[78-L] wanted EJs biography Edward J Smith Eddie Smith

[Donna Halper]

On 3/31/2023 10:00 AM, Kristjan Saag wrote:
> Jenny Lind recording?
> That would have made him famous.

Seems like a one-of-a-kind item, evidently. So, Smith was not only known 
for having worked for numerous music magazines as a critic and an 
editor. He was also a record collector, and according to the article I 
cited in my previous email, his collection included many rare items. As 
I mentioned, Smith and Wysor traveled to events together-- she sang, and 
he gave educational presentations. The one scheduled for this time 
around--early April 1950-- was called "The Golden Age of Song." In this 
talk, taking place at Mary Washington College (where Miss Wysor had 
taught previously music), Smith was planning to "illustrate his talk 
with a group of recordings which will include a rare one of Jenny Lind, 
the only recording of her voice believed in existence outside the 
Swedish royal family." The article further goes on to note that Smith 
had a record collection of "38,000 items, one of the greatest 
collections in this country, drawing on personal acquaintances with many 
of the artists represented." Given that both Smith and Wysor did some 
presentations and taught courses at Mary Washington College 
(Fredericksburg, VA?), perhaps their archivist has further information, 
assuming the college still exists.

-- 
Donna L. Halper, PhD
Associate Professor of Communication & Media Studies
Lesley University, Cambridge MA