Guide to the Abe Laufe Papers, 1937-1980 CTC.1983.01
- Repository
- ULS Archives & Special Collections
- Title
- Abe Laufe Papers
- Creator
- Laufe, Abe
- Collection Number
- CTC.1983.01
- Extent
- 4 Linear Feet (8 boxes)
- Date
- 1937-1980
- Abstract
- Throughout the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, Abe Laufe was actively interested in musical theater in the United States. He engaged in scholarly research and published several books, gave popular lectures, and composed music. The collection contains manuscripts, revision pages, typescripts, and drafts of all published books and several that were unpublished. It also contains clippings, program announcements, guest books, and other materials chronicling Laufe's career as a popular lecturer on musical subjects.
- Language
- English .
- Publisher
- ULS Archives & Special Collections
- Address
- University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
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Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Biography
Dr. Laufe was born on May 25, 1906 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and was educated at the University of Pittsburgh earning a B.A. in 1928, an M.A. in 1935, and a Ph.D. in 1952. He was active as a public school educator in the Arnold, Pennsylvania, Public School System between 1928 and 1942. In 1942, he joined the United States Army, Special Services, and served with distinction until the end of the war in 1945. He was awarded the Legion of Merit in 1946. After the war he moved to New York City and worked as an editor between 1945 and 1947 and then returned to the University of Pittsburgh. Between 1947 and 1952, he served as a lecturer and then an instructor. In 1953 he was promoted to an Assistant Professor, Associate Professor in 1956, and eventually a full Professor in 1967, serving in that capacity until 1972. Mr. Laufe became a lecturer and radio speaker on theatre, musical comedy, and Hollywood music and continued in that capacity for many years. He was known as Pittsburgh's Victor Borge and authored numerous scholarly books and articles. Mr. Laufe died in Pittsburgh on February 9, 1984 after a long illness.
Scope and Content Notes
The Abe Laufe Papers pertain chiefly to English Professor Laufe's long career as a popular lecturer and author on musical and American theater. These papers document his interest in American popular music, Hollywood music, and Broadway musicals as well as his scholarly contributions. Included are five scrapbooks, additional memorabilia, manuscripts and publications (8 titles), and miscellaneous notes compiled by Dr. Laufe for his lectures. Publications include his own copy of the History of the School of Special Services, U.S. Army 1945, and Easy Swing Time Novelties, 1945. Manuscripts include various drafts of two published works, Broadway's Greatest Musicals and The Wicked Stage, as well as four unpublished works.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in the following series.
Series I. Publications and Manuscripts
Series II. Lecture Notes
Series III. Photographs
Series IV. Scrapbooks
Series V. Miscellaneous Memorabilia
Access Restrictions
No restrictions.
Acquisition Information
Gift of Abe Laufe between 1969-1983. Additional items added by Hannah E. Bechtel in 1984.
Preferred Citation
Abe Laufe Papers, 1937-1969, CTC.1983.01, Curtis Theatre Collection, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Previous Citation
Abe Laufe Papers, 1937-1969, CTC.1983.01, Curtis Theatre Collection, Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh
Abe Laufe Papers, 1937-1969, CTC.16, Curtis Theatre Collection, Special Collections Department, University of Pittsburgh
Related Material
The Curtis scrapbook collection contains two scrapbooks of materials pertaining to Abe Laufe's sister, Anna Laufe Perlow.
Subjects
- Laufe, Abe
- United States -- Intellectual life
- Scrapbooks
- Manuscripts (Documents)
- Notes
- Photographs
- Publications
- Personal papers
- Records (Documents)
- Memorabilia
- Performing arts -- United States
- History of the School of Special Services
- Easy swing time novelties
- Broadway's greatest musicals
- Wicked stage
- Theater
- College teachers -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
- Theater -- United States