Compiled by
Beane, Reginald, American, 1918 - 1985
Subject of
Beane, Reginald, American, 1918 - 1985
Waters, Ethel, American, 1896 - 1977
Williams, Frances, American, 1908 - 1995
Hawkins, Erskine, American, 1914 - 1993
Saroyan, William, Armenian American, 1908 - 1981
Jessye, Eva, American, 1895 - 1992
Date
ca. 1939-1944
Medium
leather on cardboard with paper (fiber product) and cotton (fiber)
Dimensions
H x W x D: 14 9/16 × 12 3/8 × 1 5/8 in. (37 × 31.5 × 4.2 cm)
Description
A brown leather-bound scrapbook documenting the career of actor and pianist, Reginald "Sonny" Beane.
The front and back covers of the scrapbook are constructed of brown leather on cardboard, with interior leaves of thick off-white paper. The front cover features an embossed decorative geometric design of a cross within a rose within a starburst. Materials within consist of three (3) photographs, twenty-eight (28) partial telegraph messages, four (4) letters, five (5) tickets, a typed CV, and many dozens of newspaper and program clippings mounted on 28 scrapbook leaves.
Much of the content is related to Beane's performance in William Saroyan's play "The Time of Your Life," including clippings of reviews and programs, congratulatory telegrams from Ethel Waters and Frances Williams, a letter and postcard signed by Saroyan, and a photograph of Beane at his piano in a 1940 Chicago performance of the play. Other highlights include a 1939 photograph of Beane with conductor Eva Jessye; a 1943 letter from the principal of an Oakland, CA junior high school thanking Beane for his visit; a 1944 promotional card showing Beane on the bill with actor Canada Lee and trumpeter Erskine Hawkins, and more. There are no markings on the reverse of the cover.
Place depicted
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America
Atlanta, Georgia, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Other
Type
scrapbooks
Topic
Actors
Instrumentalists (Musicians)
Music
Musicians
Theatre
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2022.21.15
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown – Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd51316b349-d15a-4fb3-b593-dd06a1cf9639

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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