Guide to the Sophocles Papas papers, 1900-1998 Sophocles Papas C0052

Guide to the Sophocles Papas papers, 1900-1998

A Collection in
Special Collections and Archives
Accession Number C0052


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George Mason University Libraries

2006 By George Mason University Libraries. All rights reserved.

Processed by: Special Collections and Archives Staff

Repository
George Mason University. Special Collections and Archives.
Collection number
C0052
Title
Sophocles Papas papers 1900-1998
URL:
http://sca.gmu.edu/finding_aids/papas.html
Physical Characteristics
23 linear feet (43 boxes)
Creator
Sophocles Papas, 1893-1986
Language
English
Abstract
This collection contains personal papers of Sophocles Papas including music scores, manuscript scores, phonograph records, correspondence, music journals, photographs, and guitar music manuals.

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions

There are no access restrictions.

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions on personal use. Permission to publish material from the Sophocles Papas papers must be obtained from Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

Preferred Citation

Sophocles Papas papers, C0052, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University.

Acquisition Information

Collection donated by Elisabeth Papas Smith and David Papas 1987-1999. Additional materials donated in 2010 by Elisabeth Papas Smith.

Processing Information

Processed by Special Collection and Archives staff. EAD markup completed by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty in April 2009.

Biographical Information

Sophocles Papas was an internationally known teacher of classical guitar. A Fairfax County resident later in his life, Papas taught the classical guitar in Washington, D.C. for nearly sixty years. He also taught at American University in Washington, D.C. Among his former students who have risen to fame are Charlie Byrd and Carlos Barbosa-Lima.

Papas was a prominent figure in the Washington music scene for much of his life. He performed live on radio regularly on WCAP and was a close friend to music legends, Andres Segovia and Carlos Montoya. Papas organized and conducted Washington's first guitar/mandolin/banjo orchestra, and founded the Washington Guitar Society. A prolific writer and publisher, Papas produced articles for scholarly music journals; wrote a column for the music magazine Crescendo; and founded Columbia Music Company, a publisher of sheet music and instructional methods for the guitar. Most notable among his publications is Method for the Classic Guitar. In 1998 Columbia Music Company also published a biography of Papas, Sophocles Papas: the Guitar, His Life, written by his daughter, Elisabeth Papas Smith.

Scope and Content

This collection contains personal papers of Sophocles Papas including music scores, manuscript scores, phonograph records, correspondence, music journals, photographs, and guitar music manuals.

Arrangement

The collection is organized by subject and divided into two series. Series 1 contains the materials acquired in 1987, and Series 2 contains materials acquired in 1999. Since each series was processed separately, the box numbers for the collection repeat. Series 3 consists of scrapbook pages of guitarists and guitars collected by Elisabeth Papas Smith.

Related Material

Special Collections and Archives also holds the Sam di Bonaventura papers.

Index Terms

Adjunct Descriptive Data

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

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Contents List

Series 1: 1987 Accession

This series contains music scores, instruction guides, phonograph records, and music journals included in the 1987 acquisition. Note: the box numbers in this series repeat in series 2.

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Series 2: 1999 Accession

This series contains music scores, instruction guides, guitar journals, and photographs included in the 1999 acquisition. Box numbers from the first acquisition repeat in this series.

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Series 3: 2011 Accession
1940s-2003

This series consists of a collection of newspaper and magazine clippings, postcards (some with correspondence to Elisabeth Papas-Smith), stamps, and photographs collected by Elisabeth Papas-Smith. Images and articles relate to guitars and other fretted instruments, popular music and musicians, and Sophocles Papas and friends.

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