Warfel: Mary Warfel Collection, 1887-1945

Call number:  MG-138

3 boxes     18 folders     2.5 cubic ft.

Repository:  LancasterHistory.org (Lancaster, Pa.)

Shelving Location:  Archives South, Side 4

Description:  This collection contains materials collected by or pertaining to Mary Warfel, world reknowned harpist from Lancaster County. There are scrapbooks, newspaper articles, programs, reviews, event announcements, and correpsondence.

Creator:  Warfel, Mary S.; Kaseman, Paul.

Conditions for Access:  No restrictions.

Conditions Governing Reproductions:  Collection may not be photocopied. Please contact Research Staff or Archives Staff with questions.

Language:  English

Source of Acquisition:  Items in Folders 10 and 11 were a gift of Paul Kaseman.

Administrative/Biographical History: Mary Warfel

Mary Warfel was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1889 to a family of exceptional musical talent. Both her parents were musicians and her grandfather was a Viennese baritone. From an early age Warfel is said to have shown signs of her brilliance as she displayed unusual common sense and sound judgment. As a young lady Warfel decided to follow in the footsteps of her family as she went to study music at St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame in 1905. While at St. Mary’s Warfel studied the harp and the piano. Warfel wrote in her diary which she kept through the duration of her time at St. Mary’s that the harp was her favorite instrument to study. Finishing her studies in 1906 Warfel would go on to graduate with honors.

Upon leaving college Warfel traveled to Philadelphia where she would study under the tutelage of Constantin von Sternberg. During this period of her life Mary Warfel’s studies were more focused on the piano however the harp still remained her first love and she never abandoned hope of someday becoming a prominent harpist.

After her time with von Sternberg Warfel returned to Lancaster where she began her music career. Warfel kept track of her career by saving the newspaper articles and various letters wrote to her throughout her career. The first record that Mary Warfel saved came from a concert in Philadelphia on April 11, 1909 where she played the Woodland Presbyterian Church. From this point on until her breakout season Warfel played a handful of concerts every year mostly being recognized as a auxiliary performer barely getting much recognition.

Warfel’s career took off after she played a concert in New York City on Palm Sunday in 1914. This was Warfel’s final performance of the 1913-14 season. The 1914-15 season would turn out to be huge for Warfel as she would play concerts in Lancaster, York, Harrisburg, Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia and New York City.

The 1916-17 season would be even bigger for Warfel as she became a well known name in New York and played several large venues such as the Biltmore Hotel and Carnegie Hall. Despite Warfel’s success on a grand stage she never divorced herself from her home town. For Mary Warfel Lancaster City was home and she prided herself on trying to make Lancaster a premier music town by bringing in various big name artists to play concerts. Fritz Kreisler was one big names that Warfel brought to Lancaster, who was referred to by the local paper as the worlds greatest violinist. Warfel also never stopped playing local venues herself. Throughout her career and no matter how big her name got Warfel had always played concerts at the Iris Club and the Fulton. By the end of the 1916-17 season Warfel’s prestige had grown greatly and she became recognized as an elite harpist being compared to Ada Sassoli another great harpist of the era. A newspaper article that Warfel saved towards the end of the season mentioned that she was in high demand in New York.

Warfel’s career would continue to grow and her reputation would as well. Her prestige grew to the point where she became recognized as the premier harpist in the United States and throughout all her success her attitude never changed. An article from a paper in Altoona in 1918 described Mary as, “Someone who distinguishes herself by not being the type of musician who will not do something because it is not in her contract.” She was known to go out of her way to do things for others and such behavior gained her a great deal of followers.

During the twenties Warfel played less concerts and focused on her music series, bringing prominent names to Lancaster. Mary Warfel certainly would have been a well known name amongst music lovers during her lifetime. Unfortunately she did not leave much of a legacy because all of her work consisted of live performances. The remaining records of Mary Warfel are newspaper articles from various cities that she saved, personal letters addressed to her, and several short excerpts from history books on Lancaster County. Regardless of what Mary Warfel did or did not leave she still stands among Lancaster’s most distinguished citizens as a nationally recognized musician who played one of the most difficult to master instruments.

