Guide to the Sophocles Papas papers C0052 Sophocles Papas papers

Guide to the Sophocles Papas papers C0052

Sophocles Papas papers


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George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center

Fenwick Library, MS2FL
4400 University Dr.
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Business Number: 703-993-2220
Fax Number: 703-993-8911
speccoll@gmu.edu
URL: https://scrc.gmu.edu

Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty

Repository
George Mason University. Libraries. Special Collections Research Center
Identification
C0052
Title
Sophocles Papas papers 1900-2003
Quantity
23 Linear Feet, 43 boxes
Creator
Papas, Sophocles, 1893-1986
Location
R 24, C 1, S 6 - S 7; C 2, S 1 - S 7
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

Use Restrictions

There are no restrictions.

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to research.

Preferred Citation

Sophocles Papas papers, C0052, Special Collections Research Center, George Mason University Libraries.

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 Barbara Haase and Elizabeth Baker. Original finding aid compiled by Barbara Haase, Robert Vay, and Ronya Wei. EAD markup completed by Eron Ackerman and Jordan Patty in April 2009. EAD updated in 2010 by Greta Kuriger. Finding aid updated by Amanda Menjivar in June 2023.

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 three 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 with images of guitarists and guitars, with some original photographs but mostly consisting of reproductions, collected by Elisabeth Papas Smith.

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.

Series Series 1: 1987 Accession Series 2: 1999 Accession Series 3: 2010 Accession

Related Material

The Special Collections Research Center also holds the Sam di Bonaventura papers.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

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Container List

Series 1: 1987 Accession
Undated
Scope and Contents note

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
Undated
Scope and Contents note

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: 2010 Accession
Undated
Scope and Contents note

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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