Description
Collection consists of American song
composer Jimmy Van Heusen's papers and materials, both business and personal. Items include
an extensive collection of unpublished music manuscripts and song lyrics, published sheet
music, correspondence, personal papers, and business documents. Many materials relate to his
interactions with Johnny Burke, Sammy Cahn, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and others, and to
his publishing companies Burke & Van Heusen, Inc. and Van Heusen Music Corporation. Also
includes sound and audiovisual materials, including his personal LP collection, unpublished
home recordings, and home movies. Photographic material includes both press and personal
prints, some negatives, and color slides. Other items include performance scripts, altered
lyrics, biographic materials, professionally assembled scrapbooks, and other published
materials from his personal collection. In addition to his musical career, the collection
highlights his interests in horses and flying, and his domestic life with wife Josephine Van
Heusen.
Background
Jimmy Van Heusen (1913 – 1990) was an American song composer for radio, films, television,
and the stage best known for several enduring standards made popular by Bing Crosby and
Frank Sinatra. Van Heusen was born in Syracuse, NY on January 26, 1913 as Edward Chester
Babcock; his parents were Arthur and Ida May Babcock, and his brother, Wilbur. He acquired
his professional name "Jimmy Van Heusen" (borrowed from the Phillips-Van Heusen shirt
company) at the age of 16 when he became a radio pianist, singer, and announcer. Jimmy Van
Heusen became his primary identity, often more formally as "James Van Heusen," although he
was still known to a few intimates as "Chester." He would also compose a small number of
songs under the pseudonym "Arthur Williams."
Extent
83 Linear Feet
(166 boxes)
Restrictions
Property rights to the physical objects belong to UCLA Library Special Collections. All
other rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the
responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the
copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not
hold the copyright.
Availability
Open for research. All requests to access special collections materials must be made in
advance using the request button located on this page.