Mura Dehn collection

id
10982
origination
Dehn, Mura
date statement
1905-1985 [bulk 1930s-1950s]
key date
1905
identifier (local_mss)
24400
org unit
Jerome Robbins Dance Division
call number
*MGZMD 483
b-number
b21617119
total components
64
total series
0
max depth
3
boost queries
(none)
component layout
Default Layout
Extended MARC Fields
false
Extended Navigation
false
created
2018-08-10 19:02:27 UTC
updated
2026-06-25 15:07:55 UTC
status note
(missing)
Display Aeon link
true

Description data TOP

unitid
{"value"=>"24400", "type"=>"local_mss"}
{"value"=>"*MGZMD 483", "type"=>"local_call"}
{"value"=>"b21617119", "type"=>"local_b"}
unitdate
{"value"=>"1905-1985", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1905/1985"}
{"value"=>"1930s-1950s", "type"=>"bulk", "normal"=>"1930/1959"}
unittitle
{"value"=>"Mura Dehn collection"}
physdesc
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"6 boxes", "unit"=>"containers"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"3.6. linear feet", "unit"=>"linear_feet"}]}
repository
{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">Jerome Robbins Dance Division</span>"}
abstract
{"value"=>"Mura Dehn (1905-1987) was a dancer and filmmaker who documented African-American social jazz dancing from the 1930s to 1950s at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, New York. The collection consists mostly of her film works, accompanied with photographs; address books, assorted material and an artifact."}
langmaterial
{"value"=>"Multiple languages"}
{"value"=>"English, French and German."}
origination
{"value"=>"Dehn, Mura", "type"=>"persname"}
bioghist
{"value"=>"<p>Mura Ziperovitch Dehn (1905-1987) was a dancer and filmmaker who documented African-American social jazz dancing at the Savoy Hotel ballroom in Harlem, New York from the 1930s through the 1950s. Russian born, Dehn was trained in ballet and modern dance in the Isadora Duncan style. Dehn became captivated by Jazz upon seeing Josephine Baker perform in Paris circa 1925. In 1930, she immigrated to the United States with her then husband Adolf Dehn (1895-1968), an American painter. Dehn's visit to the Savoy Ballroom to watch jazz dancing convinced her to document it. Her studies culminated in the documentary <span class=\"title\">The Spirit Moves:A History of Black Social Dance on Film, Parts One and Two.</span></p> <p>As a performer and innovator throughout her life, Dehn continued to develop her dance techniques. In 1954, Dehn and James Berry (1915-1969) a vaudevillian and dancer established The <span class=\"title\">Traditional Jazz Company.</span> This company was active through the 1970s.</p>"}
custodhist
{"value"=>"<p>Eiko Otake became the custodian of the collection after the death of Mura Dehn.</p>"}
scopecontent
{"value"=>"<p>The Mura Dehn collection, dated c. 1905-1985 (bulk dates 1930-1950), reflects the documentary and personal life of Mura Dehn, a filmmaker and dancer.</p> <p>The photographs are both personal and professional and show Dehn in Europe and the United States. Professional images include publicity shots, Dehn at rehearsals, and performing before an audience; James Berry, other dances and musicians. Notable photographers were Ferdinand Boesch, Ergy Landau, Earl Leaf and Jan Yoors.</p> <p>The personal photographs stem from her childhood in Europe (possibly Vienna) to life in the United States. Dehn was photographed at social events with family and friends, enjoying vacations and travels. Most of the images were not properly identified.</p> <p>Other materials include several address books, assorted notes in Russian and German, publicity and printed matter, her father's passport, a pair of Dehn's dancing slippers; and two audio tapes with music.</p>"}
acqinfo
{"value"=>"<p>The collection was donated by Eiko Otake in 2017.</p>"}
separatedmaterial
{"value"=>"<p>Mura Dehn notebooks. Jerome Robbins Dance Division *MGZMD 408.</p> <p>Papers on Afro-American social dance. Jerome Robbins Dance Collection *MGZMD 72.</p>"}
processinfo
{"value"=>"<p>Processed by <span class=\"name\">Valerie Wingfield</span> in <span class=\"date\"> 2017</span>.</p>"}
userestrict
{"value"=>"<p>The ballet slippers are to be handled with care.</p>"}
date_start
1905
keydate
1905
date_end
1985
date_inclusive_start
1905
date_inclusive_end
1985
date_bulk_start
1930
date_bulk_end
1959
prefercite
{"value"=>"Mura Dehn collection, *MGZMD 483. Jerome Robbins Dance Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts"}

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