Stephen Sondheim collection of game and puzzle periodicals
Collection Scope and Content Note
The Stephen Sondheim collection of game and puzzle periodicals consists of periodicals and ephemera that belonged to Stephen Sondheim. The collection includes a May/June 1982 issue of The Gamer with an inserted letter from Sondheim toThe Gamer regarding resubscription, a renewal notice forTough Puzzles, March 1993 [mailing label], and an August 2018 issue ofGames World of Puzzles magazine with some puzzles completed by Sondheim. The materials date from 1982 to 2018.
Dates
- Creation: 1982-2018
Conditions Governing Access
The Stephen Sondeim collection of game and puzzle periodicals is open to staff of The Strong and users of its library and archives.
Conditions Governing Use
The Strong does not hold intellectual property rights (including, but not limited to any copyright, trademark, and associated rights therein) to the materials in this collection. United States Copyright Law includes provisions for making of photocopies and other reproductions for the use of private study, scholarship, and research purposes only.
Biographical Note
Stephen Sondheim is celebrated as the most innovative and influential composer and lyricist in modern musical theater. Stephen Sondheim is also revered among word puzzle enthusiasts for introducing Americans to British-style cryptic crosswords, which are more a “test of wits” than a mere display of “tirelessly esoteric knowledge,” as he wrote in 1968.
His crossword puzzles for New York Magazine in 1968 and 1969 were influential in popularizing the cryptic genre in this country. He credited his love of both puzzles and musicals to Hammerstein’s early mentorship. Introduced by Hammerstein to “Puns & Anagrams” in theNew York Times as a young teen, Sondheim created his own and submitted it to theTimes. “They sent it back saying, ‘We’re very impressed, it’s very perspicacious,’ which was a word I had to look up,” he recalled.
Extent
0.1 Linear Feet (1 folder)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Stephen Sondheim collection of game and puzzle periodicals consists of periodicals and ephemera that belonged to Stephen Sondheim. The materials date from 1982 to 2018 and are housed in one folder.
System of Arrangement
The materials are arranged chronologically in one folder.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
This collection was donated to The Strong in September 2024 as a gift from Andrew Parr. The papers were accessioned by The Strong under object ID 124.5617.
Processed by
Laura Boland, May 2025.
Source
- Sondheim, Stephen (Person)
- Title
- Guide to the Stephen Sondheim Collection of Game and Puzzle Periodicals, 1982-2018 —
- Author
- Laura Boland
- Date
- May 2025
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Brian Sutton-Smith Library and Archives of Play at The Strong Repository
The Strong
One Manhattan Square
Rochester NY 14607 USA
585.263.2700
585.423.1886 (Fax)
library@museumofplay.org