Jump to Content

Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
San Francisco theatre scrapbook
6145  
View entire collection guide What's This?
Search this collection
Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Historical note
  • Scope and Contents
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Preferred Citation

  • Language of Material: English
    Contributing Institution: USC Libraries Special Collections
    Title: San Francisco theatre scrapbook
    Identifier/Call Number: 6145
    Physical Description: 0.7 Linear Feet 1 box
    Date (inclusive): 1859-1872
    Abstract: Scrapbook of theatre listings from San Francisco theaters, primaily the Bella Union and the New Bella Union Theatres, but also including the Alhambra and Pacific Theatres (San Francisco) and the Theater Comique in Sacramento. Most of the items are titles clipped from programs, but some also list casts and descriptions. Scattered throughout the scrapbook are penciled annotations. The Bella Union Theatre, located on Washington Street in San Francisco, originally opened in 1849 as a gambling house, and then presented the first minstrel show in San Francisco later that same year. Although it occasionaly presented theatrical performances, it remained a gambling house until 1856 when gambling was abolished, and the proprietor, Samuel Tetlow, turned it into a melodeon, or a variety hall/theater. The building was burned numerous times (and the scrapbook makes reference to an out of town performance "while the New Bella Union was getting furnished"). It remained an active theater until 1895 when it was turned into a museum; the building was ultimately destroyed in the earthquake and fire of 1906.
    Container: 1

    Historical note

    The Bella Union Theatre, located on Washington Street in San Francisco, originally opened in 1849 as a gambling house, and then presented the first minstrel show in San Francisco later that same year. Although it occasionaly presented theatrical performances, it remained a gambling house until 1856 when gambling was abolished, and the proprietor, Samuel Tetlow, turned it into a melodeon, or a variety hall/theater. The building was burned numerous times (and the scrapbook makes reference to an out of town performance "while the New Bella Union was getting furnished"). It remained an active theater until 1895 when it was turned into a museum; the building was ultimately destroyed in the earthquake and fire of 1906.

    Scope and Contents

    Scrapbook of theatre listings from San Francisco theaters, primaily the Bella Union and the New Bella Union Theatres, but also including the Alhambra and Pacific Theatres (San Francisco) and the Theater Comique in Sacramento. Most of the items are titles clipped from programs, but some also list casts and descriptions. Scattered throughout the scrapbook are penciled annotations, one of which suggests that the scrapbook was put together by a member of the Bella Union Troupe. Another, signed "Ned Buckley" also suggests that Buckley was that troupe member. Also included is a single sheet of paper with the words to "Summer of Love".

    Conditions Governing Access

    COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE. Advance notice required for access.

    Conditions Governing Use

    All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Manuscripts Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

    Preferred Citation

    [Box/folder no. or item name], San Francisco theatre scrapbook, Collection no. 6145, Special Collections, USC Libraries, University of Southern California

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Scrapbooks
    Theater -- California -- San Francisco -- 19th century -- Archival resources
    San Francisco (Calif.) -- History -- Archival resources
    Bella Union Theatre (San Francisco, Calif.) -- Archives