Abe Hoffman papers, circa 1920-1977

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Hoffman, Abe
Title
Abe Hoffman papers
Dates
circa 1920-1977 (inclusive)
Quantity
0.18 cubic feet plus 3 sound cassettes and 1 vertical file
Collection Number
2744
Summary
Oral history with Hoffman about his family as well; collection also contains correspondence, sheet music, clippings, biographical material, and and photographs
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Consult the access restrictions information for each of the accessions listed below.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Brother of Al Hoffman (1902-1960).

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Consult the scope and content information for each of the accessions listed below.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

Listen to the audio recording and view the transcript of this interview on the Libraries Digital Collections site.

Restrictions on Use

Consult the restrictions governing reproduction and use for each of the accessions listed below.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized into 2 accessions.

  • Accession No. 2744-001, Abe Hoffman oral history interview, 1977
  • Accession No. 2744-002, Abe Hoffman papers, 1927-1948

Separated Materials

Material Described Separately:

Abe Hoffman Photograph Collection (PH Collection 1071)

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Accession No. 2744-001: Abe Hoffman oral history interview, 1977Return to Top

3 sound cassettes (60 minutes each); transcript

Scope and Content: Tape-recorded interviews conducted by Meta Kaplan and Adena Russak, 6-20-77; and with Kaplan, Russak and Howard Droker, 6-22-77.

Abe tells the story of his family. They came from Derevna near Minsk and Stapes in the guberna of Minsk. He tells of life in the village. His father, a learned Talmudist, came to America in 1908 to escape military service. His father first worked in the sweatshops on the lower East side of New York. His family journeyed from Derevna to join him there. He tells of life in Seattle after they came to join their father here in 1912. He had come here in 1911 because they had a relative here named Sam Fox. He tells of life on Yesler Way in pre-World War I years when immigration from Russia was active and of Jewish life in the midst of the area where most immigrant families settled. The Hoffmans had the first kosher grocery. It was on Yesler Way. He tells of the Stolovka, the Shelter House, the Settlement House, of Jewish activity in Collins Field. He tells of the YMHA. He also talks about his two famous brothers David and Al. David started with the Habimah players in Seattle and played on Broadway and made Hollywood movies including "Daddy Long Legs" and "Titanic." Al composed the hit songs "Auf Wiedersehen, My Dear", "Little Man You've Had A Busy Day" and "If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked A Cake", among others. He tells of the influence on Al of the Sabbath afternoon singing with their father. He speaks with awe and love of his parents and of all his mother did.

Restrictions on Access: Open to all users.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Abe Hoffman, 7/7/1977.

Description
Abe Hoffman oral history interview

Accession No. 2744-002: Abe Hoffman papers, 1927-1948Return to Top

0.18 cubic feet (1 box)

Scope and Content: Correspondence, sheet music, clippings, biographical material.

The correspondence is between Abe and his brothers Al, composer and lyricist of popular songs, and Dave, popular actor. Sheet music is of Al's songs.

Restrictions on Access: Access restricted: For terms of access, contact Special Collections.

Restrictions on Use: Creator's literary rights not transferred to the University of Washington Libraries.

Acquisition Info: Donated by Rocky Friedman, 1/1/1980.

Description
Abe Hoffman papers

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Jews--Washington (State)--Seattle
  • Jews--Washington (State)--Seattle--Interviews
  • Personal Papers/Corporate Records (University of Washington)

Personal Names

  • Hoffman, Abe--Archives

Corporate Names

  • Settlement House (Seattle, Wash.)
  • Young Men's Hebrew Association (Seattle, Wash.)

Geographical Names

  • Dzeraŭnaia (Minskaia voblastsʹ, Belarus)

Other Creators

  • Personal Names
    • Hoffman, Al, 1902-1960 (creator)
    • Hoffman, David, 1904-1961 (creator)
    Corporate Names
    • Washington State Jewish Archives (University of Washington) (host institution)