Oscar Levant papers, 1910s-1970s

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Summary

Creators:
Levant, Oscar, 1906-1972
Abstract:
This collection contains the papers of American pianist, composer, and radio and television personality Oscar Levant (1906-1972). Materials include original musical scores and parts by Levant, including classical compositions, as well as music for Broadway, film, and radio; published sheet music; personal and business correspondence; photographs; two television scripts; some personal items, and one sound recording and two film reels.
Extent:
28 Linear Feet 20 boxes
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[Box/folder no. or item name], Oscar Levant papers, Collection no. 2272, Cinematic Arts Library, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains the papers of American pianist, composer, and radio and television personality Oscar Levant (1906-1972). Materials include original musical scores and parts by Levant, including classical compositions, as well as music for Broadway, film, and radio; published sheet music; personal and business correspondence; photographs; two television scripts; some personal items including identification cards and monogrammed objects; press and magazine articles; and one audio recording identified as Levant with Al Jolson and two 16mm film reels of Levant on television. Note: the film reels (Box 6) are currently unavailable until they have been reformatted.

Biographical / historical:

Oscar Levant (1906-1972) was an American pianist, composer, and radio and television personality.

Acquisition information:
Gift of June Levant Ephron, May 30, 1979.
Processing information:

Previously cataloged as Collection no. 153.

Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series:

  • Correspondence: Boxes 1-2
  • Photographs: Box 3, Box 18 (Folder 1), Box 19 (Folder 2)
  • Television scripts: Box 4 (Folders 5-6)
  • Personal items and ephemera: Box 4 (Folders 1-4, 13) and Box 7
  • Press: Box 4 (Folders 7-12), Box 18 (Folder 2)
  • Music: Box 5, Boxes 8-17, Box 19 (Folder 1)
  • Books: Box 18 (Volumes 1-4)
  • Audiovisual materials: Box 5 (Folder 14) and Box 6 [UNAVAILABLE]
  • Addenda: Box 20
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

Advance notice required for access.

Terms of access:

Finding aid description and metadata are licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Cinematic Arts Library at ctlibarc@usc.edu. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Cinematic Arts Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

[Box/folder no. or item name], Oscar Levant papers, Collection no. 2272, Cinematic Arts Library, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.

Location of this collection:
Cinematic Arts Library
Doheny Memorial Library, Room G4
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0185, US
Contact:
(213) 740-8383
ctlibarc@usc.edu
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