Permanent URL: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/rb68xb85k
“Old Nassau” Collection, 1859-1989: Finding Aid
AC051
First verse of 'Old Nassau' from the Composer's Edition, 1905
65 Olden Street
Princeton, New Jersey 08540 USA
Phone: 609-258-6345
Fax: 609-258-3385
mudd@princeton.edu
http://www.princeton.edu/~mudd
Published in 2001
©2006 Princeton University Library
Summary Information
- Collector:
- Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library.
- Title and dates:
- “Old Nassau” Collection, 1859-1989
- Abstract:
- This collection contains early scores and lyrics to Princeton University's alma mater “Old Nassau” as well as information about the song and the men who created it.
- Size:
- 1.3 linear feet (two archival boxes, one 16 x 20 x 3 oversize box)
- Call number:
- AC051
- Location:
- Princeton University Library. Department of Rare Books and Special Collections.
Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library.
Princeton University Archives.
Princeton, New Jersey 08540 USA - Language(s) of material:
- English.
- Storage note:
- This collection is stored onsite at the Mudd Manuscript Library.
History of the “Old Nassau” Collection
This collection consists of a variety of material relating to the alma mater of Princeton University, “Old Nassau.” Written in 1859, the song has been sung on every occasion, and has greatly contributed to the ever strong bond among generations of University members. Until a German tutor, Karl A. Langlotz, wrote the music on one night in 1859, the lyric that Harlan Page Peck, class of 1862, wrote for Nassau Literary Magazine earlier in the same year had been sung to the tune of “Auld Lang Syne.”
The first three folders in this collection concern the lyricist of “Old Nassau,” the Rev. Harlan Page Peck. His westward move as a Presbyterian minister and subsequent disappearance in 1886 on a Californian shore made his life not easily traceable. The collection nevertheless contains material documenting his life after Princeton. As lyricist of “Old Nassau” and the “Poetically-constituted” of the class of 1859, aspects of Peck's life assume a certain significance of typicality in nineteenth-century America: his adolescence as an orphan, ordination as a Presbyterian minister, westward migration as a missionary, marriage to a divorced woman--common among western migrants--and even his unexpected death on a mission.
In striking contrast to Peck, the composer of “Old Nassau,” Karl A. Langlotz, was “discovered” later in his life and enjoyed his belated prominence. This collection contains his correspondence and other related material. Despite the quantity of material, details of Langlotz's life that were not related to the song are not well revealed. Put otherwise, one could glance at the indulgence in which Princetonians invested in their beloved college song and anything of relevance.
One such Princetonian was Wilford Conrow, Class of 1901, whose donations indeed constitute a large part of the present collection. Since a group of Princeton alumni “found” Langlotz in Trenton in 1901, Conrow established a close relationship with the old composer and initiated a number of commemorative projects. Most notably, his publication of Old Nassau (1905), a book containing the original song and its variations and several related essays, is prominently featured in this collection. Not only are details of the book-making process meticulously documented, but also the volume reveals many nuances about Princeton's beloved song and its composer.
Description
This collection contains early scores and lyrics to Princeton University's alma mater “Old Nassau” as well as information about the song and the men who created it. Included are biographical information pertaining to the lives of the song's composer and lyricist, both before and after 1859. Other materials were assembled by Wilford Conrow (Class of 1901) as research for the publication Old Nassau (1905), a book containing the original song and its variations and several related essays.
Access and Use
Access
Collection is open for research use.
Restrictions on Use and Copyright Information
Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish material from the collection must be requested from the University Archivist. Under the Copyright Law of 1976, copyright to much of this material will expire on January 1, 2003. Researchers are responsible for determining any questions of copyright prior to that time.
Processing and Other Information
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Sue J. Kim in June 1997. Finding aid written by Sue J. Kim in June 1997.
Descriptive Rules Used
Finding aid content adheres to that prescribed by Describing Archives: A Content Standard.
Encoding
Machine-readable finding aid encoded in EAD 2002 by Techbooks and Cristela García-Spitz on December 29, 2006.
Finding aid written in English.
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); “Old Nassau” Collection, Box and Folder Number; University Archives, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
Subject Headings
These materials have been indexed in the Princeton University Library online catalog using the following terms. Those seeking related materials should search under these terms.
- Langlotz, Karl A. (Karl Alexander), 1834-1915.
- Peck, Harlan Page.
- Princeton University -- Songs and music.
- Alma maters (Songs).
- Sheet music.
