Vincent James Silk (1902-1992) started his career as a singer and drummer, then performed in vaudeville as a comedian and band leader. Alongside his work as a performer, Silk was actively involved throughout his career with the American Guild of Variety Artists [AGVA], holding several local and national positions. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII as Director of Plant Protection, as Chief Investigator and as Police Chief respectively. Silk worked as a private investigator for several years, while still performing at various events. Later in life, he performed as a Master of Ceremonies/monologist for private and community events, especially for the Press Club of San Francisco, of which he was a member until his death. The papers also include documents and photographs from Silk's wife, Charlotte Ade. The Vincent Silk Papers document his various careers and his family and organized into the following series: Biographical Files; Charlotte Ade Biographical Files; Original Writings; American Guild of Variety Players [AGVA]; Press Club of San Francisco; Collected Publications and Writings; Photographic Materials; Programs; Scrapbooks; and Sheet Music/Arrangements.

Vincent James Silk was born May 13, 1902 in San Francisco, California. He started in the performing arts field very early. In his childhood, he was a singer and drummer and advanced to become a vaudeville comedian and leader of a band, playing with vaudeville circuits such as Chataqua Circuit, the Keith Albee Circuit, eventually becoming a mainstay with the popular Fanchon & Marco circuit in 1927. He became the leader of his own band and performed as a Guest Conductor/Master of Ceremonies at America's largest theater at the time, the Fox-Detroit. He spent a year in Detroit and a year at the Fox in Brooklyn. From 1933-1939, Silk joined a vaudeville tour with the Fanchon & Marco Circuit and performed on both coasts. During this time, Silk became involved with the American Guild of Variety Artists [AGVA], an association he would retain throughout his life. At one point, Silk was appointed the National Representative for the Pacific Coast. He helped organize AGVA offices in Portland; Spokane; Seattle; Vancouver, B.C. and Hollywood. He was the Executive Secretary for the San Francisco local branch and served on the local Executive Board and the National Board of Directors. Later he worked as an arbitrator on several high profile trials.

7.5 Linear feet

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