David Sarnoff Collection, 1871-1977
Part of collection: David Sarnoff papers (2464-55)
Dates
- Creation: 1871-1977
Historical Note
Sarnoff’s staff assembled many of his papers (including writings, speeches, awards, photographs, correspondence, and press clippings) in bound volumes. Although it’s not clear when this began, a definite procedure was in place by 1949. Sarnoff would select items from his own files, as well as press clippings sent to him from RCA headquarters that he wanted to be included in the volume. His secretary, Ella Helbig, would then send the material and instructions to Harriet Fitzgerald at RCA headquarters. Fitzgerald carefully arranged and labeled the material and sent it out for custom leather bindings or for framing.
Sarnoff oversaw every step of this, including decisions on the colors of the bindings. The completed volumes and framed items would then be sent back to Sarnoff, who kept them in his home. During 1966-1967, the collection was moved to the new David Sarnoff Library.
Scope and Content
The original David Sarnoff Collection consists of hundreds of bound volumes of documents and photographs documenting his career in electronics. Through his writings and speeches, as well as extensive press clippings and biographical material, this record group shows not only what Sarnoff did, but how he wanted to be remembered.
The accession numbers on files in this record group were assigned by the David Sarnoff Library. The two separate listings for books and items were combined in a new numbering system in October 1973. The relatively few items using the later system are identified with the prefix “N” before the accession number.
General Physical Description (AVD portion only)
(AVD portion only) 50 photograph albums : 11 cloth and 17 leather. 7 disbound albums containing about 1568 photographic prints : b&w ; 8 x 10 in. and larger. 45 photographic prints : color ; 8 x 10 in. 166 photographic prints : b&w ; 5 x 7 in. 27 photographic prints : color ; 5 x 7 in. 357 photographic prints : b&w ; 4 x 6 in. and smaller. 65 photographic prints : color ; 4 x 6 in and smaller. 1 vinyl record. Papers, pamphlets, and newspaper articles.
Arrangement
Arranged into two sub-series:
Sub-Series A: Chronological
Sub-series B: Topical
Extent
From the Collection: 124 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Additional Description
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
This collection contains material from the Manuscripts and Archives Department (M&A) and the Audiovisual Collections and Digital Initiatives Department (AVD). Box prefixes indicate which collecting unit holds an individual file or item.
There are no viewing or listening stations for analog audio, video, or film in the reading room. To access this material, please place a digitization request for the item(s).
Film material is housed in cold storage and must reacclimate prior to viewing (Film Cans 1-47). Please contact staff 48 hours in advance of research visit at askhagley@hagley.org
Arrangement
Arranged into two sub-series:
Sub-Series A: Chronological
Sub-series B: Topical
Provenance
When the David Sarnoff Library opened on September 28, 1967, the collection contained over 700 volumes and hundreds of artifacts and framed items. Until his death in 1971, Sarnoff continued to send material to the Library. In his will, Sarnoff donated the collection to the David Sarnoff Research Center. The non-profit David Sarnoff Collection was incorporated in 1972 and assumed ownership of the collection.
Additional donations made by his family and staff shortly after his death were formally donated by RCA in 1977.
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository
