Published by

Show-Down Publishing Company, American, founded 1935

Edited by

Cathrell, Sally J. Jr., American, 1913 - 1981

Subject of

Key, Alice, American, 1911 - 2010

Medium

ink on paper with metal

Dimensions

H x W x D (Closed): 11 5/16 × 8 13/16 × 1/16 in. (28.7 × 22.4 × 0.2 cm)

H x W x D (Open): 11 5/16 × 17 3/8 × 1/2 in. (28.7 × 44.2 × 1.2 cm)

Type

magazines (periodicals)

Place printed

Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, North and Central America

Date

April 1937

Description

The Show-Down magazine, volume 2, number 4. The front cover is green with navy print and features a blue tinted, image of Alice Key against a blue background. Key’s image is oriented left of center. Key is depicted nude with her proper left hand placed on her proper right shoulder. The main cover line to the right of the image reads, [VIEWS OF / STARS / OF / TODAY/ AND / TOMORROW]. Above and below the text are three (3) small stars. The date and price are printed along the bottom edge of the front cover and reads, [April - 1937] on the left and [Ten Cents] on the right. The masthead is centered in the top third of the front cover, and reads, [THE / SHOW-DOWN]. A horizontal blue line extends from either side of the word [THE]. The text, [SHOW-DOWN], is in large, block lettering patterned with vertical white stripes. The interior pages are white and green with black text and black-and-white images. The back cover is features an advertisement for Don Redman and his Orchestra and Orlando Robeson and his Orchestra. This magazine issue is sixteen (16) pages.

Transcription Center Status

Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic

African American

Business

Dance

Entertainers

Jazz (Music)

Mass media

Musicians

Nightlife

Photography

Theatre

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2013.46.25.79

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

The Laura Cathrell Show-Down Magazine Collection

Classification

Documents and Published Materials

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Battelle, Hughey J.

Subject of

Key, Alice, American, 1911 - 2010

The Show-Down, American, founded 1935

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper on cardboard

Dimensions

H x W x D (Overall): 11 13/16 × 8 9/16 × 1/16 in. (30 × 21.7 × 0.2 cm)

H x W (2013.46.25.262a: Image): 4 5/8 × 3 1/8 in. (11.7 × 8 cm)

H x W (2013.46.25.262a: Sheet): 4 15/16 × 3 9/16 in. (12.5 × 9 cm)

H x W (2013.46.25.262b: Image): 4 7/16 × 3 1/16 in. (11.3 × 7.8 cm)

H x W (2013.46.25.262b: Sheet): 4 7/8 × 3 9/16 in. (12.4 × 9 cm)

H x W (2013.46.25.262c: Image): 4 7/16 × 6 1/2 in. (11.3 × 16.5 cm)

H x W (2013.46.25.262c: Sheet): 4 15/16 × 6 15/16 in. (12.5 × 17.7 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1937

Description

A photographic plate for page 10 of the April 1937 edition of The Show-Down Magazine with three (3) photographs of Alice Key. The photographs are adhered to a cardboard backing. On the front and back of the plate are handwritten notations in pencil.

2013.46.25.262a

A silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of Alice Key. Key is depicted facing the viewer, sitting on an armchair with rounded arms. She is resting both of her elbows on the armrests and her proper right leg is crossed over her proper left leg. There is a magazine resting in her lap and she is holding the edge of it with her proper right hand and looking down as if reading it. Her proper left hand is resting at her throat. She is wearing a floral pattern blouse and a long, satiny, black skirt. Next to her is a round end table with two (2) books placed on top. In front of her is a floral pattern, dark rug.

2013.46.25.262b

A silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of Alice Key. Key is depicted in profile, standing in a doorway. She has her proper right hand on the frame of the open door, her proper left arm is down by her side, and she is leaning on a white wall. Her head is turned and she is looking at the viewer, smiling. She is wearing a long, satiny, floral pattern blouse, belted at the waist. The blouse is worn over a long, black skirt. The mullion door she is holding open is covered with a sheer, light curtain.

