Beschreibung:

almost undoubtedly the most complete archive of an exotic dancer ever offered for sale. Includes dozens of her outfits, both outer and under garments, cosmetics, stage props, letters, contracts, labor union membership cards and dues documents, log book listing engagements from 1942-51, audio tapes, promotional and personal photographs, autographs, souvenirs from various working establishments and much, much more. The archive of Miss Leonard (stage name), or Shirley Mae Jones, includes photographs from grade school, her first High School dance group to her retirement as a pro dancer, with shots from nightclubs across the country. Many autographed photographs from other variety performers and just autographs, including one that reads To Shirley & Larry from Louis Armstrong Satchmo. Some of the clubs she worked at include Star Dust (Las Vegas), Club Casablanca, Chei Paree, Beverly Country Club (New Orleans), Club Peachtree (Atlanta), Barsellino's Supper Club (Cleveland), Windmill Supper Club (Jacksonville), Club Top Hat, Tic-Toc-Club (Wis.), Hoss & Pratt Lul Club, Big Barn Club (Miami), Prima 500 Club (N.O.), Berkshire Hotel (Chicago), Club Swing Bar (Dayton), Trianon Club (Louisville), House of Rinck (Dayton), Listerman's Club (Cinti.), Club Piccadilly (Evansville), Beckerles Lounge (Evansville), The Moose Club (Cinti.), Town & Country Club (Wisc.), Club Carnival (Cleveland), The Blue Grass Theatre (Ky.), Talk of the Town (Peoria), Roxy Musical (Cleveland), Italian American Club (Lima, O.), Country Club, Cat & Fiddle (Cinti.), The Kitty Kat Club, Casino Royal Club (N.O.), Club Rialto (Louisville), La Conchin Hotel (Key West), Blue Star, Berkshire Hotel, 230 Casino (Wickliff, O.), Yacht Club (Loraine, O.), Howdy Club (Cleve.), Village Green Club (Hamilton), Gibson Hotel (Cinti.), The Garfield Club (Cinti.), Hotel Olmstead (Cleve.), Eagles Club (Indy.), Billings Hospital (Newcastle), Alms Hotel (Cinti.), Heidleburg Hotel (Jackson, MS), Hotel Capital (N.Y.), Lucky Pieres (Ft. Worth), Peebles Corner Nite Club (Cinti.), Cave O' The Winds (Chicago), The Glenn Rendezvous (Newport, KY), 509 Club (Detroit), Sinton Hotel (Cinti.), Hotel Cody (Grand Rapids), Caravan Club (Charleston, WV), Casa Grande Club (Cinti.), Club Safari (Franklin, O.), The Latin Club (Toledo), Gables Club, 98 Club, Club Frolic, Fay's (Jacksonville), The Tradewinds (Atlanta), The Cellar (Wilmington, CA), Hotel Esmeralda, Club 22, Majestic Hotel (Miami), Club-26, Rudy's, Hotel Royal, Wis., the above list is only partial. Archive includes over 50 Ms. letters, most with covers, from 1939-40s, many dealing with her profession, others from her brother serving in the Navy during the war. Large collection of newspaper clippings and entertainment pamphlets with items about her career and when and where she was dancing. Archive also includes most if not all of the sheet music that she used during her act with pieces such as That Old Black Magic, Oh You Beautiful Doll, Song of India, Jersey Bounce, Me And My Shadow, St. Louis Blues March, The Doll Dance, Begin The Beguine, Dance With A Dolly, and others with some Ms copies. Also includes all her tax records for the years she was dancing professionally. There are ca 270 photograph of Shirley, most promotional, many taken while she was performing with wonderful selection of the costumes she used, ca 100 photographs and promotional stills of other vaudeville performers, most of whom never made the "big time." Also large selection of photos and cards from her best friend, another exotic dancer with the stage name of Bootsie King, real name Ruth Frecking. Archive also includes costume catalogues and patterns. The archive also includes a childhood scrapbook with many clippings and illustrations of Shirley's interests, including dance. Condition: Most VG, some paper somewhat toned, costumes from VG to Good.