Item is a photograph of Fiorello H. Laguardia, the Mayor of New York (1934-1945) , signing a scroll of greetings from the "Men in New York at the Stage Door Canteen" to the "Men of Canada." The "Men of Canada" refers to the Canadian service-men's center that opened in Ellen Ballon's family home in Montreal.
Series contains newspaper clippings about Ellen Ballon. Clippings include articles about a variety of subjects, including Ellen Ballon's life in general, concerts, and her hobbies.
Item is a postcard with a black and white photograph of Pietro Mascagni (1863-1945), an Italian opera composer. The postcard has various signatures on the front, including Francesco Marconi (1855-1916, operatic tenor from Rome) and four other illegible signatures. The postcard is addressed to Frau Dr. Lehnsern(?) of Berlin.
Series contains incoming correspondence sent to Ellen Ballon as well as ephemeral correspondence of European composers and classical music performers that was collected by Ellen Ballon.
File contains a letter from Yehudi Menuhin to Ellon Ballon written on December 2, 1957. The letter concerns a performance by Ellen Ballon in Montreal. Item is accompanied by the Ritz Carlton Montreal envelope in which Ballon received the letter.
File contains a letter from Walter de Mouilpied to Ellen Ballon, written on September 30, 1952. The letter thanks Ballon for a performance she gave at an honorary dinner. Item is accompanied by the stamped envelope in which Ballon received the letter. The postage stamp has been removed from the envelope.
File contains a piano technique book used and annotated by Ellen Ballon. It is the third book in a set of three, dedicated to Rafael Joseffy. It includes studies by composers from Ludwig van Beethoven until the book's publication.
File contains a piano technique book used by Ellen Ballon while she was studying with Alberto Jonas in New York. Each page includes printed technical excercises and blank staff lines with some additions handwritten in pencil, presumably by Jonas or Ballon. The book includes a repertoire list of pieces Ballon performed in 1918-1919.
File contains a loose leaf press book prepared by Andrew Schulhof, Ellen Ballon's personal representative in New York, New York. The press book contains multiple biographical compositions of Ellen Ballon for various types of press releases.
Item is a handwritten letter from Heitor and Arminda Villa-Lobos to Ellen Ballon written on July 26, 1947. The letter details Villa-Lobos itinerary on a European tour and comments on Ballon's performances of Villa-Lobos' compositions. Item is accompanied by the stamped air mail envelope in which Ballon received the letter. One French postage stamp is affixed to the envelope.
Item is a typed letter from Heitor Villa-Lobos to Ellen Ballon written on September 9, 1947. The letter details some potential performances of Villa-Lobos' compositions and his desire to have Ballon perform his music. Item is accompanied by the stamped air mail envelope in which Ballon received the letter. Two Brazilian postage stamps are affixed to the envelope.
Item is a typed letter from Heitor Villa-Lobos to Ellen Ballon written on June 2, 1947. Villa-Lobos acknowledges a May 15, 1946 letter from Ballon and provides some information on his compositions, including Caixinha de Boas Festas, the 2nd Suite do Descobrimento do Brasil, and Danses Africaines. The letter refers to Marks Co. as "the true thieves of my musics." Item is accompanied by the stamped air mail envelope in which Ballon received the letter. Two Brazilian postage stamps are affixed to the envelope.
Item is a typed letter from Arminda Villa-Lobos to Ellen Ballon written on May 28, 1947. Arminda writes about her poor English and asks Ballon to write in Portuguese. She also asks if an October 1947 concert in Montreal will be broadcast. This concert was the Canadian premiere of Villa-Lobos' first piano concerto. Item is accompanied by the stamped air mail envelope in which Ballon received the letter. Two Brazilian postage stamps are affixed to the envelope.
Item is a typed letter from Heitor Villa-Lobos to Ellen Ballon written on December 17, 1946. The letter acknowledges a letter Ballon wrote on December 5, 1946 and asks if Ballon performed the world premier of Villa-Lobos's first piano concerto with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Item is accompanied by the stamped air mail envelope in which Ballon received the letter. Two Brazilian postage stamps are affixed to the envelope.
Item is a music notebook kept by Ellen Ballon during her childhood. The notebook contains harmony exercises and notes handwritten in pencil with some corrections in pencil crayon. The first page of the notebook is dated March 23, 1911.
File contains a program for The Town Hall concert series in New York where Ellen Ballon performed February 13, 1943; a program from the Columbus Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Izler Solomon, with whom Ballon performed March 20, 1944; and a poster advertising Ellen Ballon, by her personal representative, Andrew Schulhof.
File includes an issue of Canadian Review of Music and Art published in 1944 (Volume 2, Numbers 9 and 10). The issue includes an article by John Bauer titled "Ellen Ballon - Canada's Outstanding (Woman) Pianist." Canadian Review of Music and Art was published in Toronto, Ontario by Canadian Review Publishing.
File contains an exhibition program that includes a biography of Ellen Ballon, press tributes, lists of musical scores, correspondence, photographs, and autographed books. Also includes a short biography of Ellen Ballon written in 1972 by Grace Tratt, former Head of Special Collections at Dalhousie University.
File contains correspondence and a certificate from the Secretary of the Board of Governors of McGill University regarding the proceeds from the Martlet Concert and Ball as well as Ellen Ballon's general support of the McGill music program.