Collection consists of photographs, commercially published sheet music, and original music manuscripts from the McNallys' vaudeville careers. Materials include minstrel show and blackface material; photo of Albert Tovell, once the master of ceremonies for Frances H. "Peaches" Browning; and a photograph of "Gov. Jordan," a blackface female impersonator.
Scope and Contents:
Series 1: Original Music Manuscripts/Arrangements contains original manuscripts used in the Hokem is Hokem act orchestrated by Neva Satterlee Mello. There are parts scores for five musical instruments and various instruments have additional music scores as well for individual selections. The series is arranged alphabetically.
Series 2: Commercial Sheet Music contains commercially printed sheet music, mostly from the vaudeville era with a few exceptions such as Hello Dolly and others. The series contains some well worn sheet music selections, some of which were presumably used by Neva's orchestra or the Hokem is Hokem troupe. One piece, Lily of the Valley, has been sewn along its spine by a sewing machine to help keep it together. The series is arranged alphabetically.
Series 3: Photographs contains photographs of George Mello and some of the Mello's/McNally's vaudeville contemporaries. Of special interest is one photograph of a man dressed in drag and blackface and a photograph of Albert Tovell, one time master of ceremonies for the somewhat infamous Frances H. Browning aka Peaches Browning (1910-1956). There is also another photograph of two men dressed in blackface.
Series 4: Memorabilia contains the music covers for the Hokem is Hokem act and one publication.
Arrangement:
Collection is divided into four series.
Series 1: Original Sheet Music
Series 2: Commercial Sheet Music
Series 3: Photographs
Series 4: Memorabilia
Biographical / Historical:
According to family history, Neva Satterlee at the age of seventeen formed an orchestra and was its leader for many years. At one time she was under contract with Charles Hoyt Productions, probably the same Hoyt of Morgan & Hoyt's who boasted a Ladies Band and Imperial Singing Orchestra on their bill. She was an accomplished musician and actress. Neva married George McNally and they took the stage surname of Mello. Neva did all the musical arrangements as she was the only one of the pair who could read music. Their home base was the town of Fulton, New York. The couple remained on the vaudeville circuit as entertainers until Neva's death during child birth in 1909. The couple had at least one child, Angeline McNally. George continued to work in vaudeville. The act was under the direction of George Mello and Eddie Shaw. The act, titled Hokem is Hokem, was a minstrel, musical revue style show and apparently consisted of at least five musical selections; the opening Hot-Time, followed by He's Goin' to Hab a Hot Time Bye an' Bye termed (the greatest coon song ever published), Tall Girl (arranged by Neva Satterlee Mello), Snaps, and The Man Behind the Plow. The act's band consisted of a piano, violin, cornet, trombone, drums, clarinet, and flute but may have included other instruments. According to family tradition, Mello ceased his vaudeville career by 1928.
The vaudeville tradition began in the aftermath of the Civil War when numerous minstrel companies began touring the country in minstrel shows presenting songs and comedy in an easily accessible format. Vaudeville became the staple American family entertainment during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Tony Pastor gave the first big time vaudeville show in New York City in 1881 and by 1919 there were reportedly 900 vaudeville theatres in the country. Featuring a collection of sketches, short plays, popular songs, and simple comedy routines, the show often featured minstrel-type acts presented by actors in blackface. With the influx of immigrants in the latter 19th century, the tradition continued but was changed by European and ethnic influences. Booking agents operated in the major cities of New York, Chicago and San Francisco promoting and developing their own Vaudeville Acircuits. Booking agents booked small troupes of actors, specialty acts and musical performers to tour the circuit traveling from one town's vaudeville house to the next. (Encarta Encyclopedia, IATSE)
Provenance:
Collection donated to the Archives Center by the granddaughter of the McNallys, Beatrice M. LaClair, in 2000.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Rights situation uncertain. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
George E. "Mello" and Neva Satterlee McNally Vaudeville Collection, 1889-1964, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Gift of Beatrice M. LaClair.
1 Item (Silver gelatin on paper, unmounted., 3.5" x 5.4")
Container:
Box 9, Item 168
Type:
Archival materials
Photographs
Postcards
Picture postcards
Place:
Benham Ky. -- Photographs -- 1900-1910
Date:
1913
Scope and Contents:
Postcard bears image of bandstand, Benham, Ky. Postmarked 1913. Message on verso from "Sis Mollie" to Clara B. Hoey, Louisa, Ky.
Local Numbers:
AC0253-0000010 (AC scan no.)
87-14224 (OPPS Neg.)
91-2452 (OPPS Neg.)
Collection Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site. Researchers must handle unprotected photographs with gloves.
