Inventory of the Henrique Vivian Messetti Papers, 1924-1949

Department of Special Collections

General Library

University of California, Davis

100 North West Quad

Davis, CA 95616-5292

Phone: (530) 752-1621

Fax: (530) 754-5758

Email: speccoll@lib.ucdavis.edu

Note

Inventory of the Henrique Vivian Messetti Papers, 1924-1949

D-197

Department of Special Collections

General Library

University of California, Davis

Davis, California

Contact Information

Department of Special Collections
General Library
100 North West Quad
University of California, Davis
Davis, CA 95616-5292
Phone: (530) 752-1621
Fax: (530)754-5758
Email: speccoll@lib.ucdavis.edu

Processed by: Rebecca L. Wendt. Encoded by: Sara Gunasekara with assistance from Jared Campbell and Jim Sylva.
Completed: 2004

Descriptive Summary

Title: Henrique Vivian Messetti Papers,

Date (inclusive): 1924-1949

Collection number: D-197

Creator: Messetti, Henrique Vivian

Extent: 1.8 linear feet

Repository: University of California, Davis. General Library. Dept. of Special Collections.

100 North West Quad

Davis, California, 95616-5292

Abstract: Henrique Vivian Messetti was a writer, performer, and member of a vaudeville-circus family active during the 1920's-1940's. The papers, which span the years 1929-1949, contain correspondence, scripts, and other production materials relating to the activities of a traveling California vaudeville-circus family. They document three successive road show companies: Messett's Great Road Show, Little Eva's Temptation Company, and F. A. Cunningham's Kick High Musical Review

Physical location: Researchers should contact Special Collections to request collections, as many are stored offsite.

Language: English.

Administrative Information

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright is protected by the copyright law, chapter 17 of the U.S. Code. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections, General Library, University of California, Davis 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 by the researcher.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Henrique Vivian Messetti Papers, D-197, Department of Special Collections, University of California Library, Davis, California.

Acquisition Information

Special Collections purchased this collection from Carolyn Kaplan in 1975.

Processing Information

Processed by Rebecca L. Wendt in 2001. EAD finding aid created by Sara Gunasekara with assistance from Jared Campbell and Jim Sylva in 2004.

Biography

Biographical Narrative

Henrique Vivian Messetti was born on September 5, 1918 in Spain where his parents were performing. Upon the family's return to the United States, Los Angeles became their permanent residence. Messetti began appearing on the stage at the age of four. Most of his work was in vaudeville/circus productions although he also claimed to have performed in a few motion picture serials. In later years he dropped his first name while continuing as a female impersonator. He was with, among others, the touring Messett's Great Road Show, Little Eva's Temptation Company, and F.A. Cunningham's Kick High Musical Circus.

Scope and Content of Collection

Organized into six series: 1. Correspondence, 2. Works, 3. Scripts, 4. Clippings, 5. Ephemera, 6. Posters

Related collection

D-268, Jack Denslow Collection

D-277, Sanford and Barbara Freeman Collection

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects

Messetti, Vivian

Circus performers

Vaudeville

Female impersonators

Separated Material

Wrigley's gum wrapper dress, ca. 1930's. This dress, made from paper wrappers of six different flavors of gum glued to a cheese-cloth base, is now part of the Design Collection at the Department of Environmental Design, University of California, Davis.

Series 1 Correspondence, 1924-1948

Physical Description:

Note

Scope and Content Note

Arranged in three subseries: Incoming, Outgoing, and Other.

Subseries 1.1 Incoming, 1924-1948

Physical Description:

Note

Scope and Content Note

Arranged in two subseries: Personal and Business.

Subseries 1.1.1 Personal, 1929-1947

Physical Description:

Note

Scope and Content Note

Arranged alphabetically by correspondent and then chronologically.

Box 2:18

Carmer, Harry, March 1947

Physical Description:

Box 2:19

Estrada, Mary, January 1946

Physical Description:

Box 2:20

Kennard, Myra, November 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:21

Laura & Anna, May 1947

Physical Description:

Box 2:22

Lopez, Connie, October 1945

Physical Description:

Box 2:23

Lopez, Connie, January 1946

Physical Description:

Box 2:24

Lopez, Connie, March 1946

Physical Description:

Box 2:25

Lopez, Connie, August 1946

Physical Description:

Box 2:26

Lopez, Connie, October 1946

Physical Description:

Box 2:27

Lopez, Connie, December 1946

Physical Description:

Box 2:28

Lopez, Connie, January 1947

Physical Description:

Box 2:29

Mank, Chaw, 1947

Physical Description:

Box 2:30

Nicholas, Georgia C., 1945

Physical Description:

Box 2:31

Saunders, Andrew, June 1947

Physical Description:

Box 2:32

Adrienne n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 1:9

Unidentified, 1935

Physical Description:

Subseries 1.1.2 Business, 1924-1948

Physical Description:

Note

Scope and Content Note

Arranged alphabetically by correspondent and then chronologically.

Box 2:33

Alameda Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:34

Alhambra Chamber of Commerce, 1925

Physical Description:

Box 2:35

The American Weekly, 1944

Physical Description:

Box 2:36

Australian National Travel Association, 1938

Physical Description:

Box 2:37

Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, 1945

Physical Description:

Box 2:38

Baum's Inc., 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:39

Bekins Van & Storage, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:40

The Central Engraving Co., 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:41

Central Show Printing Co., 1924-1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:42

Chicago Theatrical Shoe Co., 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:43

City of Burlington, 1924

Physical Description:

Box 2:44

City of Fresno, Fire Prevention Bureau, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:45

City of Visalia, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:46

College of Swedish Massage, 1948

Physical Description:

Box 2:47

Columbia Broadcasting System, 1948

Physical Description:

Box 2:48

County of Kern, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:49

Corona Chamber of Commerce, 1927

Physical Description:

Box 2:50

Covina Chamber of Commerce, 1927

Physical Description:

Box 2:51

Dell Publishing Company, 1948

Physical Description:

Box 2:52

De Moulin Bros. & Co., 1924

Physical Description:

Box 2:53

Department of Public Works, City of Oakland, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:54

The Detroit Free Press, 1930

Physical Description:

Box 2:55

Donaldson Lithographing Co., 1924-1931

Physical Description:

Box 2:56

Esmonde Theatrical Costumer, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:57

Formalon, n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:58

Fresno County Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:59

Fresno Public Schools, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:60

Fullerton Chamber of Commerce, 1925

Physical Description:

Box 2:61

The Gus Sun Booking Exchange Co., 1928

Physical Description:

Box 2:62

Hanford Auditorium, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:63

Hayden Music Co., 1937

Physical Description:

Box 2:64

Hudnall, Walter, 1946

Physical Description:

Box 2:65

J. C. Deagan, Inc., 1926

Physical Description:

Box 2:66

KFI, n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:67

Kings County Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:68

Kobel, Bernard L., 1946

Physical Description:

Box 2:69

Kobel, Bernard L., 1947

Physical Description:

Box 2:70

L.A. Building Maintenance Co., n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:71

Lark, Jane, 1938

Physical Description:

Box 2:72

Lester, Ltd., 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:73

Lester, Ltd., 1930

Physical Description:

Box 2:74

Lester, Ltd., 1931

Physical Description:

Box 2:75

Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:76

Los Angeles Bar Association, 1930

Physical Description:

Box 2:77

Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, 1930

Physical Description:

Box 2:78

Los Angeles Examiner, 1924

Physical Description:

Box 2:79

Los Angeles Steamship Company, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:80

Lyon Van & Storage Co., 1929-1947

Physical Description:

Box 2:81

Marks, Alex, 1925

Physical Description:

Box 2:82

Marysville Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:83

Modesto Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:84

Monrovia Chamber of Commerce, 1927

Physical Description:

Box 2:85

Montgomery Ward & Co., 1933

Physical Description:

Box 2:86

Montgomery Ward, 1948

Physical Description:

Box 2:87

Mussehl and Westphal, 1927

Physical Description:

Box 2:88

Napa Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:89

National Printing & Engraving Co., 1924

Physical Description:

Box 2:90

National Railways of Mexico, 1930

Physical Description:

Box 2:91

National Theatres Syndicate, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:92

National Writer's Club, 1945

Physical Description:

Box 2:93

National Writer's Club, 1946

Physical Description:

