Sophie Tucker scrapbooks and other material11.MWalB02460 This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on October 02, 2021. eng Describing Archives: A Content Standard Brandeis University 415 South St. Waltham, MA URL: https://findingaids.brandeis.edu/ Sophie Tucker scrapbooks and other material11.MWalB02460 Table of Contents Summary Information .................................................................................................................................... 3 Biographical or Historical Information ......................................................................................................... 3 Scope and Contents ........................................................................................................................................ 4 Administrative Information ............................................................................................................................ 4 Controlled Access Headings .......................................................................................................................... 5 Collection Inventory ....................................................................................................................................... 5 Scrapbooks ................................................................................................................................................... 5 Books and Audio Recording ..................................................................................................................... 11 - Page 2 - Sophie Tucker scrapbooks and other material11.MWalB02460 Summary Information Repository: Brandeis University Creator: Tucker, Sophie, 1884-1966 Title: Sophie Tucker scrapbooks and other material ID: 11.MWalB02460 Date [inclusive]: 1957-1966 Physical Description: 32.50 Linear Feet Physical Description: 21 record center boxes, 8 oversize boxes other_unmapped Language of the English Material: Preferred Citation Sophie Tucker scrapbooks and other material, 1957-1966, Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections Department, Brandeis University ^ Return to Table of Contents Biographical or Historical Information Singer, actress, and comedian Sophie Tucker, often called the "Last of the Red Hot Mamas," was born in Russia in 1886 as Sonya Kalish. She and her family immigrated to the United States soon after her birth, and changed their name to Abuza. The family then moved to Connecticut and opened a kosher restaurant, where Tucker would first perform for tips. At 17 she married Louis Tuck, whom she would leave shortly after the birth of their son. This was the first of three marriages that would end in divorce for Tucker. Following her divorce, she left her son Albert in the care of her family and moved to New York City seeking a career as an entertainer—it was at this point that she added the "-er" to her married name. She began her career as a vaudeville singer in blackface, but became a larger hit once she abandoned this style. Tucker never lost vaudeville influences, however, and continued performing songs in the same risqué manner of that time, frequently using bawdy lyrics or double entendres, while incorporating the new style, jazz, into her music. Tucker also expanded her career beyond music: she appeared in films; was frequently a television personality, appearing on the popular variety and talk shows of her day; wrote an autobiography; and even hosted her own radio show. In her later years, she supported many charities and organizations, including the founding of Brandeis University, through donating to support the library and funding a chaired professorship in her name in the theater department. Sophie Tucker died in 1966 in - Page 3- Sophie Tucker scrapbooks and other material11.MWalB02460 New York City, following a career in which she challenged ideas of ethnicity and female sexuality, and became one of the first stars of the twentieth century. ^ Return to Table of Contents Scope and Contents The Sophie Tucker scrapbook collection contains scrapbooks compiled by Tucker and her assistants from the years 1957 until her death in 1966. Tucker meticulously kept scrapbooks spanning fifty years through her entertainment career, and this collection contains the materials from the end of this collection. The scrapbooks contain pieces pertaining to Tucker's professional and personal life during this time, including newspaper clippings, interviews, photographs, and correspondence, all attached to scrapbook pages. Tucker saved numerous greeting cards from various birthdays and holidays, as well as telegrams and letters. Her correspondence reveals her personal and public life--Tucker received messages from everyone from presidents to ordinary fans. Other