Martin Cohen theater collection

Access and use

Location of collection:
George Mason University
2400 Fenwick Library
Special Collections Research Center
Fenwick Library MS2FL
George Mason University
Fairfax, VA 22030
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Mieko Palazzo
Phone: (703) 993-2220
Fax: (703) 993-2669
Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions.

Terms of access:

The copyright and related rights status of this collection have not been evaluated (See http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/)

Materials created prior to 1925 are in the Public Domain. These materials have no known restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Martin Cohen theater collection, C0335, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Summary

Extent:
15 Linear Feet 18 boxes, 6 map cases, 2 triangle boxes
Creator:
Cohen, Martin B.
Abstract:
The Martin Cohen theater collection contains material pertaining to musical theater, stage performances, and motion picture film. It primarily includes playbills, sheet music, and film posters, as well as as comic books, animation film cells, memorabilia, and toys.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Martin Cohen theater collection, C0335, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains primarily collectible material from various stage performances and motion picture filmmaking. Stage performance includes playbills and programs from the performances Cohen attended, often including ticket stubs from the performance, and other programs related to different venues in the Washington, D.C. area. There are numerous film posters of various sizes used to advertise upcoming films, and pressbooks to accompany film marketing. There are pages and books of sheet music from a variety of films and musicals. There are some personal papers as well, including a term paper written by Cohen, theater magazines, comic books, photographs, and a record album scrapbook. Among the artifacts included in this collection are a number of projectors and cameras for film, animation films cells, and toys.

Biographical / historical:

Martin B. Cohen was born in Albany, New York, the son of David and Betty Cohen. He began his career as a teacher at Giffen Elementary School and Hackett Middle School in Albany, New York. He later obtained a master's degree from Cornell University and a Ph.D. from George Washington University. Following his graduate education, Cohen became a professor of American history at George Mason University. He taught at George Mason University for 35 years. Cohen enjoyed travel and theather and was engaged as a lecturer and collector of the arts. Cohen passed away at the age of 81 on March 24, 2019. He is interred in the Beth Emeth Cemetery in Loudonville, New York.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Randolph Lytton in 2019.
Processing information:

Processing completed by Kelsey Kim in March 2022. Arrangement decisions were made in conjunction with Elizabeth Beckman. The collection was surveyed and arranged by format, including alphabetizing of the playbills based upon their extent. EAD markup by Elizabeth Beckman in March 2022.

Additional processing and finding aid updates completed by Amanda Menjivar in May 2022. Inventory updated by Amanda Menjivar with assistance from Madeline Puppos in August 2023.

Arrangement:

Arranged into five series based on format.

Series
  1. Series 1: Playbills, 1936-2017 (Boxes 1-12)
  2. Series 2: Sheet Music, 1912-1969 (Boxes 12-13)
  3. Series 3: Personal Papers, 1915-1996 (Boxes 13-14)
  4. Series 4: Posters, 1816-2013 (Map Case 32.5, Tubes 1-17, Box 16)
  5. Series 5: Artifacts, 1915-1955 (Boxes 15, 17-18, Map Case 32.4)
Physical location:
R 72, C 2, S 7-C 3, S 4 MC 16.3, 16.4, 16.5, 32.4, 32.5, 34.5 RSR 7.1, 8.1, 8.4
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard