Vincent Silk Papers
992.082
Finding aid prepared by Supriya Wronkiewicz
Processing of this collection was funded in part by a Processing/Cataloging Grant from California Revealed, an initiative
of the California State Library.
Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library
2019
Title: Vincent Silk Papers
Identifier/Call Number: 992.082
Contributing Institution:
Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
7.5 Linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1908-1990
Abstract: 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.
Creator:
Silk, Vincent James, 1902-1992
Provenance
This collection was received April 20, 1992 from Jack Rosenbaum (columnist for the
San Francisco News-Call and
San Francisco Chronicle) and Charles Calvert (
San Francisco Independent) with a second donation received on October 30, 1992 from Jack Rosenbaum and Julia Leavitt.
Biographical Sketch for Vincent James Silk
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.
From 1942-1946, Silk served in the U.S. Army Air Force as Director of Plant Protection, then as Chief Investigator and later
retired as Police Chief. Initially stationed at McClelland Field in Sacramento, he was to organize all police and fire departments
for air fields in eleven Western states. He also spent time at March Air Force Base in San Bernardino, CA. Other duties included
organizing and maintaining Identification Bureaus and conducting investigations regarding sabotage and subversive activities.
After the war, he headed a government operation to investigate surplus property theft across the United States and Mexico
borders. It resulted in a recovery of over $1 million.
Following the war, Silk worked as a private investigator for several years. Silk worked as a private investigator of personal
injury cases for the law firms of Belli & Ashe and Hoberg & Finger, Esq. He also worked for San Francisco City Hall for Assessors
Joseph Tinney and Sam Duca. Throughout his work as an investigator, he continued to perform in theaters and night clubs as
a "Banquet Speaker"/Master of Ceremonies/monologist for private and community events in the United States and Canada. One
of the organizations he performed for regularly was the Press Club of San Francisco (also known as the Press and Union League
Club of San Francisco). He was a deeply committed member until his death and participated in various activities. For example,
for many years, he gave the annual eulogy for their past president, Will Aubrey.
Silk was involved with several unions and clubs alongside AGVA and the Press Club of San Francisco. Other memberships and
affiliations included: the Knights of Columbus; Ancient Order of Hibernians; Elks Club; Screen Actors Guild & Extras Club;
and the Bay Counties Peace Officers Association; American Federation of Television & Radio Artists; American Federation of
Musicians; Academy of Television Arts & Sciences; Associated Operators of Los Angeles County; Civil Air Patrol; and Deputy
Sheriff for the Counties of Santa Clara, Sacramento and Riverside.
Silk married Charlotte Ardenell Ade in 1953. She was a dancer for groups such as the the Dorothy Kilgore Group and Pavley-Oukrainsky
Ballet.
Silk died in San Francisco on March 28, 1992.
Scope and Content
The Vincent Silk Papers includes original documents and photographs emcompassing Silk's life from his childhood to his senior
years. It includes materials collected over the course of extensive work with associations such as the American Guild of Variety
Artists and the Press Club of San Francisco.
The Papers have been organized into the following series:
Series I: Biographical Files includes documents and materials related to Silk's childhood and career as performer, his military career during World War
II, press clippings, correspondence, and membership and affiliation cards.
Series II: Charlotte Ade Biographical Files includes correspondence, writings, clippings, and ephemera related to Charlotte Ade, Vincent Silk's wife from 1953-1980 (her
death). Also included are documents pertaining to an interrogatory of Ade regarding a car accident in 1975.
Series III: Original Writings contains original songs, manuscripts, joke routines, and other original writings by Silk along with some related documents.
Series IV: American Guild of Variety Players [AGVA] contains materials related to Silk's membership and work with the American Guild of Variety Artists [AGVA]. The materials
include documents such as original AGVA contracts, certificates from conventions, documentation from Silk's work on the AGVA
Executive Committee, and documents pertaining to AGVA legal proceedings Silk participated in. This series also includes newsletters
and magazines with articles about the union's activities as well as issues of "AGVA News". As Silk served as an arbritrator
for AGVA, this series includes transcripts and related documents on AGVA trials he was involved with, such as those involving
actress Penny Singleton and singer/actor Roy Rogers.
