BRICKTOP, 1894-1984.
Letters to Jodi Desmond, 1958-1972
Letters to Jodi Desmond, 1958-1972
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:/25593/8z1p2
Table of Contents
Descriptive Summary
Creator: | Bricktop, 1894-1984. |
---|---|
Title: | Letters to Jodi Desmond, 1958-1972 |
Call Number: | Manuscript Collection No. 1167 |
Extent: | .25 linear ft. (1 box) |
Abstract: | Letters from International caberet performer and nightclub owner Bricktop to Jodi Desmond, written while both were living in Rome, Italy. |
Language: | Materials entirely in English. |
Administrative Information
Restrictions on Access
Unrestricted access.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
All requests subject to limitations noted in departmental policies on reproduction.
Related Materials in Other Repositories
Ada "Bricktop" Smith papers, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, New York Public Library, New York, New York
Source
Purchased from James Cummins Bookseller, 2010.
Custodial History
Purchased from dealer, provenance unknown.
Citation
[after identification of item(s)], Letters to Jodi Desmond, 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
Processed by Laura L. Carroll, December 2010.
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
Bricktop (1894-1984), international cabaret performer and nightclub owner in Paris, Mexico City, and Rome, was born Ada Beatrice Queen Victoria Louise Virginia Smith, in Alderson, West Virginia, on August 14, 1894. Bricktop left the U.S. in 1924 for a limited European engagement; however, her stay in Paris lasted almost two decades and catapulted her to international fame with the first in a series of “Bricktop’s” clubs. In 1950, Bricktop returned to Europe after moving to the States during World War II, and reopened her nightclub in Paris. Soon after she moved to Rome, where the last “Bricktop’s” reigned until 1964. While in Rome, Bricktop--who had converted to Catholicism in 1949--developed relationships with Italian clergy and offered financial support to a variety of religious charities. Returning to the U.S. from 1965-1968, and then permanently in 1970, Bricktop continued to perform and remained a sought-after international personality until her death on February 1, 1984.
Bricktop met Jodi Desmond (1925-2008), a California native also known as Josephina Desimone, in Rome during the 1950s.
Scope and Content Note
The collection consists of letters from Bricktop to Jodi Desmond from 1958-1972. In her letters to Desmond, Bricktop discusses the ups and downs of her nightclub business, in addition to her Catholic faith. The collection also includes a small amount of correspondence regarding Bricktop from others to Desmond, in addition to Desmond's handwritten reminiscences about Bricktop.
Arrangement Note
Arranged by record type.
Container List
Box | Folder | Content |
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1 | 1 | Correspondence from Bricktop to Desmond, 1958-1972 |
1 | 2 | Correspondence from others to Desmond, 1972 |
1 | 3 | Writings, "Bricktop," by Jodi Desmond |
1 | 4 | Writings, manuscript notes about Bricktop, by Jodi Desmond |
1 | 5 | Writings, "Notes and suggestions for 'Bricktop' manuscript by David Hanna, by Jodi Desmond |
1 | 6 | Clippings, 1964 |