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Creator
American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
Call number
JPB 12-12
Physical description
32.84 linear feet (79 boxes)
Preferred Citation

ASCAP archives, JPB 12-12. Music Division, The New York Public Library.

Repository
Music Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.Restrictions apply

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is an organization of more than 420,000 artists that protects the copyrights of its members. The ASCAP records represent a portion of the artists who joined the society from the 1930s to the mid-1980s. Many notable recording artists are represented from vaudeville to rock music. The files hold articles, biographical data sheets, broadsides, film strips, memorandum, obituary notices, photographs and photograph negatives,performance brochures, publicity and sheet music.

Biographical/historical information

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is performance rights organization founded in 1914 by Victor Herbert (1859-1924), a composer and musician. ASCAP is a member association of more than 420,000 composers, songwriters, lyricists, and music publishers of every kind of music. Its representation includes similar foreign organizations so that ASCAP repertory is represented within countries where copyright law is applied. ASCAP's objective is to protect the rights of its members and foreign affiliates by licensing the public performances of their copyrighted works and distributing royalties based upon surveyed performances. A non-profit organization, ASCAP is located at One Lincoln Center Plaza, New York City.

Scope and arrangement

The ASCAP records, dating from 1914 to 1986, document the artists who became members of ASCAP and some artists who applied for membership and were rejected. The files reflect the full spectrum of artists from different musical genres from vaudeville to rock and roll. The records consist primarily of biographical data sheets that document career accomplishments. During the 1970s, the biographical data sheet were replace by publicity information about the artists.

Other information in the files includes articles, biographies, broadsides, correspondence, film strips, memorandums, obituary notices, performance brochures, photographs, publicity, and sheet music.

The collection holds files only for artists with surnames from A to K. There are a few publicity photographs of artists with last names from M-Z. Files for artists with surnames from L-Z were retained by ASCAP.

Inquiries regarding audio and visual materials in the collection may be directed to the Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound (rha@nypl.org). Audio and visual materials will be subject to preservation evaluation and migration prior to access.

The ASCAP archives are arranged in two series:

  • Series I: Membership Files

    This series represents artists who were members or sought membership in ASCAP. The series, arranged alphabetically, contains half of the alphabet, A-K; the remainder of the alphabet was retained by ASCAP. Many of the files contain ASCAP's official biographical data sheet required by individuals for membership. Around 1980, the biographical data sheets were replaced with publicity material from the artist's company (if signed). Many of the artists are represented with a single file supplemented with some other related career information. The files contain the ASCAP biographical data sheet, related biographical information, correspondence, death notifications, published articles, photograph(s) of the artist, publicity material generated by the signed artist's company, and ephemera.

    Noted individuals include Stanley Adams (President of ASCAP), Gene Buck (President of ASCAP, 1932-1940), Victor Herbert (the founder of ASCAP), Eubie Blake, Sammy Cahn, Ray Charles, John Denver, Peter DeRose, Neil Diamond, Paul Dresser (Theodore Dreiser's brother), Gershon Ephron, Dorothy Fields, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, Eliseo Grenet Sanchez, "Tiny" Lloyd Grimes, W.C. Handy, Jimi Hendrix, Langston Hughes, Quincy Jones and KISS.

  • Series II: Historical Files

    This series holds papers documenting events in ASCAP history. Dating from 1914 to 1984, the contents include a copy of ASCAP's first contract, the first application for membership, an original Assignment of Performing Rights contract, clippings, scripts for a regular radio broadcast regarding ASCAP artists, publicity flyers put out by ASCAP regarding the boycott of the Society in the 1940s, and photographs of the Society's Anniversary celebrations of 1954 and 1984. Also present are photographs of annual events of the Society, including meetings, dinners, and an event at the 1939-1940 New York World's Fair; photographs of members of the ASCAP Foundation; broadsides published by ASCAP regarding events or advertising the Society; and a photograph of Igor Stravinky and Walter Piston at an unidentified event.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Donated by ASCAP, 1986.

Processing information

Compiled by Valerie Wingfield, 2012

The collection was rehoused and refoldered as needed.

Using the collection

Location

Music Division
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498
Third Floor

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, contact the Chief, Music Division, New York Public Library for the Performing Arts.

Access restrictions

Inquiries regarding audio and visual materials in the collection may be directed to the Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound (rha@nypl.org). Audio and visual materials may be subject to preservation evaluation and migration prior to access.