The collection is arranged in three archival series as follows: Series 1 Papers, Series 2 Photographs, Series 3 Audiovisual Materials. Series level descriptions outline physical arrangement at lower levels.
The John Reynolds Collection received minimal-level processing treatment in May-June 2016. The collection will require intermediate- to full-level processing in the future.
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Series 1 consists of folders of papers arranged alphabetically by subject or proper name. The materials document Lead Belly's music, personal life, and career. The folders also include documents related to other people connected to Lead Belly or inspired by Lead Belly. Formats include clippings (newspaper, magazine, newsletters), correspondence, articles (academically focused articles in scholarly journals or published by institutions, book excerpts, longer profiles in magazines), reviews, transcripts, reminiscences, interviews, essays, internet printouts, journals, magazines, booklets, photocopies of photographs, photographs, slides, artwork, poems, sheet music, song lyrics, album liner notes, concert programs, other event programs, concert promotional materials, marketing materials, radio scripts, play scripts, financial documents, legal documents, prison records, FBI files, census records, personal items, and ephemera. Original materials and copied materials are interfiled throughout the folders. Many of the original documents are fragile or in poor condition.
The fourteen folders associated with the "Chronological Binder" contain material originally found in a three-ring binder, but were removed for preservation purposes. These folders relate to the life and career of Lead Belly and are organized chronologically as a timeline of Lead Belly's life. Some material in these folders may have been written or published after the time frame indicated on the folder.
File contains clippings, correspondence, photocopies of photographs.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, photocopies of photographs, magazines.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, "Il Blues" journal, CD insert, flyer.
File contains magazine clipping, correspondence.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, photocopies of photographs, photocopies of artworks, auction & exhibition catalog pages, color photographs, a print.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, photocopies of artworks, color photograph, handpainted internegative
File contains correspondence, clippings, articles, book excerpt, photocopies of photographs, performance program, contract.
File contains correspondence, essay on Lead Belly.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, newsletter.
File contains clippings, articles, book excerpts, newsletters, flyers, label copies, album liner notes.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, reviews, press release.
File contains clippings, correspondence, receipts.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, photocopy of photograph, royalty statement.
File contains clippings, articles.
File contains handwritten notes, clippings, correspondence, reminisces, TX Prison records, song lyrics, list of songs.
File contains clippings, photocopies of photographs, transcripts of news articles, news release, meeting minutes.
File contains handwritten notes, clippings, photocopies of photographs, transcripts of news articles, envelope.
File contains handwritten notes, interviews, transcripts of news articles, radio scripts, insurance certificate.
File contains handwritten notes, clippings, correspondence, transcripts of news articles, radio scripts, concert flyer.
File contains handwritten notes, clippings, correspondence, transcripts of news articles, song lyrics/poem.
File contains handwritten notes, correspondence, photocopies of photographs, transcripts of news articles.
File contains handwritten notes, clippings, correspondence, articles, transcripts of news articles, tentative outline of performance, advertisement.
File contains clippings, correspondence, press release, contract, paystubs, receipts bank account passbook pages, concert promotional material, concert program.
File contains handwritten notes, clippings, correspondence, copies of passport pages, concert program, award certificate, telephone bill.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, photocopies of photographs, reminisce by Pete Seeger, receipt, memorial concert program.
File contains handwritten notes, clippings, correspondence, reminisces, song lyrics.
File contains clipping, correspondence, articles, concert program.
File contains handwritten notes, clippings, correspondence, essay on Lead Belly.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, book excerpt, newsletter, sheet music, concert flyers.
File contains handwritten notes, clippings, transcript of news article, correspondence, reviews, sheet music, contract, radio script, TV commercial storyboard, invitation, copy of medical examiner's report on Elvis Presley.
File contains clippings, correspondence, photocopies of photographs, reminisces, articles, bibliography, play script excerpt, advertisement, copy of award certificate.
File contains news and magazine clippings, reviews, correspondence, reminisces, handwritten notes, photocopies of photographs, concert flyers, copy of award certificate, contract, copy of bus ticket, photocopy of album cover, record recording session list.
