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Theatrical costume collection

Theatrical costume collection

Descriptive Summary

Title: Theatrical costume collection
Creator: Roma, Rosa
Inclusive Dates: 1900-1927
Language(s): English
Extent: 3.5 Linear Feet 3 boxes and 1 folder
Collection Number: ms3022
Repository: Hargrett Library

Collection Description

Historical Note

Sophie Tucker was a famous entertainer of Russian birth. Born Sophia Abuza, she moved with her family to the northeastern United States. After eight years in Boston, the Abuzas moved their restaurant to Hartford, Connecticut, where Sophie began her show business career by occasionally singing to the restaurant's show-business clientele. A notably large woman, Sophie is quoted as saying that, "size didn't matter if you could sing and make people laugh." In 1908 Florenz Ziegfeld hired her for his second Follies where she was a show stopper.

Nellie V. Nichols was an actress and vocalist.

Rosa Roma, known as the Gypsy violinist, performed in theatres in the early 1900s.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of stage costumes and photographs, some autographed by Sophie Tucker, Nellie V. Nichols and Rosa Roma. Included are dresses, gloves, music, feathers and hair combs, all apparently collected by Rosa Roma during her career on stage.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Theatrical costume collection, ms3022, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Costume -- United States.
Costumes (character dress)
Nichols, Nellie V. -- Photographs
Roma, Rosa -- Photographs
Sheet music.
Signatures (names)
Tucker, Sophie, 1884-1966 -- Photographs
Vaudeville -- United States.
Women entertainers -- United States -- Costume.
Women entertainers -- United States -- Photographs.

Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 
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1Photographs
Some of the photographs are autographed. Two are autographed by Sophie Tucker.
 
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1Dress - black with red beads (some loose)
 
1shawl - orange and black
 
1Lace collars, bodice, and pieces
 
1Cloth red rose
 
1Gloves - wrist length, cotton with open dots with colored rings around cut-outs
 
1Gloves - wrist length, kid, with gold studs on the wrist
 
1Gloves - elbow length, open bow and stitching
 
1Gloves - elbow length, kid, flowers with rhinestone centers
 
1Gloves - elbow length, black lace
 
1Gloves - above the elbow length, kid, 6-3/4 tag still attached
 
1Gloves - above the elbow length, kid, unmatched
 
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2Dress - heavily beaded, aqua
 
2Dress - purple and coral beads
 
2Music
Several violin pieces, "Rose O' Mine," and a manuscript copy of "Violin Solo with Duncan Sisters."
 
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3Feathers
 
3Blue plumage fan
 
3Small stand-up hair comb
 
3Large ivory-colored hair comb