Collection of Chinese theater images in California, 1883-2004, bulk (bulk ca. 1920-1983)

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Summary

Creators:
Museum of Performance & Design, Performing Arts Librarym
Abstract:
The Museum of Performance & Design, Performing Arts Library's collection of images related to Chinese Theater in California ranges from 1883-2004, although the majority of the photographs document performers and productions from the 1920s to late 1940s. The photographs depict scenes from plays such as "Heavenly Kings" and "Princess Cheung Ping," staged at the Great China Theatre, Great Star Theatre, and other venues, shots of actors and actress such as Mei Lan-fang, Dai Ngow Lok, Ma Shi-tsang, Kwan Duk Hing, Sew Jow Lee, and Hall Fay Jing in costume, in the studio, or on stage portraying various characters such as Kuan Kung, Chu Ko-liang, and Sun Yat-sen, interiors and exterior shots of different theater buildings, and ceremonies and banquets honoring performers such as Mei Lan-fang. A number of the photographs were taken by May's Studio. The materials were selected from four main sources -- the Wylie Wong Collection, Lois Rather Papers, Jack Chen Papers, and the Library's own Chinese Theater Collection.
Extent:
401 items 401 online items
Language:
Chinese.
Preferred citation:

[Collection name], Museum of Performance & Design, Performing Arts Library

Background

Scope and content:

The Museum of Performance & Design, Performing Arts Library's collection of images related to Chinese Theater in California ranges from 1883-2004, although the majority of the photographs document performers and productions from the 1920s to late 1940s. The photographs depict scenes from plays such as "Heavenly Kings" and "Princess Cheung Ping," staged at the Great China Theatre, Great Star Theatre, and other venues, shots of actors and actress such as Mei Lan-fang, Dai Ngow Lok, Ma Shi-tsang, Kwan Duk Hing, Sew Jow Lee, and Hall Fay Jing in costume, in the studio, or on stage portraying various characters such as Kuan Kung, Chu Ko-liang, and Sun Yat-sen, interiors and exterior shots of different theater buildings, and ceremonies and banquets honoring performers such as Mei Lan-fang.

A number of the photographs were taken by May's Studio. The materials were selected from four main sources -- the Wylie Wong Collection, Lois Rather Papers, Jack Chen Papers, and the Library's own Chinese Theater Collection.

Acquisition information:
This collection was created by the Museum of Performance Design, Performing Arts Library staff from 2003-2004 as part of the Digital Archive of Chinese Theater in California project.
Processing information:

This collection was created by the Museum of Performance & Design, Performing Arts Library staff from 2003-2004 as part of the Digital Archive of Chinese Theater in California project funded in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Service under the provision of the Library Services and Technology Act administered in California by the State Librarian and by the Zellerbach Family Foundation.

The goal of the project was to provide online access to rare and historic images of Chinese theater in California. Digitization was done in-house using an Epson 1640XL-SE flatbed scanner or a Minolta DiMage Scan Multi Pro film scanner and full-level MARC records were created for each item.

The materials are accessible through MPD's online catalog at http://www.mpdsf.org/PAGES/LIBRARY/catalog.html.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Entire collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Vary with material. Please contact the Librarian.

Preferred citation:

[Collection name], Museum of Performance & Design, Performing Arts Library

Location of this collection:
2200 Jerrold Avenue
Suite T
San Francisco, CA 94124, US
Contact:
4157413531
info@mpdsf.org
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