archives.nypl.org -- Margaret Carson papers (original) (raw)

The Margaret Carson Papers consist of files devoted to her publicity work with classical musicians such as Leonard Bernstein, Michael Tilson Thomas, and Barry Tuckwell; and organizations such as the Metropolitan Opera, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the New England Conservatory, and the New World Symphony. The majority of these materials date from the 1970s-1990s. Many of her early clients are not well documented. The Papers mainly consist of media clippings, correspondence, promotional material, press kits, photographs, concert programs and artist itineraries. Leonard Bernstein was one of Carson’s most important clients; papers concerning him make up the largest portion of the collection devoted to a single artist. There are few personal materials in the collection.

The Margaret Carson papers are arranged in four series:

• 1938 - 2006 and undated
  7 boxes
  This series consists of general files kept by the Carson Office, such as clippings and subject-specific folders used for research purposes. It documents Margaret Carson’s career primarily through her correspondence and photographs.
• 1944 - 2006 and undated
  39 boxes
  This series documents Carson’s publicity work for Leonard Bernstein during the last twenty years of his life and details much of the effort behind maintaining his legacy. There are six sub-series: Biographical Materials, Correspondence, Concerts, Productions, Speeches and Writings, and Clippings.
• 1935 - 2007 and undated
  59 boxes
  A typical client file in this series consists of biographies, correspondence, press kits and releases, programs, promotional materials, schedules, photographs, and clippings. Much of the correspondence is between the Carson Office and people or organizations involved with the particular client, although some folders contain letters between Carson and her client. Some files are for artists who were only prospective clients, and never engaged Carson’s services. Clients with substantial documentation include Antonio de Almeida, Alfred Brendel, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Benny Goodman, Neville Marriner, Mitch Miller, the Metropolitan Opera, the New World Symphony, the New England Conservatory, the Pacific Music Festival, Paul Sperry, Michael Tilson Thomas and Barry Tuckwell.
• 1951 - 1997 and undated
  6 boxes
  This series contains photographs, publications, posters, promotional material and scrapbooks (composed mainly of clippings). Some items are inscribed and/or autographed.