Joseph Muller Collection of music and other portraits. [ca.1700-1939]

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Joseph Muller Collection of music and other portraits. [ca.1700-1939]

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/79468895

In 1932 Carlton Sprague Smith (then Chief of the Music Division) outlined a plan for the growth of the division's collections that contained, among other initiatives, the creation of an iconography department within the Music Division. Inspiration for the proposal came from Smith's acquaintance with Joseph Muller, a private collector, who reportedly had the largest and most valuable collection of musical iconography in the country. Muller's support of Smith's proposal resulted in Muller's joining the Music Division staff on July 1, 1934. Muller not only helped to build the Iconography Collection but also soon became the Curator of the Americana Section, a newly established collection. Muller's impressive collection of prints, manuscripts, scores, books, and other musical material came to the Music Division in 1940 after his death. Later, the Division dispersed the images from Muller's donation - many joined the general Iconography Collection or its clipping files; those deemed most valuable became part of what is known today as the Muller Collection.

ca. 6,100 items in 308 boxes.

New York Public Library System, NYPL

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SNAC Resource ID: 8233582

New York Public Library System, NYPL

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Muller, Joseph, 1877-1939.

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6rf6kw3 (person)

Born of German-Belgian parents, Joseph Muller (b. Frankfurt-am-Main, 1877?; d. Closter, NJ, May 9, 1939), who started collecting during his student days, studied violin at the Brussels Conservatory, where, as a student of Alexandre CorneĢlis, he won first prize (with distinction) in July 1895 .His love of travel led him to a career as a ship's steward. During his many travels he sought out print dealers worldwide, adding to his growing collection. He collected music manu...