Von Tilzer / Gumm Collection, 1878-1959 Span: 1878-1959 Bulk: 1900-1949 English collection 26 ft. 77 boxes Harry Von Tilzer was born Harold Gumm on July 8, 1872, to Jacob and Sarah Tilzer Gumm of Goshen, Indiana. At age 14 he ran away and joined the circus, and at 17 he joined the Chamberlain Stock Company in Chicago, changing his name from Gumm to a variant of his mother's maiden name, Von Tilzer. He moved to New York City in 1892, and was a performer on the vaudeville circuit for many years. For his vaudeville performances he wrote his own songs, which he began to peddle in Tin Pan Alley -- a slang term for the music-publishing district that has been credited to Von Tilzer himself. He joined the publishing firm of Shapiro, Bernstein in 1899, but soon left to form his own firm, The Harry Von Tilzer Music Publishing Co., in 1902. Of Von Tilzer's several brothers, only H. Harold Gumm retained the family name. He started the firm of Goldie & Gumm with partner William V. Goldie. Trained as a lawyer, Gumm was active on both the east and west coasts as a theatrical agent and attorney who had as clients some of the best known black performers of the 1930s and 1940s. The collection includes several versions of Harry Von Tilzer's unpublished autobiography, the records of his publishing company, and the subject files of H. Harold Gumm relating to his activities as an agent in the entertainment industry. Biographical writings; correspondence; music, both printed and manuscript; lyric sheets; scripts; financial and legal records; programs; photographs; clippings. Von Tilzer / Gumm Collection, Music Division, Library of Congress Von Tilzer Personal and professional papers of composer and music publisher Harry Von Tilzer and his brother H. Harold Gumm, an entertainment lawyer, agent and producer. Researchers wishing to work with special collections are advised to inquire in advance about availability of material since many special collections are stored off-site. Certain restrictions to use or copying of materials may apply. Vaudeville American Musical Theater Music Publishers Theater Von Tilzer, Harry Gumm, H. Harold ML31.V67 Performing Arts Encyclopedia scdb Music Division, Library of Congress http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.music/eadmus.mu010017 IHAS 120821 loc.natlib.scdb.200033882