horn (1963), for which she received an Oscar nomination, and Yente the matchmaker in Fiddler on the Roof (1971).

Throughout her career, Picon devoted much of her time to patriotic and humanitarian work. During World War II, she visited refugee camps in Canada and toured army bases across the United States to entertain the troops. As soon as World War II ended, Picon returned with Kalich to Europe in order to visit camps and orphanages with the Jewish Labor Committee. In fact, Picon and Kalich were the first entertainers to visit the Displaced Persons camps after the war. Back in the United States, Picon continued her active support of both Jewish and non-Jewish causes by working for the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, selling Israel bonds, and making numerous benefit appearances. During the Korean War, Picon was again entertaining troops, this time participating in USO tours in Korea.

Whether delivering one of her uncanny imitations or kicking up her heels, Molly Picon infused her performances with vivacity and charm. Beyond the pure entertainment value of her performances, however, Picon played an important role in preserving Yiddish culture and bringing it to mainstream American audiences. Her performances typically blended Yiddish sensibility with American show business style, a combination that allowed her to reach beyond the immigrant generation and appeal to second-generation, assimilated American Jews as well as non-Jews. In addition, her Yiddish films, with their depictions of shtetl life in pre-World War II Europe, became invaluable records of a vanishing culture.

A celebrity throughout her life, Picon won widespread recognition for her talents and received many honors. In 1955 she sang for the Knesset in Israel, and in 1975 she appeared at Carnegie Hall. By the time of her death, on April 6, 1992, Molly Picon had performed all over the world, from the Lower East Side to Eastern Europe, South Africa to South America. She was truly a vibrant and treasured figure in the world of entertainment.

For more biographical information, see: Return to the Top of Page

Scope and Content Note

The Molly Picon Papers consist largely of material relating to Picon’s career as a performer, especially in the Yiddish theater. Such material includes plays, scripts, music, programs, and other theater items. The collection also includes personal material, such as correspondence, photographs, and scrapbooks. Much of the collection (e.g. Series I, II, III, and most of VI) is in Yiddish. Yiddish titles (of plays, scripts, and sheet music, for example) have been transliterated, and material is arranged according to these transliterated titles. As a rule, whenever possible, Yiddish transliterations were made directly from the Yiddish titles as written on the material itself and were made according to a consistent method, even when other transliterations were provided. Original order and folder titles were retained wherever possible.

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Arrangement

Series I-VI, IX and X are arranged alphabetically. Series VII and XI are arranged chronologically. Series VIII is arranged by correspondent, then chronologically and by subject.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The collection is open to all researchers by permission of the Executive Director of the American Jewish Historical Society, except items that are restricted due to their fragility.

Use Restrictions

There may be some restrictions on the use of the collection. For more information, contact
American Jewish Historical Society, Center for Jewish History, 15 West 16th Street, New York, NY 10011.

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Related Material

Related materials are available at the YIVO Institute.

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Provenance

The Society acquired the collection from Molly Picon in 1971-1972.

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Preferred Citation

Published citations should take the following form:

Identification of item, date (if known); Molly Picon Papers; P-38; box number; folder number; American Jewish Historical Society, Newton Centre, MA and New York, NY.

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Container List

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

 

Series I: Yiddish Manuscript Plays, undated, 1877-1950.

14 linear feet
Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by transliterated Yiddish title, followed by unknown titles, role excerpts arranged alphabetically by play title, and other script-related material.

Scope and Content:

Series I: Yiddish Manuscript Plays is comprised almost entirely of manuscript plays written in Yiddish. As noted above, the titles of these plays have been transliterated, and the plays are ordered by these transliterated titles. Plays and play fragments with unknown titles follow the titled plays. In addition, this series includes role excerpts from various Yiddish plays and a small amount of assorted play material, consisting of small fragments, song lists, character lists, etc.