File contains news and magazine clippings, review, articles, correspondence, reminisces, color photographs, black & white photograph, negatives, photocopies of photographs, concert programs, concert flyers, copy of map, transcript of news reel, copy of art catalog page, "Record Research" magazine April/May 1959 issue.
File contains clippings, correspondence, advertisement.
File contains magazines.
File contains magazines.
File contains correspondence, writers' contract, invoice.
File contains news concert programs, concert flyers, clippings, correspondence, advertisements, posters, convention schedule/program of events, order form, album liner notes, album description.
File contains certified copy of abstract from marriage license, clippings, correspondence, articles, photocopy of photograph, color photographs, illustrated postcard, invitation.
File contains contracts, royalty statements, clippings, correspondence, pay stubs, check stubs, receipts, invoices, box ofice statement, copyright registration certificate, life insurance certificate, recording session track notes.
File contains correspondence, post cards, envelopes, union membership card, union dues statement, Income Tax Statement of Witholding, telephone bill, booklet. ( Many items of correspondence in this folder are fan letters.)
File contains handwritten essay on Lead Belly, correspondence, photocopy of photograph of artwork, photocopy of artwork, photograph, reminisces, concert programs, concert promotional materials, set list, lease, box office statement, marketing material, label copies, sheet music.
File contains performance program, clippings, correspondence, articles, photocopies of photographs
File contains correspondence, calling card, envelope.
File contains correspondence, FBI files, fingerprint record, magazine clipping,
File contains clippings, articles, reviews, production information.
File contains clippings, articles, songbook, concert promotional materials, performance programs, album liner notes.
File contains correspondence, marketing materials, draft author publisher agreement, news clipping.
File contains photocopy of death certificate, clippings, correspondence, photocopies of photographs, black & white photograph, color photographs, church programs, flyers, spreadsheet.
File contains clippings, correspondence, essay on Lead Belly song.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, photocopies of photographs, 2 slides, performance programs, album liner notes, "Folk Style" journal, "People's Song" journal, essay on Lead Belly by Woody Guthrie.
File contains clippings, book excerpts, advertisements.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, photocopies of comic strip, color photographs, book excerpts, sheet music, album liner notes, copy of certificate of achievement, advertisements.
File contains clippings, articles, advertisement.
File contains magazine clipping.
File contains clippings, correspondence, timeline, color photograph.
File contains clippings, articles, photocopies of photographs, book excerpts, interview transcript, newspaper supplement.
File contains clippings, articles, magazines.
File contains clipping, articles.
File contains clippings, correspondence, leaflet, play script.
File contains Lead Belly Anniversary Project book.
File contains correspondence, copy of marriage license, photocopies of photographs, clippings, black & white photograph, poems, receipts, bookmarks, spiral notebook, composition book.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, photocopies of photographs, promotional materials, photocopy of book jacket, brochures, album liner notes, interview transcript, magazine.
File contains clippings, author publisher contract, royalty statements, book excerpts, copies of dust jacket, cartoon, brochure.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, photocopies of photographs, biographical sketch, poems, invitation, program, chronology.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, promotional materials, book excerpts, research paper on Lead Belly.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, photocopy of mug shot, LA State Prison Records.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, map of Caddo Parrish, copy of marriage license, book excerpt.
File contains clippings, correspondence, photocopies of photographs, census records, copies of marriage licenses.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, photocopies of photographs, news release, festival program booklet, notes.
File contains receipt, magazine article.
File contains clippings, correspondence, copy of plane ticket.
File contains clippings, correspondence, copy of plane tickets, receipt.
File contains article.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, photocopies of photographs, advertisements, press release, poem, comic strip, receipt, contract, meeting minutes, street map, radio script, copy of police record, transcripts of news articles.
File contains book review, comic strip, clipping, photocopies of photographs.
File contains clippings, correspondence, telegrams, photocopies of photographs, transcript of eulogy.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, photographs, memorial service program, theatre program, concert program, photocopy of drawing, promotional materials packet including biographical sketch.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, photocopies of photographs, copy of passport pages, drawing, performance programs, advertisements, booklet, song lyrics.
File contains clippings.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, photocopies of poems.
File contains radio scripts, song/ set list.
File contains correspondence, articles, transcript of recorded interview, album liner notes.
