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3. Provenance 5. Inventory 6. Subjects |
Coventry, R.I. songwriter Papers, 1927-1982 (bulk 1943-1978) Size: .75 lin. ft. Catalog number: MSS 594 Processed by: Rick Stattler, June 1995 ©Rhode Island Historical Society Manuscripts Division |
Historical note:
Ida Kay (1913-1978) was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, and was raised in Providence. She was a prolific popular songwriter, and worked as an advertising copy writer in the retail trade, including several years at the department store Callendar, McAuslan & Troup. At least two of her songs were published: "We Are the Army Engineers" (c 1944), and "Dum-Dee, Dum-Dee (Listen While I Hum My Love-Time Story)" (c 1943). She married Leslie James O'Brien (1908-1983) in 1949. He was a Rhode Island state policeman and fire marshall for the town of Coventry. Her song-writing seems to have for the most part ceased circa 1951, and resumed around 1969.
Scope and content:
This collection contains extensive drafts of O'Brien's lyrics and music; correspondence related to her song-writing; and copyright information. It also includes her autograph book from 1927, five personal letters, several letters addressed to her husband, and a mimeographed training manual on homicide for state police.
Provenance:
The collection was a gift of Mary O'Brien, adopted daughter of Ida O'Brien, in 1984.
Processing note:
Duplicate copies were removed, and unbound items were placed in acid-free folders.
Inventory:
Folder 1. Sheet music (published):
"Dum-Dee Dum-Dee", piano and orchestrated, 1943
The Military Engineer, July 1945,
including "We Are the Army Engineers"
Bruce Humphries, Publishers, Trade Lists, 1943-4
Folder 2. Sheet music, drafts
Folder 3. Sheet music, drafts
Folder 4. Lyrics, drafts
Folder 5. Song-writing correspondence, etc., 1943-1951
Includes a fan letter to Irving Berlin.
Folder 6. Song-writing correspondence, etc., 1969-1978
Folder 7. Copyright documents, 1943-1975
Folder 8. American Song Festival Competition materials, 1974-1975
Folder 9. Personal, 1940-1962. 5 items:
3 letters, Callendar, Mcauslan & Troup, 1940-50
From Dorothy Lovett, 1943
From daughter Mary, 1962
Box 2
Volume 1: Autograph book, 1927
Volume 2: Leslie O'Brien. His copy of "Seminar in Homicide Investigation for State Police, April 7-12, 1947".
Folder 10. Leslie O'Brien. Personal correspondence. Mostly Christmas greetings, 1977-1982. Driver's licenses, 1948-1949.
Subjects:
Berlin, Irving
Callendar, McAuslan & Troup Co.
Music, Popular (Songs, etc.) - writing and publishing
Police Training - Rhode Island
World War, 1939-1945 - Songs and Music
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RIHS1822