Box Folder Title Date
1 1 Abi gezunt undated
1 2 Abi gezunt, and English synopsis undated, 1949
1 3 Al naharos Bovl undated
1 4 Alma vi voynstu 1915
1 5 Di almone undated
1 6-7 Alt-nay-land undated
1 8 Amerikaner rebetsn undated
1 9 Der apetit undated
1 10 Bas Sheva undated
1 11 Der beamter undated
1 12 Ben Ami undated
Box Folder Title Date
2 13 Ben Hadir der prints fon Arabyen undated
2 14 Ben Yankev undated
2 15 Der ben yokhed undated
2 16 Beril tremp undated
2 17 Beys Doved undated
2 18 Bill Pauster undated
2 19 Dos bisele glik undated
2 20 Blinde eyferzukht undated
2 21 Blinde liebe undated
2 22 Di blum fun libe (Ven malokhim veynen) undated
2 23 Di Bobe fun Amerike undated
2 24 Der bobes yerushe undated
2 25 Borg mir dayn vayb undated
2 26 Der boym fun libe undated
2 27 Dos bukh fun leben undated
2 28 Der bundist undated
Box Folder Title Date
3 29-30 Daytshland brent undated
3 31 Doktor Zeyfenbloz undated
3 32 Der dopelter bukhhalter undated
3 33 Dos dorfs meydel undated
3 34 Dray farlibte undated
3 35 Di dray matones undated
3 36 Dzheni loyft far meyor undated
3 37 Elvira 1907
3 38 Di emese libe undated
3 39 Di emese mame undated
3 40 Der emeser kholem 1926
3 41 Di emigranten undated
3 42 Di emigranten 1922
3 43 Er un zayn shvester undated
3 44 Ester’ke undated
3 45 Di eybige bavegung undated
Box Folder Title Date
4 46 Eygen blut undated
4 47 Der eyntsiger eydes undated
4 48 Far der khasene undated
4 49 Far vos mener antloyfn undated
4 50 A farlibte mishpokhe undated
4 51 Der faynter undated
4 52 Ferbitene kales undated
4 53 Ferbutene yoytsres undated
4 54-55 Der ferdakht undated
4 56 Ferlangt a kale undated
4 57 Ferlangt a vayb undated
4 58 Di fershtelte undated
4 59 Feymele, oder, Di kroyn fun shande undated
Box Folder Title Date
5 60 Finf dolar a kush undated
5 61 Forgib dayn froy undated
5 62 Fremde kinder undated
5 63 Freydel vert a kale undated
5 64 Di freylakhe kale undated
5 65 Di freylikhe almone undated
5 66 Di freylikhe kaptsonim undated
5 67 Di froy un di heym undated
5 68 Der Galitsyane shlemil undated
5 69 Di ganvite, undated
5 70 A gdile mit griven undated
5 71 Di geheymnise fon keniglshen hoyf undated
5 72 Geld!, oder, Der trempp 1893
5 73 Geld oder kinder undated
5 74 Geshtorben durkh a shpas undated
5 75 Geshtorben durkh a shpas 1898
5 76 Der get 1901
Box Folder Title Date
6 77 Giboyrey Yisroel, oder, Dos vilde meydel undated
6 78 Der gilgl fun a nign undated
6 79 Gliklekhe nakht undated
6 80 Di gliklikhe nakht undated
6 81 Dos gliks meydel 1923
6 82 Di goldene kale undated
6 83 Di goldener kholem, oder, Der rebe in Amerika 1932
6 84 Di goldine khasene undated
6 85 Goles Rusland undated
6 86 Gorten fun liebe undated
6 87 Der grester surprayz undated
6 88 Grine bleter undated
6 89 Di grine kale (Khosn kale mazl tov) undated
6 90 Di grine mame undated
6 91 Di grine moyd undated
Box Folder Title Date
7 92 Di grinhorens 1898
7 93 A groyse geheymnis 1915-16
7 94 Groyse menshen undated
7 95 Di groyse shvester undated
7 96 Der groyser mensh undated
7 97 Hadase 1900
7 98 Der heybiger kampf undated
7 99 Di heylige 1907
7 100 Heym, ziese heym undated
7 101 Homen der tsveyter 1903
7 102 Hopsasa undated
7 103 Hot khasene undated
7 104-105 Der ibriger mensh undated
Box Folder Title Date
8 106 Id muz prese undated
8 107 Di Idishe fir hundert undated
8 108 Di Idishe melodye undated
8 109 Idishe shatkhonim undated
8 110 Der Idisher zinger 1921
8 111 Idl mitn fidl undated
8 112-113 Iks miks driks undated
8 114 Importirte vaybel--grine kuzine? undated
8 115 In der hordinatsyons shtonde undated
8 116 In di hoykhe fenster undated
8 117 Jakl Balhagule undated
8 118 Kabaret meydel undated
8 119 A kale fun di trentshes undated
8 120 Di kale fun dray khasanim undated
8 121-122 Karmen undated
Box Folder Title Date
9 123 Der kenig fun di shnorers, oder, Tsvishen di akten undated
9 124 Dem kenigs kholem undated
9 125 Keptein khayim undated
9 126 Ketskil Mounteins undated
9 127 Khantshe in Amerike undated
9 128 Khasene gehat iz farfalen undated
9 129 A khasene in der kontri undated
9 130 A khasene af der Ist-Sayd undated
9 131 Khatshel kol boynik undated
9 132 A khaver in leben undated
9 133 A khaver in leben 1919
9 134 Khave’s tekhter undated
Box Folder Title Date
10 135 Khaye’ke fun Tel Aviv 1947
10 136 Khayem in Amerika, oder, Der nakht dieb undated
10 137 Khayim Trotski undated
10 138-139 Khayim’ke kokhlefel undated
10 140-141 Khayke undated
10 142 Khayke in Odes undated
10 143 Di khazn’te undated
10 144 Khokhmes noshim undated
10 145 Der kholem fun a hoyzkiper undated
10 146 A khosn’s toes undated
10 147 Der khoyv undated
10 148 Khtsos undated
10 149 Khupe kleyd undated
Box Folder Title Date
11 150 A kind fon folk undated
11 151 A kind fun der gas undated
11 152 Kinder fon der Ist-Sayd undated
11 153 Kinder kumt aheym undated
11 154 Kol Nidre, oder, Die geheyme yuden in Madrid undated
11 155 Di komedyantke undated
11 156 Di komedyantke, oder, Katerina di groyse 1927
11 157 Der kontsert undated
11 158 Kraft fun geld undated
11 159 Kreyndele undated
11 160 Kuku undated
11 161 Kukuriku undated
Box Folder Title Date
12 162 Leydi Khaye Tsipe undated
12 163 Leydies foyrst undated
12 164 Loki men undated
12 165 Lomir khasene hoben undated
12 166 Lomir zikh iberbeten undated
12 167 Luksus undated
12 168 Madam Eks undated
12 169 Madam Yuksh undated
12 170 Malkele Colym undated
12 171 Malvinka vil azoy undated
12 172 Mamele undated
12 173 A mame’s boi undated
12 174 Mamzel Haplea undated
Box Folder Title Date
13 175 A mann zol men zayn undated
13 176 Der maskareyd bol undated
13 177 Mayn froy undated
13 178 Mayn mazldiker tog undated
13 179 Mayn tatens biznes undated
13 180 A mayse fun a mol undated
13 181 Mazl tov, Mali undated
13 182 Mener und froyen undated
13 183 Menshen-lyalkes undated
13 184 Meydlekh undated
13 185 Mis Meey Openhaym undated
13 186 Mish mash undated
Box Folder Title Date
14 187 Dos moderne meydel undated
14 188 Morgen undated
14 189 Motele ligner undated
14 190 Motke ganef undated
14 191 Di moyd fun di Bronks undated
14 192 A moyd fun yener velt undated
14 193 Di mume genendel undated
14 194 Der musteyk undated
14 195 Mut undated
14 196 Muter harts undated
14 197 Mutter liebe undated
14 198 Di mutter’s treren undated
14 199 Di natsyonaler kongres undated
14 200 Der nes fun liebe undated
14 201-202 Di neshome fun a froy undated
Box Folder Title Date
15 203 Der neyder, oder, Der giber undated
15 204 Nie be-nie me-nie kukeriku,and Todres blus, oder, Der lugner undated
15 205 Der nit gerotener undated
15 206 Nitvit undated
15 207 Numer 99 undated
15 208 Obgenart dem zeyden undated
15 209 Obgetuhn dem taten undated
15 210 Di oreme gvirim undated
15 211 Dos oreme meydele undated
15 212 Othello undated
15 213 Oy di Bronks undated
15 214 Oy di mener undated
15 215 Oy di meydlakh undated
15 216 Oy vos menner zenen undated
15 217 Oyf a farbrenten mizbeyekh 1914
Box Folder Title Date
16 218 Oyf’n shlekhten veg undated
16 219 Oygen fun liebe undated
16 220 Die Pari-Comedie and Die Pedler undated
16 221 Parizer unshuld undated
16 222 Parnose undated
16 223 Parnose 1926
16 224 Pavolye tate undated
16 225 Perele Dempsi undated
16 226 Der peyper henger undated
16 227 Plezhur undated
16 228 Dos por-folk oyf urlop undated
16 229 Dos Poylishe meydel undated
16 230 Di Poylisher khasene undated
16 231-232 Der Poylisher Yud undated
Box Folder Title Date
17 233 Der prayz far ehrlikhkayt undated
17 234 Di primadona undated
17 235 Di printsesin fun Nil undated
17 236 Rashi 1882
17 237 Raykhe kaptsonim undated
17 238 Dem rebns almone undated
17 239 Der reyner emes undated
17 240 Reytshel fun Safolk Strit undated
17 241 R’Fishel Doved der Bolshevik undated
17 242 Der rikhtiger an’aynfal undated
17 243 Rokhl’e di meshugene undated
17 244 Romeo un Yulye undated
17 245 Der rov in fayer undated
Box Folder Title Date
18 246 Dos royte menshele 1891
18 247 Di roza fun Stambul undated
18 248 A ruhige heym undated
18 249 Rusishe pyese undated
18 250 Der Rusisher Yud in Amerika undated
18 251 Der segl undated
18 252 Semke der shukh shayener undated
18 253 Sepereyshen undated
18 254 Serkele’s honi man undated
18 255-256 Seydi iz a leydi undated
18 257 Seydi vert a leydi undated
18 258 Shaylok der koyfman fun Ester Strit undated
18 259 Di shehne Bertha undated
Box Folder Title Date
19 260 A sheyner kholem undated
19 261 Shloyme hameylekh undated
19 262 Shlumil undated
19 263 Shmendrik undated
19 264 Shmendrik 1914
19 265 Shmendrik (fragment) undated
19 266 Dos shnirel fesl undated
19 267 Der shpas undated
19 268 Der shpas fun shikzal undated
19 269 Shpiegel fun leben undated
19 270 Der shpigel 1877
19 271 Di shpin undated
19 272 Der shreklikher lament 1914
19 273 Shtarker fun liebe 1920
19 274 Di shtiferin undated
19 275 Shtille leydn undated
Box Folder Title Date
20 276-277 Der shtroyener almen undated
20 278 Shvakhe helden undated
20 279-281 Shver tsu zayn a meydl undated
20 282 Shver tsu zayn a shviger undated
20 283 Sibirya undated
20 284 Soydes fun a froy undated
20 285 Soydes fun liebe undated
20 286 Stempenyu undated
20 287 Surkele undated
20 288 Suzi Bren undated
Box Folder Title Date
21 289 Di tale kamtese undated
21 290 Dem tayvels brik undated
21 291 Tihr nomer dray undated
21 292 A trik fun mayn shvester khosn undated
21 293 Tsayten bayten zikh undated
21 294 Dos tsershterte leben undated
21 295 Di Tshardash firsten undated
21 296 Dos tshokoladen meydele undated
21 297 Di tshokoladitshke undated
21 298 Dos tsigayner meydl undated
21 299 Tsu fiel lyarem tsulieb gor nit undated
21 300 Tsu shpet undated
21 301 Tsurik tsu zayn folk undated
Box Folder Title Date
22 302 Tsutsik undated
22 303 Di 2 (tsvey) brider undated
22 304 Di 2 (tsvey) farmers undated
22 305 Di tsvey kales undated
22 306 2 (Tsvey) khasanim undated
22 307 Di tsvey mames undated
22 308 Tsvishen toyzend vayber undated
22 309 Der unshuldiger korbm undated
22 310 Vall Strit undated
22 311 Der vander mensh, oder, Trilbi undated
22 312 A vayb--a shlak undated
22 313 Vayber undated
22 314-315 Vaybershe biznes undated
Box Folder Title Date
23 316 Velkhe libe iz shtarker undated
23 317 Di velt in flamen undated
23 318 Ven a harts libt undated
23 319 Ver iz shuldig undated
23 320 Ver iz ver undated
23 321 Veyberishe soydes undated
23 322 Vi mener lieben undated
23 323 Vi m’halt tsu in eyn vatshen undated
23 324 Vos a moyd ken undated
23 325-326 Yankele oyf yener velt undated
23 327 Der yeshive bokher undated
23 328 Yesoymim fun der velt undated
Box Folder Title Date
24 329 Yerusholaim, oder, Der shvert fun Makabeen undated
24 330 Yoshe kalb, oder, Yoshe kats undated
24 331 Der Yud in Rumenyen undated
24 332 Yud un Krust undated
24 333 Di Yudishe kroyn undated
24 334 Di zaftn blum undated
24 335 Zayn driter zuhn undated
24 336 Zayn vayb undated
24 337 Zeligel vayter undated
24 338 Dos ziese meydel undated
24 339 Zise khaloymes undated
24 340 Dos zise meydel undated
24 341 Zol a meydel gloyben undated
24 342 Zumer in der kontri, oder, Seydi Flam undated
Box Folder Title Date
25 343 Unknown Title (Author - Sofya Buela) undated
25 344 Unknown Title (Author - L. Epstein) 1919
25 345 Unknown Title (Author - Gottesfeld) undated
25 346 Unknown Title (Author - Kalmanovitch) undated
25 347 Unknown Title (Author - Mendelevitsh) undated
25 348 Unknown Title (Author - Julius Nathanson) undated
25 349 Unknown Title (Author - Sigel) undated
25 350 Unknown Title (Author - Stutchkoff) undated
25 351 Unknown Title 1949-50
Box Folder Title Date
25-27 352-377 Unknown Title undated
Box Folder Title Date
27 378-386 Unknown Title (Fragment) undated
27 387 Role Excerpts from Abi gezunt undated
27 388 Role Excerpt from Goldene gliken undated
27 389 Role Excerpts from Mazl tov Mali undated
27 390 Role Excerpts from Dem rebns nign undated
27 391 Role Excerpts from Seydi iz a leydi undated
27 392 Role Excerpt from Seydi vert a leydi undated
27 393 Role Excerpt from Dos tsirkus meydel undated
27 394 Role Excerpts from Di tsvey kuni lemels undated
Box Folder Title Date
27-28 395-396 Role Excerpts (Misc.) undated
Box Folder Title Date
28 397 Assorted Fragments and Play Material undated
28 398-399 Script Material from Abi gezunt undated
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Series II: Yiddish Songs and Lyrics, undated, 1907-1957.

