Josef Hofmann collection (MSS 50)

Collection

Identifier: MSS 50

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Letters from Hofmann to Mary Louise Curtis Bok prior to his appointment as director of Curtis as well as letters and postcards to Bok's sons Curtis and Cary, photographs, and publicity materials.

Dates

Creation: 1906-1998

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research with the exception of Hofmann's correspondence with Cary Bok (series 2), per donor request.

Biographical note

Polish-born child prodigy Josef Hofmann was a concert pianist, composer, and inventor who came to the United States during the First World War. Through his close friendship with Mary Louise Curtis Bok, founder of the Curtis Institute of Music, he was appointed head of the school's piano department in 1924. In 1927 he was elevated to the position of director of Curtis, a position he held until 1938 when financial cutbacks at Curtis caused him to depart.

Extent

0.5 Linear feet (2 archival boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

The collection is arranged into the following series: 1. Correspondence with Mary Louise Curtis Bok 2. Correspondence with Cary Bok 3. Correspondence with Curtis Bok 4. Photographs 5. Programs, clippings, and commemorative materials

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The collection is comprised of two gifts of A. Margaret Bok in 2002 and 2009.

Related Materials

Additional correspondence between Mary Louise Curtis Bok as Curtis President and Josef Hofmann can be found among the Founders Papers under Hofmann, Josef (1924-1942); Directors Office (1933-1938); and Director's Reports--Josef Hofmann (1927-1935).

Clippings concerning Joseph Hofmann are to be found in the Vertical files collection. Additional photos of Joseph Hofmann can be found in the Photograph collection. For correspondence between Hofmann and William Strasser see the William Strasser papers (MSS 38)