RIAMCO

Rhode Island Archival and Manuscript Collections Online

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  • 1801 - 1900
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Subject: Minstrel shows--United States--History--19th century Remove filter Minstrel shows--United States--History--19th century
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Dale (Lew) Vaudeville collection
Formal title:
Lew Dale Vaudeville collection
Extent:
0.25 Linear feet
Date range:
1892-1907
Abstract:
This collection contains 24 programs and 1 poster for vaudeville shows and 1 black and white photograph of a vaudeville performer in black face. All of the items are for shows in which Lew Dale performed as a comedian, ventriloquist, minstrel showman, and musician. The materials date from 1892-1907. The shows were performed in the following states in the United States: Iowa, South Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., and Virginia. Each program includes Lew Dale as a solo act or as part of a duo. There are 3 duo acts represented: Allen & Dale, Fredo &Dale, and Dale & Dare. Most of the shows list Lew Dale as a musician and comedian. He specialized in playing novelty instruments such as the Marimaphone and the Electrobalco Bells. The programs also list all the other performers for each show and include advertisements for local businesses and political candidates.
Repository:
John Hay Library
Collection call no:
MS.2016.017
Robinson (Blondie) collection of African-American Minstrel and Vaudeville photographs
Formal title:
Blondie Robinson collection of African-American Minstrel and Vaudeville photographs
Extent:
0.5 Linear feet
Date range:
1890-1925 (bulk 1915-1925)
Abstract:
A collection of 77 vintage photographs, primarily from the early 20th century, the bulk of which is dated between the years 1915 and 1925, formerly owned by Blondie Robinson, an accomplished African-American vaudeville performer of that era. The heart of this collection is comprised of photographs directly associated with Robinson himself that represent a visual composite of his professional life on stage, both as a solo performer and in collaboration with others. It offers substantive documentation about Robinson's repertoire of stage acts and his versatility as a vaudevillian -- the various characters he portrayed on stage, including blackface caricatures, his comedic sensibility, the sheer physicality of his performances, and the various costumes and props that he used. This collection also contains a significant number of photographs of other vaudeville performers, primarily but not exclusively African American, all of whom were professional associates of Robinson. Also of note in this collection are a few informal photographs of Robinson, alone and with others, some of whom are presumed to be members of Robinson's family and may even include images of his wife and daughter. Last but not least, this collection also includes useful pieces of textual information found on some of the photographs in the form of signatures, inscriptions, photographers marks, and annotations.
Repository:
John Hay Library
Collection call no:
MS.2015.018

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