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Richard and Mildred Crooks Collection

Materials documenting virtually every stage of Crooks' career, starting with newspaper clippings and programs apparently kept by his mother from his appearances as a boy-soprano in churches, at resort concerts and in vaudeville. Included are materials related to Crooks' high school classmate George Antheil. The collection contains photographs, programs, and other items for nearly every role Crooks undertook at the Metropolitan Opera and with other opera companies in the United States and abroad. There are also printed interviews and memorabilia from numerous concert tours and the years broadcasting "The Voice of Firestone" (1932-45), as well as sheet music. The collection contains letters from colleagues and friends from throughout his career and into retirement. Among these are a number of letters from Lauritz Melchior and his wife, Will and Ariel Durant, and single but important items from Faith Baldwin, Kirsten Flagstad, and Grace Moore. Also included are letters from musicians associated with various interests and charities which Richard and Mildred Crooks pursued in retirement and condolences sent to Mrs. Crooks after her husband's death. Rounding out the gift is Crooks' own record collection. This contains test pressings and privately recorded material. There are also "air checks" from radio broadcasts, including several duets with Bing Crosby.

Richard Crooks [sound recording].

Lebendige Vergangenheit [sound recording] : Richard Crooks