Selections from the Tanner Papers

Allen C. Tanner (1898-1987) was an Illinois-born pianist. At fifteen he was awarded a scholarship to study music in Chicago where he met Margaret Anderson, founder of the Little Review. Tanner then moved to New York City where he performed in musical salons and accompanied many musical greats of the era. In 1922, Tanner left for Berlin, where he met Russian artist Pavel Tchelitchew and the two men became lovers. In 1924 the pair moved to Paris to pursue their artistic careers, and became great friends with Gertrude Stein and Edith Sitwell. When Tanner and Tchelitchew ended their relationship in 1934, Tanner returned to the United States. In 1967 he released the album Allen Tanner Plays Bach, Debussy, Scriabin, Granados, Rachmaninoff, Liszt, and Steinert.

The collection contains correspondence, writings, programs and publicity, news clippings, financial documents, sheet music, sound recordings, photographs, and books. Some of that material has been digitized and is available below. For more information about Tanner and the entire collection, please see this post and the collection inventory.

Tanner Portrait

Browse Selections from the Tanner Papers

Woman’s Christian Temperance Union program
1907

This Woman’s Christian Temperance Union program from Mt. Vernon, Illinois contains psalms, a schedule of meetings, and a roster of the...

"Mary Garden as Salome" clipping from unknown publication
1909

This is a reproduced image of opera singer Mary Garden as Salome.

Southern Illinois Interscholastic Athletic Contest program
May 7, 1915

This brochure contains the roster of participants and the order of track and field events for the seventh Southern Illinois Interscholastic...

Location: MC 2013.3, B6, F14

Subject: Sport and Recreation

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Time Period: 1900-1919

View Item: PDF icon Southern Illinois Interscholastic Athletic Contest program

"Thumb Better Than Candle for Testing Out Voices" clipping from unknown newspaper
December 4, 1915

In this newspaper clipping, Hanna Butler, prima donna of the Auditorium Hotel, offers advice for how singers can test their tone using their thumb...

I. J. Paderewski recital program
January 2, 1916

This program is for Polish pianist Ignacy Jan Paderewski's recital at Orchestra Hall in Chicago in 1916.

Location: MC 2013.3, B5, F5

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Time Period: 1900-1919

View Item: PDF icon I. J. Paderewski recital program

Mt. Vernon, Illinois First Methodist Episcopal Church bulletin
December 1918

This bulletin for the Mt. Vernon First Methodist Episcopal Church advertises prayer meetings and worship services at the church, including the...

Concert for the benefit of the Permanent Blind Relief War Fund program
March 23, 1919

This is a concert program for a performance Marguerite Namara and Allen Tanner gave to raise money for the Permanent Blind Relief War Fund for the...

Permanent Blind Relief War Fund program
March 23, 1919

This is the cover of a program for a concert to support the Permanent Blind Relief War Fund for the Soldiers and Sailors of the Allies.

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F50

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Time Period: 1900-1919

View Item: PDF icon Permanent Blind Relief War Fund program

Provincetown Players’ Theatre-Club program
February 2 [c.1920]

This program is for Allen Tanner and Harold Barton's joint recital at the Provincetown Players' Theatre-Club on February 2nd. The year is unknown...

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F58

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Time Period: 1920-1939

View Item: PDF icon Provincetown Players’ Theatre-Club program

Grand Ballet program
March 18 [c.1920]

This program is for the Grand Ballet on March 18th. The year is unknown, but approximated. Pavel Tchelitchew is listed as the decor and costume...

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F60

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Time Period: 1920-1939

View Item: PDF icon Grand Ballet program

Provincetown Theatre recital program
March 28 [c.1920]

This program is for a song recital by Marguerite d'Alvarez, accompanied by Allen Tanner, at the Provincetown Theatre on March 28th. The year is...

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F59

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Time Period: 1920-1939

View Item: PDF icon Provincetown Theatre recital program

Globe Music Club concert program
June 20, 1920

This program is for a concert in which Allen Tanner, Marguerite Namara, and others performed at the Globe Music Club in New York City.

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F51

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Time Period: 1920-1939

View Item: PDF icon Globe Music Club concert program

"whole story, either, although…" clipping from unknown newspaper
1922

This partial newspaper clipping offers a brief biography of singer Alice Miriam.

"Miss Alice Miriam, Opera Singer, Dies" clipping from unknown newspaper
March 23, 1922

This is an obituary for Alice Miriam of the Metropolitan Opera.

"Opera Singer Dies After Operations" clipping from unknown newspaper
July 1922

This is an obituary for Alice Miriam, Metropolitan Opera soprano.

Alice Miriam obituary clipping from unknown newspaper
July 24, 1922

This is a brief obituary, with photo, of soprano Alice Miriam.

Location: MC 2013.3, B5, F15

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Format: Newspapers and Magazines

Time Period: 1920-1939

View Item: PDF icon Alice Miriam obituary clipping from unknown newspaper

Allen Tanner passport
December 2, 1922

This item is pianist Allen Tanner's passport.

Location: MC 2013.3, B5, F55

Subject: Travel and Tourism

Format: Legal and Government Documents

Time Period: 1920-1939

View Item: PDF icon Allen Tanner passport

Cours de Piano advertisement
circa 1925

This advertisement is for Allen Tanner's piano lessons.

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F52

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Time Period: 1920-1939

View Item: PDF icon Cours de Piano advertisement

Allen Tanner Pianiste brochure
circa 1925

This brochure offers a brief biography of pianist Allen Tanner, and advertises his services as a piano teacher and singing coach.

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F52

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Time Period: 1920-1939

View Item: PDF icon Allen Tanner Pianiste brochure

"Allen Tanner Pianiste"
April 26, 1929

This program is for one of Allen Tanner's piano concert performances.

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F53

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Time Period: 1920-1939

View Item: PDF icon "Allen Tanner Pianiste"

Laurent Novikoff brochure
1931

This brochure advertises Russian ballet dancer Laurent Novikoff's services as a coach for classes and private lessons in ballet training,...

Location: MC 2013.3, B5, F4

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Time Period: 1920-1939

View Item: PDF icon Laurent Novikoff brochure

"Allen Tanner the young pianist…" Chicago Herald and Examiner newspaper clipping
April 28, 1935

This news clipping describes a recital by Allen Tanner after his return from Europe.

Mrs. McAllister’s First Musical Morning program
November 4, 1937

This program is for Mrs. McAllister's First Musical Morning at the Copley Plaza in Boston, Massachusetts. Allen Tanner is listed as Marguerite d'...

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F57

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Time Period: 1920-1939

View Item: PDF icon Mrs. McAllister’s First Musical Morning program

Howard Gartner, Baritone brochure
circa 1938

This brochure offers a brief biography and reviews of Allen Tanner's student Howard Gartner. Contact information for performance booking purposes...

Location: MC 2013.3, B5, F2

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Time Period: 1920-1939

View Item: PDF icon Howard Gartner, Baritone brochure

Columbia Damen Club program
April 7, 1938

This program is for a recital by Howard Gaertner, with Allen Tanner as accompanist, at the Columbia Damen Club.

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F55

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Time Period: 1920-1939

View Item: PDF icon Columbia Damen Club program

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