Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Vern Martelle scrapbooks
- Dates:
- 1892-1977
- Abstract:
- Six scrapbooks, 1892-1977, documenting the career of female impersonator Vern Martelle. The scrapbooks include photographs, clippings, and promotional material for Vern Martelle, who was known for their elegant gowns and multiple costume changes during performances. The scrapbooks also include numerous signed publicity photographs from other female impersonators and drag performers from the early 20th century.
- Extent:
- 1.1 Linear Feet 1 box.
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
[Box/folder #, or item name] Vern Martelle Scrapbooks, Coll2025-001, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The collection comprises six scrapbooks, 1892-1977, documenting the career of female impersonator Vern Martelle. The scrapbooks include photographs, clippings, and promotional material for Vern Martelle, who was known for their elegant gowns and multiple costume changes during performances. The scrapbooks also include numerous publicity photographs from other female impersonators and drag performers from the early 20th century, including Guilda, Poppy, Tony del Rio, Jay Page, Harvey Lee, Walter Hart, Shuug Au Sing, Jean Barrios, Francis Blair, and Adrian Ames.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Vern Martelle was born as Verne Miller (also known as Vernon Miller), in September 1893 in Quincy, Illinois, to father Charles Miller and mother Julia Champlin. At a young age, Vern began performing in local amateur shows in Chicago wearing women's clothes. He went on to perform in night clubs, Vaudeville shows, as well as the USO, touring throughout the US and internationally. He also worked as a stunt man in Hollywood films for a number of years.
Later in life, lived in San Francisco, CA, and became a well-known female impersonator, especially known for his many gowns and numerous costume changes during performances. He regularly performed in clubs in Oakland and San Francisco, such as Finnochio's.
- Acquisition information:
- Purchased from Lloyd Gordon Estates Sales, November 2024.
- Processing information:
-
Collection processed by Loni Shibuyama, 2025.
- Arrangement:
-
The collection is arranged chronologically.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-04-01 16:18:56 -0700 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
The collection is open to researchers. There are no access restrictions.
- Terms of access:
-
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the ONE Archivist. Permission for publication is given on behalf of ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives at USC Libraries 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 #, or item name] Vern Martelle Scrapbooks, Coll2025-001, ONE National Gay and Lesbian Archives, USC Libraries, University of Southern California.
- Location of this collection:
-
909 West Adams BoulevardLos Angeles, CA 90007, US
- Contact:
- (213) 821-2771