File contains clippings of reviews and articles, album liner notes, discography, press release.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, American Music Masters Program of Events booklet.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, song lyrics, sheet music, map, essay on "Rock Island Line".
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, concert flyer, DVD cover, album liner notes, essay on Lead Belly by Pete Seeger.
File contains correspondence, book excerpt.
File contains clipping, correspondence, "Skiffle Party" magazine.
File contains newsletters, "Skiffle: The Roots of British Rock" book.
File contains clippings, correspondence, concert poster, internet search results printout.
File contains skiffle society magazines.
File contains clippings, biographical sketch.
File contains clippings, articles, drawing, photograph.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, marketing materials, poem, "Acoustic Guitar" magazine May/ June 1995 issue.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, transcript of remembrance of Lead Belly.
File contains clippings, correspondence, articles, TX State Prison records, copies of Governor's Proclamation of a pardon, song lyrics, transcript of remembrance of Lead Belly.
File contains clippings, correspondence.
File contains correspondence, art exhibition materials, news clipping, "Aunt Sally's Policy Players' Dream Book and Wheel of Fortune" book.
File contains clippings, correspondence, photocopies of photographs, postage stamps, First Day of Issue Ceremony program, postage stamp mock ups, wall poster.
File contains clippings, correspondence, article, radio script, copy of train ticket.
File contains clippings, advertisements, press release, "Teacher's Guide-A Tribute to Woody Guthrie & Lead Belly" book.
File contains clippings, photocopies of photographs, copy of marriage license, copy of picture of marriage certificate.
File contains clippings, typed summary/overview of "Native Son".
Series 2 consists of folders of photographs and negatives that depict Lead Belly's career, personal life, family and legacy. Images include portraits of Lead Belly, Lead Belly performing, Lead Belly with his wife, Lead Belly with family and friends. Photograph subjects also include Lead Belly family members, Martha Leadbetter (Lead Belly's wife), John Reynolds, Robert Plant, artwork, guitars, locations where Lead Belly visited or performed, Lead Belly's grave, statue, and historical marker.
File contains black & white photographs, negatives. Includes images of Lead Belly with family at concerts.
File contains black & white photographs, negatives. Includes images of Lead Belly's wedding and portraits
File contains black & white photographs, photocopies of photographs, negatives. Images inclded of Lead Belly. Depicted alone, with friends, and with wife.
File contains black & white photographs, negatives. Images include portraits of Lead Belly including mug shot.
File contains black & white photographs, photocopies of photographs. Images include Lead Belly in concert and Lead Belly family members.
File contains black & white photographs, color photographs, photocopies of photographs, correspondence. Images include Lead Belly in concert and portraits.
File contains 4x5 color photographs, 8x10 black & white photograph of Robert Plant, photocopies of photographs, envelope. Description: Photos depicting locations where Lead Belly visited or performed.; photos of Lead Belly grave, statue, and historical marker.
Series 3 consists of audiovisual materials. Formats include 45 RPM records, video tapes, audio cassettes, compact disc. Content includes song recordings, TV programs, radio programs, panel discussion, memorial dedication.
File contains 11 45 RPM records of songs, including Lead Belly songs, recorded by the following people: Joe Turner, Lonnie Donegan, Don Cornell, Chas. McDevitt, Les Paul and Mary Ford, Gordon Jenkins and His Orchestra and The Weavers, and Roger Williams
File contains 4 VHS video tapes with the following titles: Lead Belly on "Newsnight" BBC2 TC 12/7/99, Lead Belly Sings to School Children 1991, Alan Lomax - PBS, and Lead Belly Memorial Dedication 18 Apr 93.
File contains 9 cassette tapes with the following labels: Goodnight Irene, Jack Kerouac on Lead Belly WBAI radio interviews 7/89, Lead Belly Society Radio 10/23/91, Lead Belly Radio Q104FM 10-23-91, Lead Belly: National Treasure - Panel Discussion at Folk Alliance Conference Memphis: Feb 1998, Lead Belly BBC, Alan Lomax NPR Interview, LB/Lomax, and Danish Radio Interview May 1991/ Thompson Family Favorites.
File contains 1 CD " I Don't Want to Take Nothing With Me When I'm Gone" -Angelo Rossi.