Items

• Letter, John Hassett to Miss Marian Anderson, December 31, 1957
  Little is known about John Hassett, the person. The letter was written on proprietor’s stationery for a South Norwalk, Connecticut retail shop specializing in religious goods, greeting cards, novelties, and gift wrapping (HASSETT’S Religious Goods1962).
• Letter, Kathleen Brown to Miss Fisher, November 26, 1954
  A two-page, handwritten letter from music student Kathleen Brown to globally renowned contralto Marian Anderson Fisher (1897-1993). In the letter, Brown describes financial constraints in paying for her tuition at Juilliard School of Music. She asks for Marian Anderson to write a letter to the radio game show “Strike It Rich.”
• Letter, Jane Frink to Miss Marian, September 9, 1974
  Hoosier Jane Frink was an avid singer in high school and college. She garnered numerous awards and medals, according to print media accounts (The Terre Haute Tribune 1974), (The Terre Haute Tribune 1976). She married in 1981, though it was uncertain as to whether her vocal career blossomed (Frink n.d.).
• Letter, Mary Helen Stanek to Marian Anderson, February 21, 1952
  Mary Helen Stanek, age 71 was never married but was a lifelong cat lover (Mary Helen Stanek Obit 1941 ). The birthday card and brief letter was from Mary age 10, of Lehigh, Iowa, to Marian Anderson, dated February 21, 1952. Stanek writes to wish Anderson “years and years of happiness” upon discovering they share the same birthday, February 27th.
• Letter, Dutch Barhydt to Miss Anderson, May 16,1971
  Dutch’s (b. 1958) letter implies that he is a dedicated collector. For a 13 year old (U.S., City Directories: Dirck Barhydt Jr, n.d.), his objective is collecting original signatures from famous and influential people, including presidents and prime ministers. The teenager successfully acquired Miss Anderson’s signature.
• Mrs. M. S. Patterson annual event news clipping
  News clipping about dance recital, "The Unveiling of Spring". Mary Emma Saunders (1872 - 1950) was not widely known beyond Philadelphia's church circles and musical societies. Mrs. Mary Saunders Patterson had cultivated a reputation for nurturing young voices with precision and discipline.