Conservatory Library Special Collections
In Praise of Music:
a Book Arts Sampling
from the
Frederick R. Selch Collection
of American Music History
The Oberlin Conservatory Library announces the opening of an exhibit, “In Praise of Music: a Book Arts Sampling from the Frederick R. Selch Collection of American Music History.” The exhibit will be on display at Oberlin College’s Mudd Center (first floor) from September 20 until December 10, 2010.
Frederick R. Selch was a collector, scholar, performer, advertising executive, Broadway musical producer, Ovation magazine publisher and editor. He also organized musical events and exhibitions (including two at New York’s Grolier Club), and created and served as president and artistic director of the Federal Music Society. He enjoyed binding books, arranging music as well as building and repairing musical instruments. Selch was a lecturer and teacher, a great party giver, and most of all beloved raconteur, who knew something about almost any subject, earning a Ph.D. at New York University in American studies just before his death, having written a highly praised dissertation: “Instrumental Accompaniments for Yankee Hymn Tunes, 1760-1840.” In short, Eric (as he was known) did it all.
Eric Selch the collector is recognized in this exhibition. Featuring a selection of first and early edition books, instruments, paintings and prints representative of his collection, the exhibit depicts the following themes:
Case 1. Monuments on Musical Instruments
Case 3. No Two Copies of an Early Title are the Same
Case 5. The Evolution of Music Printing
Patricia Bakwin Selch, his wife, and their family gave Oberlin the collection comprising more than 700 instruments; 6,000 books, manuscripts and printed music; as well as paintings, prints, drawings, and photographs depicting musical subjects from all corners of the world, but focused primarily on American music. To find items from the collection already cataloged in OBIS, conduct an author search for Selch (Frederick R.) Collection of American Music History.
For additional information about the Frederick R. Selch Collection of American Music History, see the Oberlin Conservatory Magazine (2008).
For additional information on bookmaking and binding from Barbara Lambert, Curator of the Selch Collection, see her document, The Book as Material Culture: the parts of books, processes of bookmaking and book coverings.
Other links to Oberlin's music special collections:
Annapolis Brass Quintet Collection
Best / Shaw / Morrison Autograph & Photo Collection of Musicians and Composers
Roderic C. Knight Musical Instrument Collection
Violin Society of America / H. K. Goodkind Collection