1 linear foot
Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by transliterated title within following categories: lyrics from plays, lyrics to individual songs, sheet music, and songbooks.

Scope and Content:

Series II: Yiddish Songs and Lyrics contains unpublished, informal music material, primarily in the form of handwritten or typed lyrics. Formal, published music material (songbooks and sheet music) constitutes a separate series, Series VI: Songbooks and Sheet Music. Within Series II: Yiddish Songs and Lyrics, first are songs and lyrics from particular plays, followed by lyrics for individual songs. Although most lyrics are organized individually, there are also folders consisting largely of lyrics for which the title is unclear. This series also includes a small number of manuscript songbooks and of pieces of manuscript sheet music. Lyrics to songs and manuscript sheet music and songbooks, all primarily in Yiddish.

Box Folder Title Date
29 400 Lyrics from Dray farlibte undated
29 401 Lyrics from Der grester surprayz undated
29 402 Lyrics from Mazl tov Mali undated
29 403 Lyrics from Monki biznes undated
29 404 Lyrics from Seydi iz a leydi undated
29 405 Lyrics from Tesi undated
29 406 Lyrics from Tsirkus meydel undated
29 407 Lyrics from Vos meydlekh tuen undated
29 408 Lyrics (and sheet music) from The World of Sholem Aleichem 1957
29 409 Di agode undated
29 410 Alles ken sich trefen in New York undated
29 411 Alles vos tsufiel iz umgezund undated
29 412 Blayb a singelman undated
29 413 Dulich Gesange undated
29 414 Englisch Marsch-Duett undated
29 415 Eyns in a guts undated
29 416 Fikst men undated
29 417 Gevald ikh zukh a man undated
29 418 A gris for der mamyn undated
29 419 Grist mayn shtodt Nu York undated
29 420 Hakt nit keyn tshaynik undated
29 421 Hob ikh a zorg undated
29 422 Hokus pokus undated
29 423 Hot imitser gezehn mayn shmitsig? undated
29 424 Ich bin a Balsod undated
29 425 Di Idishe blum undated
29 426 Ikh hob a katar undated
29 427 Ikh hob a vayb undated
29 428 Ikh hob nit mit vos undated
29 429 Ikh ken es (and related material) undated
29 430 Ikh zukh a man undated
29 431 In dem goldenem Bich undated
29 432 Klap in holts undated
29 433 Lebt a gutten tog undated
29 434 A lesen in shvimen undated
29 435 Mali Pikon’s troymen undated
29 436 Mayn gas undated
29 437 A meydels tayne tsu got undated
29 438 Dus mezizale undated
29 439 Dos milekhil undated
29 440 Mir zol zayn far dir undated
29 441 Mit dir iz mir gut undated
29 442 Der muzinik undated
29 443 Noyekh mit zayne bonim undated
29 444 Ot dos zenen mayne shkheynim undated
29 445 Parnuseh undated
29 446 Pavolye tata undated
29 447 Reklame; Baym gedegnen; Tsoyn a khaver undated
29 448 Dos rendele undated
29 449 Sa menershe velt undated
29 450 Shabes 1912
29 451 Shabes nakht undated
29 452 S’mazl oyf’n taten undated
29 453 Der tants geht vayter undated
29 454 Tsibeles undated
29 455 Tsum poblikum undated
29 456 Umpapa umpapa undated
29 457 Vayl der morgen fliht undated
29 458 Ven ikh kuk oyf dir undated
29 459 Ven ikh zol visen vi undated
29 460 Was gevesen ist vorbei undated
29 461 Wein, Weib, Gesang undated
29 462 Wie is mein kind undated
29 463 Yetst ken ikh alts fershtehn undated
29 464 Yiden zingen undated
29 465 Yisroel chai vekaim undated
29 466 Miscellaneous Lyrics undated
Box Folder Title Date
30 467-468 Miscellaneous Lyrics undated, 1907-1937
30 469 Magazine of Songs (Lieder Magazin) 1908
Box Folder Title Date
59 1176 Sheet Music: Akaides Yitzchok undated
59 1177 Sheet Music: Ich dank gott vus bin a Yid (Pintele Yid) undated
30 470 Sheet Music: Lullaby 1925
30 471 Sheet Music: Mazel Tov Molly and Papa Bester Papa undated
30 472 Sheet Music: Ojweh tate siser undated
30 473 Sheet Music: Pension Madel undated
59 1178 Sheet Music: Zum bessenen morgen undated
30 474 Songbook: Lider un kuples 1921
30 475 Songbook: A moid mit Sechel undated
30 476 Songbook: A zamlung fun Idishe folks: lieder 1922
30 477 Songbooks (Untitled) (4) undated, 1922
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Series III: Yiddish Radio Scripts, undated, 1946-1952.

3.5 linear feet
Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by transliterated titles as they appeared.

Scope and Content:

Series III: Yiddish Radio Scripts consists of radio scripts written in Yiddish. In many cases, original handwritten Yiddish scripts are accompanied by typewritten transliterations. Researchers should note that transliterated folder titles for this series vary from those for the other Yiddish material in this collection because transliterations for this series were copied as they appeared on the transliterated pages that followed the original Yiddish pages. Researchers should also be aware that the titles for these scripts may not always be formal or official titles; they often appear instead to be abbreviations of full titles or to refer to subject matter or authors of works from which scripts were derived. The dates provided for these scripts are from handwritten annotations on the scripts regarding the dates that they were recorded. Radio scripts not in Yiddish can be found in Series V: Radio and Television Scripts.

