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Creator
Laven, Anne
Call number
MssCol 6068
Physical description
2.92 linear feet (7 boxes)
Preferred Citation

Anne and Paul Laven Papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library.

Repository
Manuscripts and Archives Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.Restrictions apply

The Anne and Paul Laven papers, which span the years 1933-2001, document Anne Laven's creative pursuits and her husband Paul's military service during WWII. In addition to correspondence, the collection includes photographs and scripts related to Anne's career as a puppeteer and Balinese dancer and aerial views of postwar Germany taken by Paul in his capacity as a military photographer with the United States Air Force.

Biographical/historical information

Anne Laven was an actress, writer, dancer and puppeteer. Born in New York City in 1916 to Reuben and Eva Goldfarb, Anne graduated from James Madison High School in Brooklyn and immediately became involved in the arts. In the 1930s, she was a member of New York City's Theater of Action where she performed under the name of Anne Gold. During this time she married fellow actor Alfred Saxe. After her marriage to Saxe ended in divorce in 1950, Anne married Paul Laven. She wrote and performed puppet shows, primarily for children, and collaborated with her daughter Cora in the late 1960s. Anne also studied Hindu dance and often performed under the name Amitra. In the early 1970s, the couple retired to Florida. Anne died in 2004.

Paul Laven was born in 1919 to Max and Minnie Laven in New York City. He joined the United States Air Force during World War II and served from 1943-1946. He completed a tour of duty in Europe as a Technical Sergeant and a photographer. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned to New York, found work in foreign trade, and met and married Anne. Paul eventually rose to be manager of commodities trading at Bache. Paul often assisted his wife with her puppet and dance performances. He died in 2002 at age 82.

Scope and arrangement

The collection, which dates from 1933-2001, chiefly documents Anne Laven's creative pursuits and her husband Paul's military service during WWII. Anne's papers reflect her interest in the performing arts. Her career as a puppeteer and Balinese dancer is chronicled through scrapbooks, photographs, slides and sound and video recordings. Her papers also contain incoming correspondence from her family and communication regarding two oral history projects, Oral History of the American Left and Telling It Like It Was. Writings include short stories, plays, and poetry, some of which was published in a volume titled Midnight Thoughts and Stories. Other material includes documentation related to her divorce from Alfred Saxe, her marriage to Paul, and her Mensa membership certificate. Paul Laven's materials contain aerial views of postwar Germany and general posed shots of servicemen, which he took in his capacity as a military photographer with the United States Air Force. Outgoing correspondence reflects his close relationship with his friends and family and dates chiefly from the years following his retirement. Writings include accounts of his service in World War II.

The Anne and Paul Laven papers are arranged in two series:

Administrative information

Custodial history

Anne Laven gave her papers to her nephew Allen Young in 2002, and Young donated the collection to The New York Public Library the following year.

Source of acquisition

Donated by Allen Young, February 2003

Processing information

Processed by Lea Jordan.

Using the collection

Location

Manuscripts and Archives Division
Stephen A. Schwarzman Building
Fifth Avenue at 42nd Street, New York, NY 10018-2788
Brooke Russell Astor Reading Room, Third Floor, Room 328

Access restrictions

All sound and video recordings noted in the collection are unavailable at this time pending preservation transfer. Readers should advise Division staff of their interest in any recording that has yet to be transferred by using the following link: http://www.nypl.org/mssref.