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Collections of college and personal papers, as well as a select number of individual documents, have been briefly described in entries available for browsing and searching on this site. All collection and document descriptions contain a representative image and a summary of the contents. 

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Undated

In this essay draft, Allen Tanner writes about growing up in a musical family in rural Illinois, and his disappointment regarding Edith Sitwell's depiction of Pavel Tchelitchew in her autobiography. Transcript included.

Format: Essays and Dissertations

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F40

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Visual and Performing Arts

Time Period:

View Item: "Some Reflections upon my Early Life" by Allen Tanner

Undated

Allen Tanner recalls his impressions of gay life (camp) in Chicago during the 1910s including the origin of the use of the word "drag." Transcript included.

Format: Notes and Notebooks

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F41

Subject: LGBT History

Time Period:

View Item: Notes on Gay Life in Chicago during the 1910s by Allen Tanner

Undated

In this essay, pianist Allen Tanner recalls the end of his relationship with his partner of 12 years, Russian artist Pavel Tchelitchew. Tanner writes: "The parting--at the station--was dreafully tragic--for his face bore the quiet, withdrawn anguish I had seen only a few times before...of a moment that is unbearable--by its very significance of finality and change. He knew--and I knew--we were parting forever."  Transcript included.

Format: Essays and Dissertations

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F47

Subject: LGBT History, Visual and Performing Arts

Time Period:

View Item: Leaving Europe for the United States by Allen Tanner

Undated

This concert program is for one of the C. W. Best Artists' Series Russian Company's performances.

Format: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Location: MC 2013.3, B5, F6

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Time Period:

View Item: C. W. Best Artists’ Series Russian Company concert program

Undated

Pianist Allen Tanner wrote this score by hand.

Format: Music

Location: MC 2013.3, B5, F64

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Time Period:

View Item: Score by Allen Tanner

Undated

In this draft letter, Allen Tanner writes to Margaret Anderson about their first meeting in Chicago. He also discusses her past relationships with fellow editor of the Little Review Jane Heap, and opera singer Georgette LeBlanc.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: MC 2013.3, B1, F5

Subject: LGBT History, Literary Pursuits, Personal and Family Life

Time Period:

View Item: Letter from Allen Tanner to Margaret Anderson

Undated

In this draft letter, Allen Tanner writes to author Parker Tyler to assist Tyler in writing his book The Divine Comedy of Pavel Tchelitchew. Tanner discusses the dissolution of his and Pavel Tchelitchew's friendship with Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas, and other personal matters from their life together in Paris during the 1920s.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: MC 2013.3, B2, F6

Subject: LGBT History, Literary Pursuits, Personal and Family Life

Time Period:

View Item: Letter from Allen Tanner to Parker Tyler

Undated

In these notes, Allen Tanner writes about his feelings regarding  the way Pavel Tchelitchew and Edith Sitwell are remembered in Parker Tyler's book The Divine Comedy of Pavel Tchelitchew.

Format: Notes and Notebooks

Location: MC 2013.3, B2, F6

Subject: LGBT History, Literary Pursuits, Personal and Family Life, Visual and Performing Arts

Time Period:

View Item: Notes on Parker Tyler’s The Divine Comedy of Pavel Tchelitchew by Allen Tanner

Undated

In these notes, Allen Tanner describes what he likes about Gertrude Stein's writing style.

Format: Notes and Notebooks

Location: MC 2013.3, B2, F6

Subject: Literary Pursuits

Time Period:

View Item: Notes on Gertrude Stein’s writing by Allen Tanner

Undated

In this draft essay, Allen Tanner argues that Russian composer Alexander Scriabin's talents and contributions are overlooked by younger musicians. Transcript included.

Format: Essays and Dissertations

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F35

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Time Period:

View Item: Alexander Scriabin by Allen Tanner

Undated

In this draft essay, Allen Tanner writes about piano technique.

Format: Essays and Dissertations

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F32

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Time Period:

View Item: "Regime for Naughty 'Dilletantes'" by Allen Tanner

Undated

In this draft essay, Allen Tanner writes about piano technique, specifically the Cortot piano method.