Box Folder Title Date
31 478 Abergloiben 1949
31 479 Africa (3) undated
31 480 Ains zu zwei 1949
31 481 Alef baiz 1950
31 482 Alt Paris (1-2) 1949
31 483 America 1950
31 484 Ansky undated
31 485 As men lebt derlebt men undated
31 486 Atoms undated
31 487 Az yashir undated
31 488 Die baba 1947
31 489 Bacharach (1-5) 1952
31 490 Baize menchen undated
31 491 Bal Shem 1950
31 492 Ballad 1949
31 493 Bardichev undated
31 494 Barkochba (1-4) 1950
31 495 Beecher (1 and 3) 1947, 1949
31 496 Beim doktor undated
31 497 Bialik undated, 1950-1951
31 498 A bild (1-2) undated
31 499 Bjornson 1950
31 500 Boccacio 1952
31 501 Brillen undated
31 502 Bringing Up Baby 1947
31 503 British undated
31 504 Broit 1949
31 505 Bruder voch 1948
31 506 Chana Senish undated, 1950
31 507 Chana un Chayem undated
31 508 Der chazen 1949
31 509 Chelem undated, 1951
31 510 Chez Shmendrik undated
31 511 Chikaveteten 1950
31 512 Chusen kaleh undated
31 513 Dus chusidel 1950
31 514 Chutzpah 1947
31 515 Circus Girl (1-5) undated, 1950-1951
31 516 Convalescent Story 1947
31 517 Czarevitch (1-2) undated
31 518 Derfindungen 1950
31 519 Dickens 1950
31 520 Dr. Herzel 1949
31 521 Duncan (1-5) 1950-1951
31 522 Dvoireh Esther undated
31 523 Dymov 1948
31 524 Di Dzsholson stori undated
Box Folder Title Date
32 525 Economy undated
32 526 Edison 1947/1949
32 527 Eliyuee 1950
32 528 Emese liebe 1947
32 529 Emma Lazarus undated
32 530 Epshtein (1-5) undated, 1951
32 531 Erez Yesrul (1-5) undated, 1948-1951
32 532 Esther Generalshe 1949
32 533 Ettinger 1950
32 534 Ezra 1950-1951
32 535 Farvus a mama vaint 1947
32 536 Fatima 1950
32 537 Feodor (2) undated
32 538 Fish oif freitug 1948
32 539 Folklore undated, 1949
32 540 For a Rainy Day undated
32 541 Fourth program 1951
32 542 Frailiche levaye undated
32 543 Frau mit’n golden hartz 1951
32 544 Frihling 1952
32 545 Ganaivishe liebe (1, 3-5) undated, 1951
32 546 Gemiles chaised 1948
32 547 Gershom (2-4) undated, 1948
32 548 Gershon 1950
32 549 Gesetzen 1949-1950
32 550 Geshichte undated
32 551 Ghetto undated
32 552 Ghetto lieder 1949
32 553 Gilgil fin a nigun (1-5) undated, 1951
32 554 Gleker 1950
32 555 Goldene gliken 1947
32 556 Goldfaden undated, 1948
32 557 Grape Nuts Programs (2-5, 8-9, 12) 1946
32 558 Grape Nuts Programs (Unnumbered) undated, 1946
32 559 Gratz 1951
Box Folder Title Date
33 560 Hagudes 1949
33 561 Hello, Molly (1-5) undated
33 562 Hess undated
33 563 Hot a Yid a veibele undated
33 564 Humor 1949-1950
33 565 Humoreskes 1950
33 566 Immigranten (2-4) undated, 1948
33 567 In a nacht gericht fin chaver paver undated
33 568 In a Restaurant (Night Club) 1948
33 569 In Court 1947
33 570 In Drug Store undated
33 571 India 1948/1950
33 572 Indian Summer 1950
33 573 An indik oif Pesach 1949
33 574 Jaffe undated, 1948
33 575 Jealous undated
33 576 Kailer undated
33 577 Die kaleh loift undated
33 578 Katinka (1-3, 5) undated
33 579 Kaveh undated
33 580 Kinder 1950
33 581 Kinder meise undated
33 582 Kipling undated
33 583 Klainer mazik undated, 1946, 1951
33 584 Der klang 1950
33 585 Koilen (1-3) 1949
33 586 Die kopeke undated
33 587 Lachen 1952
33 588 Lazerus undated
33 589 Leap Year n.d
33 590 Let My People Go undated
33 591 Lieder undated
33 592 Ludimer moid undated
33 593 Ludmir (1, 3-5) undated, 1950
33 594 Maidel fin amul (1-10) undated, 1951
33 595 Malke 1952
33 596 Mama Take It Easy 1948
33 597 Mamale (1-5, 7-8, 10) undated, 1950
33 598 Mama’s Fur Coat undated
Box Folder Title Date
34 599 Mark Twain 1950
34 600 Maupassant undated
34 601 Maurice Schwartz undated
34 602 Mazel broche (1-5) undated, 1951
34 603 Mazel tov Molly (1-5) undated, 1950
34 604 Die megile 1948
34 605 Meine millionen 1947
34 606 Meisehs 1950
34 607 Menchen kener (1-3) 1951-1952
34 608 Meshulim undated
34 609 Minhugim 1949
34 610 Moisha Kapoier undated
34 611 Molly Dolly (1-5) undated, 1951
34 612 Monkeys 1949
34 613 Moshiach undated
34 614 Mr. un Mrs. Oilem 1947
34 615 Mrs. Wise 1952
34 616 Muntugs undated
34 617 Music 1949
34 618 Music choidish undated
34 619 National Fund 1948
34 620 Neu geboiren 1948
34 621 New York undated, 1949-1950
34 622 Nit gesorgt 1947
34 623 Nothing New undated
34 624 Oder s’helft nit undated
34 625 O’Henry undated
34 626 Oif yener zeit gass undated
34 627 Oif’n stoop 1950
34 628 1001 (1-2) undated, 1949
34 629 Oreme Millionaires undated
34 630 Oscar undated
34 631 Ot azoi hiet men up a shvieger 1947
34 632 Oy is dus a maidel undated
34 633 Parnuseh undated
34 634 Partizanen 1949
34 635 Partizankes 1949
34 636 Peretz undated, 1947
34 637 Pintele Yid undated
34 638 Posts 1951
34 639 Purim shpieler 1950
Box Folder Title Date
35 640 Quebec (1-5) undated, 1951
35 641 Rabbi Wise undated
35 642 Rabbi Yoselman 1951
35 643 Rabbi’s Melody (1-3) undated, 1950
35 644 Rachel (1-5) undated, 1947-1952
35 645 Raisele (1-5) 1950-1951
35 646 Rashi (1-3) undated, 1948-1949
35 647 Ravnitzsky undated
35 648 Der reicher orem man 1950
35 649 Reichkeit 1950
35 650 Rumshinsky (1-3) undated, 1951
35 651 S’a neue velt 1947
35 652 Shine mister 1947
35 653 Shmendrik (1-7, 9-10) undated, 1951
35 654 Shoilik (1-5) undated, 1951
35 655 Sholem Aleichem 1949
35 656 Shoshan Spector 1950
35 657 Shpait oder frih 1947
35 658 Shrek 1949
35 659 Shtilach 1950
35 660 Shvuth 1951
35 661 Simchas Toireh undated
35 662 Simkoff 1950
35 663 Sing sing 1950
35 664 Der singer 1949
35 665 A skitze 1950
35 666 Some Girl (2-3, 5) undated, 1951
35 667 Songs of the Ghetto 1948
35 668 Stutchkov (1-2) undated, 1950
35 669 Sud Africa undated
35 670 Summer 1949
35 671 Sureh (1-4) undated, 1951
35 672 Sweethearts 1950
35 673 Szold 1950
Box Folder Title Date
36 674 Die tchine 1947
36 675 10,000 Yiden 1950
36 676 Tereezem undated
36 677 Theatre 1950
36 678 This Is Our Best undated
36 679 Tomato 1949
36 680 Tunkeler undated, 1949
36 681 Turkoff undated
36 682 Tzeit undated
36 683 Tzeitung undated
36 684 Tzipke undated
36 685 Umlegale Yiden undated
36 686 Uncle Tom (2-5) undated, 1949
36 687 Ungekumen 1951
36 688 Unhoib 1950
36 689 Vacation undated
36 690 Vasser 1950
36 691 Washington undated
36 692 Weitsman 1950
36 693 Yankele (1-5) 1951
36 694 Yehoish (1, 3-5) undated, 1949-1952
36 695 Yesrul undated
36 696 Yidel mit’n fiedel (1-5) undated, 1951
36 697 A Yidishe chasene 1950
36 698 Yidishe geshichte 1948
36 699 Yidishe neshumes (1-3, 5) 1952
36 700 Yidishe teater (1-2) 1949
36 701 Zaide 1947
36 702 Zaide Ainikel undated
36 703 Zeguener maidel (1-5) undated, 1951
36 704 Zeitung undated
36 705 Ziben gite yuhr 1949
36 706 Zimmer un vinter 1950
36 707 Zu git undated
Box Folder Title Date
37 708-710 Miscellaneous undated
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Series IV: Manuscript Plays, undated, 1926-1969.

3 linear feet
Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by title with unknown titles at end.

Scope and Content:

Series IV: Manuscript Plays contains manuscript plays not in Yiddish. As noted above, Yiddish play material can be found in Series I: Yiddish Manuscript Plays. As with that series, plays and fragments with unknown titles in Series IV follow the titled plays. Most of the plays are full scripts, but there are also several synopses and one role excerpt.

Box Folder Title Date
38 711 Ahasverus, or, Esther’s Persian Lamb 1944
38 712 Die Anarchisten undated
38 713 Cafe Street undated
38 714 Castles in the Air undated
38 715 Chu Chem undated
38 716 Come Blow Your Horn 1962
38 717 Der Doppelte Buchhalter undated
38 718 Die Dressmakerin undated
38 719 Ear Muffs in July undated
38 720 The Education of Hyman Kaplan undated
38 721 Festival undated
38 722 Fiddler on the Roof 1969
38 723 A Fine and Private Place 1967
Box Folder Title Date
39 724 The Girl of the Good Will undated
39 725 The Golden Door 1961
39 726 The Golden Goblet 1961
39 727 Grandma and the Girls undated
39 728 Ha-Ha-Hadassah undated
39 729 Harriet 1955
39 730 He Said Adios 1936
39 731 His Parisian Wife undated
39 732 Hope of the World undated
39 733 If I Were Rich undated
39 734 Key to the Future undated
39 735-736 Kid Mother 1926
39 737-738 Little Chief Shmendrik 1941
39 739 Make Momma Happy undated
Box Folder Title Date
40 740 Make Momma Happy (Followed by Pages of Handwritten Notes by Jacob Kalich) undated
40 741 Make Momma Happy (Synopsis) undated
40 742 Miller’s Tale undated
40 743 Momma’s House undated
40 744 A Mother’s Eyes undated
40 745 Mystery Music Studio undated
40 746 The Nurses (So Some Girls Play the Cello) 1964
40 747 Old Lady undated
40 748 The Old Landmark (Fragments) undated
40 749 On the Wing 1929
40 750 Paris Is Out! 1969
40 751 Perishable Merchandise 1931-1935
40 752 Pilgrim’s Pride 1946
Box Folder Title Date
41 753 Playground undated
41 754 The Red Swan undated
41 755 The Rubaiyat of Howard Klein 1967
41 756 The Rubaiyat of Howard Klein (Annotated) 1967
41 757-758 Separation undated
41 759 The Seventh Great Power undated
41 760 Shmendrik undated
41 761 Shmendrik (1 of 3) undated
Box Folder Title Date
42 762 Shmendrik (2 of 3) undated
42 763 Shmendrik (3 of 3) undated
42 764 Shopping undated
42 765 So Laugh a Little circa 1967
42 766 Some of My Best Friends Are undated
42 767 Stepmothers undated
42 768 Summer Wives undated
42 769 Surkala undated
42 770 Tootsie undated
42 771 The True Theater undated
42 772-773 A Whisper in God’s Ear undated
Box Folder Title Date
43 774 Who Stole Irving undated
43 775 Will It Last? undated
43 776 Without Consent (Blank Form Regarding Production Costs) undated
43 777 Six Manuscripts by Estelle Baron: Double Trouble; Layton, Share!; Layton’s Gift; The Lost and the Found; No Thanks, Mama; Willie’s Folly 1962
43 778 Unknown Title (Author - Kenneth Webb; Adapted from On the Wing) undated
43 779 Unknown Title (Author - Kenneth Webb; Adapted from On the Wing) (Annotated) undated
43 780-782 Unknown Title undated
43 783-784 Unknown Title (Fragment) undated
43 785 Unknown Title (Fragment Plus List of Costumes) undated
43 786 Role Excerpt from Mazel Tov Molly undated
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Series V: Radio and Television Scripts, undated, 1938-1971.

1.5 linear feet
Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by title; within Maxwell House Coffee Program shows, arranged chronologically.

Scope and Content:

Series V: Radio and Television Scripts contains non-Yiddish scripts, primarily for radio programs but also for television shows. Included in the series are a large number of scripts from the Maxwell House Coffee radio programs that Picon hosted (organized chronologically) and from the Molly Picon Theatre of the Air programs (organized alphabetically by episode title). As indicated earlier, radio scripts in Yiddish are in Series III: Yiddish Radio Scripts. While Series V consists almost entirely of actual scripts, it also includes a synopsis of a proposed television series and an untitled set of anecdotes.

Box Folder Title Date
44 787 The American Jewish Caravan of Stars 1953
44 788 And Then What?... undated
44 789 Car 54, Where Are You?: I Won’t Go! undated
44 790 Car 54, Where Are You?: Occupancy, August First undated
44 791 [Circus Girl] 1951
44 792 The Education of Hyman Kaplan 1954
44 793 The Elgin TV Hour: Hearts and Palms 1954
44 794 The Little Things in Life undated
44 795 The Littlest Leaguer 1957
44 796 Look Up and Live: The Sound of Exile 1958
44 797 The Marriage Broker (Synopsis of Proposed Series) undated
44 798 Maxwell House Coffee Program January 14, 1938
44 799 Maxwell House Coffee Program January 21, 1938
44 800 Maxwell House Coffee Program January 28, 1938
44 801 Maxwell House Coffee Program February 4, 1938
44 802 Maxwell House Coffee Program February 11, 1938
44 803 Maxwell House Coffee Program February 18, 1938
44 804 Maxwell House Coffee Program February 25, 1938
44 805 Maxwell House Coffee Program March 4, 1938
44 806 Maxwell House Coffee Program March 11, 1938
44 807 Maxwell House Coffee Program March 18, 1938
44 808 Maxwell House Coffee Program March 25, 1938
44 809 Maxwell House Coffee Program April 1, 1938
44 810 Maxwell House Coffee Program April 8, 1938
44 811 Maxwell House Coffee Program December 6, 1938
44 812 Maxwell House Coffee Program December 13, 1938
44 813 Maxwell House Coffee Program December 20, 1938
44 814 Maxwell House Coffee Program December 27, 1938
44 815 Maxwell House Coffee Program January 3, 1939
44 816 Maxwell House Coffee Program January 10, 1939
44 817 Maxwell House Coffee Program January 17, 1939
44 818 Maxwell House Coffee Program January 24, 1939
44 819 Maxwell House Coffee Program January 31, 1939
44 820 Maxwell House Coffee Program February 7, 1939
44 821 Maxwell House Coffee Program February 14, 1939
44 822 Maxwell House Coffee Program February 21, 1939
44 823 Maxwell House Coffee Program February 28, 1939
44 824 Maxwell House Coffee Program March 7, 1939
44 825 Maxwell House Coffee Program March 14, 1939
44 826 Maxwell House Coffee Program March 21, 1939
Box Folder Title Date
45 827 Maxwell House Coffee Program March 28, 1939
45 828 Maxwell House Coffee Program April 4, 1939
45 829 Maxwell House Coffee Program April 11, 1939
45 830 Maxwell House Coffee Program April 18, 1939
45 831 Maxwell House Coffee Program April 25, 1939
45 832 Maxwell House Coffee Program May 2, 1939
45 833 Maxwell House Coffee Program May 9, 1939
45 834 Maxwell House Coffee Program May 16, 1939
45 835 Maxwell House Coffee Program May 23, 1939
45 836 Maxwell House Coffee Program November 26, 1939
45 837 Maxwell House Coffee Program December 3, 1939
45 838 Maxwell House Coffee Program December 10, 1939
45 839 Maxwell House Coffee Program December 17, 1939
45 840 Maxwell House Coffee Program December 24, 1939
45 841 Maxwell House Coffee Program December 31, 1939
45 842 Maxwell House Coffee Program January 6, 1941
45 843 Maxwell House Coffee Program October 14, 1941
45 844 Maxwell House Coffee Program October 21, 1941
45 845 Maxwell House Coffee Program October 28, 1941
45 846 Maxwell House Coffee Program November 4, 1941
45 847 Maxwell House Coffee Program November 11, 1941
45 848 Maxwell House Coffee Program November 18, 1941
45 849 Maxwell House Coffee Program November 25, 1941
45 850 Maxwell House Coffee Program December 2, 1941
45 851 Maxwell House Coffee Program December 9, 1941
45 852 Maxwell House Coffee Program December 16, 1941
45 853 Maxwell House Coffee Program December 23, 1941
45 854 Maxwell House Coffee Program December 30, 1941
45 855 Maxwell House Coffee Program January 13, 1942
45 856 Maxwell House Coffee Program January 20, 1942
45 857 Maxwell House Coffee Program January 27, 1942
45 858 Maxwell House Coffee Program February 3, 1942
45 859 Maxwell House Coffee Program February 10, 1942
45 860 Maxwell House Coffee Program February 17, 1942
45 861 Maxwell House Coffee Program February 24, 1942
45 862 Maxwell House Coffee Program March 3, 1942
45 863 Maxwell House Coffee Program March 10, 1942
45 864 Maxwell House Coffee Program March 17, 1942
45 865 Maxwell House Coffee Program March 24, 1942
45 866 Maxwell House Coffee Program March 31, 1942
45 867 Maxwell House Coffee Program April 7, 1942
45 868 Maxwell House Coffee Program April 14, 1942
45 869 Maxwell House Coffee Program October 6, 1948
45 870 Maxwell House Coffee Program October 8, 1948
45 871 Maxwell House Coffee Program: Moskowitz, Moskowitz and Moskowitz, Inc. undated
45 872 Maxwell House Coffee Program: Nancy from Delancy undated
45 873 Maxwell House Coffee Program: Fragments undated
45 874 Milliken Show 1968
Box Folder Title Date
46 875 Milliken Show 1971
46 876 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air 1942
46 877 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Baba Yachneh 1943
46 878 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Chasente 1943
46 879 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: First in the Hearts of His Countrymen 1944
46 880 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Geetel Goes to Town 1943
46 881 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Girl of Yesterday 1944
46 882 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Good Old Days 1944
46 883 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Hollywood Success Story 1944
46 884 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Johnny Make Believe 1943
46 885 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Katinka 1943
46 886 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Liberty House 1943
46 887 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: The Little Devil 1942
46 888 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Lives of Great Men 1944
46 889 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Looking for Life 1944
46 890 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Mazel Broche 1943
46 891 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Mazel-Tov 1943
46 892 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Mother Knows Best 1944
46 893 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Murder with Music 1943
46 894 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: No Time for Life 1944
46 895 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Oif’n Pripichik 1945
46 896 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Oy Is Dus a Leben 1942
46 897 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: The Rabbi’s Melody 1943
46 898 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Rozinkes un Mandlin 1945
46 899 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: The Same Old Story 1944
46 900 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Shmendrik 1943
46 901 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Sho Sho Sho Haman 1944
46 902 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Shulamith 1943
46 903 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Unser Rebenu 1944
46 904 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Uveenu Malkeinu 1945
46 905 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Yankele 1942
46 906 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Yiddle With His Fiddle 1944
46 907 Molly Picon Theatre of the Air: Zigeuner Maidel 1943
46 908 Mourning Becomes Organized (Not Agonized . . .) undated
46 909 My Friend Tony 1968
46 910 No Danger undated
46 911 She Troops to Conquer 1945
46 912 Shoemaker Stick to Your Last undated
46 913 The Skin Game (Including Shooting Schedule) undated
46 914 The Stranger Was Not So Strange undated
46 915 The Tip-Off undated
46 916 Trouble on Second Avenue undated
46 917 United States Steel Hour: Six O’Clock Call 1954
Box Folder Title Date
47 918 Unknown Title undated
47 919 Untitled Set of Anecdotes undated
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Series VI: Songbooks and Sheet Music, undated, 1897-1959.

5.5 linear feet
Scope and Content:

Series VI: Songbooks and Sheet Music consists of formal, published music material, in the form of both songbooks and sheet music. As indicated previously, informally recorded, unpublished lyrics, songbooks, and sheet music are in Series II: Yiddish Songs and Lyrics. Series VI is divided into two subseries: Subseries A: Songbooks and Subseries B: Sheet Music.

Subseries A: Songbooks,  undated, 1897-1943.

Arrangement:

Subseries A: Songbooks is arranged alphabetically by transliterated title.

Box Folder Title Date
47 920 Songbooks, All Over Town 1915
47 921 Songbooks, The Belle of New York 1897-1898
47 922 Songbooks, Die Csardafurstin 1916
47 923 Songbooks, The Dollar Princess 1909
47 924 Songbooks, Die elfte Muse 1912-1917
47 925 Songbooks, Folk Songs and Other Songs for Children 1903
47 926 Songbooks, Der Graf von Luxemburg 1909
47 927 Songbooks, Grafin Mariza 1924
47 928 Songbooks, Hearts of Erin 1917
Box Folder Title Date
48 929 Songbooks, Joseph Rumshinsky Album 1938
48 930 Songbooks, Little Books of Jewish Songs (Palestine Arbor Day) 1928
48 931 Songbooks, Lust und Leid der Kinderzeit undated
48 932 Songbooks, Der Orlow 1925
48 933 Songbooks, Paganini 1925
48 934 Songbooks, Pom Pom 1916
48 935 Songbooks, Die Rose von Stambul 1916
48 936 Songbooks, Selected Jewish Songs for Members of the Armed Forces 1943
48 937 Songbooks, 10 Chansons aus dem Repertoire Franzi Ressel 1920
48 938 Songbooks, 10 Chansons aus dem Repertoire Josma Selim 1919
48 939 Songbooks, Tsen lider, verter und muzik, fun Lipa Fayngold 1940
48 940 Songbooks, Unknown Title undated

Subseries B: Sheet music,  undated, 1907-1948.

Arrangement:

Subseries B: Sheet music arranged alphabetically by transliterated title.

