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WILLIAM GRANT STILL AND VERNA ARVEY PAPERS

Manuscript Collection MC 1125
Group 1. William Grant Still and Verna Arvey Biographical Materials, 1894-1991. Boxes 1-68.
Contents of Group 1
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Series 1. Correspondence. Boxes 1- 51.

This series includes the personal and professional correspondence (1925-1985) of William Grant Still and Verna Arvey. The correspondence is organized according to correspondents at the file folder level. The folders are then arranged in alphabetical order. Infrequently, Verna Arvey used the pseudonym, Maryon Smith, William Grant Still used Willy Grant, and Still and Arvey together used Noir sur Blanc.
Box 1. ASCAP-Personal, 1936-1980.
  1. Dec 1, 1936 - Oct 12, 1942.
  2. Nov 20, 1942 - Sept 27, 1945.
  3. Aug 6, 1946 - Oct 27, 1949.
  4. Jan 25, 1950 - Mar 21, 1951.
  5. Apr 3, 1952 - Oct 30, 1952.
  6. Nov 21, 1952 - Feb 10, 1953.
  7. Mar 25, 1953 - Feb 4, 1954.
  8. May 26, 1954 - Sept 15, 1954.
  9. Oct 8, 1954 - July 14, 1955.
  10. July 19, 1955 - Sept 8, 1955.
  11. Oct 31, 1955 - Apr 27, 1956.
  12. May 1, 1956 - May 2, 1957.
  13. July 4, 1957 - Jan 3, 1958.
  14. Jan 10, 1958 - Jan 17, 1958.
  15. Jan 20, 1958 - Oct 15, 1958.
  16. Jan 9, 1959 - Dec 11, 1959.
  17. Feb 19, 1960 - Mar 25, 1961.
  18. Aug 8, 1961 - Nov 8, 1962.
  19. May 10, 1963 - Aug 28, 1964.
  20. Oct 4, 1964 - Nov 26, 1965.
  21. Feb 4, 1966 - Sept 5, 1967.
  22. Oct 10, 1967 -Sept 3, 1969.
  23. Oct 28, 1969 - July 27, 1971.
  24. Sept 2, 1971 - Aug 17, 1972.
  25. Mar 4, 1973 - May 15, 1980.
  26. n.d.
  27. Agreements and Contracts, Dec 9, 1936 - Mar 11, 1970.
Box 2. ASCAP - General, 1937-1982.
  1. Feb 2, 1937 - Apr 27, 1944.
  2. Nov 25, 1946 - Jan 14, 1957.
  3. Oct 30, 1958 - Oct 3, 1960.
  4. Feb 10, 1961 - June 11, 1964.
  5. July 24, 1964 - Aug 23, 1965.
  6. Feb 7, 1966 - Mar 15, 1967.
  7. Apr 24, 1967 - Apr 2, 1969.
  8. May 22, 1969 - Dec 23, 1970.
  9. Feb 24, 1971 - June 9, 1971.
  10. June 21, 1971 - May 9, 1973.
  11. May 29, 1973 - Aug 1975.
  12. Jan 19, 1976 - Aug 17, 1977.
  13. Sept 9, 1977 - Mar 30, 1979.
  14. Aug 30, 1979 - Apr 9, 1982.
  15. n.d.
  16. ASCAP Publications.
Box 3.
Box 4
Box 5
Box 6
Box 7
Box 8
Box 9
Box 10
Box 11
Box 12
Box 13
Box 14
Box 15
Box 16
Box 17
Box 18
Box 19
Box 20
Box 21
Box 22
Box 23
Box 24
Box 25
Box 26
Box 27
Box 28
Box 29
Box 30
Box 31
Box 32
Box 33
Box 34
Box 35
Box 36
Box 37
Box 38
Box 39
Box 40
Box 41
Box 42
Box 43
Box 44
Box 45
Box 46
Box 47
Box 48
Box 49
Box 50
Box 51
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Series 2. Personal papers, 1894-1985. Boxes 52-53.