Format: Essays and Dissertations

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F34

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Time Period:

View Item: Piano Technique by Allen Tanner

Undated

In this draft essay, Allen Tanner writes about Edith Sitwell's autobiography.

Format: Essays and Dissertations

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F36

Subject: Literary Pursuits

Time Period:

View Item: "Edith Sitwell," by Allen Tanner

Undated

In this draft essay, Allen Tanner writes about Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas.

Format: Essays and Dissertations

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F49

Subject: Literary Pursuits

Time Period:

View Item: "Alice B. Toklas" by Allen Tanner

Undated

In this letter to R. Kirk Askew, owner of the Durlacher Bros. art gallery, Allen Tanner discusses the sale of several Pavel Tchelitchew paintings in Askew's gallery. He also mentions his health and the death of one of Tchelitchew's sisters. Transcript included.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: MC 2013.3, B1, F8

Subject: Personal and Family Life, Visual and Performing Arts

Time Period:

View Item: Letter from Allen Tanner to Kirk Askew

Undated

In this letter to R. Kirk Askew, owner of the Durlacher Bros. art gallery, Allen Tanner tells Askew that he wants Askew's wife Constance to have one of Pavel Tchelitchew's drawings--the "Ode" sketch. The last page appears to be part of a different letter, or essay, and focuses on Russian music. Transcript included.

Format: Letters/Correspondence

Location: MC 2013.3, B1, F8

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Time Period:

View Item: Letter from Allen Tanner to Kirk Askew

Undated

This newspaper clipping depicts dancer Thamara Swirskaya in costume.

Format: Newspapers and Magazines

Location: MC 2013.3, B5, F20

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Time Period:

View Item: "Thamara Swirskaya: The Chinese Lily" clipping from unknown newspaper

Undated

This newspaper article describes the musical talents of Allen Tanner and his siblings.

Format: Newspapers and Magazines

Location: MC 2013.3, B5, F21

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Time Period:

View Item: "Tanners Mt. Vernon’s Most Musical Family" clipping from unknown newspaper

Undated

Allen Tanner describes Margaret Anderson's reaction to being fingerprinted after her conviction for publishing obscene material in the Little Review, James Joyce's Ulysses.

Format: Essays and Dissertations

Location: MC 2013.3, B4, F30

Subject: Literary Pursuits

Time Period:

View Item: "Joyce Obscenity Trial" by Allen Tanner

Undated

This newspaper clipping is about French opera singer Georgette LeBlanc.

Format: Newspapers and Magazines

Location: MC 2013.3, B5, F23

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Time Period:

View Item: "Au Chateau de la Muette" clipping from unknown newspaper

Undated

This social column by Mrs. Henry Field describes Allen Tanner's return to the United States from Europe with Pavel Tchelitchew. Field also hints at the end of Tanner's friendship with Gertrude Stein.

Format: Newspapers and Magazines

Location: MC 2013.3, B5, F28

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Time Period:

View Item: "The Social Whirl" by Mrs. Henry Field clipping from unknown newspaper

Undated

This news clipping describes a piano recital by Allen Tanner at the home of Signor Gianni Parente.

Format: Newspapers and Magazines

Location: MC 2013.3, B5, F23

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Time Period:

View Item: "Music Notes" clipping from unknown newspaper

Undated

This news clipping describes a performance by Chicago pianist Wanda Paul of Polish composer Karol Szymanowski's symphony. Allen Tanner is listed as a close friend of Szymanowski.

Format: Newspapers and Magazines

Location: MC 2013.3, B5, F23

Subject: Visual and Performing Arts

Time Period:

View Item: "Syzmanowski a Step Nearer Place in the Sun" by Cecil Smith, Chicago Daily Tribune newspaper clipping

[1988?]

Coach Wilber J. Gobrecht's history of lacrosse at Dickinson College from 1950 to 1986.

Format: Books and Pamphlets

Location: DC 1952 G575la

Subject: Dickinson College History, Sport and Recreation

Time Period: 1980-1999

View Item: