University of Oregon Libraries
Special Collections & University Archives
1299 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-1299
URL: http://libweb.uoregon.edu/speccoll/index.html



Guide to the M. A. Jagendorf Papers, 1916-1980


Coll. 045





Finding aid prepared by processing staff

Finding aid encoded by ArchProteus, 2006
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.


Overview of the Collection

 
Repository Name:
 

University of Oregon Libraries
Special Collections & University Archives

1299 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403-1299
URL: http://libweb.uoregon.edu/speccoll/index.html

 
Collection Number:
 

Coll. 045

 
Creator:
 

Jagendorf, M. A. (Moritz Adolph), 1888-

 
Title:
 

M. A. Jagendorf Papers

 
Dates:
 

1916-1980 (inclusive)

 
Quantity:
 

8 linear feet
16 containers

 
Languages:
 

Collection materials are in English. 

 
Summary:
 

Moritz A. Jagendorf (1888-1981) was a dentist in New York for forty years, but his true interests were in the folklore of Europe, Asia and America. He was the founder of the Free Theatre and director of the Children's Playhouse in New York, vice-president of the New York Folklore Society, and wrote numerous books, plays and short stories based on folktales, in addition to being a practicing dentist. The collection includes correspondence, literary manuscripts, lectures, and research materials.

 

Biographical Note

Moritz A. Jagendorf (1888-1981) was born on August 24 in Czernowitz, Austria and moved to New York in 1903. Jagendorf studied law at Yale, and earned a D.D.S. at Columbia in 1916. He also authored numerous books on folklore, and transformed folktales into plays and short stories for children. Jagendorf founded the Free Theatre and was director of the Children's Playhouse, and was active in organizations such as the Story League, Green Room Club, Overseas Press and the New York Folktale Society. After a short illness, he died on January 8, 1981.

Content Description

The Moritz A. Jagendorf Papers contain correspondence, manuscripts of plays, short stories and folktales, and research material relating to folklore. There are also interviews, printed materials concerning folklore, lecture notes, essays by other authors, and newspaper clippings of human-interest stories.

Arrangement

Collection is organized into the following series:

  • Series: Correspondence
  • Series: Manuscripts
    • Subseries: Plays
    • Subseries: Short Stories and Folktales
    • Subseries: Lectures and Notes on American Folklore
  • Research Material
  • Newspaper Clippings

Administrative Information

Processing Note 

Collection processed by processing staff, 1982.

Separated Materials 

Photographs in this collection are stored separately under call number PH054.

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Access 

Collection is open to the public.

Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room.

Restrictions on Use 

Property rights reside with Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Special Collections and University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.

Preferred Citation 

[Identification of item], M. A. Jagendorf Papers, Coll. 045, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon

Subjects

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.

 
Jagendorf, M. A. (Moritz Adolph), 1888-
Jagendorf, M. A. (Moritz Adolph), 1888---Correspondence
Children--Folklore
Children's literature, American--Authorship
Children's stories, American--Authorship
Folklore--United States
Folklorists--United States
Tales--America--Authorship

Detailed Description of the Collection

 

Correspondence

 
Container(s)
Description
Dates
 
box
1
folder
1

Correspondence
  1916-1945
 
2
Correspondence
  1947-1949
 
3
Correspondence
  August 1949
 
4
Correspondence
  August 1949-September 1949
 
5
Correspondence
  October 1949-December 1949
 
6
Correspondence
  1950
 
2 1
Correspondence
  1951
 
2
Correspondence
  January 1952-July 1952
 
3
Correspondence
  August 1952-December 1952
 
4
Correspondence
  January 1953-April 1953
 
5
Correspondence
  May 1953-December 1953
 
6
Correspondence
  1954-1964
 
7
Correspondence
  1965-1980
 
8
Correspondence
  undated

 

Manuscripts

 
Container(s)
Description
Dates
   
Plays
 
 
box
3
folder
1

Barney and George
  undated
 

By the Light of Moonshine
 
 

Caesar Takes a Walk
 
 
2
Circus Ghosts
  undated
 
3
The Cut Throat
  undated
 

Deacon Possum Goes a' Courtin', Bre'r Rabbit Gits a Gal
 
 

The Farce of Pierre Patelin
 
 
4
The Farce of Pierre Patelin
  undated
 

The Farce of the Pie and the Tart
 
 

The Fatal Bath
 
 

The Ghost of Caesar's Hair
 
 
5
God Has Many Ways
  undated
 

Her Dream
 
 

How the Sun Came to the Mi-Wok Indians
 
 

In the Dusk of the Day
 
 

Jealous Old Fool
 
 
4 1
Love in a French Tub
  undated
 

A Merry Tale of Foolish Grown-Ups
 
 

The Miracle of Corpus Christi Day
 
 

The Miracle of Love
 
 

My Child
 
 
2
One Midnight in New York City
  undated
 
3
The Part is Picked: A Comedy
  undated
 

Paternity
 
 

A Play in One Act
 
 

Plays for Fun
 
 
4
Plays for Fun
  undated
 

The Tale of the Tub
 
 

The Tales End?
 
 

Tenement Street Evening, or There's Another Way
 
 

Unto Eternity
 
 
5
The Vigilante Guardsmen
  undated
 

What Ho! Helen of Troy
 
 
6
What Ho! Helen of Troy
  undated
 
7
What Ho! Helen of Troy
  undated
 

Wooden Soldiers: A Comedy of Revolutionary Days
 
 
5 1
Untitled
  undated
 
2
Untitled
  undated
   
Short stories and Folktales
 
 
3
Abu Dalameh: Poet of Laughter
  undated
 

Caught by a Fish
 
 

Adventure on Lake Erie
 
 

The Adventures of Chuni Ram
 
 

Africa in Harlem
 
 
4
The Animal Game in the Sky
  undated
 

Armenia
 
 

Armenia on Lexington Avenue: A Tale as Old as the World, A Hero Tale, A Merry Tale
 
 

Bah!
 
 

Barring Teacher
 
 

Bears is Bears
 
 

The Birthday Party: The Greatest Journey of All
 
 

The Bloodless Battle at the Elm Tree
 
 

Buffalo Cal
  undated
 

The Bullfrogs of Riley's Pond
 
 

Barring Teacher
 
 

The Bully Blacksmith loses his Wingding
 
 
5
Burlington County's Roman Bath
  undated
 

Butterfly and Beast
 
 

Call the Doctor, or Don't Be Afraid it Doesn't Hurt
 
 

Cat Inspector of Rhode Island
 
 

Caught by a Fish
 
 

Iktomi and the Ducks
 
 
6
Caught by a Fish
  undated
 

Chinatown: The Punishment of the Sin of Sin
 
 

Cleopatra, Oh You Egyptian Catfish
 
 

The Clock Must Not Stop
 
 

Commodore Vanderbilt's First Boat
 
 

The Courageous Quaker of Flushing
 
 

Cute Aleck
 
 

Czechoslovakia Near the East River: Honza and Kaca
 
 
7
Desire Under the Hawser
  undated
 

The Devil in Pennsylvania
 
 

The Devil's Footsteps
 
 

Don't You Remember
 
 

Doroque District
 
 

Down in Texas
 
 

The East Side: Caught By a Fish
 
 

The Enchanted Mule
 
 

The Endless Journey of Princess Moon
 
 
8
The Escape From the Sea
  undated
 

Famous Nauphatic Incidents in History
 
 

Fancy Tom
 
 

Flattening of Quark's Head
 
 

The Finest Skeeters in All the World
 
 

First Canal Boat in Wabash, Indiana
 
 

France on Fifty-Second Street
 
 
6 1
France on Fifty-Second Street: the Story of Pierre Patelin the Lawyer
  undated
 

The General and the Devil
 
 

The Ghost of the Peg-Leg Peter
 
 

The Ghost Who Wasn't a Ghost
 
 

The Giant Wind Eaters
 
 

The Giant of Indiana
 
 

Glass Coffin Antics
 
 
2
God's Own Country
  undated
 

Gotham
 
 

Granny Martin's Cabin
 
 

The Great Conjure-Alligator-Man of Florida
 
 

The Great Sleigh Ride in Ohio
 
 

The Greatest Hoax on New York City: The Ladies Feast
 
 

Greece Near Knickerbocker Village
 
 

Grong Haugen's Handsome Bride
 
 
3
The Hawkins of Ohio
  undated
 

History Repeats Itself
 
 
4
How the Clever Red Little Devil with the Cute Green Horns Got the Best of the Sea Witch Gor
  undated
 

Huon the Horse
 
 

How Come Women Swish Their Skirts
 
 

How the Duyvil Gave New Amsterdam to the English
 
 

How King Itol was Cheated of His Due
 
 

How Sroove Loved like His Father Grool
 
 

How Thyll Proved to Seven Suabian Citizens that not a Single One of Them Had Drowned
 
 
5
Humor and Words
  undated
 

Hungary Under the 'Ei': Fearless Sari
 
 

Huon the Horse
 
 

An Idea is Born
 
 

Iktomi and the Ducks
 
 

Indian Legends of California
 
 

The Irish Luck of Brian Hughes
 
 
6
It Is The Will of Allah
  undated
 

Iwa the Everlaughing
 
 

The Jewels of All-Living-Mother-Earth
 
 

The Judgment of Little-Fat-Old-Woman
 
 

This'n That'n Everything
 
 

King John and the Abbot
 
 
7
Leonia's Ghost
  undated
 

Little Italy in New York City: Lucky Grillo
 
 

Long Island
 
 

The Lord Said No
  undated
 

Lost Among Wolves
 
 

Lucky Fourth Trial, Lucky Red Star
 
 
7 1
The Marvelous Hen of the Mountains
  undated
 

Methods of Publicising a Discipline
 
 

Mighty Mose the Bowery B'Hoy
 
 

Miss Baskinville Goes a-Riding
 
 

Mistress Murray and Her Mulberry Wine
 
 

Mornin' Mighty Mose
 
 

Morse's Slough
 
 
2
Old Germany in Manhattan Isle
  undated
 

One Town's Lore
 
 
3
Over the Rail
  undated
 

The Poor Ploughman and the Rich Nobleman
 
 

Porto Rico Above Central Park
 
 
4
Preacher Cussoms' Great Victory
  undated
 

Preacher John the Fine Witch Doctor
 
 

The President and the Lady with the Green Umbrella
 
 

Prince Sun and Princess Moon
 
 

List of Proverbs
 
 

Psychoanalysis for the Simple
 
 

Puffing Potter's Powerful Puff
 
 
5
Rag-a-Bag Mary and Tim
  undated
 

Rag-a-Bag Round the World in New York
 
 

Real Folklore
 
 

The Rich Lady and the Ring
 
 

Riddles
 
 

Riot at Dannemore
 
 

Romance in Old Lousianna
 
 
6
Rungholt
  undated
 

Seven You Won't Forget
 
 

The Smart Husband and the Smarter Wife
 
 

Spain Near the Brooklyn Bridge
 
 

The Sting that Comes From Stolen Honey
 
 

The Story that Was Never Told
 
 
7
Sunshine in the Forest
  undated
 

Syria on the Hudson
 
 

The Tale of Abu Delama
 
 

The Tale of Farmer Lem in Kansas
 
 
8 1
The Tale of Godfrey Malbone
  undated
 

The Tale of the Hope Tree
 
 

The Tale of the Little Water Birds
 
 

The Tale of a Merry Dance
 
 

The Tale of the Three Footsteps of the Devil
 
 

Tall Barney Beal
 
 

This'n That'n Everything
 
 
2
Three Armenian Tales
  undated
 

The Three Wondrous Gifts of the Jewel Flowers
 
 

The Tombstone that Wouldn't Stand Still
 
 

Towards a Summer Evening in Boiling, Broiling Rivingston
 
 
3
The Treachery of King Grool
  undated
 

"The Use of Folklore in Schools"
 
 

"The Utilization of Folklore in the Classroom"
 
 

The Violin's Song
 
 

The Voices of the Trees
 
 

Way Down Georgia
 
 
4
We Are Americans: How Juan Bobo Helped the Shepherd Boy
  undated
 

West India Company
 
 

When the North-Wind Came with a Wild Haloo
 
 

Wherein is Related the Strange Birth of Our Hero and His Still Stranger Baptism
 
 

The White Mule Ghost of Maryland
 
 
5
Why Columbus Fell on His Knees and Thanked God When He Landed on Land
  undated
 

Why Donkeys Should Never be Taught the Alphabet
 
 

Wind and Clouds A-Playing
 
 

The Women of Ohio
 
 

Xerxes Comes Across
 
   
Lectures and Notes on American Folklore
 
 
6
Lectures and Notes on American Folklore
  undated
 
7
Lectures and Notes on American Folklore
  undated
 
8
Lectures and Notes on American Folklore
  undated
 
9 1
Lectures and Notes on American Folklore
  undated
 
2
Lectures and Notes on American Folklore
  undated
 
3
Essays by Others on American Folklore
  undated
 
4
Miscellaneous Pages
  undated

 

Research Material

 
Container(s)
Description
Dates
 
box
9
folder
5

Algiers
  undated
 
6
American Tall Tales
  undated
 
7
Tony Beaver Story
  undated
 
8
Bees and Honey Story
  undated
 
9
Bells
  undated
 
10 1
Children's Plays
  undated
 
2
Drummer Boy Story
  undated
 
3
Edward Eggleston
  undated
 
4
European and American Folktales
  undated
 
5
Febold Feboldson Story
  undated
 
6
Geography
  undated
 
7
Helen of Troy
  undated
 
8
Abe Lincoln
  undated
 
9
Lo! The Informant
  undated
 
10
Lorenzo Don
  undated
 
11
Mehitabel Story
  undated
 
11 1
New York City
  undated
 
2
One Night in New York City
  undated
 
3
Pecos Bill Story
  undated
 
4
Precious Stones
  undated
 
5
Romance in Old Louisiana
  undated
 
6
Signs and Symbols
  undated
 
7
Signals and Signs
  undated
 
8
Tales of Comics
  undated
 
9
Tammany Hall
  undated
 
10
Tree Folklore
  undated
 
11
Wentworth Story
  undated
 
12
Wine, Women and Folklore
  undated
 
13
Wine, Women and Folklore
  undated
 
12 1
California
  undated
 
2
Europe
  undated
 
3
Europe
  undated
 
4
Kansas
  undated
 
5
Illinois
  undated
 
6
Indiana
  undated
 
7
Indiana
  undated
 
8
Iowa
  undated
 
13 1
Michigan
  undated
 
2
Nebraska
  undated
 
3
New York
  undated
 
4
New York
  undated
 
5
New York
  undated
 
6
New York
  undated
 
7
Ohio
  undated
 
8
Ohio
  undated
 
14 1
Turkish
  undated
 
2
Washington
  undated
 
3
Wisconsin
  undated
 
4
Wisconsin
  undated
 
5
Interviews B-G
  undated
 
6
Interviews H-W
  undated
 
15 1
Japan
  undated
 
2
Interviews, Rubenfeld-Jagendorf
  undated
 
3
Publicity Sheets
  undated
 
4
Miscellaneous
  undated
 
5
Miscellaneous
  undated
 
6
Miscellaneous
  undated
 
7
Miscellaneous
  undated
 
8
Miscellaneous
  undated
 
16 1
Miscellaneous
  undated
 
2
Miscellaneous
  undated
 
3
Printed matter
  undated

 

Newspaper clippings

 
Container(s)
Description
Dates
 
box
16
folder
4

Newspaper clippings
  undated
 
5
Newspaper clippings
  undated
 
6
Newspaper clippings
  undated
 
7
Newspaper clippings
  undated

 

Photographs

Photographs stored separately under call number PH054.
 
Container(s)
Description
 
box
1


PH054_001:  Two Legs Before, Two Wheels Behind
 
 
black and white print  ;  4 x 5 inches
Description: Carved pig with two legs and wheels.
 


PH054_002:  Blacksmith
 
 
black and white print  ;  5 x 4 inches
Description: Carved blacksmith.
 


PH054_003:  Untitled
 
 
black and white print  ;  5 x 4 inches
Description: Carved dog.
 


PH054_004:  Hog Killing Time
 
 
black and white print  ;  3 x 4 inches
Description: Carved man ready to gut pig.
 


PH054_005:  Lazy Bones
 
 
black and white print  ;  3 x 4 inches
Description: Carved man with rifle leaning on tree.
 


PH054_006:  Hillbilly Fiddler
 
 
black and white print  ;  5 x 3 inches
Description: Carved fiddler.
 


PH054_007:  Apple Jack
 
 
black and white print  ;  5 x 4 inches
Description: Carved man next to keg.
 


PH054_008:  Untitled
 
 
black and white print  ;  4 x 6 inches
Description: Carved 5 piece band.
 


PH054_009:  Hillbilly Fiddler
 
 
black and white print  ;  6 x 4 inches
Description: Carved fiddler.
 


PH054_010:  Fire and Brimstone Preacher
 
 
black and white print  ;  5 x 3 inches
Description: Carved preacher.
 


PH054_011:  Lewis Richardson
 
 
black and white print  ;  2 x 3 inches
Description: Lewis on street.
 


PH054_012:  Torsonce House Stow
 
 
black and white print  ;  4 x 6 inches
Description: House.
 


PH054_013:  State Capitol Park Showing new Building Group, Harrisburg, PA
 
 
4 x 6 inches
Description: Drawing of New Building Group.
 


PH054_014:  Untitled
 
 
color print  ;  7 x 5 inches
Description: Pitcher.