Scope and arrangement
The Barton Cantrell correspondence are chiefly a collection of letters. Included are a few concert programs and newspaper clippings which accompanied particular letters.
The bulk of the collection consists of correspondence between Cantrell and composers as well as family members of deceased composers between the years of 1960 and 1980. Many of these letters demonstrate that Cantrell took a personal interest in not only music and compositions, but also the lives of those he corresponded with. For several of Cantrell's subjects including Gardner Read and Howard Hanson, the collection includes biographical information or catalogues of the composers' works. Primarily, Cantrell sought to locate scores and manuscripts from composers and their families, often requesting copies for the collection of the New York Public Library.
In a few cases, individuals included letters received from others. These include the cluster of letters sent by Alfred Arthur, James Monroe Deems, Gerold [last name unknown], Gerrish [last name unknown], Max Gottschalk, and William Henry Pommer. Cantrell had also grouped five items with the heading "Colorado Composers"; that grouping has been preserved.
Cantrell's papers also include correspondence with other libraries across the country as he sought rare scores and manuscripts.
Arrangement
The Barton Cantrell correspondence consists of a single series and is arranged alphabetically by the author or subject of the letters.