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Time Inc. Oral History Project Records

Call Number

MS 3009-RG 33

Date

1984-1994, inclusive

Creator

Time, inc.

Extent

3.5 Linear feet in 3 record cartons and 1 document case

Language of Materials

The documents in the collection are in English.

Abstract

The Oral History Project Records include background preparation research, transcripts, and audiovisual material from interviews of Time Inc. staff conducted by the Time Inc. Archives between 1984 and 1994.

Arrangement Note

Organized alphabetically by last name based on the original order.

Scope and Contents Note

According to the records and oral history releases, interviews were conducted by the Time Inc. Archives between 1984 and 1994. Papers consist of background preparation research to formulate interview questions including copies of archival material and news clippings; notes of possible questions to ask; correspondence with the interview subject setting up interview and discussing their review of transcripts; and transcripts. Some paper files include audiovisual of the interviews. A large portion of audiovisual was housed separately from the papers. Not all individuals have transcripts or audiovisual material, and it is noted when these materials exist.

Individuals selected for interview are mainly editors, reporters, or photographers including members of corporate editorial such as editor-in-chief Donovan Hedley, editorial director Ralph Graves, and assistant corporate editor Dave Maness; and Time editors Tom Griffith and Robert Sherrod; chief editor of March of Time Lothar Wolff; and Life photographers David Duncan, Alfred Eisenstaedt, and Albert Fenn.

Also included are heads of departments such as corporate vice president of law Gabe Perle, vice president of corporate public affairs Donald Wilson, and vice president and personnel director Robert Steed.

The project also includes those who held special positions or were involved in notable events in Time Inc.'s history such as: corporate historian Curt Prendergast; Henry R. Luce's sister Elisabeth Moore; Time cover researcher and coordinator Rosemary Frank; Eleanor Graves, an long-time employee who held several titles including programming director for Time-Life Films and assistant managing editor of the revived Life; and Carl and Shelley Mydans, the reporter and photographer team captured during World War II as prisoners-of-war while on assignment for Life.

Since some individuals were no longer living at the time this project commenced, it isn't certain if all files were created for interviews or were just background information collected during the project.

Access Restrictions

Open to qualified researchers with some restrictions. Materials created within the past 35 years also may be subject to restriction on a case-by-case basis.

Unreformatted audiovisual material in the collection is not accessible. Boxes 1812 and 4151 contain solely audiovisual material.

Materials are stored offsite and advance notice is required for use.

Use Restrictions

This collection is owned by the New-York Historical Society. Although the N-YHS owns this collection as physical property, the donor specifically retains all copyright and all other proprietary rights which may exist. The copyright law of the United States governs the making of photocopies and protects unpublished materials as well as published materials. Unpublished materials created before January 1, 1978 cannot be quoted in publication without permission of the copyright holder.

Preferred Citation Note

This collection should be cited as Time Inc. Oral History Project Records, MS 3009-RG 33, New-York Historical Society.

Location of Materials

Materials in this collection are stored offsite. For more information on making arrangements to consult them, please visit www.nyhistory.org/library/visit.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Time Inc. in 2015.

Related Archival Materials Note

This finding aid relates to just one record group of the Time Inc. Records. For information about the other record groups and for overall information about the archives, please see the Guide to the Time Inc. Records (MS 3009). The Henry Luce Papers (MS 3014) were acquired with the Time Inc. Records. The collection of books acquired with the records are cataloged as the Time Inc. Reference Library.

Accruals Note

Additional separated audiovisual material will be added if found during further processing of the Time Inc. Records.

Collection processed by

Holly Deakyne

About this Guide

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-08-21 15:46:37 -0400.
Using Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language: Description is in English

Processing Information Note

The Oral History Project Records were processed by Holly Deakyne in 2018. The original folders were retained although some documents were transferred to archival containers in instances of overcrowding. Audiovisual material housed with papers remains in place. Audiovisual material found separate was rearranged alphabetically by last name. Deakyne created the inventory and other descriptive notes to produce this finding aid.

Deakyne added videotapes for Carl Mydans and Roy Rowan in 2021.

Repository

New-York Historical Society
New-York Historical Society
170 Central Park West
New York, NY 10024