Descriptive Summary
Administrative Information
Biography
Scope and Content of Collection
Related collections
Indexing Terms
Descriptive Summary
Title: Sanford and Barbara Freeman Collection of Henrique Vivian Messetti Materials,
Date (inclusive): 1943-1946
Collection number: D-277
Creator:
Messetti, Vivian
Collector:
Freeman, Sanford
Collector:
Freeman, Barbara
Extent:
0.8 linear feet
Repository:
University of California, Davis. General Library. Dept. of Special Collections.
100 North West Quad
Davis, California, 95616-5292
Abstract: These materials, which document the life of Henrique Vivian Messetti, a writer, performer, and member of a vaudeville-circus
family active during the 1920's-1940's, were collected by Sanford and Barbara Freeman. 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. The majority of the collection contains Messetti's incoming correspondence.
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], Sanford and Barbara Freeman Collection of Henrique Vivian Messetti Materials, D-277, Department
of Special Collections, University of California Library, Davis, California.
Acquisition Information
Donated in 1999.
Processing Information
Processed by Rebecca Wendt in 2001. EAD finding aid created by Sara Gunasekara 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 three series: 1. Correspondence, 2. Manuscript, and 3. Ephemera.
Related collections
Denslow, Jack. Collection, D-268
Messetti, Henrique Vivian. Papers, D-197
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