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Finding Aid for the George Barnes Collection, 1919-1926

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Table of contents

Container List

Series 1: Correspondence (Box 1, 1920-1926)

Scope and Content Note

This small series includes a mixture of professional and personal communications. The professional communications appear to be related to bookings and/or professional activities such as fan mail and telegrams of well wishes for theater appearances. The personal correspondence includes letters concerning Barnes' separation from his wife, Susie M. Barnes. The files are arranged into four folders: Business letters, Fan letters, Personal correspondence, and Telegrams. The files are arranged alphabetically by folder title and the correspondence within each file is arranged chronologically.

Box 1

Business letters to George Barnes 1924, 1926

Box 1

Fan letters to George Barnes 1920, 1923, 1926

Box 1

Personal correspondence to George Barnes 1924, 1926

Note

With 2 letters pertaining George Barnes's divorce from Susie M. Barnes.

Box 1

Telegrams to George Barnes 1921-1925

Note

Mostly well wishes for theater appearances including the Alcazar Theatre in San Fransico, CA, and President Theatre, DC.

Series 2: Memorabilia (Box 3, ca. 1919-1926)

Scope and Content Note

This series includes a small number of programs, playbills, and other printed ephemera collected by and in some cases related to Barnes. Most of the memorabilia is playbills and printed ephemera related to the Savoy Players and the Wilkes Players (at the Denham Theatre); some with listings for and/or illustrations of Barnes. Additionally, there are two drawings that appear to be mock-ups for publicity. Only one of the drawings is identified as being for A Voice in the Dark.

Box 1

Advertisement for Dufor Boys no date

Note

Printed image of Barnes and partner as Dufor Boys.

Box 1

Calling cards collected by Barnes no date

Box 3

Drawings of George Barnes (2 oversize items) no date

Note

Appears to be mock ups for publicity.

Box 1

Playbill for Actor's Memorial Benefit 1919 Dec 5

Note

Listing for Barnes.

Box 1

Playbills collected by Barnes ca. 1919, no date

Note

Do not appear to related to Barnes' appearances.

Box 1

Playbills and printed ephemera for Wilkes Players with listings for and occasional illustrations of Barnes 1919-1922

Note

Playbills mostly from Deham Theatre Colorado: A Tailor-Made Man, Adam and Eva, If I Were King, The Commanding Officer, The Ghost Between, The Marriage of Kitty, The Ouija Board, and The Walk Offs. Advertisements (on the back of menus) for Broken Thread and Where the Trail Divides.

Box 1

Playbills for Wilkes Players 1918-1921

Note

One is titled Review Season 1918-1919 of the Wilkes Players (and mentions Barnes). The other is titled, Wilkes Players Casts 1920-1921. One mention of Barnes.

Box 1

Programs for Savoy Players with listings for Barnes no date

Note

Only 38, In Love with Love, Kiki, and The Witch Doctor. With a hand laundry receipt for Barnes at the Savoy Theater.

Box 1

Publication for Fullers Courier 1926 Jan

Series 3: Photographs (Box 2-3, ca. early to mid-1920s)

Scope and Content Note

The majority of the photographs appear to be career related and they include a small amount of professional portraits of Barnes, a small number of professional photographs of cast members, and a number of small snapshots of Barnes and other performers (in costume). Additionally, there is a small number of group shots believed to be the Savoy Players. The photographs are not identified and it is unknown what productions they are from. Also included is a small amount of unidentified photographs which appear personal in nature. Since the photographs are not identified, there is no specific arrangement.

Box 2

George Barnes - duplicate photographs of head shots found in collection no date

Box 2

George Barnes - portrait-like photographs (21 items) ca. 1920s

Note

Mostly professional headshots of Barnes.

Box 3

George Barnes - portrait-like photographs (6 oversize items) no date

Box 2

George Barnes and Mrs. [W?] Barnes (1 item) no date

Box 2

George Barnes and others - possibly personal in nature (23 items) no date

Note

Small unlabeled photographs of unidentified people. Some shots appear to be or include Barnes.

Box 2

George Barnes and unidentified performers snapshots (131 items) no date

Note

Snapshot size photographs of Barnes and other performers in costume. Performance(s) is unknown.

Box 3

Photographs of [perfomers] (5 oversize items) no date

Note

Most of the photographs are inscribed to G.B.

Box 2

Photographs of [performers] all unidentified (7 items) no date

Box 2

Photographs of [performers] inscribed to G.B. (16 items) 1920's

Note

Some signed with first names only and/or hard to read.

Box 2

Photographs of dogs (8 items) no date

Note

Some include two young girls with dogs.

Box 3

Photographs of performers - mostly group shots (8 oversize items) no date

Note

Appear to be from unknown stage performances. Most include Barnes.

Box 2

Savoy Players - photographs (4 items) no date

Note

Three group shots that appear to be the Savoy Players. One live scene photograph is labeled Federal Theatre Project.

Series 4: Scrapbook and clippings (Box 3, 1919-1920s)

Scope and Content Note

This series contains one fragile scrapbook and a small amount of loose clippings related to Barnes' stage career. The scrapbook contains newspaper accounts and reviews, playbill clippings, and photographs related to Barnes' West Coast career. Much of the material represents his Colorado appearances in productions at Denham Theatre, including The Copperhead, Petite Darling, and The Meanest Man in the World. Additionally, there is a small amount of material documenting other West Coast appearances. The majority of photographs in the scrapbook are not identified. The additional loose clippings include theater production advertisements and reviews related to Barnes.

Box 3

George Barnes clippings - theater production advertisements and reviews related to Barnes. ca. 1923-1924

Box 3

George Barnes scrapbook - career related clippings and photographs ca. 1919, 1920's

Container List

Series 1: Correspondence (Box 1, 1920-1926)

Series 2: Memorabilia (Box 3, ca. 1919-1926)

Series 3: Photographs (Box 2-3, ca. early to mid-1920s)

Series 4: Scrapbook and clippings (Box 3, 1919-1920s)