Scope and Contents
Collection consists of correspondence, typescripts, photographs, performance programs and other ephemera primarily relating to Frank L. Smith's career as a theatrical press and advance agent for burlesque shows produced by Max Spiegel on the burlesque theater circuit from circa 1916 to 1919. Correspondence chiefly consists of Smith's communications with theaters in which the shows were to perform, and with Max Spiegel regarding issues concerning the productions. Typescripts include press releases and articles by Smith publicizing performers and productions including George Armstrong, Florence Mills, Abe Reynolds, the Watson Sisters and the Merry Rounders. Photographs include portrait and candid photographs of Smith, Spiegel, and unidentified male and female performers. The collection also includes Spiegel production playbills and programs and publicity materials; mock-ups of posters and pen and ink caricatures of Smith; a small group of personal papers; and a scrapbook containing newspaper clippings relating to Smith's work on the burlesque theater circuit.
Dates
- 1911 - 1936
- Majority of material found within 1911 - 1919
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The Frank L. Smith Collection is the physical property of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University. Literary rights, including copyright, belong to the authors or their legal heirs and assigns. For further information, consult the appropriate curator.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from William Reese Co. on the George B. Alvord Fund, 2012.
Arrangement
Arranged by type of material.
Extent
5.75 Linear Feet (4 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Catalog Record
A record for this collection is available in Orbis, the Yale University Library catalog
Persistent URL
Abstract
Collection consists of correspondence, typescripts, photographs, performance programs and other ephemera primarily relating to Frank L. Smith's career as a theatrical press and advance agent for burlesque shows produced by Max Spiegel on the burlesque theater circuit from circa 1916 to 1919. Correspondence chiefly consists of Smith's communications with theaters in which the shows were to perform, and with Max Spiegel regarding issues concerning the productions. Typescripts include press releases and articles by Smith publicizing performers and productions including George Armstrong, Florence Mills, Abe Reynolds, the Watson Sisters and the Merry Rounders. Photographs include portrait and candid photographs of Smith, Spiegel, and unidentified male and female performers. The collection also includes Spiegel production playbills and programs and publicity materials; mock-ups of posters and original pen and ink caricatures of Smith; a small group of personal papers; and a scrapbook containing newspaper clippings relating to Smith's work on the burlesque theater circuit.
Frank L. Smith (1882-1953)
Frank L. Smith was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1882. As a boy Smith worked in various capacities for travelling circuses and other entertainments. After meeting John M. "Major" Burke (renowned for his general management of William Cody's Wild West Show), Smith worked under Burke's tutelage in his company's press department. In the mid 1900's Smith joined Max Spiegel's New York City-based burlesque production company as a press and advance agent, travelling the burlesque theater circuit from the East Coast to the Midwest. He later managed theaters for Lee and J. J. Shubert in Newark, New Jersey, and New York City. Smith served on the board of governors of the Association of the Theatrical Press Agents and Managers Union from its establishment in 1928, and as president from 1949 until his death in 1953. He was married to Mildred Tyson, a former performer in one of the Spiegel productions.
Processing Information
Collections are processed to a variety of levels, depending on the work necessary to make them usable, their perceived research value, the availability of staff, competing priorities, and whether or not further accruals are expected. The library attempts to provide a basic level of preservation and access for all collections, and does more extensive processing of higher priority collections as time and resources permit.
- Actors -- United States
- Actors -- United States
- Armstrong, George, active 1916
- Burlesque (Theater) -- United States
- Drawings (visual works)
- Mills, Florence
- Photographic prints
- Press agents -- United States
- Press agents -- United States
- Reynolds, Abe
- Scrapbooks
- Smith, Frank L., 1882-1953
- Spiegel, Max
- Theatrical managers -- United States
- Theatrical managers -- United States
- Theatrical producers and directors -- United States
- Theatrical producers and directors -- United States
- Title
- Frank L. Smith Collection
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- by Susan Brady
- Date
- February 2018
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Part of the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Repository
Location
121 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511
Opening Hours
Access Information
The Beinecke Library is open to all Yale University students and faculty, and visiting researchers whose work requires use of its special collections. You will need to bring appropriate photo ID the first time you register. Beinecke is a non-circulating, closed stack library. Paging is done by library staff during business hours. You can request collection material online at least two business days in advance of your visit, using the request links in Archives at Yale. For more information, please see Planning Your Research Visit and consult the Reading Room Policies prior to visiting the library.