Box Folder Title Date
48 941 Sheet Music, Aheem 1917
48 942 Sheet Music, Der alter shoymer 1921
Box Folder Title Date
57 1127 Sheet Music, Az ikh volt gihat dem keyser’s oytsres 1919
57 1128 Sheet Music, Die baitch 1907
48 943 Sheet Music, Der bal agole undated
48 944 Sheet Music, Baleboste leben 1919
57 1129 Sheet Music, Baym rebe’n tsu melave malke 1914
48 945 Sheet Music, Baym taykh 1924
48 946 Sheet Music, Der Bekher 1921
48 947 Sheet Music, Benkshaft 1924
48 948 Sheet Music, Der bitokhn tsu got 1914
57 1130 Sheet Music, Brengt aher ayer mamen 1920
48 949 Sheet Music, A brief tsum Lyader reb’n 1927
48 950 Sheet Music, A brivele der mamen 1921
48 951 Sheet Music, Brontshele undated
48 952 Sheet Music, Burikes oyf Pesakh 1921
48 953 Sheet Music, Chave 1905
57 1131 Sheet Music, Ein chassene frehlichs 1919
48 954 Sheet Music, Dayne 1950
48 955 Sheet Music, Emes’e liebe undated
48 956 Sheet Music, Es Ziht - Es Briht 1929
48 957 Sheet Music, Esterke 1922
57 1132 Sheet Music, Di eynzame muter 1915
57 1133 Sheet Music, Fantastisher tants 1914
48 958 Sheet Music, Farges mikh nit and Malke’le dem rebn’s 1937
48 959 Sheet Music, Feter shneyer undated
48 960 Sheet Music, Fier gilden oyf Shabes 1921
48 961 Sheet Music, Fleyshige Iden, milkhige Iden, un pareve Iden (2 copies) 1929
57 1134 Sheet Music, Der fodim undated
48 962 Sheet Music, Fraytog tsu nakht (2 copies) 1924
48 963 Sheet Music, Fun wannen nehmt sich a Liebe? 1921
57 1135 Sheet Music, Gehot hob ich a feighiole undated
48 964 Sheet Music, Geht a goy in shenkel arayn 1926
48 965 Sheet Music, Der gliklikher mekhutn 1924
57 1136 Sheet Music, Di grine kuzine 1922
Box Folder Title Date
49 966 Sheet Music, Havah nagilah 1949
49 967 Sheet Music, Dos Heilige Rikud’l 1917
57 1137 Sheet Music, Der hersher iz der man and Mener lerint ayere vayber 1910
49 968 Sheet Music, Het unter di bergalekh 1920
49 969 Sheet Music, Heyeh im pifiyot 1923
49 970 Sheet Music, A heym! A heym! 1923
57 1138 Sheet Music, Hoybt fislekh un trinkt lekhayim 1916
49 971 Sheet Music, Huliet Huliet 1916
49 972 Sheet Music, Ikh beynk aheym (2 copies) 1934
57 1139 Sheet Music, Ikh bin a bal agole 1919
49 973 Sheet Music, Ikh hob dikh lieb Amerika 1941
57 1140 Sheet Music, In a klein shtibele 1922
49 974 Sheet Music, In a kleynem shtibele undated
49 975 Sheet Music, In Beth Hamedrosh 1929
57 1141 Sheet Music, In keyver 1917
49 976 Sheet Music, In mayn land undated
49 977 Sheet Music, In mayne oygen biztu shehn 1931
49 978 Sheet Music, In shoten fun dem alten epelboym 1927
49 979 Sheet Music, In veg 1925
49 980 Sheet Music, Israel 1948
49 981 Sheet Music, Jankale undated
57 1142 Sheet Music, Khad gadye 1910
49 982 Sheet Music, Khashye bashye undated
49 983 Sheet Music, Khavershe freyd 1933
49 984 Sheet Music, Khay gelebt 1949
49 985 Sheet Music, Khsidishe nigunim 1934
57 1143 Sheet Music, Di kinder fon goles 1907
57 1144 Sheet Music, Kum tsu mir in kheder’l 1914
49 986 Sheet Music, Kumt der lieber Shabes 1924
57 1145 Sheet Music, Leben zol kolumbus 1909
49 987 Sheet Music, Leg dayn kop 1924
57 1146 Sheet Music, Leyden und freyden 1913
49 988 Sheet Music, Lichtelech 1916
49 989 Sheet Music, Liebes leyd 1931
49 990 Sheet Music, Lied fun a chaver 1943
49 991 Sheet Music, Dos Lied fun Jeruscholajim 1919
49 992 Sheet Music, Makhmes vos? and Batlonim-tents undated
49 993 Sheet Music, Malke’le (2 copies) undated
57 1147 Sheet Music, Mamenyu koyf mir dos 1916
57 1148 Sheet Music, Mayn shpielen and Dos gebet 1916
49 994 Sheet Music, Mayn shtetele Belz 1932
57 1149 Sheet Music, Mayn vayb iz in der kontri, hurey! 1916
57 1150 Sheet Music, Mein spielen and Dos gebet 1916
49 995 Sheet Music, Men of the Haganah 1948
49 996 Sheet Music, Mineg khadash 1931
49 997 Sheet Music, Mit dir iz mir gut (2 copies) 1950
49 998 Sheet Music, A Mutter’s Freud 1917
Box Folder Title Date
58 1151 Sheet Music, Der nayer eyli-eyli 1924
58 1152 Sheet Music, Der neyr tomed undated
49 999 Sheet Music, No Greater Love 1959
58 1153 Sheet Music, Nor fun fun and Der shidekh iz gishlosen 1910
49 1000 Sheet Music, Nu, zog mir shoyn ven 1935
49 1001 Sheet Music, Omar Ad. le-Yankev 1926
58 1154 Sheet Music, Onshtendige menshen 1918
49 1002-1003 Sheet Music, Oy, iz dos a leben 1942
49 1004 Sheet Music, Oy, s’iz gut! 1937
49 1005 Sheet Music, Oyf a sude bay malokhim 1938
49 1006 Sheet Music, Oyf dayn keyver 1926
58 1155 Sheet Music, Oyneg Shabes (2 copies) 1914
49 1007 Sheet Music, Der palats 1925
49 1008 Sheet Music, Panu derech undated
58 1156 Sheet Music, Der Poylisher Yud 1910
49 1009 Sheet Music, Raisins and Almonds 1948
49 1010 Sheet Music, R’Dovid’l 1924
49 1011 Sheet Music, Der rebe Elimelekh, 1927
49 1012 Sheet Music, Dem rebn’s nign 1919
58 1157 Sheet Music, Regen’del 1921
49 1013 Sheet Music, Reitiha undated
49 1014 Sheet Music, Sascha 1938
49 1015 Sheet Music, Der seiger 1917
49 1016 Sheet Music, Shehn vi di levone 1938
58 1158 Sheet Music, Dos sheifele 1912
49 1017 Sheet Music, Der shifer undated
58 1159 Sheet Music, Shikhelakh 1921
48 1018 Sheet Music, Shlof-Lied undated
48 1019 Sheet Music, Shneyelakh, undated
58 1160 Sheet Music, Shpatsiren, 1916
49 1020 Sheet Music, Shpiel zhe shpiel dayn lebens shpiel undated
58 1161 Sheet Music, Der shuster bay der arbeyt; Ikh veys nit vos hob ikh; Dos naye lied; and Mayn ruhe-plats 1916
58 1162 Sheet Music, S’vet zikh shoyn oyspresen 1919
58 1163 Sheet Music, Der tales’l undated
49 1021 Sheet Music, Tankhum 1921
49 1022 Sheet Music, Tants, meydele, tants undated
49 1023 Sheet Music, Tayere Malke 1934
58 1164 Sheet Music, Di tfiln 1908
49 1024 Sheet Music, Toyben (2 copies) 1924
58 1165 Sheet Music, Tsien liebe 1917
49 1025 Sheet Music, Tsigayner lied and Ven libe ruft 1928
58 1166 Sheet Music, Tsindt on di havdole 1920
49 1026 Sheet Music, Tsu badekens 1921
49 1027 Sheet Music, Tsu dir mayn land Amerike 1941
58 1167 Sheet Music, Dos tsubrokhene harts 1918
49 1028 Sheet Music, Tsvitshi, tsvitshi undated
49 1029 Sheet Music, Unter a grin Beimele 1926
58 1168 Sheet Music, Ver vet kadish zugen? (2 copies) 1919
49 1030 Sheet Music, Vi ahin zol ikh geyn 1950
49 1031 Sheet Music, Vider iz avek der Shabes 1921
49 1032 Sheet Music, Viglid undated
49 1033 Sheet Music, Vos toyg dir dayn zorgen for morgen? 1925
58 1169 Sheet Music, Vos vet zayn mit R’ Yisroel dem frumen 1914
49 1034 Sheet Music, Where Is My Luck? (2 copies) 1938
58 1170 Sheet Music, Yankel 1912
49 1035 Sheet Music, Yankele 1924
49 1036 Sheet Music, Yo-la-la 1921
49 1037 Sheet Music, Yosel der apreyter 1935
49 1038 Sheet Music, Yoshke fohrt avek undated
49 1039 Sheet Music, The Young Mother 1919
49 1040 Sheet Music, You’ve Got It 1938
49 1041 Sheet Music, Zakhor (2 copies) 1933
58 1171 Sheet Music, Zamd un stern 1916
58 1172 Sheet Music, Zay a tate tsu dayn kind 1909
58 1173 Sheet Music, Zelner fun Tsien 1918
49 1042 Sheet Music, A zemer’l 1927
49 1043 Sheet Music, Zhamele 1924
58 1174 Sheet Music, Das ziegele 1904
49 1044 Sheet Music, Zint ikh hob dikh farlorn 1928
49 1045 Sheet Music, Zu mein folk 1916
49 1046 Sheet Music, Songs from Di Khazn’te 1918
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Series VII: Programs and Announcements, undated, 1921-1971.

0.5 linear foot
Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content:

Series VII: Programs and Announcements is comprised of programs for Picon’s performances in theatrical productions and of announcements, flyers, and advertisements for these performances as well as for appearances at benefits, etc. An additional advertisement can be found within Series VIII: Correspondence, in the oversize correspondence folder (1179) in Box 59; this item was placed in the correspondence series because it contains a personal handwritten note to Picon from Jacob Kalich, but it is also of interest as an announcement of a performance.

Box Folder Title Date
50 1047 Undated Material
50 1048 Programs and Announcements 1921-1929
50 1049 Programs and Announcements 1930-1936
50 1050 Programs and Announcements 1937-1939
Box Folder Title Date
58 1175 Programs and Announcements 1938-1942
50 1051 Programs and Announcements 1940-1943
50 1052 Programs and Announcements 1944-1959
50 1053 Programs and Announcements 1960-1966
Box Folder Title Date
51 1054 Programs and Announcements 1967-1971
Box Folder Title Date
59 1196 Programs and Announcements undated, 1970-1971
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Series VIII: Correspondence, undated, 1917-1970.

1.75 linear feet
Arrangement:

Arranged by correspondents, chronologically, and by subject.

Scope and Content:

Series VIII: Correspondence includes a great deal of correspondence between Picon and her husband Jacob Kalich as well as between Picon and her family. Much of this correspondence is in Yiddish. The series also contains general correspondence with a variety of persons and letters dealing specifically with particular subjects, such as benefit performances, fan mail (to both Picon and Jacob Kalich), and charitable contributions. The series is arranged for the most part by correspondents and by subject; the general correspondence is ordered chronologically, with a folder for undated general correspondence. The dated folders within the general correspondence sequence are marked “circa 19xx-19xx,” however, because they, too, contain some undated material. This material was kept with the dated material, rather than put in the undated folder, because it either clearly belonged as part of a set with other letters in the folder or was originally grouped with other letters in the folder. Researchers should be aware that some of this latter material may in fact be from a different period than the other correspondence in the folder.