Administrative Note: Processed and finding aid by PW; Biographical information by DJ, Fall 2014.

 

Box 1

Folder 1         Green Scrapbook, 1916-1917 and 1917-1918 Seasons

Folder 2         Green Scrapbook, 1920-1924 Season

 

Box 2

Folder 3         Small dark red scrapbook, College Girl’s Record, 1906

Folder 4         Black Scrapbook, “Postcards,” 1908-1922
Musical programs and reviews
Newspaper articles

 

Box 3

Folder 5         Photocopies of Newspaper Articles
Insert 1  “An Epoch Passes on with the Waldorf,” New York Times, 28 April 1929.
Insert 2  Iris Club Social Events, 23 January 1929.
Cleveland Orchestra, 22 February 1928.
Insert 3  Wedding announcement and picture of Miss Alma Sprecher, 16 August 1928.
Mary Warfel entertains at bridge, 9 August 1928.
Insert 4  Polly Porter reviews Social Events.
Weddings of Dorothea Barnard and Louis Fortier, Ellen Landis and Penn Brinton.
Warfels are hostesses at brilliant reception.
Carmen Pleases Local Audiences,” 21 November 1929.
Insert 5  Picture of Mrs. John Warfel and daughter, Miss Mary Warfel.
Insert 6  “Hensel Tells Events Down Lancaster Way,” 10 June 1929.
Picture of bride, Mrs. Paul Mueller’s attendants.
Social event at Iris Club.
Insert 7  News from women’s organizations.
Picture, “Lancaster Bicentennial Begins Today.”
“Art Chorus Achieves Triumph in Concert.”
Insert 8  Polly Porter Review, 19 August 1928.
Mueller-Sprecher nuptials.
“Tube-Audit Fight Will go to Court,” Vernon Stiles.
Insert 9  Picture of Miss Martha Keller in Collegiate Hall of Fame.
Art Chorus articles.
Concert series postponed, 10 September 1928.
Iris Club hears fine concert.
Mary Warfel spends vacation at Raskob Estate.

Folder 6         Correspondence
Insert 1  Receipt notice, Warfel Concert Box Office
Insert 2  MSW bridal place name card
Insert 3  Envelope and card, “Mrs. Riley’s Dinner Party,” orchids from Mr. Connett, 7 February 1929.
Insert 4   Letter to Miss Warfel from Eleanor Proctor Riley.
Insert 5  Envelope with address, World Famous Artists Concerts, 310 N. Lime Street, Lancaster, Pa.
Insert 6  Envelope and card, “Greetings for Christmas and the New Year”
Insert 7  Invitation from Mr. and Mrs. Charles B. Long to meet Miss Yvonne Long.
Insert 8  Card to Mrs. John Girvin Warfel and Miss Mary Sophia Warfel from Iris Club, January 23.
Insert 9  Letter to Miss Mary Warfel from M. Edw. Hurst, Secretary of Lancaster, Pa. Quota Club.
Picture and article, “Yuletide Party for Quotarions,” New Era, 18 December 1928.
Insert 10  Postcard from Copenhagen.
Insert 11  Letter from Feri Sarkozi, 9 February 1929.
Insert 12  Invitation from Miss Maud Morgan to a reception in honor of Marcel Grandjaney.
Insert 13  Iris Club Program, The Tollefsen Trio, 9 February 1929.
Insert 14  Letter of thanks from M. T. Garvin & Co., 9 December 1928.
Insert 15  Announcement of Florence Shaffner, harpist.
Insert 16  Card from Barr’s Flowers.

