View XML QR Code

Edward E. Block Radio Heritage collection, circa 1950-1969

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Block, Edward E.
Title
Edward E. Block Radio Heritage collection
Dates
circa 1950-1969 (inclusive)
Quantity
2 linear feet
Collection Number
XOE_CPNWS0076block (collection)
Summary
The Edward Block collection includes records concerning International Good Music and KGMI radio.
Repository
Western Washington University, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies
Goltz-Murray Archives Building
808 25th St.
Bellingham, WA
98225
Telephone: (360) 650-7534
cpnws@wwu.edu
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public.

Languages
English.
Return to Top

Biographical Note

Edward E. Block was born in Illinois. His education included a B.A. in literature from Yale and a M.A. in music from Columbia University. He also attended Julliard for musical training. Fluent in French, German, Italian, Swedish, Spanish, and Latin, Block served in the army during World War II, and received a Combat Infantry Badge and a Bronze Star. Throughout his career in radio, stage, and television, Ed produced dramatic, musical, news, art, and children’s shows. He taught and lectured on drama, staging, and other arts at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. As a member, Block belonged to the Screen Actor’s Guild, American Federation of Musicians, Actors Equity Association, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. In 1960, Rogan Jones, founder of International Good Music, Inc., hired Block to work at the company’s headquarters in Bellingham, WA. Block served initially as Chief Announcer for Heritage Programming, the I.G.M. department responsible for producing classical music programming 18 hours a day, 7 days a week. He directed over 30,000 announcements involving translation of vocal work and musical terms into English, and scripted and announced original commentary on music. Block later took over from conductor Alfred Wallenstein as the music and program director for I.G.M.'s Heritage Stations. Block left I.G.M. in 1962.

Return to Top

Content Description

The Edward E. Block collection documents the personal and business activities of International Good Music’s Heritage Music Programming Director Edward Block. Records span the period 1948-1962, with the bulk of materials dating from ca. 1960-1962.

The collection documents both the personal and professional aspects of Edward Block’s life. The bulk of the records comprise both personal and business correspondence, including letters to and from composer Alfred Wallenstein and Bellingham businessman Rogan Jones. The collection contains unpublished writings and sketches authored by Edward Block. Programming records pertaining to International Good Music, Inc. include program scripts, notes, schedules, and program guides of Heritage Music Programs. The collection also contains photographs, publications, and newspaper clippings.

Return to Top

Use of the Collection

Preferred Citation

Edward E. Block Radio Heritage Collection, Center for Pacific Northwest Studies, Western Libraries Archives & Special Collections, Western Washington University, Bellingham WA 98225-9123.

Return to Top

Administrative Information

Arrangement

The Edward E. Block Radio Heritage Collection is organized in accordance with the following series and subseries arrangement:

  • Series I: Personal Records
    • 1. Biographical Information
    • 2. Personal Correspondence, Incoming and Outgoing
    • 3. Writings
    • 4. Photographs and Sketches
    • 5. Sheet Music
  • Series II: International Good Music, Inc. (I.G.M) Records
    • 1. Company Information s
    • 2. Personnel
    • 3. Administrative Correspondence, Incoming and Outgoing
    • 4. Programming
      • 1. Programming Correspondence, Incoming and Outgoing
      • 2. Programming Records
    • 5. Publication

Custodial History

The records in the Edward E. Block collection have been organized as closely as possible following the original filing practices of Mr. Block. In cases where original order was indeterminable the records were organized using the archivist's discretion.

Related Materials

The Rogan Jones Collection at the Center for Pacific Northwest Studies contains materials related to International Good Music, Inc.

Processing Note

About Harmful Language and Content

To learn more about problematic content in our collections, collection description and teaching tools (including how to provide feedback or request dialogue on this topic), see the following Statement About Potentially Harmful Language and Content

Return to Top

Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.

Finding aid prepared by Kendra Finney
2005

CC Attribution
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

About Creative Commons Licenses in Archives West