These records contain files on the development of television broadcasting at ABC and consist of correspondence, memos, reports, booklets, studies, press releases, news clippings, promotional items, and related items. The bulk of the files are for the period 1956-1967 and consist of material from the offices of several ABC departments. This series is divided into: General Correspondence (1954-1956, 1958-1959, 1968-1969) arranged by year and then alphabetically by correspondents’ last name; Outgoing Correspondence (1959-1969), which consists solely of carbon copies arranged chronologically, (dates); Individual Correspondence (1956-1965) which consists of continual correspondence with individuals arranged chronologically and then alphabetically by the last name of the correspondent; Congratulatory Correspondence (1961-1965) contains letters and telegrams maintained in their original grouping by subject and then alphabetically by name; and Correspondence; AB-PT records. As with other original series, many documents contain a notation in pencil on the upper right hand corner stating “AB-PT” or other designation and were filed as a distinct unit.

This collection consists of material sent from ABC’s New York City headquarters and their record storage facility. Substantive gaps in the collection indicate it may have been weeded at some time prior to transfer to storage. Prior to that time the correspondence was perhaps three times its present size. Fire damage and incomplete runs in file series indicate large portions of missing records.

For the most part, the original order has been retained. As a result the researcher should be prepared to look in more than one location for material on a particular topic. Goldenson’s treatment of correspondence of certain individuals as separate from general correspondence has been maintained. Within the alphabetical arrangement of the General Correspondence the materials is frequently insignificant and of a cursory nature, mentioning a recent lunch, meeting, or upcoming event. Although Goldenson did maintain some folders specified solely as “Congratulatory Correspondence,” “Invitation Accepted,” etc. correspondence of that nature is interspersed among the General Correspondence.