Series V: Press Club of San Francisco includes materials related to Will Aubrey, one of the Club's presidents, documents from various events and activities, including
certificates and commemmorations to Silk, such as to commemmorate his entry to the Press Club of San Francisco Hall of Fame.
As Silk was heavily involved in the Press Club for several years, the series also includes documentation from the club's Board
of Director committee minutes from 1970-1988.
Series VI: Collected Publications and Writings contains printed newsletters, booklets, and cards as well as unpublished manuscripts collected by Silk. Also included are
copies of
Emcee. The collection also includes an extensive run of professional comedy writer Robert Orben's
Orben's Current Comedy newsletter from 1959-1985.
Series VII: Photographic Materials includes includes photographs of Vincent Silk in performance; with family and friends; in the context of his various jobs;
portraits and headshots; photographs of various celebrities and public figures; and photographs of theater marquees and promotional
signs for his performances. There are also several images related to Charlotte Ade, especially from her work at the Pavley-Oukrainsky
Ballet and the Dorothy Kilgore Dance Group. There are also several images from various AGVA conventions. This series also
includes images from various Press Club of San Francisco events such as when the Press Club hosted Princess Margaret during
her visit to San Francisco, an event with Clint Eastwood promoting the show
Rawhide, as well as prominent San Francisco and California policians and public figures such as past governor Goodwin Knight; past
San Francisco Mayors Angelo Rossi and George Christopher, renowned sculptor and designer Beniamino Bufano, among others.
Series VIII: Programs includes program books and promotional collateral from events Silk directly participated in.
Series IX: Scrapbooks includes scrapbooks highlighting Silk's performance career in the 1920s as well as two childhood scrapbooks. Also included
are excerpts from a scrapbook from his wife, Charlotte Ade.
Series X: Sheet Music/Arrangements includes acquired music arrangements, most likely used for performances by Silk and his orchestra and/or bandmates in the
1920s and 1930s.
Organization
The Vincent Silk Papers are arranged in the following series:
- Biographical Files
- Charlotte Ade Biographical Files
- Original Writings
- American Guild of Variety Artists [AGVA]
- Press Club of San Francisco
- Photographic Materials
- Programs
- Sheet Music and Arrangements
- Collected Publications and Writings
- Scrapbooks
Preferred Citation
[Folder Title], Vincent Silk Papers, Museum of Performance + Design.
Access
The collection is open to all researchers with no restrictions.
Copyright
Museum of Performance + Design holds property rights and publication rights to the Silk Papers. All other copyright belongs
to identified creators.
Processing History
Collection was processed by MP+D Staff.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Charlotte, Ade
American Guild of Variety Artists
Clippings (Information artifacts)
Comedy sketches.
Correspondence.
Dance
Music--20th century--Performance.
Performing arts--United States.
Photographic prints.
Press Club of San Francisco
Programs (Documents)
Scrapbooks.
Series I: Biographical Files,
1924-1992
Scope and Contents note
This series includes documents and materials related to Silk's childhood and his career as performer, his military career
during World War II, documents related to his work as a private investigator, such as his work for prominent attorney Melvin
Belli. The series also includes press clippings, correspondence, membership and affiliation cards, as well as two deputy sheriff
badges.
Box 1, Folder 1
Personal effects,
1947, 1985, 1992, undated
Scope and Contents note
Includes family obituaries, holiday greeting cards, and sketches.
Box 1, Folder 3
Military Service related documents,
1942-1946
Box 1, Folder 4
Private investigator application and related correspondence,
1949
Box 1, Folder 5
Employment history and affiliations,
1957, 1973-1977
Scope and Contents note
Includes applications, business cards, and two deputy sheriff badges.
Box 1, Folder 6
Belli, Melvin M. - correspondence and related documents,
1949, 1960, 1971, undated
Box 1, Folder 7
Clippings and cards,
1928-1947, undated
Box 1, Folder 10
Correspondence,
1942-1990
Box 1, Folder 11
Letters of appreciation sent to Silk,
1953-1987
Box 12, Folder 8
Promotional signs for Silk performing in Virginia City, Nevada,
1923
Series II: Charlotte Ade Biographical Files
circa 1920s-1975
Scope and Contents note
This series includes correspondence, writings, clippings, and ephemera related to Charlotte Ade, Vincent Silk's wife from
1953-1980 (her death). Also included are documents pertaining to an interrogatory of Ade regarding a car accident in 1975.