Box Folder Title Date
59 1179 Jacob Kalich to Molly Picon undated
Box Folder Title Date
51 1055 Jacob Kalich to Molly Picon undated, 1919-1935
51 1056 Jacob Kalich to Molly Picon undated, 1945
51 1057 Molly Picon to Jacob Kalich undated, 1919-1929
51 1058 Molly Picon to Jacob Kalich undated, 1930-1935
51 1059 Molly Picon to Jacob Kalich undated, 1936-1939
Box Folder Title Date
52 1060 Molly Picon to Jacob Kalich undated, 1940-1952
52 1031 Molly Picon to Family undated, 1917-1929
52 1062 Molly Picon to Family undated, 1930-1934
52 1063 Molly Picon to Family undated, 1935-1940
52 1064 Molly Picon to Family undated, 1941-1952
52 1065 Molly Picon to Family undated, 1960-1970
Box Folder Title Date
53 1066 General undated
53 1067 General 1922-1938
53 1068 General circa 1940-1944
53 1069 General circa 1945-1949
53 1070 General circa 1950-1952
53 1071 General circa 1953-1965
53 1072 Fan Mail undated, 1927-1967
53 1073 Letters from Servicemen undated, 1943-1963
53 1074 Letters from Relatives and Friends of Servicemen in Korea undated, 1952
53 1075 “Get Well” Cards and Letters undated, 1955-1956
53 1076 Fan Mail to Jacob Kalich September - October, 1954
Box Folder Title Date
54 1077 Benefit Performances 1944-1952
54 1078 Charitable Contributions 1941-1962
54 1079 Foster Parents’ Plan for War Children, Inc. undated
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Series IX: Subject Files, undated, 1915-1970.

0.75 linear foot
Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Scope and Content:

Series IX: Subject Files contains a significant amount of material relating to the USO tours in which Picon participated. Among this material are bulletins, scripts, and souvenirs. The series also includes business agreements concerning Picon’s appearances and performance schedules; a memorial book for Picon’s mother, Clara Picon; a notebook with Picon’s personal notes for her role of Yente in the Fiddler on the Roof film; materials from her European tour of 1946; feature articles and press notices about Picon and her performances; personal documents; news clippings; and travel souvenirs.

Box Folder Title Date
54 1080 Business Agreements undated, 1934-1959
54 1081 European Tour 1946
54 1082 European Tour News Clippings 1946
Box Folder Title Date
59 1180 Feature Article 1929
54 1083 Feature Articles, News Items, and Press Notices undated, 1925-1952
54 1084 Fiddler on the Roof: Notebook for Film Role of Yente 1970
54 1085 Memorial Book for Clara Picon 1953
54 1086 Miscellaneous Items undated, 1923
59 1181 Miscellaneous Items undated, 1938-1953
Box Folder Title Date
55 1087 News Clippings undated, 1945-1954
55 1088 News Clippings on Poetry and Lyrics undated, 1915, 1941-1946
55 1089 Personal Documents and Items undated, 1919-1961
55 1090 Reception and Concert at Essex House, NYC November 25, 1946
55 1091 Travel Souvenirs undated, 1921-1947
55 1092 USO Tours: Bulletins and Announcements 1944
55 1093 USO Tours: Trip to Korea undated, 1951
55 1094 USO Tours: Names and Addresses of Families of Servicemen in Korea undated
55 1095 USO Tours: Scripts from Shows in Korea 1952
55 1096 USO Tours: Souvenirs from Trips to Korea and Japan 1951-1952
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Series X: Photographs, undated, 1920-1970.

2.2 linear feet
Scope and Content:

Series X: Photographs incorporates all facets of Picon’s life. Subjects range from personal settings with family and friends to travels to theatrical performances to special occasions and events. Series X is divided into two subseries: Subseries A: Alphabetical by Production Title and Subseries B: Alphabetical by Subject. Subseries A consists of photographs of theatrical productions and features poses and scenes from the productions. Subseries B contains photographs taken in a variety of other contexts, both formal and informal. While most of the photographs in the collection are of Picon, Series X also contains a number of photographs of Jacob Kalich. In particular, photographs of Kalich can be found in Mezrach und Maarev (Box 56, Folder 1103) and in Various Subjects (Box 56, Folder 1125), as well as in folders that include his name in the title. Also of interest, the series contains photographs of other Yiddish theater celebrities. These can be found among the photographs of Subseries A as well as in Yiddish Theater Celebrities (Box 56, Folder 1126).

Subseries A: Alphabetical by Production Title,  undated, 1921-1965.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by production title.
Box Folder Title Date
56 1097 Bublitchki 1938
Box Folder Title Date
59 1182 Bublitchki 1938
56 1098 Circus Girl 1928
59 1183 Circus Girl 1928
56 1099 Comedienne, Comediantke 1930
59 1184 Czarevitsch Feodor 1927
56 1100 Jolly Orphan 1929
59 1185 Jolly Orphan 1929-1930
56 1101 A Majority of One 1964-1965
59 1186 Mamale 1927(?)
56 1102 Mamale 1936
59 1187 Mein Malkale 1938
56 1103 Mezrach und Maarev 1921
56 1104 Milk and Honey 1961
56 1105 Morning Star 1940
59 1188 Oy is dus a leben 1942
56 1106 Rabbi’s Melody 1926
59 1189 Raizele 1927
56 1107 Shmendrik 1924, 1943
59 1190 Shmendrik 1924
56 1108 Some Girl 1926-1928
56 1109 Di tsvey kuni lemels 1926
56 1110 Yankele undated
59 1191 Yankele 1923-1924
59 1192 Zipke 1924

Subseries B: Alphabetical by Subject,  undated, 1921-1970.

Arrangement:

Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Box Folder Title Date
56 1111 Benefit Performances 1926, 1946
Box Folder Title Date
59 1183 Molly Picon 1922
56 1112 Molly Picon undated, 1956-1958, 1970
59 1194 Molly Picon and Family 1925
56 1113 Molly Picon and Family 1926(?)
56 1114 Molly Picon and Jacob Kalich undated, 1921-1958
59 1195 Molly Picon and Jacob Kalich 1925, 1958
56 1115 Molly Picon and Jacob Kalich in Yugoslavia for Filming of Fiddler on the Roof 1970
56 1116 Molly Picon and Jacob Kalich’s 46th Anniversary June 29, 1965
56 1117 Molly Picon in Great Britain 1937
56 1118 Molly Picon with Others undated, 1923-1963
56 1119 Movie Shorts undated, 1928
56 1120 Party of Ambassador to Warsaw July 4, 1938
56 1121 Photo Bookmarks/Postcards of Yiddish Writers(?) undated
56 1122 Radio Shows undated, 1938, 1947, 1952
56 1123 Tour of U.S. Military Bases 1945
56 1124 USO Tour in Korea 1951-1952
56 1125 Various Subjects undated, 1920-1951
56 1126 Yiddish Theater Celebrities undated
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Series XI: Scrapbooks, 1919-1967.

15.3 linear feet
Arrangement:

Arranged chronologically.
Scope and Content:

Series XI: Scrapbooks consists of twenty-two scrapbooks kept by Picon. The scrapbooks primarily contain newspaper clippings but some also have letters, notes, tickets, programs, and other general memorabilia. The newspaper clippings are mainly in Yiddish and English. The scrapbooks are arranged roughly chronologically. The date ranges for the scrapbooks were taken, when possible, from notations on the covers of the scrapbooks.

Box   Title Date
60   Scrapbooks 1919-1923
60   Scrapbooks 1921-1923
60   Scrapbooks 1923-1931
Box   Title Date
61   Scrapbooks 1921-1927
61   Scrapbooks 1929-1933
Box   Title Date
62   Scrapbooks 1925-1932
62   Scrapbooks 1930-1931
Box   Title Date
63   Scrapbooks 1930-1933
63   Scrapbooks 1932
Box   Title Date
64   Scrapbooks 1934-1937
64   Scrapbooks 1936-1937
64   Scrapbooks 1937-1940
Box   Title Date
65   Scrapbooks 1940-1942
65   Scrapbooks 1942-1946
Box   Title Date
66   Scrapbooks 1946-1948
66   Scrapbooks 1947
66   Scrapbooks 1949-1950
Box   Title Date
67   Scrapbooks 1951-1953
67   Scrapbooks 1953-1958, 1961
67   Scrapbooks 1960
Box   Title Date
68   Scrapbooks 1961-1962
68   Scrapbooks 1961-1967
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