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Dorothy Lefler Sitton Music Collection

 Collection
Identifier: A3168

Scope and Contents

The collection contains music ephemera collected by Dorothy Lefler Sitton dating from 1937 to approximately 1965. The earliest items bear the name Dorothy Lefler; a later item dated after 1947 is inscribed “Dorothy Sitton.” The collection is arranged chronologically. The earliest item is a card logging lesson payments to the William A. Lewis Music Studio paid from April 1937 to April 1938 for Miss Dorothy Lefler. A small bound record book with no inscription is labeled "Musical Notes,” which were given by William. A. Lewis. It contains lesson notes dating from October 1937 to February 1938. Lewis’s entries in city directories list his occupation as music arranger, musician, or music teacher. He worked from his residence at 3314 South Grand Boulevard. A spiral notebook of music paper, "Mel Bay's Student Spiral Manuscript Book," contains handwritten copies of gospel songs. This notebook belonged to Dorothy Sitton. It was published by Mel Bay Publications, Inc., of Pacific, Missouri, which was founded in 1947 by Mel Bay (1913-1997). Bay was a native Missouri guitarist who published instructional books for guitar students which are estimated to have sold over 20 million copies. More ephemeral items include advertisements, an envelope, and business cards. There are detached covers with ads for music stores in St. Louis including the Ludwig Music House, Inc. (709 Pine St.) and the Hunleth Music Co., “the largest music house in St. Louis,” (514-516 Locust St.). There is an empty mailing envelope sent to Dorothy Sitton from the Shattinger Music Co. (Paul Brown Bldg., 818 Olive St). The business cards include two for Buddy Russell and his Orchestra (Pennsylvania?) and one for Music Lessons from Jay & Nancy Jean Krull (4415 Alaska St.).

Dates

  • 1937-ca. 1965

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is in English.

Conditions Governing Use

For permission to publish, quote from, or reproduce material in this collection, please contact the Archives Reference Desk at archives@mohistory.org. Copyright restrictions may apply. The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming to the laws of copyright.

Biographical Sketch

There is little information available about Dorothy Lefler Sitton. The St. Louis Globe-Democrat reported on June 18, 1939, that Miss Dorothy L. Lefler (of 1508 Cecelia, Brentwood) and Mr. Howard A. Sitton (3640 Marine, St. Louis) had applied for a marriage license. The St. Louis City Directory records that the Sittons resided at 3615 Alberta Street in 1944.

Extent

0.08 Cubic Feet ( (1 folder))

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

The collection is arranged chronologically.

Physical and Technical Requirements

There are no physical or technical restrictions.

Donor Information

The collection was donated by Deborah Kurzhels in 2020 (accession number 2020-096).

Processing Information

Processed with funding from The Stuart Foundation, Inc. by Kristina Perez, 2021.

Creator

Title
Dorothy Lefler Sitton Music Collection
Status
Completed
Author
EAD by Kristina Perez using ArchivesSpace
Date
2021
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Missouri Historical Society Library and Research Center Repository

Contact:
225 S. Skinker Blvd.
St. Louis MO 63105 United States
314-746-4510