Box 1, Folder 12
Correspondence,
1925-1963
Box 1, Folder 13
Writings, clippings, and ephemera,
1925-1926, 1954-1964, undated
Box 1, Folder 14
Interrogatory and related documents,
circa 1975
Series III: Original writings,
1932-1987
Scope and Contents note
This series includes original songs, manuscripts, joke routines, and other original writings by Vincent Silk along with some
related documents.
Box 2, Folder 1
Original song manuscripts,
undated
Box 2, Folder
"Wings for Eagles", original script and related documents,
1971, 1982
Scope and Contents note
Original lyrics and sketches by Lou Ashe; original music and arrangements by Don Frank; additional comedy material by Vincent
Silk.
Box 2, Folder 3
Manuscripts and jokes drafts,
1987, undated
Box 2, Folder 4
Routines - drafts and related documents,
1932, undated
Box 2, Folder 5
Routines - Military,
1943, 1949
Box 2, Folder 6
Toastmaster routines - Press Club of San Francisco and others,
1939, 1961-1975, 1985
Box 2, Folder 7
Toastmaster routines - Press Club of San Francisco and others,
1949, 1960-1971, undated
Box 2, Folder 8
Toastmaster routines - Press Club of San Francisco and others,
1963, 1972, 1979
Scope and Contents note
This series includes original writings by Vincent Silk such as original songs, manuscript drafts, and various performance
routines, such as monologues and presentations for the Press Club of San Francisco events.
Series IV: American Guild of Variety Artists [AGVA],
1941-1980
Scope and Contents note
This series includes materials related to Silk's membership and work with the American Guild of Variety Artists [AGVA]. The
materials include documents such as original AGVA contracts, certificates from conventions, documentation from Silk's work
on the AGVA Executive Committee, and documents pertaining to AGVA legal proceedings Silk participated in. This series also
includes newsletters and magazines with articles about the union's activities as well as issues of "AGVA News". There is also
a subseries,
Proceedings, which has documents pertaining to Silk's work as an arbitrator with AGVA legal proceedings, which included trials involving
prominent AGVA members such as actress Penny Singleton and singer Roy Rogers.
Box 3, Folder 2
Official Convention Credential certificates and related materials,
1954-1964
Box 3, Folder 3
Correspondence,
1942-1947
Box 3, Folder 4
Clippings and printed materials,
1942-1965
Box 3, Folder 5
Executive Secretary reports and meeting records,
1941
Box 3, Folder 6
Committee Meeting Notes and other meeting records,
1955-1963
Box 3, Folder 7
Pied Pipers trial and related documents,
1950
Box 3, Folder 8
Morris, Hal, Arbitration and related documents
1951
Box 3, Folder 9
McClellan Committee,
1962
Box 3, Folder 10
Singleton, Penny - trial and related documents,
1963
Box 3, Folder 11
Rogers, Roy and Spears, Doug - trial and related documents,
1963
Box 3, Folder 12
Collected newsletters and magazines,
1941-1942, 1962-1963, 1980
Scope and Contents note
Includes issues of "Variety" (1962-1963); "The Actor" (1941-1942); and the AGVA official newsletter (1980).
Box 3, Folder 13
"AGVA News" issues,
1959 February-December
Box 3, Folder
"AGVA News" issues,
1960, 1962, 1965
Series V: Press Club of San Francisco,
1931-1988
Scope and Contents note
This series includes materials related to Silk's activities with the Press Club of San Francisco (also referred to as the
Press and Union League Club of San Francisco). The series includes materials pertaining to past president Will Aubrey, including
sheet music and lyrics to his original work,
The Cat Song, written specifically for the Press Club of San Francisco. The series also includes documents from various events and activities,
including certificates and commemmorations to Silk, such as to commemmorate his entry to the Press Club of San Francisco Hall
of Fame. As Silk was heavily involved in the Press Club for several years, the series also includes documentation from the
club's Board of Director committee minutes from 1970-1988. The series also contains issues of various Press Club of San Francisco
publications such as the newsletters
The Black Kitten and
Scoop Weekly as well as issues of the magazine
Scoop Annual.
