James Bellak papers

id
11857
origination
Bellak, James
date statement
1860-1888 [bulk 1881-1885]
key date
1860
identifier (local_mss)
188098
org unit
Music Division
call number
JPB 25-6
b-number
b19025696
total components
14
total series
3
max depth
2
boost queries
(none)
component layout
Default Layout
Extended MARC Fields
false
Extended Navigation
false
created
2025-05-15 02:32:03 UTC
updated
2025-05-15 02:32:43 UTC
status note
(missing)
Display Aeon link
true

Description data TOP

unitid
{"value"=>"188098", "type"=>"local_mss"}
{"value"=>"JPB 25-6", "type"=>"local_call"}
{"value"=>"b19025696", "type"=>"local_b"}
unitdate
{"value"=>"1860-1888", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1860/1888"}
{"value"=>"1881-1885", "type"=>"bulk", "normal"=>"1881/1885"}
unittitle
{"value"=>"James Bellak papers"}
physdesc
{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"1 box", "unit"=>"containers"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"0.10 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear_feet"}]}
repository
{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">Music Division</span>"}
abstract
{"value"=>"James Bellak (1813-1891) was a composer and ran a piano and organ business in Philadelphia. The James Bellak papers, dating from 1860 to 1888, hold legal documents, correspondence, interview questions on his works, records of sales, and a list of his works."}
langmaterial
{"value"=>"English"}
prefercite
{"value"=>"<p>James Bellak papers, JPB 25-615. Music Division, The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.</p>"}
origination
{"value"=>"Bellak, James", "type"=>"persname", "role"=>"cmp"}
bioghist
{"value"=>"<p>James Bellak also known as the \"pioneer piano man\" was born in Prague, Austria on March 1, 1813. He studied at the Jesuit College and later went into Calico Manufacturing Business. Up until 1846, Bellak had remained in his homeland but as the war began affecting his business this prompted him to move to the United States i.e. Philadelphia where he began to teach music. He was very proficient in music and known for his works such as \"Analytical Method for the Piano\" and \"Method for the Organ\" and his over 2,000 compositions and arrangements. In 1854, he went into the piano and organ business in a private house (No. 279 South Fifth St) upon his success two more properties (No. 281 and 283) were added to meet the demand, and later in 1879 a third location (1129 Chestnut St) making his business one of the most successful of its kind in Philadelphia at the time.</p> <p>For more than 30 years he performed as an organist for the St. Joseph's Catholic Church and in later years performed at the St. John's Roman Catholic Church, Manayunk, and Trinity (Southwark) Protestant Episcopal Church. He was also a member of the Rising Star Lodge No. 126, F. and A. M.; Columbia Mark Lodge No. 91, and Herman Lodge No. 7, I.O.O.F.</p> <p>After he died in 1891, his property and business were left to his surviving sons Leopold and Charles, which were valued at $200,000.</p>"}
scopecontent
{"value"=>"<p>The James Bellak papers dating from 1860-1881 contain legal documents, correspondences, and other miscellaneous papers related to a list of works, sales, and reeditions.</p> <p>Legal documents date from 1885 detailing a certificate of deposit for a copyright claim in the name of James Bellak and his copyright agreement between S.T. Gordon & Son.</p> <p>Correspondence comprising the bulk of the papers dates from 1881-1885, though most is from 1885. Notable names such as James Bellak, S.T. Gordon, J. W. Hawes, James F. Morrison, and T.J. Putman.</p> <p>The Miscellaneous papers contain a search sheet of Music entered by James Bellak E.D. Penn, content of an interview made to J.W. Hawes, fragments of script handwriting to James Bellak for assignment, notes on works list finds, and record of printing to J.E. Boswell</p>"}
{"value"=>"<p class='list-head'>The James Bellak papers are arranged in three series:</p>\n<ul class='arrangement series-descriptions'>\n<li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/188098#c1789448'>Series I: Legal documents</a></div>\n</li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/188098#c1789451'>Series II: Correspondence</a></div>\n</li><li><div class='series-title'><a href='/mus/188098#c1789459'>Series III: Miscellaneous papers (I) and (II)</a></div>\n</li></ul>\n", "type"=>"arrangement"}
acqinfo
{"value"=>"<p>The James Bellak papers were donated by Barton Cantrell in 1981.</p>"}
processinfo
{"value"=>"<p>Processed by <span class=\"name\">Xena Morales</span> and <span class=\"name\">Bob Kosovsky</span> in <span class=\"date\">2025</span>.</p>"}
userestrict
{"value"=>"<p>For permission to publish, contact the Chief, Music Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.</p>"}
date_start
1860
keydate
1860
date_end
1888
date_inclusive_start
1860
date_inclusive_end
1888
date_bulk_start
1881
date_bulk_end
1885
extent_statement
0.10 linear feet (1 box)

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