Scope and arrangement
While over half of the collection contains scores and sketches of Hamilton’s work, the rest of material provides more insight into his life. Two other significant parts of the collection are correspondence and production materials, both of which add details to the creation of a particular piece. The rest of the material covers his whole life, from early childhood photographs to papers appraising the value of his estate at his death. However, there is very little information about his immediate family, and aside from photographs, few papers from the first quarter of his life.
The Iain Hamilton papers are arranged in twelve series:
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24.62 linear ft. (50 boxes)
Arrangement: Alphabetical by title
This comprehensive series makes up the bulk of the collection, and includes drafts of nearly every work Hamilton produced (a notable exception is his Opus No. 1, Variations on an original for string orchestra). The evolution of many works is traceable from the initial sketch through to the publisher’s sheet music proof. (These sheet music proofs usually contain corrections or directions.) At the end of the series there are three folders of unidentified sketches and scores, one of which is arranged by date. Please also note the following: approximately half the boxes are oversize, but were integrated with the smaller boxes for intellectual purposes; and a minor number of scores and sheet music proofs contained mold, making it necessary to photocopy them (and reduce the size of the pages to 75 percent in some cases).
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This series documents Hamilton’s business and personal relationships. In many cases Hamilton saved carbon copies of the letters he wrote, and they are included with the letters he received.
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0.5 linear ft. (1 box)
Arrangement: Alphabetical
General biographical information comprises this series in several different forms. Much of it is career-related, such as lists of Hamilton’s works, performances, and recordings. Also of note are the folders containing copies of his curriculum vitae, and general papers including an autobiographical essay and diary.
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1.25 linear ft. (2.5 boxes)
Arrangement: Chronological (undated clippings arranged alphabetically by title of work)
The contents of the folders designated “clippings” primarily came from a clipping service that collected any article mentioning Hamilton. A majority of these articles are from British newspapers. Longer feature articles and reviews are in separate folders. The rest of this series includes copies of several periodicals, and radio transcripts that highlight Hamilton and his works.
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This series contains the draft materials Hamilton created in the course of composing each work. These notes and other items can be used in conjunction with his scores to better understand his music.
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0.5 linear ft. (1 box)
Arrangement: Chronological
This series represents documented performances of Hamilton’s works. The programs are a variety of sizes and include leaflets, pamphlets, and souvenir programs.
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0.1 linear ft. (2 folders)
Arrangement: Chronological
This series consists of one folder of publisher brochures advertising Hamilton’s works, and one folder of press releases.
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0.25 linear ft. (.5 box)
Arrangement: Alphabetical by title
Hamilton’s writings are mainly essays that he composed on related subjects within the field of the arts. A list of these articles can be found at the front of the first folder. Drafts exist for most of the titles, and in a few cases there are published versions.
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Hamilton’s teaching materials provide a look at the other parts of his career, including the series of lectures he gave, and courses he taught at Duke University.
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This series contains paperwork detailing the financial and copyright side of composing.
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1.47 linear ft. (2.33 boxes)
Arrangement: Chronological
The photographs and slides primarily document Hamilton’s family, friends, and vacations. While many photographs are not labeled, conclusions can be drawn from the ones that are. This is particularly true in the case of Hamilton’s companion, Casimir Rojek, who is in many of the photographs from the late 1960s-1970s. All of the postcards are blank, and match the cities and countries documented in the slides (e.g. Venice, Sicily, and Greece).
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1.58 linear ft. (1.25 boxes)
Arrangement: Alphabetical by work
This series begins with one box of oversize publisher’s proofs, which shows the amount of work necessary to produce sheet music. Most of the proofs include a photocopy of the envelope that they were found in. The other items are as follow: a computer printout picture of an unidentified man, an important genealogical document - the marriage certificate of Hamilton’s paternal grandparents, and a poster for the world premiere of Vespers.