Box 4, Folder 1
Aubrey, Will,
1927, 1940, 1958, undated
Scope and Contents note
Includes correspondence, clippings, artist sketches, lyrics and sheet music to Aubrey's "Cat Song" written specifically for
the Press Club of San Francisco.
Box 4, Folder 2
Aubrey, Will - eulogies and related materials,
1961-1972, undated
Box 4, Folder 3
Board of Directors Committee Minutes,
1970-1979
Box 4, Folder 4
Board of Directors Committee Minutes,
1979-1988
Box 4, Folder 5
Certificates to Silk,
1955, 1972, undated
Box 5, Folder 2
Certificate to Silk (framed) for Press Club of San Francisco Hall of Fame,
1987 April 4
Box 4, Folder 6
Correspondence to Silk,
1949-1966, 1979
Box 4, Folder 7
Clippings and cards,
1955, 1988, undated
Box 4, Folder 8
"Masquers Variety Revue" event,
1950
Box 4, Folder 9
Programs, speeches, and related documents,
1931-1987
Box 4, Folder 10
"The Black Kitten" newsletter,
1961-1966
Box 4, Folder 11
"Scoop Weekly" newsletter,
1969-1979, 1984-1987
Box 4, Folder 12
"Scoop Weekly" newsletter,
1987-1988
Box 4, Folder 13
"Scoop Annual" magazine,
1977-1979
Box 4, Folder 14
"Scoop Annual" magazine,
1980-1981
Box 5, Folder 1
"Scoop Annual" magazine,
1983-1984
Series VI: Collected Publications and Writings,
1950-1985, undated
Scope and Contents note
This series contains printed newsletters, booklets, and cards as well as unpublished manuscripts collected by Silk. Also included
are copies of
Emcee. The collection also includes an extensive run of professional comedy writer Robert Orben's
Orben's Current Comedy newsletter from 1959-1985.
Box 6
Comedy and Gag Cards,
undated
Box 5, Folder 3
Gibson, Walter P. - "Comedy Mind Reading"
1958
Box 5, Folder 10
Healy, Vince - "Parody Parade" and other writings,
undated
Box 5, Folder 4
Muir, Jimmie "M.C." - "Giggless, Gadgets, and Guffaws" and "How to M.C.",
undated
Box 5, Folder 5
Orben, Robert - "Current Comedy" and other writings,
1971-1972, undated
Box 7
Orben, Robert - "Obren's Current Comedy",
1959-1985
Box 5, Folder 6
Orben, Robert - "Comedy Filler" newsletters,
1971-1980
Box 5, Folder 7
Orben, Robert - "Orben Comedy Letter" newsletters,
1971-1972
Box 5, Folder 8
Orrin, Edmund - "Clever Remarks",
undated
Box 5, Folder 9
Orrin, Edmund - "Rich and Rare",
undated
Box 5, Folder 11
"Emcee" magazine,
1953-1956
Box 5, Folder 12
Parody books and pocket cards,
undated
Series VII: Photographic Materials,
circa 1920s-1970s
Scope and Contents note
This series includes all the photographic materials in the collection and arranged in the following subseries: Silk, Vincent;
Ade, Charlotte, American Guild of Variety Artists; Press Club of San Francisco; and Unidentified Photographs. All oversize
materials are in Box 12.
Silk, Vincent,
circa 1920s-1970s
Scope and Contents note
This subseries includes photographs of Vincent Silk in performance; with family and friends; in the context of his various
jobs; portraits and headshots; photographs of various celebrities and public figures; and photographs of theater marquees
and promotional signs for his performances. Arranged alphabetically by topic.