2013.46.25.262c

A silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of Alice Key. Key is depicted nude, seated in a white bathtub. Her body is in three-quarters profile, facing the right side of the image. Her head turned towards the viewer and she is smiling. Her proper right leg is slightly raised and she is holding her calf with her hands. The shower curtain is decorated with rows of diagonal tulips above zig zag design elements. The curtain is open and pushed toward the right edge of the image. In the foreground, is a white sink on the right. In the background, are a white tiled wall and a window with the shades drawn down.

Transcription Center Status

Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic

African American

Dance

Entertainers

Jazz (Music)

Mass media

Nightlife

Photography

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2013.46.25.262a-c

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

The Laura Cathrell Show-Down Magazine Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Battelle, Hughey J.

Subject of

Greeley, Aurora, American, 1905 - 1983

Hubbard, Margie

Broomfield, Leroy, American, 1902 - 1971

Edgbert, Marion

Moses, Ethel, American, 1904 - 1982

McCormack, Dolly

Moses, Julia, American

Sampson, Selma

Key, Alice, American, 1911 - 2010

Gray, Wilhemina

Brown, Paul

Ubangi Club, American, 1934 - 1944

The Show-Down, American, founded 1935

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper on cardboard

Dimensions

H x W x D (Overall): 12 1/4 × 5 11/16 × 1/16 in. (31.1 × 14.5 × 0.1 cm)

H x W (Image and sheet): 3 5/8 × 3 5/16 in. (9.2 × 8.4 cm)

H x W (Image and sheet): 3 9/16 × 1 7/8 in. (9 × 4.8 cm)

H x W (Image and sheet): 4 7/16 × 5 3/16 in. (11.3 × 13.1 cm)

H x W (Image and sheet): 4 × 5 7/16 in. (10.2 × 13.8 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place captured

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1937

Description

A photographic plate for page 9 of the April 1937 edition of The Show-Down Magazine with four (4) photographs. The photographs are adhered to a cardboard backing. On the back of the plate are handwritten notations in pencil.

2013.46.25.267a: A silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of Aurora Greeley. Greeley is centrally depicted, set against a black background. She is depicted from the chin up, looking down towards the bottom edge of the photograph. She is wearing a white blouse and earrings. Greeley’s hair is pulled back and her bangs are trimmed in a high, straight line across her forehead. Her eyebrows are drawn in thin arches and she is wearing dark lipstick. The top of the photograph has been torn off, so the top of her head is not visible. There are no inscriptions on the front of the photograph.

2013.46.25.267b: A silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of Margie Hubbard. Hubbard is depicted standing on the Ubangi Club stage. Her body turn slightly towards the right edge of the image, her arms extended at her sides, and her proper right leg is extended behind her with her toes pointed down and towards the viewer. Hubbard is wearing medium toned overalls with front pockets over a black, short sleeve blouse. On the stage behind her is a set painted with a series of small buildings and houses. The top of the photograph has been torn off, so her head is not visible. There are no inscriptions on the front of the photograph.

2013.46.25.267c: A silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of Leroy Broomfield and the Ubangi Club dancers. The nine (9) are depicted standing, kneeling, and seated in three rows. In the top row, from left to right, is Margie Hubbard, Marion Edgbert, Leroy Broomfield, Ethel Moses, and Dolly McCormack. Hubbard is wearing overalls over a black blouse. Edgbert is wearing a medium toned, satiny button down top with three (3) white button down the center and white lapels. There is satin flower pinned to her proper right shoulder. Broomfield is wearing a dark toned three-piece suit and a white collared shirt, with the top button undone. Ethel Moses is wearing a one piece, bathing suit costume. The top of the suit has a halter neck and a diagonally striped top. The bottom of the suit is dark with a striped belt that matches the top of the suit. On the far right is McCormack. She is wearing a black sweater vest over a white blouse with a tie front and black pants. In the middle row, from left to right, is Julia Moses and Selma Sampson. Julia Moses is wearing a medium toned garment with a bow tied at the front. Sampson is wearing a white blouse with the letters [S S] stitched on the front. In the bottom row, from left to right, is Alice Key and Wilhelmina (Tondelayo) Gray. Key is wearing a white, short sleeve blouse with a black skirt. Gray is wearing light toned sailor-style shirt with a bow tied in the front and wide legged, matching pants. On the stage behind them is a set painted with a series of small buildings and houses. There are no inscriptions on the front or back of the photograph.

