Stephen Foster Collection and archive

The collection consists of documents and other items of historical interest related to the life and work of Stephen Foster.

[2] The process of assembling the collection was methodical, well-organized and funded by various non-governmental and governmental sources.

Its construction reflects the same style as the Cathedral of Learning, and Heinz Chapel on the University of Pittsburgh's campus.

[4] In 1930, Josiah Kirby Lilly began collecting all forms of Foster's music, letters, furniture, original manuscripts and instruments.

Then in 1932 Josiah Kirby Lilly pledged more than 10,000 Foster items to form the initial archive collection.

Creating the new discography was aided by collectors throughout the United States and in foreign countries.

[8] One the collections notable recordings was a brown Wax Cylinder (c.1895) from Wheeling, WV.

[8] Research into creating a new, authoritative and complete discography included the review of marketing materials of the Edison Amberol record supplements were published every month from 1906 to the 1920s by the Edison Record sales staff in Orange, NJ, The purpose of the promotional materials was to keep the public and recording retailers up to date on the newest Edison releases.

His marketing materials were helpful in expanding the discography and identified marches by Sousa, a recitation by Davenport), violin solos by Spaulding, orchestra selections such as Herbert's Operetta Little Nemo, and a ballad by tenor Will Oakland (Just Before the Battle Mother).

[8] Though today recording companies are generally cooperative, creating a comprehensive discography was hampered by the usual business practices of controlling costs and the lack of financial incentives in the preservation of commercial record companies.

The collection includes the acoustic recordings made in US during these years and are cataloged in a discography.

The long playing albums (70 rpm), made of shellac, of the music were also transferred to audio cassettes.