Box 2:94

National Writer's Club, 1948

Physical Description:

Box 2:95

New Orleans Association of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:96

Oakland Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:97

Orange Community Chamber of Commerce, 1925

Physical Description:

Box 2:98

Paulson-Webber Cordage Corp., 1947

Physical Description:

Box 2:99

Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, 1946

Physical Description:

Box 2:100

Pomona Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:101

Pomona YMCA, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:102

Progressive Advertisers & Mailers, 1938

Physical Description:

Box 2:103

Quigley Lithographing Co., 1924-1931

Physical Description:

Box 2:104

Redlanse Chamber of Commerce Inc., 1927

Physical Description:

Box 2:105

Redwood City Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:106

Roe Show Print, 1925

Physical Description:

Box 2:107

Roy, Phil, 1947

Physical Description:

Box 2:108

Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:109

Saint Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, 1930

Physical Description:

Box 2:110

San Diego Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:111

San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:112

San Jose, California, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:113

San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:114

San Luis Obispo Community Center Headquarters, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:115

San Rafael Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:116

Santa Ana Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:117

Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:118

Sears, Roebuck & Co., 1931

Physical Description:

Box 2:119

Sherman P. Camp, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:120

Sherman P. Camp, 1930

Physical Description:

Box 2:121

Sidney, Jere, 1938

Physical Description:

Box 2:122

Standard Lithographing & Printing Co., 1924

Physical Description:

Box 2:123

Southern California Music Company, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:124

Standard Lithographing & Printing Co., 1924

Physical Description:

Box 2:125

State of California, Department of Employment, 1937

Physical Description:

Box 2:126

State of California, Department of Employment, 1938

Physical Description:

Box 2:127

State Teachers College, San Jose, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:128

T. & D. Jr. Enterprises, Inc., 1938

Physical Description:

Box 2:129

Terris, Tom, 1930

Physical Description:

Box 2:130

The Times-Picayune, 1927

Physical Description:

Box 2:131

Today's Woman, 1948

Physical Description:

Box 2:132

Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service, 1938

Physical Description:

Box 2:133

Triangle Poster & Printing Co., 1931

Physical Description:

Box 2:134

T. S. Dennison & Company, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:135

Tyson, Walter, 1947

Physical Description:

Box 2:136

Vallejo Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:137

Ventura Chamber of Commerce, 1927

Physical Description:

Box 2:138

Visalia Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:139

Waas & Son, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:140

West Coast Service Corporation, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:141

Whittier Chamber of Commerce, 1925

Physical Description:

Box 2:142

The Woman's Club of Manitoba, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:143

Wow Publications, 1946

Physical Description:

Box 2:200

Various letters, n.d.

Physical Description:

Subseries 1.2 Outgoing, 1929-1948

Physical Description:

Note

Scope and Content Note

Arranged in one subseries: Business.

Subseries 1.2.1 Business, 1929-1948

Physical Description:

Note

Scope and Content Note

Arranged alphabetically by correspondent and then chronologically.

Box 2:144

Alton Illinois Chamber of Commerce, 1932

Physical Description:

Box 2:145

College of Swedish Massage, 1948

Physical Description:

Box 2:146

Donaldson Lithographing Co., 1931

Physical Description:

Box 2:147

Donaldson Lithographing Co., 1932

Physical Description:

Box 2:148

Esmonde Costume Co., 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:149

Kingsley Scenic Studio, 1932

Physical Description:

Box 2:150

Lester, Ltd., 1930

Physical Description:

Box 2:151

Lester, Ltd., 1931

Physical Description:

Box 2:152

Life Story, 1945

Physical Description:

Box 2:153

Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce, 1929

Physical Description:

Box 2:154

Lyon Van & Storage, 1931

Physical Description:

Box 2:155

Lyon Van & Storage Co., 1932

Physical Description:

Box 2:156

Lyon Van & Storage Co., 1934

Physical Description:

Box 2:157

Montgomery Ward & Co., 1931

Physical Description:

Box 2:158

National Railways of Mexico, 1930

Physical Description:

Box 2:159

Quigley Lithographing Co., 1931

Physical Description:

Box 2:160

Samuel French, 1948

Physical Description:

