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A most ambitious collectible project is taking shape at historic Carnegie Hall, that venerable window into musical, cultural and political history in midtown Manhattan at Seventh Avenue and 57th Street.
As the concert hall approaches its 100th birthday-its opening concert was on May 5, 1891, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky conducting one of his own works-the hall's archivist, Gino Francesconi, is assembling a striking range of memorabilia reflecting the legendary institution's past.
"Every day, we're finding out something new about the place," Francesconi said in a telephone interview.
"In 1986, we started out with practically nothing in an effort to accumulate 100 years' worth of stuff," he said. "I don't think we've done too badly. The most important thing is to get the word out. Most of the material is still in private hands."
Hunt for Items
Francesconi, who has placed ads in general-interest and trade publications in his search for Carnegie Hall collectibles, still is seeking a number of items, including programs, posters, musical manuscripts, correspondence and a potpourri of musicians' possessions, including batons and instruments.
The rapidly growing collection will be displayed at five locations in Manhattan from September, 1990, to May, 1991, he said. Locations include the New York Public Library...