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 Box 15 Date: March 1962-April 1962
Scrapbook, May 1962-June 1962 (3 volumes) Box 15
Box 16 Box 16
Scrapbook, August 1962-October 1962 Box 16 Date: August 1962-October 1962
Scrapbook, October 1962-November 1962 (2 volumes) Box 16
Scrapbook, October 1962-December 1962 (2 volumes) Box 16
Box 17 Box 17
Scrapbook, June 1962-August 1962 Box 17 Date: June 1962-August 1962
Scrapbook, June 1962-October 1962 Box 17 Date: June 1962-October 1962
Scrapbook, July 1962-September 1962 Box 17 Date: July 1962-September 1962
Scrapbook, August 1962-September 1962 Box 17 Date: August 1962-September 1962
Scrapbook, October 1962-November 1962 Box 17 Date: October 1962-November 1962
Box 18 Box 18
- Page 8- Sophie Tucker scrapbooks and other material11.MWalB02460
Scrapbook, November 1962-December 1962 Box 18 Date: November 1962-December 1962
Scrapbook, December 1962-January 1963 Box 18 Date: December 1962-January 1963
Scrapbook, January 1963 (2 volumes) Box 18
Scrapbook, January 1963-February 1963 (2 volumes) Box 18
Box 19 Box 19
Scrapbooks, January 1963-February 1963 (2 volumes) Box 19
Scrapbook, January 1963-March 1963 Box 19 Date: January 1963-March 1963
Scrapbook, February 1963-March 1963 Box 19 Date: February 1963-March 1963
Scrapbook, March 1963-April 1963 Box 19 Date: March 1963-April 1963
Scrapbooks, May 1963-June 1963 (2 volumes) Box 19
Scrapbook, June 1963-July 1963 Box 19 Date: June 1963-July 1963
Box 20 Box 20
Scrapbook, July 1963-August 1963 Box 20 Date: July 1963-August 1963
Scrapbook, August 1963-September 1963 Box 20 Date: August 1963-September 1963
Scrapbooks, August 1963-October 1963 (2 volumes) Box 20
Scrapbook, October 1963-November 1963 Box 20 Date: October 1963-November 1963
Scrapbook, November 1963-December 1963 Box 20 Date: November 1963-December 1963
Box 21 Box 21
Scrapbook, November 1963-December 1963 Box 21 Date: November 1963-December 1963
Scrapbooks, December 1963-January 1964 (4 volumes) Box 21
Scrapbook, December 1963-February 1964 Box 21 Date: December 1963-February 1964
Box 22 Box 22 - Page 9- Sophie Tucker scrapbooks and other material11.MWalB02460
Scrapbook, December 1963-February 1964 Box 22 Date: December 1963-February 1964
Scrapbook, January 1964 Box 22 Date: January 1964
Scrapbook, February 1964-March 1964 Box 22 Date: February 1964-March 1964
Scrapbook, March 1964 Box 22 Date: March 1964
Scrapbook, April 1964-May 1964 Box 22 Date: April 1964-May 1964
Scrapbook, May 1964-August 1964 Box 22 Date: May 1964-August 1964
Box 23 Box 23
Scrapbook, June 1964-August 1964 Box 23 Date: June 1964-August 1964
Scrapbook, July 1964-September 1964 Box 23 Date: July 1964-September 1964
Scrapbook, August 1964-September 1964 Box 23 Date: August 1964-September 1964
Scrapbook, September 1964-October 1964 Box 23 Date: September 1964-October 1964
Scrapbook, October 1964-November 1964 Box 23 Date: October 1964-November 1964
Box 24 Box 24
Scrapbooks, November 1964-December 1964 (2 volumes) Box 24
Scrapbooks, December 1964 (2 volumes) Box 24
Scrapbook, December 1964-January 1965 Box 24 Date: December 1964-January 1965
Box 25 Box 25
Scrapbook, December 1964-January 1965 Box 25 Date: December 1964-January 1965
Scrapbook, January 1965-March 1965 Box 25 Date: January 1965-March 1965
Scrapbook, February 1965-March 1965 Box 25
- Page 10- Sophie Tucker scrapbooks and other material11.MWalB02460
Date: February 1965-March 1965
Scrapbook, March 1965-April 1965 Box 25 Date: March 1965-April 1965
Scrapbook, April 1965-May 1965 Box 25 Date: April 1965-May 1965
Box 26 Box 26
Scrapbook, May 1965-July 1965 Box 26 Date: May 1965-July 1965
Scrapbook, July 1965-August 1965 Box 26 Date: July 1965-August 1965
Scrapbook, August 1965-September 1965 Box 26 Date: August 1965-September 1965
Scrapbook, September 1965-October 1965 Box 26 Date: September 1965-October 1965
Scrapbook, September 1965-November 1965 Box 26 Date: September 1965-November 1965
Box 27 Box 27
Scrapbooks, October 1965-December 1965 (6 volumes) Box 27
Box 28 Box 28
Scrapbook, December 1965 Box 28 Date: December 1965
Scrapbooks, December 1965-January 1966 (3 volumes) Box 28
Scrapbooks, January 1966 (2 volumes) Box 28
Scrapbook, November 1965-February 1966 Box 28 Date: November 1965-February 1966
^ Return to Table of Contents
Books and Audio Recording Scope and Contents
This series consists of Tucker's personal books, some of which are inscribed by Tucker or the author, and a casette tape of Tucker singing "My Yiddishe Momme" and "Some of These Days."
Box 29 Box 29
Parkinson Keyes, Frances. [i]Crescent Carnival[/i], 1943 Box 29
- Page 11- Sophie Tucker scrapbooks and other material11.MWalB02460
Date: 1943 Scope and Contents
Sophie Tucker inscribed her name and "Detroit 1944."
The Patriotic Foundation of Chicago. [i]The Story of the George Box 29 Washington, Robert Morris, Haym Salomon Monument with the proceedings at the unveiling and dedication December 15, 1941[/i], 1942 Date: 1942
Bart, Jan with Barney Ruben. [i]I Lost a Thousand Pounds[/i], Box 29 1957 Date: 1957 Scope and Contents
Inscribed by Jan Bart for Sophie Tucker.
Tisdale Hobart, Alice. [i]Yang and Yin: A Novel of an Box 29 American Doctor in China[/i], 1936 Date: 1936 Scope and Contents
Sophie Tucker inscribed her name and the date in 1944.
Streeter, Edward. [i]Window on America: The Growth of a Box 29 Nation as seen by New York's First Bank, 1784-1959[/i], 1959 Date: 1959
Thompson, Morton. [i]Joe, the Wounded Tennis Player[/i], 1945 Box 29 Date: 1945 Scope and Contents
Sophie Tucker inscribed her name and "Chicago 1945."
Garfield, James B. [i]They Like You Better[/i], 1959 Box 29 Date: 1959 Scope and Contents
Inscribed by James B. Garfield for Sophie Tucker.
Simpson, William R. and Simpson, Florence K. with Charles Box 29 Samuels. [i]Hockshop[/i], 1954 Date: 1954
- Page 12- Sophie Tucker scrapbooks and other material11.MWalB02460
Scope and Contents
Inscribed by William and Florence Simpson for Sophie Tucker.
"My Yiddishe Momme" and "Some of These Days" performed Box 29 by Sophie Tucker, (cassette tape), undated Date: undated
^ Return to Table of Contents
- Page 13-