Rights:
OPPS Neg. 91-2452, message side; OPPS Neg. 87-14224, image side. Copyright expired; public domain, but the Smithsonian Institution makes no warranty or representation regarding the fitness for publication of information derived from or copies from its collections. Permission to reproduce available through Archives Center and S.I. Office of Printing and Photographic Services.
The Falcon Trio Vaudeville Collection consists mostly of scrapbook pages that cover the career of the Falcon Trio. Included are photographs of the Trio while performing, those probably used for publicity purposes, some personal photographs, and photographs of fellow vaudevillians. Most of the images are unidentified, but beside the Trio, there are images of other acts that were on the same circuit. The collection also includes newspaper clippings of advertisements, write-ups featuring the Trio, and of the numerous theaters where they played for up to a week's engagement. There is also correspondence between Falcon and the many booking agents who handled the act. In addition, there are railroad stubs and ephemera belonging to Ed Maziarz, mementos of the Falcon's travels.
The material is not in chronological order making it difficult to compare the gains in salaries through the years, particularly from 1918 through the 1920s, and also to compare the cost of railroad travel.
Most of the contracts were between Ed Falcon, signing for the Trio, and the managers of the theaters where they performed. The terms of the contracts covered rehearsal time, publicity material the act was to provide, personal behavior, the commission percentage, billings, and
length of time of performance. Some letters from the Falcon's agents suggested ideas for publicity that might be utilized by the performers. One mimeographed letter from E. F. Albee (B. F. Keith circuit) to the vaudeville artists reminded them to provide good photographs, have good costumes, to keep up standards, to keep the act interesting, not to use old material, and to keep the act fresh and clean.
Many of the contracts, in the early years especially, provided that no act could play in the same city within a year or two years. The act's name may have been changed to get around these provisos.
Several letters are of special interest because they give an idea of the relationship with the booking agents and their efforts on behalf of their clients. Bookings were obtained keeping in mind that travel should be cheap and easy. Occasionally there was trouble with lost baggage. From the letterheads and from the contents of the letters, one can see the variety of specialties of the booking agents such as those only working with circuits, with fairs, or in certain geographic areas.
The collection should be of particular use to those interested in the vaudeville days and booking of acts.
Biographical / Historical:
Edward F. Maziarz (Eddie Falcon) was born on September 12, 1891 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By the fall of 1911, he, Edward Bykowski, and Anton (Tony) Walker had begun their aerial act. From photographs, it seems they did their stunts from airplanes. Once on the vaudeville circuit, their act was done on aerial rings on stage. In their publicity, they stressed the difference between rings and the use of bars and the trapeze. The latter provided a foundation on which to sit or stand or rest, aerial rings required the performers to continue the routine until it was accomplished without any stalling. There was comedy throughout the six to eight minutes of the trio's performance. It is assumed that Eddie Falcon was the comic because of several of the images in which he appears.
Except for an interruption while Eddie Falcon served in the Navy (1918-1919), the group performed quite steadily from 1912 to 1931. The Trio played tour circuits, such as Pantages, Keith, Lowes, Hippodrome, and state and county fairs. They had contracts with a number of booking agents to whom they paid a commission of 5%, and were solicited by other booking agents who wanted to represent them. From press write-ups and letters from their own agents and those soliciting them, it appears that the Falcon Trio had a good reputation and did not often have open dates.
Provenance:
Transferred from the Division of Home and Community Life, April 1985.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Over nine hundred official company photographs documenting the history of the railroad. Subjects include trains, locomotives and cars; employees and employee gatherings and events; structures such as stations, track, bridges, crossings, towers, and coaling stations.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into two series.
Series 1: Negatives
Series 2: Copy Prints
Biographical / Historical:
Founded in 1871, the Wheeling and Lake Erie (W&LE) Railway was built to haul coal from southeastern Ohio mines to the Lake Erie ports of Huron and Toledo. After World War II, W&LE had several owners, the Nickel Plate, then the Norfolk & Western, and later, the Norfolk & Western and Southern (NS) merged. The W&LE was dissolved in 1989 but was revived in 1990 by new investors.
Provenance:
Donated to the Museum's Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering in 1981 by John A. Roher.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering Search this
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Work and Industry Search this
Extent:
1 Cubic foot (2 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photographs
Black-and-white photographs
Date:
1888-1928
Scope and Contents note:
Photographs of refrigeration equipment manufactured by Nickerson and Collins. Companies represented include: American Butt Copany, Hygiene Ice Company, Hygenic Ice and Cold Storage Company, Boston Terminal Refrigerating Company, Dixie Ice and Cold Storage Company, National Poultry and Egg Company, Alpine Ice Company, Standard Ice Manufctauring Company, Bryn Mawr Ice Manufacturing Company, Toyo Ice Factory, Aomori Fish Freezer and Storage Plant, Crescent Creamery Company, Keystone Cold Storage Company, Chicago Artificial Ice Company, City Ice Company, American Ice Company, Brunswick Ice Manufacturing Company, Texas Ice Company, The Citizens Ice Company, Independent Ice and Refrigerating Company, Mountain Ice Company, Charleston Ice House Carolina Service Company, Dianond Ice and Coal Company, Moon Lake Ice Company, Evansville Ice and Storage Company, Colonial Cold Storage Company, Gorrie Ice Manufacturing, Ice Publicity Association, and the Williams-Beers Ice.
