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COLLECTION Identifier: MS Thr 594

Portraits of female burlesque entertainers

Overview

Portraits of female burlesque stars who appeared in Boston, Massachusetts theaters.

Dates

  • Creation: 1925-1946

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on physical access to this material.

This collection is not housed at the Houghton Library but is shelved offsite at the Harvard Depository. Retrieval requires advance notice. Readers should check with Houghton Public Services staff to determine what material is offsite and retrieval policies and times.

Extent

.25 linear feet (1 box)

Portrait photographs of female performers at burlesque theaters in Boston, Massachusetts. Theaters include: Columbia Theatre, Gaiety Theatre, Globe Theatre, Howard Athenaeum, Park Theatre, Waldron's Casino Theatre, and others. Includes portraits of Ann Corio, Hinda Wassau and many others. Appears to be a collection of photographs formerly kept by the Boston Globe. as most photographs are stamped on verso: Return to Dramatic Dept. Boston Globe. The majority of the photographs were shot by Strand (New York) photographic studio, but other photographers are also included.

Biographical / Historical

Burlesque in this case refers to variety show performances in the twentieth century that involved erotic dance, often blended with comedy. This era of American burlesque is an offshoot of nineteenth century Victorian burlesque performances; this type of adult entertainment became popular in the United States during the mid-nineteenth century and continued through the twentieth century. A twenty-first century revival in interest in burlesque is known as the neo-burlesque.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by name of entertainer.

Physical Location

Harvard Depository

Immediate Source of Acquisition

No accession number. Source and date unknown.

General note

This collection is shelved offsite at the Harvard Depository. See access restrictions below for additional information.

Processing Information

Processed by: Bonnie B. Salt

Title
Portraits of female burlesque entertainers, 1925-1946: Guide.
Author
Houghton Library, Harvard College Library
Description rules
cco
Language of description
eng
EAD ID
hou02090

Repository Details

Part of the Houghton Library Repository

Houghton Library is Harvard College's principal repository for rare books and manuscripts, archives, and more. Houghton Library's collections represent the scope of human experience from ancient Egypt to twenty-first century Cambridge. With strengths primarily in North American and European history, literature, and culture, collections range in media from printed books and handwritten manuscripts to maps, drawings and paintings, prints, posters, photographs, film and audio recordings, and digital media, as well as costumes, theater props, and a wide range of other objects. Houghton Library has historically focused on collecting the written record of European and Eurocentric North American culture, yet it holds a large and diverse number of primary sources valuable for research on the languages, culture and history of indigenous peoples of the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania.

Houghton Library’s Reading Room is free and open to all who wish to use the library’s collections.

Contact:
Harvard Yard
Harvard University
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