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Genevieve Adale Davis photograph collection [graphic].
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Collection Overview
Title:
Genevieve Adale Davis photograph collectionCreator/Contributor:
Davis, Genevieve Adale., creatorCreator/Contributor:
Ross, J., photographer.Creator/Contributor:
Piggott, James K.Creator/Contributor:
Schramm, Mathieu.Creator/Contributor:
Apeda Studio (New York, N.Y.)Creator/Contributor:
Morse's Palace of Art (San Francisco, Calif.)Creator/Contributor:
Wood's Art & Photography Gallery (Marysville, Calif.)Creator/Contributor:
Rieman & TuttleAbstract:
Photographs include studio portraits, publicity photographs, snapshots and other photographs pertaining to the personal life
and entertainment career of California actress and vaudeville singer Genevieve Davis. Davis is depicted chiefly from childhood
through the end of her performing career. Also includes carte de visite and cabinet card portraits of her mother, father
and sister, as well as other family members and fellow entertainers. Also includes photographs taken during motion picture
productions at the Selig Polyscope Studios and of various musical theater productions. Album contains snapshot photographs
documenting Davis' troupe The Seven Colonial Belles, and perhaps other acts, during leisure time on their tours throughout
California and other locations. Album snapshots depict troupe members, theaters, local attractions, friends, and World War
I soldiers. Collection also includes various official documents (passport, certificates of citizenship and baptism, etc.),
correspondence, and numerous press clippings.
Date:
ca. 1860-ca. 1961, bulk ca. 1911-ca. 1925 (issued)Subject:
n-us-caDavis, Genevieve Adale -- Portraits
Davis, Sarah Celora McQuaid -- Portraits
Davis, John Bell -- Portraits
Trussel, Elaine Davis -- Portraits
Selig, William N -- Pictorial works
Selig Polyscope Company -- Pictorial works
Singers -- California -- Photographs
Women singers -- California -- Photographs
Actors -- California -- Photographs
Actresses -- California -- Photographs
Musicals -- California -- Photographs
Theaters -- California -- Photographs
Theater -- Production and direction -- California -- Photographs
Motion pictures -- Production and direction -- California -- Photographs
Vaudeville -- California -- Photographs
Leisure -- California -- Photographs
Note:
Collected by Genevieve Adale Davis.
Numerous photographers, including J. Ross, James K. Piggott, Ross & Piggott, Piggott & Sheppard, Piggott & Shaw, Mathieu Schramm
and Mitz & Overton (all of Santa Rosa); Morse's Palace of Art, Rieman and Tuttle, Abell & Priest, and St. Francis (all of
San Francisco); Wood's Art & Photograpy Gallery (Marysville), Apeda (New York), and Abell's Art Gallery (Grass Valley),
Title devised by cataloger.
COLLECTION STORED IN PART OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for use.
Genevieve Adale Davis' performing career lasted from ca. 1911-ca. 1925. Davis was born in Santa Rosa, Calif. in 1893 to John
Bell Davis and Sarah Celora McQuaid (aka "Lola" McQuaid). Genevieve, along with her sister Elaine Davis Trussel, began her
career working as an extra in films for the Selig Polyscope Studios in Los Angeles. Davis left the Selig studio in 1912,
studied voice, and by 1914 was a professional singer and vaudeville performer. She was billed as "The Petite California Prima
Donna" and appeared with such acts as The Seven Colonial Belles. She performed with Beatrice Bradner ("Davis & Bradner"),
with Lew Fitzgibbon ("Davis & Fitzgibbon"), with composer Ernest R. Ball, and in the productions of Paul Ash and Max Dolin.
In 1925, while on tour in Australia, Davis met James Cosh, whom she would marry the following year. Davis lived in Australia
for some years before divorcing Cosh and returning to the United States in 1931.
Type:
graphicPhotograph albums.
Cartes de visite.
Physical Description:
graphic
photoprint
2 boxes (ca. 250 photographic prints), 1 album (ca. 800 photographic prints) and 4 oversize folders (ca. 50 photographic prints)
: b&w and albumen ; 11 x 14 in. or smaller.
Language:
English
Origin:
Various placesCopyright Note:
COLLECTION STORED IN PART OFF-SITE: Advance notice required for use.