Arrangement:
the collection is arranged into one series.
Biographical/Historical note:
Manufacturer of refrigeration and ice making machinery, Chicago, Illinois.
Provenance:
Collected for the Division of Civil and Mechanical Engineering (now called the Division of Work and Industry). Date unknown.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Refrigeration and refrigerating machinery Search this
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Engineering and Industry Search this
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of History of Technology Search this
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Work and Industry Search this
Extent:
0.5 Cubic feet (3 boxes, 1 map folder)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Photograph albums
Postcards
Photographs
Place:
Canada
Quebec
Date:
1905-1986
bulk 1905-1916
Summary:
The collection documents the construction of the first and second Quebec Bridges over the St. Lawrence River. Construction on the first bridge began in 1900 and the bridge collapsed before completion in 1907. Construction on the second Quebec Bridge, which is the longest cantilever bridge in the world, was completed in 1917.
Scope and Contents:
The collection documents the construction of the first and second Quebec Bridges over the St. Lawrence River primarily through photographs. The collection is arranged into two series: Series 1, Photographic Materials, 1905-1965 and Series 2, Other Materials, 1916-1986.
Series 1, Photographic Materials, 1905-1965, is divided into two subseries: Subseries 1.1, Photographs, 1907-1965 and Subseries 1.2, Photograph Album, 1905. The black-and-white photographs primarily document the construction of the second Quebec Bridge, 1907-1917. Many of these photographs were taken in a workshop where the production of the bridge parts and building materials occurred. One picture, marked number 24, is of the Prime Minister of Canada, Robert Borden, attending the construction site in October 1913. This series also contains photographs of the 1907 bridge collapse and pictures taken in 1965 of the current second bridge. Subseries 2, Photograph Album, 1905, documents the construction of the first Quebec cantilever bridge. The album contains mounted black-and-white photographs taken between May 12 and November 23, 1905.
Series 2, Other Materials, 1916-1986, consists of newspaper articles and postcards. The newspaper articles detail the 1916 construction accident on the second Quebec bridge; one 1917 article about the bridge; and one 1986 article about the 1907 collapse of the first bridge. There are three postcards, both black-and-white and color, of the Quebec Bridge.
Arrangement:
Collection is arranged into two series.
Series 1, Photographic Materials, 1905-1965
Subseries 1, Photographs, 1907-1965
Subseries 2, Photograph Album, 1905
Series 2, Other Materials, 1916-1986
Biographical / Historical:
The first Quebec Bridge was built over the St. Lawrence River in order to connect important railroad lines.[1] This bridge collapsed on August 29, 1907, killing 79 men.[2]
The engineers for the second bridge were Maurice Fitzmaurice, H.E. Vautelet, and Ralph Modjeska.[3]
Notes:
[1] "Bridge of 1,800-FT. Span Across the St. Lawrence," Popular Mechanics Vol. 8, No. 12 December 1906
[2]"Wrecked Quebec Bridge to be Recommended"[3] "Wrecked Quebec Bridge to be Recommended"
Provenance:
Originally collected for the Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering's reference collections; exact date and source of acquisition unknown.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Reproduction permission from Archives Center: reproduction fees may apply.
The Tayoltita mine in Durango, acquired by American mining magnate William Randolph Hearst in the 1880's, was one of the richest gold and silver mines in the world. By the time of this 1941 photograph, it had been updated with the most modern equipment.
Arrangement:
Box No. 4.
Local Numbers:
AC0944-0000002.tif (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Copyright held by donor. Written permission required prior to obtaining reproductions. Consult with Archives Center staff for contact information. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Copyright held by donor. Written permission required prior to obtaining reproductions. Consult with Archives Center staff for contact information. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Copyright held by donor. Written permission required prior to obtaining reproductions. Consult with Archives Center staff for contact information. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Women garment workers, New York City. "Every Minute Counts" banner on wall.
Arrangement:
Box No. 5.
Local Numbers:
AC0944-0000051.tif (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Copyright held by donor. Written permission required prior to obtaining reproductions. Consult with Archives Center staff for contact information. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Copyright held by donor. Written permission required prior to obtaining reproductions. Consult with Archives Center staff for contact information. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Three young women sewing outdoors, with church towers in background.
Arrangement:
Box No. 5.