Box 2:161

Sears, Roebuck & Co., 1931

Physical Description:

Box 2:162

Standard Marine Insurance Co., Ltd., 1930

Physical Description:

Box 2:163

Syzmanski, Walter, February 1934

Physical Description:

Box 2:164

Szymanski, Walter, March 1934

Physical Description:

Box 2:165

Today's Woman, 1948

Physical Description:

Box 2:166

Triangle Poster & Printing Co., 1931

Physical Description:

Box 2:167

Tucker, Hal, 1947

Physical Description:

Box 2:168

Waas & Son, 1930

Physical Description:

Box 2:169

Waas & Son, 1931

Physical Description:

Subseries 1.3 Ella Messet, 1930-1931

Physical Description:

Note

Scope and Content Note

Contains several letters of Mrs. Ella Messet. Arranged in two subseries: Incoming and Outgoing.

Subseries 1.3.1 Incoming, 1931

Physical Description:

Note

Box 2:170

Muscatine Welfare Association, 1931

Physical Description:

Note

Subseries 1.3.2 Outgoing, 1930-1931

Physical Description:

Note

Box 2:171

Brother of Ella Messett, 1930

Physical Description:

Box 2:172

Brother of Ella Messett, 1931

Physical Description:

Box 2:173

Brother of Ella Messett, 1931

Physical Description:

Box 2:174

Muscatine Welfare Association, 1931

Physical Description:

Series 2 Works, 1941-1942

Physical Description:

Note

Scope and Content Note

Arranged in two subseries: Published and Manuscripts. For scripts by Messetti, see Series 3: Scripts.

Subseries 2.1 Published, 1941-1942

Physical Description:

Note

Scope and Content Note

Arranged alphabetically by title.

Box 2:175

"Confessions," published in Lone Indian MagazineNovember 1942

Physical Description:

Box 2:176

"Astrology Her Hobby," published in Lone Indian MagazineJuly 1943

Physical Description:

Box 2:177

"Lions, as I Know Them," published in International Fellowship Magazine June 1942

Physical Description:

Box 2:178

"Tomorrow's Town," published in International Fellowship MagazineDecember 1941

Physical Description:

Subseries 2.2 Manuscripts, n.d.

Physical Description:

Note

Scope and Content Note

Arranged alphabetically by title.

Box 2:179

"The Art of Cooking Canned Dinners in a Circus Wagon" n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:180

"Astrology and What it Means to Me" and "Adventures Through Astrology" n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:181

"Beauty Suggestions" n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:186

"Cartoon Ideas" n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:183

"Living Dangerously" n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:182

"Pageantry" n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:184

"Speaking of Astrology" n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:185

"When the Circus Comes to Town" n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:187

Various, n.d.

Physical Description:

Note

Contains drafts of articles and clippings

Series 3 Scripts, n.d.

Physical Description:

Note

Scope and Content Note

Arranged in two subseries: Scripts by Messetti and Scripts by Others.

Subseries 3.1 Scripts by Messetti, n.d.

Physical Description:

Note

Scope and Content Note

Arranged alphabetically by title.

Box 2:1

Alice in Blunderland, n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:2

Alice of Slumberland, n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:5

A Child's Dream of the Carnival of New Orleans, n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:7

Little Eva's Temptation, n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:8

Little Eva's Temptation, n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:9

Little Eva's Temptation, n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:10

Little Eva's Temptation, n.d.

Physical Description: sides, typescript

Box 2:11

The Looking Glass World, n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:12

A Night on the Old Plantation, n.d.

Physical Description: 3

Box 2:15

Sunday School Days, n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:16

Will You Marry Me?, n.d.

Physical Description: t

Subseries 3.2 Scripts by Others, n.d.

Physical Description:

Note

Scope and Content Note

Arranged alphabetically by title.

Box 2:3

The Black Vamp by Arthur LeRoy Kaser,n.d.

Physical Description: typescript

Box 2:4

The Boob by unidenitifed author, n.d.

Physical Description: typescript

Box 2:6

Down With Men by Harry L. Newton, n.d.

Physical Description: typescript

Box 2:13

School Days by Harry L. Newton, n.d.

Physical Description: typescript

Box 2:14

Soapsuds by Arthur LeRoy Kaser, n.d.