2013.46.25.267d: A silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of Paul Brown and the Ubangi Club dancers. The nine (9) are depicted standing in a line with their bodies facing the left edge of the photograph and their hands resting on the forearms of the person in front of them. From left to right is Margie Hubbard, Dolly McCormack, Alice Key, Marion Edgbert, Wilhelmina (Tondelayo) Gray, Ethel Moses, Julia Moses, Selma Sampson, and Paul Brown. Hubbard is wearing medium toned overalls over a black, short sleeve blouse. McCormack is wearing a black sweater vest over a white blouse with a tie front and black pants. Key is wearing a white, short sleeve blouse and a floor length, black satiny skirt. Edgbert is wearing a medium toned, short sleeve blouse with white lapels. Gray is wearing light toned sailor-style shirt and wide legged, matching pants. Ethel Moses is wearing a floral patterned robe over a one piece, bathing suit costume. The top of the suit has a halter neck and a diagonally striped top. The bottom of the suit is dark with a striped belt that matches the top of the suit. Julia Moses is wearing a medium toned, long sleeve dress. Sampson is wearing a white blouse and a long black skirt. Brown is wearing a dark toned suit, a white collared shirt, medium toned tie, and a white pocket square in his proper left breast pocket. On the stage behind them is a set painted with a series of small buildings and houses. There are no inscriptions on the front of the photograph.

Transcription Center Status

Transcribed by digital volunteers

Topic

African American

Actors

Dance

Entertainers

Jazz (Music)

Mass media

Nightlife

Photography

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2013.46.25.267a-d

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

The Laura Cathrell Show-Down Magazine Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Battelle, Hughey J.

Subject of

Key, Alice, American, 1911 - 2010

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 7 1/16 × 9 in. (17.9 × 22.9 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 7 15/16 × 9 7/8 in. (20.1 × 25.1 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1937

Description

A silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of Alice Key. Key is depicted nude, seated in a white bathtub. Her body is depicted in three-quarters profile with her head turned towards the viewer. Her proper left arm is draped over her chest and her hand rests on her proper right shoulder. The shower curtain is decorated with rows of diagonal tulips above zig zag design elements. The curtain is open and pushed toward the right edge of the image. In the foreground, are a white sink on the right and a thin tripod on the left. In the background, are a white tiled wall and a window with the shades drawn down. On the wall of the bathtub is a handwritten inscription in black ink that reads, [proof]. In the center of the top border of the photograph is a second inscription in black ink that reads, [#-6]. In the center of the bottom border of the photograph is a third inscription in pencil that reads, [4 3/4 x 5 3/4]. There is an inscription on the back of the photograph, written in pencil that reads, [American photo Blow up / the figure only], and two additional notations in pencil.

Topic

African American

Dance

Entertainers

Mass media

Photography

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2013.46.25.169

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

The Laura Cathrell Show-Down Magazine Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Battelle, Hughey J.

Subject of

Simmons, Lee

Created by

Key, Alice, American, 1911 - 2010

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 4 7/16 × 6 1/2 in. (11.3 × 16.5 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 4 7/8 × 6 7/8 in. (12.4 × 17.5 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1937

Description

A silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of Lee Simmons. Simmons is depicted seated at a small wooden desk with a typewriter. She is looking over her proper left shoulder towards the viewer, with her proper left elbow resting on the back of the chair, and her proper right arm resting on the desk in front of her, next to the typewriter. She is wearing a white, short sleeve, collared dress with a matching belt at the waist. On the desk, next to the typewriter, is an ashtray and a small stack of books. There are additional books and paper stacks on the two (2) shelves below. In the foreground is the edge of a bed. Behind the desk is a large window with drawn drapes and lowered blinds. On the far right is a four (4) drawer bureau with three (3) perfume bottles resting on top. There are no inscriptions on the front or back of the photograph.

