Scope and Content of Collection
The Norman Sweetser papers contain an assortment of materials that document Sweetser's experiences in the New York theater and radio broadcasting worlds of the early to mid-twentieth century. Sweetser's activities brought him into contact with many show business personalities of the day, from actors to announcers to production crew members, many of whom are captured vividly in photographs and in portrait sketches done by Sweetser. A set of large portrait sketches forms the first part of the collection. The balance consists of two scrapbooks containing smaller portrait sketches and photographs covering the period from Sweetser's college days through his radio career, as well as theater programs, newspaper and magazine clippings, correspondence, and miscellaneous items such as membership cards. The collection spans the years 1913-1975, with the bulk of the items dating from 1913-1941. A small number of the late items are undated.