Karl West Flaster Collection

Introduction
Scope and Contents
Box and File List

Introduction

The Karl West Flaster-- Librettist and Poet-- Collection was accessioned by the University of Dayton Archives and Special Collections in February 1990. This collection was donated by his son, Karl Wonderly Flaster (1934-1999), a University of Dayton Alumni (class of 1959).

The literary copyrights have been given to the University of Dayton Archives and Special Collections. At the time of donation, the donor requested to be notified when the collection is researched and stated that he would be available for interviews by researchers regarding his father's collection. However, Karl Wonderly Flaster passed away in 1999.

The estate of Vittorio Giannini is held in trust. All research material is located at and controlled by:

Joyce Adger, Vice President
Wachovia Bank & Trust
P.O. Box 3099
Winston-Salem, NC 27150-3099

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Scope and Contents

The Karl Flaster Collection is divided into six series: Professional Papers, Poetry and Short Stories, Correspondence, Newspaper Clippings, Personal Memorabilia, and Oversize Materials.

Series I: Professional Papers
Contains contracts (1927-53), royalty statements (1920-93), and rejection slips (1925-38; ND) from various companies. Documents from the ASCAP (1940-83) and the Library of Congress (1937-44). Also included are various musical scores: Karl Flaster with Vittorio Giannini (1927-50), Pedro Albani (1944), Julia Smith (1954-55), and William Madden (ND); Vittorio Giannini with Philander Johnson (1920); and Domenico Savino with Harry R. Wilson. Miscellaneous papers such as programs from performances of Karl's work, including a book by Jeffrey W. Price entitled The Soungs Of Vittorio Giannini on Poems by Karl Flaster, 1994.

Series II: Poetry and Short Stories
Contains original poetry by Karl Flaster filed in six categories: dated works (42)*, works with religious meaning (40)*, love as a theme (48)*, works dedicated to a certain person or group (50)*, nature as a theme (25)*, and works that reflect inner feelings/views of Flaster (29)*. There is also a folder which contains extra copies of poems already filed (40)*. There is a booklet of poetry assembled by Karl's son from Karl's column "This 'N That" c.1980. There are also two short stories by Flaster, a notebook and its contents which belonged to his grandfather, Henry Reuck, three copies of school publications containing his early work, and a copy of The Atlantic City Mirror which features a prize-winning short story. (* denotes number in category)

Series III: Correspondence
Contains letters from Vittorio Giannini (1925-64; ND), miscellaneous correspondence from people such as: Norman Rockwell, Julia Smith, Bill Madden, and others. Plus one time correspondence from people such as: John Phillip Sousa, Euphemia Gregory, and others. There are also a few letters written by Karl Flaster to his son, Vittorio Giannini, music companies, etc.

Series IV: Newspaper Clippings
Contains newspaper articles by and about Karl Flaster, his work with Giannini, published poetry, and clippings illustrating Flaster's views (1920-60; ND). In addition, there are copies of Henry Reuck's two poems printed in a newspaper. Included in the 1960 file is a copy of Lyric Opera of Chicago 1961.

Series V: Personal Memorabilia
Contains personal papers: Flaster/West family tree, notebook used during West family tracing, and a copy of Karl Flaster's birth certificate before the name change from Max Flaster. Articles pertaining to family members: the Flaster granddaughters, Gladys Flaster, Karl Wonderly Flaster, Ruth Reuck (Karl's mother), and family friends. Photographs: of Karl West Flaster, his great aunts, Gladys Flaster's cousin and grandmother, Vittorio and Dusolina Giannini, Karl Wonderly Flaster and daughters, scenes from Lucedia's opening night, unidentified/misc. photos, Jeffrey Price, and Bill Madden.

Series VI: Oversize Materials
Contains items from the Karl West Flaster collection which cannot be stored with it due to their size. These items include: a large advertisement for various operas including Lucedia; Lucedia's original manuscript and a copy of it--both with handwritten corrections; a German copy of Lucedia; Lucedia's musical score; a synopsis of Shakespeare's Sweetheart; a copy of The Harvest; a copy of Beauty Pageant; a manuscript of The Scarlet Letter, lyrics and a detailed synopsis of Shakespeare's Sweetheart; and a folder containing original material on Christus including newspaper clips concerning the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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Box and File List

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Electronic finding aid created and updated in Mar. 2007 by Lisa Pasquinelli, from existing finding aid (original prepared in Fall 1990 by Melinda Michael).