Physical Description: typescript

Box 2:17

Commercial scripts; Billy's Chorus Girl; A Family Strike; Madame Princeton's Temple of Beauty; The Fatal Necklace; The Filming of "Uncle Tom's Cabin;" Mush and Poke, Ash Haulers; Mush and Poke, Detectives; Mush and Poke, Undertakers; Richard III; Solid Ivory, n.d.

Physical Description:

Series 4 Clippings, n.d.

Physical Description:

Note

Box 1:7

Clipping of Messetti as honorary drum majorette, n.d.

Physical Description:

Note

Box 2:190

Ads for entertainers, n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:191

Information on being published, n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:192

Miscellaneous, n.d.

Physical Description:

Series 5 Ephemera, 1930-1949

Physical Description:

Note

Box 1:15

Advertisements and souvenir brochures n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 1:5

Cards for Henrique Vivian Messetti private school n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 1:12

Catalogs 1930-1948

Physical Description:

Box 2:197

Date book; lists of requirements 1947; n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:189

Drawings, n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 1:8

Envelopes from Venice California with image of Vivian Messetti on front n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 1:10

Envelopes and addresses n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:195

Lists of possible locations for performances by Little Eva's Temptation Company n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:193

Lists; song order n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:196

Lists; Vivian Messetti plays n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 1:4

"Little Eva's Temptation Co." pass out n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 1:13

Publications on writing 1942-1949

Physical Description:

Box 1:14

Serial; Billboard Magazine, 1934

Physical Description:

Box 1:11

Serial; Lone Indian Magazine supplement 1947

Physical Description:

Box 2:199

Sketches and notes n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:198

Social Security forms, not completed n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 2:194

Song lyrics and printed music n.d

Physical Description:

Box 2:188

Stationary for Vivian Messetti and F.A. Cunningham's Musical Circus Review, n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 1:1

Ticket; Messett's Musical Entertainers n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 1:2

Ticket; "Little Eva's Temptation Company" n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 1:3

Ticket; "Little Eva's Temptation Co." n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 1:6

Tickets to theatrical events n.d.

Physical Description:

Series 6 Posters, n.d.

Physical Description:

Box 3:1

"Wanted: Home Talent..." n.d.

Physical Description: 18x24"

Box 3:2

Little Eva's Temptation, n.d.

Physical Description:

Note

4 posters with red lettering "Little Eva's Temptation with Home Talent"

Box 3:3

Little Eva's Temptation, n.d.

Physical Description: 14x22"

Note

Poster with red lettering on yellow background with green border, "Ella Messetti Presents Little Eva's

Box 3:4

Little Eva's Temptation, n.d.

Physical Description: 8x21"

Note

2 broadsides with lettering "Ella Messetti Presents Little Eva's Temptation..."

Mapcase III Drawer Q

Little Eva's Temptation, n.d.

Physical Description: 21x28" and 20x30"

Note

2 different color lithograph posters with titles "Henrique Vivian Messetti in Little Eva's Temptation" and "Little Eva's Temptation-Topsy"

Mapcase III Drawer Q

Little Eva's Temptation, n.d.

Physical Description: 20x30"

Note

2 different color lithograph posters with titles "Little Eva's Temptation-Eliza Crossing the Ice" and "Little Eva's Temptation - Uncle Tom & Eva"

Mapcase III Drawer Q

Messett's Musical Entertainers, n.d.

Physical Description: 20x30"

Note

2 different color lithograph posters

Mapcase III Drawer Q

Messett's Musical Entertainers, n.d.

Physical Description: 14x42"

Note

2 different color lithograph posters

Mapcase III Drawer Q

Uncle Tom's Cabin, n.d.

Physical Description: 20x30" and 21x28"

Note

2 different color lithograph posters with titles "Uncle Tom's Cabin Co. Marks" and "Uncle Tom's Cabin"

Mapcase III Drawer Q

Uncle Tom's Cabin, n.d.

Physical Description: 21x28"

Note

2 different color lithograph posters with titles "Uncle Tom's Cabin-Marks" and "Uncle Tom's Cabin- Topsy-'Laws! Why that Ar's Miss Feely's Ribbon, Aint It?'"