This series contains documents, certificates, and papers pertaining to the immediate family and extended families of William Grant Still and Verna Arvey.
Box 52
  1. Appointment books of William Grant Still, 1960 - 1962.
  2. Arvey-Tark family documents, David Arvey, Oct 21, 1969; Bessie Arvey, Sept 24, 1977, Apr 30, 1930, May 3, 1934, May 22, 1962, Apr 19, 1966; Rae Arvey, Aug 28, 1958; Jacob Arvey, n.d.; Annie Tarkovsky, June 9, 1922.
  3. Bible of William Grant Still.
  4. Blackman, Bessie, Apr 24, 1959 - Nov 4, 1960, n.d.
  5. Certificates, miscellaneous, 1959, 1960, n.d.
  6. Certificates and passport of Verna Arvey, Nov 14, 1933 - Aug 30, 1939, July 1, 1954, Nov 14, 1974, n.d.
  7. Certificates, diplomas, and proclamations pertaining to William Grant Still, 1922, June 24, 1947, Dec 25, 1950, June 13, 1954, Apr 13, 1973, Feb 11, 1976 - Mar 11, 1978, Feb 24, 1985, n.d.
  8. Death documents of William Grant Still, Dec 3, 1978 - Nov 29, 1979.
  9. Divorce document and information, and marriage document of William Grant Still, Feb 6, 1939, Feb 8, 1939.
  10. Documents of Duncan Allan Still, Jan 24, 1940, July 13, 1958, Dec 18, 1958.
  11. Documents of Judith Anne Still Headlee, Sept 26, 1957 - Feb 3, 1982, n.d.
  12. Family history, Still-Arvey, Dec 17, 1974, n.d.
Box 53
  1. Guardianship papers for Duncan Allan Still and Judith Anne Still, Jan 1960 - Oct 3, 1962.
  2. Insurance policies, shares, and related documents of William Grant Still and Verna Arvey, Sept 17, 1919 - May 15, 1979, n.d.
  3. Last Will and Testament and other documents of William Grant Still and Verna Arvey, Oct 15, 1957 - Jan 21, 1983.
  4. Memberships, tickets, and cards, June 22, 1920 - June 3, 1973, Oct 15, 1983, n.d.
  5. Miscellaneous papers, 1954, Jan 12, 1976, n.d.
  6. Shepperson, Carrie Lena Fambro Still, June 25, 1894 - Feb 1927, Nov 12, 1982, n.d.
  7. Travel file of Verna Arvey, 1976-1977, n.d.
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Series 3. Diaries, Dreambooks, Predictions, and Address Book. Boxes 54-59.

This series consists of the diaries of William Grant Still (1930- 1959) and Verna Arvey (1928-1982) and dreambooks of William Grant Still (1939) and those transcribed by Verna Arvey (1951-1979) containing dreams told to Arvey by William Grant Still, Duncan Still, and Judith Still as well as her own dreams. In addition, the series contains predictions from various sources, including newspapers, Reverend Harris, Mme. Flowers, and Margorie Lange and the WW's (light forces) for the Still family (1936-1981), and Verna Arvey's address book.
Subseries 1. Diaries of William Grant Still, 1930-1959. Boxes 54-56.
Box 54. 1930, 1938-1945.
  1. 1930.
  2. 1938.
  3. 1939.
  4. 1940.
  5. 1941.
  6. 1942.
  7. 1943.
  8. 1944.
  9. 1945.
Box 55. 1946-1954.
  1. 1946.
  2. 1947.
  3. 1948.
  4. 1949.
  5. 1950.
  6. 1951.
  7. 1952.
  8. 1953.
  9. 1954.
Box 56. 1955, 1956, 1959.
  1. 1955.
  2. 1956.
  3. 1959.
    Subseries 2. Diaries of Verna Arvey, 1928-1982. Box 56.
    Box 56
  4. 1928-1932.
  5. 1933-1937.
  6. 1938-1942.
  7. 1943-1947.
  8. 1948-1952.
  9. 1953-1957.
  10. 1958-1962.
  11. 1963-1967.
  12. 1968-1972.
  13. 1973-1977.
  14. 1978-1982.
Subseries 3. Dreambooks of William Grant Still and Verna Arvey, 1939-1979. Box 57.
Box 57
  1. 1939 (William Grant Still).
  2. 1951-1952.
  3. 1952-1953.
  4. 1953-1954.
  5. 1954-1955.
  6. 1955-1957.
  7. 1957-1959.
  8. 1959-1963.
  9. 1963-1966.
  10. 1966-1969.
  11. 1969-1979.
Subseries 4. Predictions, 1936-1981. Box 58.
Box 58
  1. 1936-1950.
  2. 1951-1956.
  3. 1957-1960.
  4. 1961-1965.
  5. 1966-1967.
  6. 1936-1970.
  7. 1971-1981.
Subseries 5. Address book. Box 59.
Box 59
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Series 4. Scrapbooks, 1921-2002. Volumes 1-101/Microfilm Reels 1-15.

This series includes the scrapbooks of William Grant Still, Volumes 1-48, 55, (1921-1981); Verna Arvey, Volumes 49-54 (1922- 1981); Judith Anne Still, Volume 56; and topical scrapbooks, Volumes 57-84. Volumes 85-101 relate to the childhood of Judith Anne Still and the William Grant Still Music Company. Volumes 1-84 have been microfilmed; the microfilm is available to researchers. The original scrapbooks are restricted due to their fragility. Volumes 85-101 have not been microfilmed; originals are available to researchers.

A chronological catalogue of the musical works of William Grant Still is appended to Series 4 to provide better access to the musical scrapbooks of the composer (Volumes 1-48). The catalogue, taken from Robert Bartlett Hass, ed., William Grant Still and the Fusion of Cultures in American Music, lists the date and title of the musical works of Still under the following categories: works for the stage, works for orchestra, works for orchestra with soloists or chorus, works for band, chamber music, works for piano, works for organ, works for accordion, and works for voice or voices and piano.

