Scope and arrangement
The Alberta Hunter papers consist of personal and professional papers documenting Hunter's singing and nursing careers. Her personal papers consist of reminiscenses, family correspondence (1964-1985), personal correspondence (1924-1985), passports, financial records, and address books. Hunter's singing career is documented by correspondence with Ethel Waters, Eubie Blake, and blues pianist Lovie Austin, with whom Hunter recorded in her early years. The soundtrack album from the film, Remember My Name, featuring Alberta Hunter, is represented by correspondence and songs. There are contracts for performances, recordings, publication of her songs, television, and radio; royalties; and copyright registration. Her popularity is documented by fan mail (1937-1984). The collection also contains a large body of holograph lyrics by Hunter in addition to some manuscript music by Hunter and other composers, such as Eubie Blake. There are programs and broadsides (1931-1985), printed material, lists of Hunter's unpublished and published songs, notes on issues and sales of her recordings, and schedules of performances. Abundant news clippings discuss her singing career (1924-1986). One of two scrapbooks provides information on her activities of the early 1920s as well as her European career in general; USO Camp Show tours; her 1930s NBC radio series; and her appearances with Ethel Waters in the 1954 revival of Mamba's Daughters. Another scrapbook is devoted to the 1923 musical revue How Come? in which Hunter appeared at both the Apollo and Lafayette Theaters. Her twenty-year career as a licensed practical nurse is represented by her school examination papers and several notebooks. There is also a folder of research material used by Frank Taylor for his 1987 book, Alberta Hunter: A Celebration in Blues.
The Alberta Hunter papers are arranged in three series:
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1914-1985
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1923-1986
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1955-1983