Biographical / Historical Notes
Scope and Content
Arrangement
Preferred Citation
Conditions Governing Access
Conditions Governing Use
Processing Information
Title: Vera Berliner Collection
Identifier/Call Number: MS 58
Contributing Institution:
San Diego History Center Document Collection
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.5 Linear feet
(1 box)
Date (inclusive): 1905-1938
Abstract: This collection contains theater billings, contracts, and correspondence regarding the vaudeville career of star violinist
Vera Berliner from the 1900s-1920s, as well as some Berliner family papers.
Language of Materials: English; German.
creator:
Berliner Family
Biographical / Historical Notes
Vera Berliner was a star violinist on the national vaudeville circuit during the period 1906-1926. Her parents, Kate and F.
Berliner, lived on her farm in Chula Vista, and she stayed with them during her off seasons running the ranch, which produced
lemons and guavas, during the summer months. Her brother Rudolph also played violin and served as a bandleader and production
manager.
There is not a great deal of information on her life other than what can be gleaned from this collection. She was married
in 1912 to Barney Kay and married again by 1938 to Rudy Howe. A married man, Charles Edward Wright, courted her until her
father wrote him a letter telling him to stay away. Throughout her career, she traveled extensively. In 1908 she was billed
as a “favorite of the late President McKinley,” and she was also called the “violinist with soul.” In that same year, the
Evening Wisconsin describes her playing style as “freak or trick work…rapid and accurate fingering,” so it is apparent Berliner
mixed traditional classical style with a more popular showmanship. Garnering favorable reviews wherever she performed, Berliner
was also known as Vera Garliner and “Mioni.”
Scope and Content
This collection contains theater billings, contracts, and correspondence regarding the vaudeville career of star violinist
Vera Berliner from the 1900s-1920s, as well as some Berliner family papers. Family papers include material on the farm in
Chula Vista, Vera’s brother Rudolph Berliner, family letters, and letters from Vera’s first husband and other friends and
admirers.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged in three series:
Series I: Vera Berliner Theater Career;
Series II: Vera Berliner Personal and Business Papers;
Series III: Berliner Family Papers.
Preferred Citation
Berliner Family Papers, MS 58, San Diego History Center Documents Archives, San Diego, CA.
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
The San Diego History Center (SDHC) holds the copyright to any unpublished materials. SDHC Library regulations do apply.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Jennifer Paton in 2002 and Samantha Mills in 2017.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Berliner, Rudolph
Berliner, Vera
Kay, Barney
Chula Vista (Calif.)
Farms--California
Vaudeville shows
Women musicians