Letter to Dorothy Porter from W.C. Handy: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A typed letter in reply to a letter from Dorothy Porter with retained carbon copies of her original letter, written on Handy Brothers letterhead, from W.C. Handy dated March 1, 1939. Handy writes that he has just noticed an earlier request from Porter for some material for Negro History Week. "Although it is too late for Negro History Week, I am sending you material for all times. . ." He goes on to recite a list of publications of music by Negro composers. The back of the letter is blank.

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: March 1, 1939
• Written by: W. C. Handy, American, 1873 - 1958
• Received by: Dorothy Porter, American, 1905 - 1995
• Type: business letters
• Medium: ink on paper
• Dimensions: H x W: 11 x 8 in. (27.9 x 20.3 cm)
• Place depicted: Howard University, Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
• Place depicted: 1587 Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Business
• Topic: Composers (Musicians)
• Topic: Correspondence
• Topic: Education
• Topic: Local and regional
• Object number: 2011.57.33.1
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The displayed image also has an explicit CC0 designation. The underlying object's rights statement is: No Known Copyright Restrictions Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.