Porgy and Bess letter from James Tipton, 1942

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)

Preferred citation:

Porgy and Bess letter from James Tipton, C0289, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Linear Feet 1 letter
Creator:
Tipton, James
Abstract:
Letter from James Tipton to his parents in Nebraska describing his experience seeing Porgy and Bess in New York City, written February 12, 1942.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Porgy and Bess letter from James Tipton, C0289, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of a short postcard from James Tipton to his parents, Rev. and Mrs. E.H. Tipton of Nebraska, briefly describing his experience seeing George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess" in New York City while at school. The letter is dated February 12, 1942.

Biographical / historical:

George Gershwin's iconic opera "Porgy and Bess" debuted in 1935. The work, set in a Black community in coastal South Carolina, chronicles the turbulent relationship between the titular characters. James Standifer notes that "it wasn't until World War II that 'Porgy' found financial success in a production by Cheryl Crawford." Presumably this is the revival that James Tipton saw in 1942.

Acquisition information:
Purchased by the Special Collections Research Center in 2015.
Processing information:

Processing completed by Elizabeth Beckman in June 2016. EAD markup completed by Elizabeth Beckman in June 2016. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in November 2022.

Arrangement:

This is a single item collection.

Physical location:
R 53, C 4, S 2
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard