In June 1999 Ralph C. Smith gave to the Rare Books and Manuscripts Department of the Z. Smith Reynolds Library a collection of over 200 manuscripts of classical music performers, composers, and conductors. In honor of his brother Joseph E. Smith, who had assembled the collection, Ralph Smith contributed the manuscripts to the library for research and study within the larger context of the academic community.

The collection includes signed letters, postcards, business cards, photographs, and concert programs. Eugene Ormandy, Johannes Brahms, Gustav Mahler, Frederick Delius, and Bela Bartok are but a few of the artists represented in this rich and varied collection.