Tot Seymour papers, 1921-1960
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Seymour, Tot, 1889-1966.
- Title
- Tot Seymour papers
- Dates
- 1921-1960 (inclusive)Date of CollectionDate of Collection
- Quantity
- 1.54 cubic ft. (3 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 07464
- Summary
- Papers of a female lyracist who wrote popular music and music for radio, drama, film and variety shows.
- Repository
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American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
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Access Restrictions
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Historical Note
Tot Seymour (1889-1966) was born Grace Mann in New York City. She was a staff lyricist at Irving Berlin’s publishing company (Waterson, Berlin and Snyder), a contract writer for Paramount, and wrote special material for Fannie Brice, Mae West, Sophie Tucker, and for the Ziegfeld Follies. In addition, she wrote radio and drama scripts. She also collaborated with tunesmiths Sigmund Romberg and J. Fred Coots (with whom she wrote I Miss a Little Miss). Other hits included Swingin' on a Hammock and I'm Makin' Hay in the Moonlight (In My Baby's Arms).
Lyricist Seymour paired with pianist/composer Vee Lawnhurst to form a successful partnership. Their publishing company, Famous Music, touted them as "the first successful team of girl song writers in popular music history." Individually and together Tot Seymour and Vee Lawnhurst were pioneers in the new medium of radio, and their songs were ubiquitous with the popular music landscape of the 1930's.
Content Description
The collection contains agreements; correspondence (1921-1960); memoranda and notices regarding Tot Seymour's career; radio scripts; song lyrics; and song manuscripts written by Seymour. Titles include Divine Lady, Four and Twenty Bluebirds, I’m Willing, Midnight in Manhattan, Mountain Music, Please Play that Record Again, Strollin’ Through the Goldenrod with You, Waikiki Wedding, What’s Wrong with this Song, You Don’t Love Me, and others. The collection also includes phonograph records (78 rpm) of popular music, including Jipi Japa, The Little White Rose Bush, Night on the Plains, Now is the Moment, Sweethearts in the Summer, Swingin' in a Hammock, Us on a Bus, Watchin’ the Trains Go By, and When You Said Goodbye.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Preferred Citation
Preferred CitationItem Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative Information
Return to TopDetailed Description of the Collection
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Untitled
The American Heritage Center is in the process of converting its older container lists to a more accessible format. This link is to an older version of a container list.
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Description: Link to Container List (PDF)
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Film composers -- United States.
- Popular music -- United States.
- Radio -- Songs and music.
- Radio music.
- Women composers -- United States.
Personal Names
- Coots, J. Fred, 1897-1985.
- Lawnhurst, Vee.
- Romberg, Sigmund, 1887-1951.