correspondence materials include message of thanks for her many charitable works and donations, including for her contributions to Brandeis (she even received letters of thanks from Brandeis' first president, Abram Sachar) and the Brandeis National Committee. The materials collected here show Tucker's public image at the end of her life. Special Collections also holds some of Tucker's personal books, and an audio recording of Tucker. ^ Return to Table of Contents Administrative Information Publication Statement Brandeis University 415 South St. Waltham, MA URL: https://findingaids.brandeis.edu/ Conditions Governing Access Access to the collection is in accordance with the policies of the Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections Department, Brandeis University. Please contact the department for more information. - Page 4- Sophie Tucker scrapbooks and other material11.MWalB02460 Conditions Governing Use Requests to reproduce or publish material from the collection should be directed to the Robert D. Farber University Archives & Special Collections Department, Brandeis University. ^ Return to Table of Contents Controlled Access Headings • Jewish entertainers -- United States • Vaudeville -- United States Collection Inventory Scrapbooks Scope and Contents This series consists of Tucker's personal scrapbooks from 1957-1966 arranged chronologically. The scrapbooks contain Tucker's correspondence, news clippings, and photographs. Box 1 Box 1 Scrapbook, October 1957-December 1957 Box 1 Date: October 1957-December 1957 Scrapbook, November 1957–February 1958 Box 1 Date: November 1957–February 1958 Box 2 Box 2 Scrapbook, November 1957–January 1958 Box 2 Date: November 1957–January 1958 Scrapbook, October 1957-December 1957 Box 2 Date: October 1957-December 1957 Box 3 Box 3 Scrapbook, February 1959-April 1959 Box 3 Date: February 1959-April 1959 Scrapbook, March 1959-May 1959 Box 3 - Page 5- Sophie Tucker scrapbooks and other material11.MWalB02460 Date: March 1959-May 1959 Scrapbook, May 1959-August 1959 Box 3 Date: May 1959-August 1959 Scrapbook, July 1959-August 1959 Box 3 Date: July 1959-August 1959 Box 4 Box 4 Scrapbook, August 1959-September 1959 Box 4 Date: August 1959-September 1959 Scrapbook, August 1959-October 1959 Box 4 Date: August 1959-October 1959 Scrapbook, September 1959-November 1959 Box 4 Date: September 1959-November 1959 Scrapbook, November 1959-December 1959 (2 volumes) Box 4 Scrapbook, November 1959-January 1960 Box 4 Date: November 1959-January 1960 Box 5 Box 5 Birthday book, circa January 1960 Box 5 Date: circa January 1960 Scrapbook, December 1959-January 1960 Box 5 Date: December 1959-January 1960 Scrapbook, January 1960 Box 5 Date: January 1960 Box 6 Box 6 Scrapbook, December 1959-March 1960 Box 6 Date: December 1959-March 1960 Scrapbook, February 1960-March 1960 Box 6 Date: February 1960-March 1960 Scrapbook, April 1960-May 1960 Box 6 Date: April 1960-May 1960 Box 7 Box 7 Scrapbook, May 1960-August 1960 Box 7 Date: May 1960-August 1960 Scrapbook, July 1960-September 1960 Box 7 - Page 6- Sophie Tucker scrapbooks and other material11.MWalB02460 Date: July 1960-September 1960 Scrapbook, October 1960-November 1960 Box 7 Date: October 1960-November 1960 Box 8 Box 8 Scrapbook, November 1960-December 1960 Box 8 Date: November 1960-December 1960 Scrapbook, September 1960-November 1960 Box 8 Date: September 1960-November 1960 Box 9 Box 9 Scrapbook, November 1960-December 1960 Box 9 Date: November 1960-December 1960 Box 10 Box 10 Scrapbook, November 1960-January 1961 Box 10 Date: November 1960-January 1961 Scrapbook, December 1960 Box 10 Date: December 1960 Scrapbook, December 1960-February 1961 Box 10 Date: December 1960-February 1961 Scrapbook, January 1961-March 1961 Box 10 Date: January 1961-March 1961 Scrapbook, February 1961-April 1961 Box 10 Date: February 1961-April 1961 Box 11 Box 11 Scrapbook, April 1961-July 1961 Box 11 Date: April 1961-July 1961 Scrapbook, August 1961-September 1961 Box 11 Date: August 1961-September 1961 Scrapbook, August 1961-October 1961 Box 11 Date: August 1961-October 1961 Box 12 Box 12 Scrapbook, April 1961-May 1961 Box 12 Date: April 1961-May 1961 Box 13 Box 13 Scrapbook, March 1961-August 1961 Box 13 - Page 7- Sophie Tucker scrapbooks and other material11.MWalB02460 Date: March 1961-August 1961 Box 14 Box 14 Scrapbook, October 1961-November 1961 Box 14 Date: October 1961-November 1961 Scrapbook, October 1961-December 1961 Box 14 Date: October 1961-December 1961 Scrapbook, November 1961-December 1961 (5 volumes) Box 14 Box 15 Box 15 Scrapbook, January 1962 Box 15 Date: January 1962 Scrapbook, January 1962-March 1962 Box 15 Date: January 1962-March 1962 Scrapbook, February 1962-March 1962 Box 15 Date: February 1962-March 1962 Scrapbook, March 1962-April 1962