Betty Garrett Collection

Identity elements

Reference code

US US.INSON Mss 105

Name and location of repository

Level of description

Folder

Title

Betty Garrett Collection

Date(s)

  • 1917 - 1983 (Creation)

Extent

2 linear foot (3 boxes)

Name of creator

Garrett, Betty
(1919-05-23 - 2011-02-12)

Biographical history

Content and structure elements

Scope and content

The collection consists of three boxes of sheet music, lead sheets, manuscripts and arrangements from Garrett’s personal collection. It contains three items of especial note: 1) An ozalid of “It Never Happened Before,” a rare unpublished Rodgers and Hart song. The Library of Congress only has a lead sheet and this is a complete copy. This song has been a mystery for 90 years. 2) “I Know You By Heart,” by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, an unpublished title and an original MGM studio copy. 3) “I Lost You” by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, an unpublished title and an original MGM studio copy.

System of arrangement

The collection is organized in six series: Series 1. Published Sheet Music -- Series 2. Other Published Materials -- Series 3. Photocopies of Published Materials -- Series 4. Lead sheets -- Series 5. Manuscripts and Other Music -- Series 6. Documents.

Conditions of access and use elements

Conditions governing access

All material is open to the public without restriction. Copyright laws of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) govern the making of photocopies or other reproductions.

Physical access

Technical access

Conditions governing reproduction

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Great American Songbook Foundation. Music written prior to 1923 is in the public domain. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives.

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Scripts of the material

Language and script notes

Finding aids

Uploaded finding aid

betty-garrett-sheet-music-collection.pdf

Acquisition and appraisal elements

Custodial history

Collected by Betty Garrett throughout her career. Acknowledgement sent 5/28/2013. Deed of Gift returned 7/8/2013.

Immediate source of acquisition

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

20200612 Completed weeding of collection. Recommend DXing 7 boxes of duplicate materials.

Accruals

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Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

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Related descriptions

Notes element

General note

The Garrett Collection is not exclusively sheet music, it contains a significant amount of manuscripts, photocopies of unique items, and ozolids. The collection must be reprocessed with commercial sheet music separated from unique collection items. Of especial note are three items. 1) An ozalid of “It Never Happened Before,” a rare unpublished Rodgers and Hart song. The Library of Congress only has a lead sheet and this is a complete copy. This song has been a mystery for 90 years. 2) “I Know You By Heart,” by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, an unpublished title and an original MGM studio copy. 3) “I Lost You” by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, an unpublished title and an original MGM studio copy. These three items housed in box 1. – AL 6/18/2024

Specialized notes

  • Processing information: Processed by Anna LoPrete, finished July 31, 2024.

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