Folder 7         Correspondence
Insert 1  Map of Lancaster and Long Park Manor.
Insert 2  Blank invitation to a party.
Insert 3  Envelope and bridge talley, Lady with fan.
Insert 4  Envelope with 3 pictures of Francis Sonin.
Insert 5  Class night exercises, Sacred Heart Academy, 11 June 1929.
Insert 6  Invitations to card party at St. Anthony’s Partish Hall, May 21.
Insert 7  Pictures, woman playing the harp.
Insert 8  Program announcements, Carmen, 20 November 1929.
Insert 9  Announcement of World Famous Artists Concerts, 1926-1927.
Insert 10  Announcement at Cleveland Orchestra, 22 February 1928.

Folder 8
Insert 1  Funeral Oration, Richard Reilly, 1861-1927.
Insert 2  Article,“Pro Musica gives New York Concert,” The Musical Digest, 8 February 1927.
Insert 3  Program at the Wednesday Club, “The Zimmer Harp Trio,” 16 January 1926.
Insert 4  Program at Rajah Theater, Reading, Pennsylvania. Mabel Garrison, Soprano. Salvatore de Stefano, harpist. January 4. 1917-1918 Season.
Insert 5  Card, “Youth.”
Insert 6  Announcement, World famous Carmen Artist Concert, 1929 Season.
Insert 7  Christmas card, 1925.
Insert 8  Map of Ocean Voyage, 30 August 1911.
Insert 9  Program, Cleveland Orchestra, December 10.
Insert 10  Program, The Silver Cord, Drama Club of Lancaster.
Insert 11  Envelope, 1 copy of postponement of concert series 10 September 1928.
18 two cent stamps.
Insert 12  Official program, Harford Agricultural and Breeders Association, Racing, 23 September 1922.

Folder 9         Correspondence
Insert 1  “Organ of Light Recital Pleases,” Philadelphia newspaper.
“Presidents Honored in Church Windows.”
Program, Clavilux Recital, 31 October 1927.
Envelope, return address for World Famous Artist Concerts.
Insert 2  “Life of St. Francis is Found.”
“The Intell as the Ladies would Have It,” by M. Edna Hurst, Lancaster Intelligencer.
Insert 3  Announcement, World Famous Artist Concerts, 1926-1927 season.
Insert 4  Envelope with pieces of fabric.
Insert 5  Announcement, World Famous Artist Concerts, 1921-1922 season.
Insert 6  Envelope and program, The Bookman, May 1925.
Insert 7  Envelope and note from Elizabeth Heistand regarding cancellation of concert series, 9 September 1925.
Picture of “Queen Mary—to whom a number of American women were presented.”
Insert 8  Envelope and note from Dr. Wilhelmina Scott regarding concert series cancellation, 11 September 1928.
Insert 9  Envelope and note from Elmer Curry, Lancaster New Era, regarding continuing supoport for concert series, 11 September 1928.
Insert 10  Envelope and note from B. F. Hiestand regarding cancellation of concerts, 14 September 1928.
Insert 11  Envelope and note from J. S. Hoffman, YMCA, regarding concerts, 14 September 1928.
Insert 12  Envelope and note from Walter A. Miller, regarding concerts, 11 September 1928.

Folder 10      Donations by Paul Kaseman I
Insert 1  Newspaper Articles I
“The Quote Cackle,” The Pittsburgh Nest, 19 May 1922.
Insert 2  Newspaper Articles II
“Strand Audience Hears Fine Concert,” 28 January 1921.
“Salvi Astonishes by Harp Playing,” Lancaster Examiner, 19 November 1922.
Insert 3  Newspaper Articles III
”Ovation is Given Two Artists Here,” 25 January 1921.
“Musical Lectures Given at Iris Club,” 5 February 1921.
“Delightful Concert at Strand Theater,” Scranton Republican, 28 January 1921.
Insert 4  Newspaper Articles IV
“Boston Priest Makes Photographs of Scenic Mountain Wonders,” Boston Sunday Post, 20 January 1918.
Insert 5  Newspaper Articles V
“Master Violinist is Given Ovation,” (Fritz Kreisler), 1 April 1921.
“Quota Club has Musical Event.”
“Sixty Harpists Play,” 19 November 1920.
“Kreisler to Play at Opera Concert,” 19 November 1920.
“Theatrical Notes,” 19 November 1920.
“Concert a Success,” The Reading Eagle, February.
Insert 6  Newspaper Articles VI
“Morgana’s Voice Charms Audience,” Examiner New Era.

