Call Number:

C1203

Repository:

Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division

Extent:

• 1 box
• 0.4 linear feet

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); William Charles Smith Correspondence, Box and Folder Number; Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

Date:

1935-1971 (inclusive)

Creator:

Smith, William Charles

Form:

Correspondence -- 20th century and Music -- 20th century.

Abstract:

Consists chiefly of correspondence of British musicologist William Charles Smith related to music and to George Frederic Handel.

William Charles Smith was Assistant Keeper of the Department of Printed Books, King's Library, at the British Museum, and was also a Handel expert. Smith published several books on music in general and about Handel, his life and works, in particular. Some of Smith's publications include A Bibliography of Musical Works Published by the Firm of John Walsh During the Years 1721-1766; George Frederic Handel, His Life and Works; Essays (1948); George Frederic Handel: His Personality and His Times (1947), with Newman Flower; Handel: A Descriptive Catalogue of the Early Editions (1970); A Handelian's Notebook (1965); and Recently-Discovered Handel Manuscripts (1937)

The collection consists chiefly of correspondence of British musicologist William Charles Smith related to music and to George Frederic Handel. The correspondents represent a large group of musicians, composers, music editors and critics, music librarians, conductors, publishers, antiquarians and booksellers, authors, and music bibliographers. Correspondents include Elkin Mathews, Ltd., regarding Handel items for sale; the English conductor Charles Frederick Farncombe regarding opera performances; and Cecil Hopkinson of The First Edition Bookshop, Ltd., about purchasing Handel items. Other correspondents include Jacob Maurice Coopersmith, Thurston Dart, Winton Dean, Sir George Dyson, Sir Newman Flower, Julian Herbage, Jens Peter Larsen, Hans Lenneberg, Anthony Lewis, C. V. Pilkington of Sotheby & Co., Brian Priestman, Hans Ferdinand Redlich, Stanley Sadie, Percy Alfred Scholes, and John Tobin. In addition, there are forty-five autograph letters and cards between Smith and J. Merrill Knapp regarding music and Handel. Accompanying some of the correspondence is handwritten music.

Folders are arranged alphabetically by correspondent.