Local Numbers:
AC0944-0000073.tif (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Copyright held by donor. Written permission required prior to obtaining reproductions. Consult with Archives Center staff for contact information. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Copyright held by donor. Written permission required prior to obtaining reproductions. Consult with Archives Center staff for contact information. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Genre/Form:
Black-and-white photographic prints -- Silver gelatin -- 1900-1950
Collection Citation:
Katherine Joseph Collection, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Copyright held by donor. Written permission required prior to obtaining reproductions. Consult with Archives Center staff for contact information. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
It is possible that this is a self-portrait by Katherine Joseph, but there is no evidence.
Arrangement:
Box No. 5.
Local Numbers:
AC0944-0000090.tif (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Copyright held by donor. Written permission required prior to obtaining reproductions. Consult with Archives Center staff for contact information. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Copyright held by donor. Written permission required prior to obtaining reproductions. Consult with Archives Center staff for contact information. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt and International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) president David Dubinsky with cast members of the ILGWU revue "Pins and Needles." Left to right: Ruth Rubenstein, Rose Newmark, Lynn Jaffe, Millie Weitz, Ann Brown, and Nettie Harari at the White House, March 3, 1938.
Biographical / Historical:
This Broadway revue was originally written for and performed by members of the ILGWU, "who sang out for all the people fighting for jobs, housing, a minimum wage, immigrants' rights and economic justice, and performed sketches that satirized the European fascists and the U.S. right-wing reactionaries who rose up against FDR's New Deal," according to presenters. Subtitled "A Musical Revue in Two Acts, 19 Scenes." Sketches by Arthur Arent, Marc Blitzstein, Emanuel Eisenberg, Charles Friedman, Harold J. Rome and David Gregory. Music and lyrics mostly by Harold J. Rome. First produced in New York 11 June 1936 at the Labor Stage Studios. Opened 27 November 1937 at the Labor Stage Theatre; Second edition (Pins and Needles 1939) opened 20 April 1939, moved 26 June 1939 to the Windsor Theatre; renamed Pins and Needles 1939 in August 1939, renamed Pins and Needles 1940 in September 1939; Third edition (New Pins and Needles) opened 25 November 1939, and closed 22 June 1940 after a total of 1108 performances. (See http://www.guidetomusicaltheatre.com/shows_p/pinsneedles.htm.)
Local Numbers:
AC0944-0000051.tif (AC Scan No.)
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research access on site by appointment. Gloves required with unprotected photographs.
Collection Rights:
Copyright held by donor. Written permission required prior to obtaining reproductions. Consult with Archives Center staff for contact information. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
"This shed-type station with its prefabricated panels, pump island, and canopy prefigured many later gas station designs." Caption from reproduction in Chad Randall's article, below. The top of the station bears the Shell sign.
Local Numbers:
00071108.tif (AC Scan)
General:
In Box --, Folder --.
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site by appointment. Photographs must be handled with cotton gloves unless protected by sleeves.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Reproduction permission from Archives Center: fees for commercial use.
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering Search this
Extent:
1 Cubic foot (3 boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Lantern slides
Negatives
Photographs
Place:
Manila (Philippines)
Nagasaki (Japan)
Date:
1945
Summary:
Collection documents the destroyed city of Nagasaki, Japan, and bombing in Manila, Philippines, 1945.
Content Description:
Collection contains lantern slides, negatives, and black and white print photographs of the destroyed city of Nagasaki, Japan and bombing in Manila, Philippines. Images depict street scenes, destroyed buildings, and people injured or killed. Negatives in series 2 are most likely of photographs from series 1.
Arrangement:
Collection is arranged into two series.
Series 1: Photographic prints and Negatives, 1945
Series 2: Lantern Slides, 1945
Related Materials:
Materials in the National Air and Space Museum Archives
The National Air and Space Museum Archives holds many related collections on World War II bombing, including the William Jones World War II scrapbook, NASM.2006.0067.
Provenance:
Collection donated by Progressive Architecture, through managing editor, Rita R. Robinson, 1973.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Unprotected photographs must be handled with gloves.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Religious subjects and connections, including holidays, all concerning Christian beliefs: 2 views of camp meetings(?), one by D. W. Butterfield, the other unidentified; 2 views of leaf and flower arrangements surrounding photographs; one of the Passion Play by Ingersoll, 7 by C. H. Graves, "First Communion" from the Popular Series, and 6 views relating to Christmas.
Related Materials:
Forms part of the photographs division of the Warshaw Collection of Business Americana.
Restrictions:
Unrestricted research use on site. Photographs must be handled with white cotton gloves, unless protected by plastic sleeves.
Series Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, Archives Center, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution
Sponsor:
Funding for partial processing of the collection was supported by a grant from the Smithsonian Institution's Collections Care and Preservation Fund (CCPF).