Topic

African American

Business

Instrumentalists (Musicians)

Photography

Singers (Musicians)

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2013.46.25.197

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

The Laura Cathrell Show-Down Magazine Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Battelle, Hughey J.

Subject of

Broomfield, Leroy, American, 1902 - 1971

Hubbard, Margie

Edgbert, Marion

Moses, Ethel, American, 1904 - 1982

McCormack, Dolly

Moses, Julia, American

Sampson, Selma

Key, Alice, American, 1911 - 2010

Gray, Wilhemina

Ubangi Club, American, 1934 - 1944

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 4 7/16 × 6 7/16 in. (11.2 × 16.3 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 4 13/16 × 6 7/8 in. (12.3 × 17.4 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place captured

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1937

Description

A silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of Leroy Broomfield and the Ubangi Club dancers. The nine (9) are depicted standing, kneeling, and seated in three rows. In the top row, from left to right, is Margie Hubbard, Marion Edgbert, Leroy Broomfield, Ethel Moses, and Dolly McCormack. Hubbard is wearing overalls over a black blouse. Edgbert is wearing a medium toned, satiny button down top with three (3) white button down the center and white lapels. There is satin flower pinned to her proper right shoulder. Broomfield is wearing a dark toned three-piece suit and a white collared shirt, with the top button undone. Ethel Moses is wearing a one piece, bathing suit costume. The top of the suit has a halter neck and a diagonally striped top. The bottom of the suit is dark with a striped belt that matches the top of the suit. On the far right is McCormack. She is wearing a black sweater vest over a white blouse with a tie front and black pants. In the middle row, from left to right, is Julia Moses and Selma Sampson. Julia Moses is wearing a medium toned garment with a bow tied at the front. Sampson is wearing a white blouse with the letters [S S] stitched on the front. In the bottom row, from left to right, is Alice Key and Wilhelmina (Tondelayo) Gray. Key is wearing a white, short sleeve blouse with a black skirt. Gray is wearing light toned sailor-style shirt with a bow tied in the front and wide legged, matching pants. On the stage behind them is a set painted with a series of small buildings and houses. There are no inscriptions on the front or back of the photograph.

Topic

African American

Actors

Dance

Jazz (Music)

Nightlife

Photography

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2013.46.25.239

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

The Laura Cathrell Show-Down Magazine Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Photograph by

Battelle, Hughey J.

Subject of

Key, Alice, American, 1911 - 2010

Medium

silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper

Dimensions

H x W (Image): 4 7/16 × 3 1/16 in. (11.2 × 7.7 cm)

H x W (Sheet): 4 13/16 × 3 7/16 in. (12.2 × 8.8 cm)

Type

gelatin silver prints

portraits

Place made

New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America

Date

1937

Description

A silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of Alice Key. Key is depicted facing the viewer, sitting on an armchair with rounded arms. She is resting both of her elbows on the armrests and her proper right leg is crossed over her proper left leg. There is a magazine resting in her lap and she is holding the edge of it with her proper right hand and looking down as if reading it. Her proper left hand is resting at her throat. She is wearing a floral pattern blouse and a long, satiny, black skirt. Next to her is a round end table with two (2) books placed on top. In front of her is a floral pattern, dark rug. Behind her in the background, is a window with the venetian blinds down and dark curtains. There are no inscriptions on the front or back of the photograph.

Topic

African American

Dance

Entertainers

Mass media

Photography

Credit Line

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number

2013.46.25.245

Restrictions & Rights

Unknown - Restrictions Possible

See more items in

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection title

The Laura Cathrell Show-Down Magazine Collection

Classification

Media Arts-Photography

Data Source

National Museum of African American History and Culture