Browse other finding aids related to the following terms:
Contents List
Peck, Rev. Harlan Page: Papers: Poems, letters, and photographs; Nassau Rake (1859); notes by Frederic Fox, Class of 1939, circa 1859-1866; circa 1968
Box 1, Folder 1 Peck, Rev. Harlan Page, Family Papers: Mrs. H. P. Peck's journal and photograph; obituaries of Richard Peck (H. P. Peck's son); Dr. Houghton M. Peck's correspondence concerning his father, 1895-1935
Box 1, Folder 2 Peck, Rev. Harlan Page: Frederic Fox, Class of 1939, correspondence with Presbyterian church members and Mrs. H. M. Peck, 1967-1968
Box 1, Folder 3 Langlotz, Karl A.: Letters, documents, pamphlets, clippings, etc., 1872-1939; 1989
Box 1, Folder 4 Old Nassau (1905) manuscripts: Published and unpublished manuscripts for the book prepared by Wilford Conrow, circa 1905
Box 1, Folder 5 Old Nassau (1905) illustrations: Photoengraver's copy of illustrations used in the book prepared by Wilford Conrow, circa 1905
Box 1, Folder 6 Old Nassau (1905): Correspondence of Wilford Conrow concerning lining, binding and other publishing details of the book; copyright documents, 1905
Box 1, Folder 7 Old Nassau (1905): Reviews and Announcements. Clippings on publication of the book, announcements, reviews, etc., 1905-1906
Box 1, Folder 8 Old Nassau (1905): Letters to Wilford Conrow in appreciation of Old Nassau presentation copies, 1906-1951
Box 1, Folder 9 “Old Nassau”: Miscellaneous papers. Clippings, letters, Princeton University Press press releases, Program for the Presentation Ceremony of the Karl Langlotz Memorial, etc., 1930-1987
Box 1, Folder 10 Songs of Old Nassau (1859): Contains the first printed copy of the song, “Old Nassau”, 1859
Box 2, Folder 1 Old Nassau (1905): No. 4 of the Presentation edition of one hundred copies; signed by the composer Karl A. Langlotz; published by Wilford Conrow, 1905
Box 2, Folder 2 Old Nassau (1905): No. 57 of the first edition of five hundred copies; signed by the composer Karl Langlotz; published by Wilford Conrow, 1905
Box 2, Folder 3 Old Nassau (1905): Third edition, published by Wilford Conrow, 1906
Box 2, Folder 4 [AR.2009.016] Old Nassau (1905): No. 327 of the first edition of five hundred copies; signed by the composer Karl Langlotz; published by Wilford Conrow. This copy was in the personal book collection of Jimmy Stewart '32, 1905
Box 2, Folder 5 Old Nassau. Composer's Edition (1905): Three copies: Nos. 35 (hard-cover edition), 112 (paperback edition), 124 (paperback edition), each signed by the composer Karl Langlotz; published by Wilford Conrow, 1905
Box 3, Folder 1 Oversized material relating to “Old Nassau”:
Box 3, Folder 2 Galley proof of Old Nassau (1905)
Box 3, Folder 2 Photocopied version of the original copy of “Old Nassau” (Peck's signature at the upper left corner)
Box 3, Folder 2 Portrait of Karl A. Langlotz by Wilford Conrow (pastel, 1904)
Box 3, Folder 2 Langlotz's U.S. naturalization documents (Declaration of Intentions, 7 November 1866 and Certificate of Naturalization, 3 November 1868)
Box 3, Folder 2 Langlotz's diploma from Princeton Theological Seminary, 23 April 1872
Box 3, Folder 2 “La Source,” a copy of sheet music presented by Langlotz
Box 3, Folder 2 “Bric-a-Brac Criticism,” Daily Princetonian, 14 December 1903
Box 3, Folder 2 Kenneth Clark, Class of 1905, “Everybody Up!,” Saturday Evening Post, 10 November 1934
Box 3, Folder 2 Kenneth Clark, “Teaching College Men How to Listen to Music,” Musical America, 3 March 1917, 1860's-1934
Box 3, Folder 2 The Conrow Collection (AM11804) Relating to “Old Nassau”:
Box 3, Folder 3 Photograph of the young Harlan Page Peck
Box 3, Folder 3 Photograph of the Steinway piano where Langlotz composed “Old Nassau”, ( circa 1957)
Box 3, Folder 3 Copy of the song, “Old Nassau,” signed by Langlotz
Box 3, Folder 3 Langlotz's passport issued by the Saxony (1853)
Box 3, Folder 3 Letter from H. P. Peck to J. L. Munn, 30 March 1865
Box 3, Folder 3 “Old Nassau” Manuscripts and Documents Relative to Karl A. Langlotz collected by Wilford Conrow (P97.5762.01q). A collection of letters and versions of the song “Old Nassau”, 1905-1923
Box 3, Folder 4
Permanent URL: http://arks.princeton.edu/ark:/88435/rb68xb85k