Subseries 1. Scrapbooks of William Grant Still, 1921-1981. Volumes 1-48.
This subseries contains the music scrapbooks of William Grant Still. Included are articles, reviews, and clippings, most pertaining to Still and his compositions, some by him or with Verna Arvey (Still); programs featuring the compositions of William Grant Still, many performed by Verna Arvey at the piano; correspondence; booklets; program guides; broadsides; and cards. The scrapbooks trace the musical career of William Grant Still as performer, composer, conductor, lecturer, and patron of the arts. The scrapbooks also include information about Still's collaboration with Verna Arvey as librettist and lyricist, his musical relationship with W.C. Handy, Howard Hanson, Ulysses Simpson Kay and others, and his family.
Subseries 2. Scrapbooks of Verna Arvey, 1922-1981. Volumes 49-54.
This subseries contains the scrapbooks of Verna Arvey (Still), 1922-1981. Included are articles and clippings by and about Arvey, programs, correspondence, cards, and some of her music manuscripts. Also included are programs of other musicians and dancers and some sheet music of compositions by William Grant Still.

The scrapbooks trace the career of Verna Arvey as Manual Arts high school student, journalist, recitalist, traveler, and music collaborator of William Grant Still. Volumes 49 and 50 pertain to Arvey's activities at Manual Arts. Volume 49 also contains information about Arvey's recitalist career on the radio in Los Angeles, California. Volume 51 contains programs of other performers. Many of the programs have marginalia which includes comments and critiques about the performers and/or the performances by Arvey. Volumes 52 and 53 pertain to the recitalist career of Verna Arvey in the United States and Central and South America. Especially documented are the performances of William Grant Still's "Kaintuck'," which was dedicated to, and performed by, Verna Arvey. Volume 54 has materials pertaining to Still and publicity for "A Bayou Legend," produced by Opera/South.

Subseries 3. Other scrapbooks, 1930s- 1972. Volumes 55-84.
This subseries contains one music scrapbook with clippings and articles pertaining to contemporary composers Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, Howard Hanson, and Gian Carlo Menotti; one scrapbook of Judith Anne Still (daughter of William Grant Still and Verna Arvey); and various scrapbooks pertaining to communism, communism and the Negro, and McCarthyism.
Subseries 4. Scrapbooks of Judith Still's Childhood and William Grant Still Music, 1982-2002.
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Series 5. Tax receipts and royalty agreements, 1924-1983. Boxes 60-65.

Subseries 1. Tax receipts, 1934-1978. Boxes 60-64.
Box 60
  1. 1934.
  2. 1935.
  3. 1936.
  4. 1937.
  5. 1938.
  6. 1939.
  7. 1940.
  8. 1941.
  9. 1942.
  10. 1943.
  11. 1944.
  12. 1945.
  13. 1946.
  14. 1947.
  15. 1948.
Box 61
  1. 1949.
  2. 1950.
  3. 1951.
  4. 1952.
  5. 1953.
  6. 1954.
  7. 1955.
  8. 1956.
  9. 1957.
  10. 1958.
Box 62
  1. 1959.
  2. 1960.
  3. 1961.
  4. 1962.
  5. 1963.
  6. 1964.
  7. 1965.
  8. 1966.
  9. 1967.
  10. 1968.
Box 63
  1. 1969.
  2. 1970.
  3. 1971.
  4. 1972.
  5. 1973.
  6. 1974.
  7. 1975.
Box 64
  1. 1976.
  2. 1977.
  3. 1978.
Subseries 2. Royalty and other agreements, 1924-1983. Box 65.
Box 65
  1. 1924-1939.
  2. 1940-1944.
  3. 1945-1947.
  4. 1948-1949.
  5. 1950-1959.
  6. 1960-1968.
  7. 1969-1983, n.d.
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Series 6. Newspaper and magazine articles, 1937-1991. Boxes 66-68.

Subseries 1. General newspaper and magazine articles, 1937-1991. Box 66.
These are newspaper and magazine clippings collected by Verna Arvey and William Grant Still. They are primarily about their friends and interests. There are also some articles by them or about them.
Box 66
  1. Sept 30, 1937 - May 10, 1939.
  2. May 30, 1940 - Oct 23, 1946.
  3. Jan 23, 1947 - Aug 22, 1949.
  4. Jan 8, 1950 - Sept 29, 1954.
  5. May 19, 1955 - Dec 14, 1959.
  6. Jan 6, 1960 - Dec 26, 1962.
  7. Jan 17, 1963 - Dec 1966.
  8. Feb 20, 1967 - Nov 1969.
  9. Jan 23, 1970 - Dec 20, 1974.
  10. Jan 1975 - Dec 6, 1979.
  11. Jun 1980 - Nov 3, 1991.
  12. n.d.
Subseries 2. Political newspaper and magazine articles, 1964-1980. Boxes 67-68.
Verna Arvey was greatly interested in U.S. politics. She primarily focused on Richard Nixon and the Watergate scandal. Approximately 90% of these articles are about Nixon. The articles involving him directly are labeled as "Nixon." The other articles are labeled "Other." The Watergate articles are separated into their own folders.
Box 67
Box 68
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