Manuscripts Department
Library of the University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill
SOUTHERN HISTORICAL COLLECTION
#4561
ADOLPH BREGMAN PAPERS
Initial Inventory
Abstract: Adolph Bregman (1890-1951), metallurgist with a
specialization in non-ferreous metals, whose avocation
was collecting and performing folk songs from all
parts of the United States.
Chiefly words and music to songs collected by
Adolph Bregman, many of which were published in Songs
of American Folk (John Day Company, 1942), co-authored
by Satis N. Coleman of the Lincoln School of Teachers
College, N.Y. The book includes discussion of English
folksongs in the United States, spirituals, and
African-American music. Also included are notes on
folk songs, scripts written by Bregman for a 1930s
radio show about folk music, and a small number of
photographs of Bregman, his friends, and family.
Online Catalog Terms:
Afro-Americans--Music.
Bregman, Adolph, 1890-1951.
Bregman, Adolph, 1890-1951. Songs of American folk.
Folk music--United States.
Folk songs--United States.
Folk songs, English--United States.
Spirituals (Songs).
Size: About 650 items (1.5 linear feet).
Provenance: Received from Cynthia Bregman King of Fripp
Island, S.C., in April 1989.
Access: RESTRICTED: Pending processing, may be used only
with special staff assistance.
Processing Note: Paper extremely fragile throughout.
Copyright: Retained by the authors of items in these papers, or
their descendants, as stipulated by United States
copyright law.
Table of Contents:
Description
Shelf List
DESCRIPTION
The collection has been divided into two series: Series 1
consists of the words and music to songs collected by Bregman;
Series 2 consists of other materials as detailed below.
Biographical information about Bregman may be found in folder 10,
and an extensive sketch of his life, written by his daughter,
Cynthia Bregman King, is available from the staff.
Series 1. Collected Songs
Undated. About 500 items.
Handwritten and printed versions of songs collected by Bregman
from various sources. Many of these songs, especially those in
folders 8 and 9, appeared in Songs of American Folk.
Folders 1-9
Series 2. Other Items
1920s-1940s. About 150 items.
Folder 10 Pages from a scrapbook, compiled by Cynthia
Bregman King, containing photographs and other
items relating to Bregman's interest in folk
music. Also included are short writings by King
about her father.
Folders 11-12 Scripts written by Bregman for David Dickon's
radio program, "Parade of American Songs,"
broadcast weekly over WEVD, New York, in the early
1930s.
Folder 13 Songs of American Folk: Words and Music of Forty-
seven American Folksongs, the Best of a Collection
Gathered During Thirty Years, by Satis N. Coleman
and Adolph Bregman (New York: John Day, 1942).
Folders 14-15 Correspondence and other materials, much of which
is related to the publication of Songs of American
Folk.
Folder 16 Miscellaneous materials, including notes, printed
and handwritten song lists, and newsletters
relating to folk songs and singing.
SHELF LIST
Box 1 (only)