BAKER, JOSEPHINE, 1906-1975.
Josephine Baker papers, 1938-1968
Josephine Baker papers, 1938-1968
Emory University
Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library
Atlanta, GA 30322
404-727-6887
rose.library@emory.edu
Permanent link: http://pid.emory.edu/ark:/25593/8xz6v
Table of Contents
Descriptive Summary
| Creator: | Baker, Josephine, 1906-1975. |
|---|---|
| Title: | Josephine Baker papers, 1938-1968 |
| Call Number: | Manuscript Collection No. 955 |
| Extent: | 2 linear feet (4 boxes), 3 oversized papers folders (OP), and 4 oversized bound volumes (OBV) |
| Abstract: | Papers of African American entertainer Josephine Baker, including correspondence, fan mail, press books, sheet music, newspaper clippings, and thirteen original hand-drawn posters. |
| Language: | Materials in English and French. |
Administrative Information
Restrictions on Access
Unrestricted access.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.
Source
Purchased from Marcel Joly, 2003. Additions were purchased from David Schulson Autographs in 2011.
Custodial History
Purchased from dealer, provenance unknown.
Citation
[after identification of item(s)], Josephine Baker papers, Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, Emory University.
Appraisal Note
Acquired by Curator of African American Collections, Randall Burkett, as part of the Rose Library's holdings in African American culture and history.
Processing
Susan Potts McDonald, August 2013.
This finding aid may include language that is offensive or harmful. Please refer to the Rose Library's harmful language statement for more information about why such language may appear and ongoing efforts to remediate racist, ableist, sexist, homophobic, euphemistic and other oppressive language. If you are concerned about language used in this finding aid, please contact us at rose.library@emory.edu.
Collection Description
Biographical Note
Josephine Baker (1906-1975), African American performer, dancer, and silent film star. Born Freda Josephine McDonald in St. Louis, she performed in Paris, New York, Africa, and the Middle East, and was a crusader for racial equality.
Scope and Content Note
The Josephine Baker papers consist of approximately 1,200 letters, four press books, news clippings, sheet music, a collection of material related to Les Milandes (the home in the south of France that she established for children adopted from throughout the world), and 13 original posters drawn by hand for her and for her village of Milandes. There are approximately 80 letters with her second husband, Jo Bouillon, and correspondence with lawyers and friends concerning her separation from the orchestra leader. The collection also includes correspondence with a variety of personalities; an artist's file containing agreements with theatre and television directors; fan mail, including many letters from those seeking funds, and thirteen original hand-drawn posters. These materials were found in the home at Les Milandes that she was forced to abandon in 1967.
Arrangement Note
Arranged by record type.
Container List
| Correspondence, Business | ||
| Box | Folder | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | undated |
| 1 | 2 | 1936 |
| 1 | 3 | 1955-1957 |
| 1 | 4 | 1958 January-July |
| 1 | 5 | 1958 August-December |
| 1 | 6 | 1959 January-February |
| 1 | 7 | 1959 March-June |
| 1 | 8 | 1959 July-December |
| 1 | 9 | 1960-1967 |
| Correspondence, Family | ||
| 1 | 10 | Undated |
| 1 | 11 | 1963-1968 |
| Correspondence, General | ||
| 1 | 12 | Undated |
| 1 | 13 | Empty envelopes |
| 1 | 14 | 1957 |
| 1 | 15 | 1958 January-June |
| 2 | 1 | 1958 July-December |
| 2 | 2 | 1959 January-February |
| 2 | 3 | 1959 March-April |
| 2 | 4 | 1959 May-June |
| 2 | 5 | 1959 July-August |
| 2 | 6 | 1959 September-December |
| 2 | 7 | 1960-1963 July |
| 2 | 8 | 1963 August-1964 |
| 3 | 1 | 1965 |
| 3 | 2 | 1966 |
| 3 | 3 | 1967-1968 |
| Correspondence, Legal | ||
| 3 | 4 | 1961-1967 September |
| 3 | 5 | 1967 October-1968 |
| Correspondence, Requests | ||
| 3 | 6 | 1958-1959 February |
| 3 | 7 | 1959 March-April |
| 4 | 1 | 1959 May |
| 4 | 2 | 1959 June 1-20 |
| 4 | 3 | 1959 June 22-July |
| Other | ||
| 4 | 4 | Cards: Calling and business |
| 4 | 5 | Cards: Les Milandes |
| 4 | 6 | Drawing of Josephine Baker, J.H. Rey |
| 4 | 7 | Miscellaneous, no dates |
| 4 | 8 | Photographs |
| OP1 | - | Poster, Benefit for war veterans, Palais D'Orsay, Paris, France, December 2, no year |
| OP1 | - | Poster, "Cuba," July 26, 1968 |
| OP1 | - | Poster, "Day of Solidarity with Guinea Bissau and Cape Verde," August 3, 1968 |
| OP1 | - | Poster, "Fete des Meres," [Mother's Day], June 1, 1958 |
| OP3 | - | Poster designs, "Josephine Baker, Les Milandes: Capital du Monde de la Fraternite," by Ingar Kihlman (Copenhagen, Denmark), 1958 (9 items) |
| OP2 | - | Poster designs, "Josephine Baker, Les Milandes: Capital du Monde de la Fraternite," by Leif Kristensen (Copenhagen, Denmark), 1958 (3 items) |
| 4 | 9 | Printed, Beautes de Paris au Music Hall, circa 1931 |
| 4 | 10 | Printed, General |
| 4 | 11 | Printed, "Josephine," Observer, January 19, 1986 |
| 4 | 12 | Printed, La Chartreuse des Milandes letterhead |
| 4 | 13 | Printed, La Chartreuse des Milandes, menus |
| 4 | 14 | Printed, "Les Milandes," Easter 1959 |
| 4 | 15 | Printed, Newspaper clippings, 1953-1965 |
| 4 | 16 | Programs, no dates |
| 4 | 17 | Radio scripts, no dates |
| 4 | 18 | Ribbons (2) |
| 4 | 19 | Sheet music: "We're Gonna Hit the Hit Out of Hitler," 1939 |
| 4 | 20 | Song lyrics, no dates |
| 4 | 21 | Writings, "Je N'ai Plus Qu'un Seul Amour," no date |
| Scrapbooks | ||
| OBV1 | Newspaper clippings, February-March 1939 [South America] | |
| OBV2 | Newspaper clippings, May-August 1939 [South America] | |
| OBV3 | Newspaper clippings, 1950-1951 [with a few from 1936-1937, 1943, and 1949 in back] | |
| OBV4 | Newspaper clippings, 1957-1959 | |
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