Folder 11      Donations by Paul Kaseman II
Insert 1  Program for Music Week.
Insert 2  Announcement card, 1921-1922 Season, World Famous Artist Concerts. Notes on back of card.
Insert 3  Newspaper article, “Maine’s Greatest Music Festival will Open on Monday,” Portland Sunday Press and Times, 30 September 1917.
Insert 4  Piano-Forte Recital, Mr. Ethelbert Nevin, 11 January 1887.
Insert 5  The Philadelphia Orchestra Concert, 11 January 1923.
Card for “The Gypsy Baron,” 21 February 1945.
Envelope, “Notes Regarding Harp Solos.”
Card note, Mr. P. Fridenberg.
Insert 6  Articles in Italian about concerts. Il Minatore, Scranton, March 1918.
Newspaper article regarding Music Fest in Italy, Portland, 30 September 1917.
Insert 7  Notes and cards.
Order form for tickets to “The Gypsy Baron,” 21 February 1945.
Notes regarding harp solo.
Insert 8  Newspaper article, “Lectured for Junior Iris Club on Instruments of Orchestra,” 5 February 1921.

Folder 12      Programs
Insert 1  Carnegie Hall.
Insert 2  Joint Recital, Nina Morgana and Mary Warfel, January 27.
Insert 3  The Biltmore Friday Morning Musicals, 1917-1918 Season.
Insert 4  First Concert of World Famous Artists, 1920-1921, Mme. Ernestine Schumann-Heink.
Insert 5  Third Concert of World Famous Artists, 1920-1921, Nina Morgana, Cornelius VanVliet.

Folder 13      Programs II
Insert 1  Second Concert of World Famous Artists, 1920-1921. Signor Alberto Salvi, Harpist, 18 November 1920.
Insert 2  Mid winter concert of the Oratorio Society of York, Pennsylvania, 28 January 1913.
Insert 3  Mary Warfel, America’s harp virtuoso.
Insert 4  Harp Recital, Mlle. Ada Sassoli, Miss Mary Warfel, Iris Club, December 15.
Insert 5  Announcement of the World Famous Concerts for the 1926-1927 Season.
Insert 6  Joint Recitals for Voice and Harp of French Music, Daisy B. Allen, Mary Warfel.

Folder 14      Programs III
Insert 1  Announcement, Five World Famous Artist Concerts, 1922-1923 Season.
Insert 2  Announcement, World Famous Artist Concerts, 1921-1922.
Insert 3  Joint recital, Edgar Schofield and Mary Warfel, 3 November 1922.
Insert 4  Mary Warfel, Solo Harpiste, 1916-1917.
Insert 5  Maine Music Festivals, Letter from Emma Chapman, 17 October 1917.
Insert 6  Picture of Margaret Wilson and note about Mary Warfel, Musical Courier, 14 November 1928.

Folder 15      Maine Music Festival, Twenty-first annual festival. 1-3 October 1917

Folder 16      Health Treatment charts.

Folder 17      Newspaper articles
Insert 1  “Lancaster Woman Harpist,” 28 May 1908.
Insert 2  “Two Quota Club Presidents,” The Wilkes-Barre Record.
Insert 3  Quota Club endorses “Boys Week” movement, 6 May 1922.
Insert 4  Tenor Giovanni Martinelli, Italian newspaper article, 1 March 1918, Scranton.
Insert 5  “Maine Festival Ovation for Mary Warfel,” 6 December 1917.
Insert 6  Salvi attracts an immense audience, new honors for local harpist, 19 November 1920.
Insert 7  “Miss Mary Warfel Harpist is native of Pennsylvania,” November.

Folder 18  French Flotilla Benefit, Metropolitan Opera House, 4 January 1916.