Box 8, Folder 1
Commemorative cards from various restaurants and hotels,
circa 1950s-1960s
Box 12, Folder 3, Box 8, Folder 2
School portraits, Family, friends, and casual gatherings,
circa 1910s, circa 1950s-1960s, undated
Box 8, Folder 3
Military portrait and images,
circa 1943-1945
Box 8, Folder 4
Private investigator work related images,
circa 1950s-1960s
Box 12, Folder 4, Box 8, Folders 5-6
Portraits and headshots,
circa 1920s-1960s, undated
Box 12, Folder 6, Box 8, Folder 7
Celebrity photographs autographed to or from Silk,
circa 1930s-1970s, undated
Box 12, Folder 5, Box 8, Folder 8
Silk in performance,
undated
Box 8, Folder 9
Theater marquees and other promotional signs for Silk,
circa 1920s-1930s, undated
Box 12, Folder 7
Fanchon & Marco,
circa 1920s
Ade, Charlotte,
circa 1920s-1970s
Scope and Contents note
This subseries includes photographs of Charlotte Ade in performance; with family and friends ; her first husband, Don Gilbert,
a gymnast; portraits and headshots; and photographs of various celebrities and public figures. This subseries includes several
photographs of Pavley-Oukrainsky Ballet, one of the earliest ballet companies in the United States. Arranged alphabetically
by topic.
Box 8, Folder 10
Family and casual images,
circa 1950s
Box 8, Folder 11
Gilbert, Don
circa 1930s
Scope and Contents note
Charlotte Ade's first husband.
Box 8, Folder 12, Box 12, Folder 9
Portraits, headshots, and sketches,
1929-1944, undated
Box 8, Folder 13
Pavley-Oukrainsky Ballet and other dance groups,
circa 1920s-1930s, undated
Box 9, Folder 1
Performances and related events,
circa 1959
Box 9, Folders 2-4
Celebrities photographs autographed to Ade,
circa 1920s-1960s, undated
Box 12, Folder 2, Box 9, Folder 5
American Guild of Variety Artists,
1950-1964
Scope and Contents note
Includes images from various AGVA conventions and gatherings with AGVA members.
Press Club of San Francisco,
circa
Box 9, Folder 6
Aubrey, Will,
circa 1950s, undated
Box 9, Folder 7
Aubrey, Will - gravesite,
1959-1962, undated
Box 9, Folders 8-9, Box 12, Folder 11
Events and activities,
circa 1950s-1960s, undated
Box 9, Folder 10, Box 12, Folder 10
Celebrities and prominent guests,
circa 1950s-1960s, undated
Box 9, Folder 11
Silk, Vincent at Press Club events (negatives),
circa 1950s
Box 12, Folder 12
Silk, Vincent - original sketch in charcoal,
1958
Box 9, Folder 12
Unidentified photographs,
circa 1950s-1960s, undated
Series VIII: Programs
Scope and Contents note
This series includes programs and promotional collateral for events Silk participated in either as a performer or master of
ceremonies. Series also includes invitations to events where he may have been a master of ceremonies or attending as a guest.
Series is arranged in chronological order.
Box 11, Folder 5
Selo Brothers Circus and Polack Brothers Circus programs and related documents,
1964
Series IX: Scrapbooks
Scope and Contents note
This series includes scrapbooks from Vincent Silk's childhood (two notebooks) and clippings scrapbooks from his early performance
tours from 1924-1927. The series also includes a scrapbook from Charlotte Ade in notebook form and excerpts from another scrapbook.
Box 10, Folder 1
Silk, Vincent - childhood scrapbook,
1909
Box 10, Folder 2
Silk, Vincent - childhood scrapbook,
1910
Box 10, Folders 3-4
Silk, Vincent - performance clippings scrapbook,
1924-1925
Box 10, Folders 5-6
Vincent Silk and Orchestra engagments scrapbook,
1927
Box 10, Folder 7
Ade, Charlotte - scrapbook,
circa 1920s
Box 10, Folder 8
Ade, Charlotte - scrapbook pages,
circa 1930s
Boxes 13-14, Box 12, Folder 1
Series X: Sheet Music and Arrangements,
circa 1920s-1940s, undated
Scope and Contents note
This series contains collected sheet music and arrangements used by Vincent Silk, most likely with his performances in the
1920s-1930s with his band and orchestra. The series is arranged alphabetically by title with oversize materials stored separately.
