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COLLECTION Identifier: MS Thr 633

Walter S. Elliott collection of hand-decorated album leaves of theatrical performers

Overview

Inscribed, hand-decorated album leaves depicting American and European variety entertainers of the early 20th-century.

Dates

  • Creation: 1910-1915

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on physical access to this material.

Extent

.25 linear feet (1 box)

93 pages, in ink, watercolor and photographs. Items were made and collected by Walter Elliott. Each leaf contains a photograph of an American or European performer or manager, surrounded by hand-drawn illustrations (perhaps by Mrs. Walter S. Elliott), and an autograph manuscript inscription to Mr. and Mrs. Elliott from the performer. Some pages reflect characteristics of the specialty act or the show in which the subject appeared, others reflect nationality or are primarily decorative. Each page is signed and typically includes inscriptions from performers who specialized in a variety of types of popular entertainment including: circus performers, strong men, ventriloquists, animal trainers, western acts, clowns, minstrel entertainers, singers, instrumentalists, and actors.

Biographical / Historical

Elliott (1868-1924) was a music hall and variety performer. He performed widely throughout the United States for 17 years with Frank B. Morton, as Morton and Elliott.

Arrangement

Arranged alphabetically by name of performer.

Physical Location

b

Immediate Source of Acquisition

2003MT-56. Purchased with the Edward Sheldon Book fund, 2000.

Processing Information

Processed by: Emilie L. Hardman

Title
Elliott, Walter S., collector. Walter S. Elliott collection of hand-decorated album leaves of theatrical performers, 1910-1915: Guide.
Author
Houghton Library, Harvard College Library
Description rules
dacs
Language of description
und
EAD ID
hou02122

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
Cambridge MA 02138 USA
(617) 495-2440