Digital Transgender Archive

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  1. The United Novelty Company!

     
    Collection: Ephemera
    Institution: Peabody Essex Museum
    Creator:
    Date: circa 1800
    Topics: Female impersonators, Theater
    Subject: Alice Crouse, B. P. Poulsand, Geo. F. Ropes, Horace Coffin, Jimmie Smith, John Ryan, Lulu Coffin, Lyceum Hall, Ned Miller, Norris & Semons, The United Novelty Company, W. H. Smith, W. H. Wymond
    Description: Advertisement for event featuring female impersonator W. H. Smith
  2. The Celebrated Rentz Santley Novelty Company

     
    Collection: Ephemera
    Institution: Peabody Essex Museum
    Creator:
    Date: circa 1870
    Topics: Burlesque (Theater), Female impersonators, Theater, Vaudeville
    Subject: 4 Aesthetic Four 4, Alice Daily, Alice Smith, Andy and Annie Hughes, Annie Boyd, Billy Buckley, Blanch Moncrief, Bruno Kennicott, Don Jose, Dutch Daly, Edgar Edgerton, Edith Sinclair, Emma Alfredo, Emma Wilson, Esther Vaughan, Fannie Florence, Fred Wilson, Georgia Lester, Harry Morris, Harry Woodson, Kate Gresham, Laura Bennett, Lillie Ashford, Lizzie Paine, Louise Giroux, Lulu Mortimer, M. B. Leavitt, Mechanic's Hall, Millie Ellsworth, Rentz Santley, Teddy Raynor, The Masher's Quadrille, The Rentz Santley Novelty Company, The Spanish Dude, Topsy Robins, Victoria North, W.M. Skuse
  3. San Francisco Minstrels!

     
    Collection: Ephemera
    Institution: Peabody Essex Museum
    Creator:
    Date: May 12, 1874
    Topics: Female impersonators, Minstrel shows, Theater
    Subject: A. Smidt, Beaumont Read, Billy Birch, Birch, Wambold, and Backus' San Francisco Minstrels, C. Henry, Charley Backus, D. S. Wambold, E. Kirwan, J. Wills, Johnson & Powers, Joseph Norrie, Mechanics Hall, S. Watts, T. A. E. Richardson, T. P. Jones, The Great Ricardo, W. Blakeney, W. S. Mullaly, W. Schwab
    Description: Advertisement for event featuring minstrel and female impersonation act The Great Ricardo
  4. The Evangeline Combination

     
    Collection: Ephemera
    Institution: Peabody Essex Museum
    Creator:
    Date: Feb. 12, 1877
    Topics: Dance, Female impersonators, Opera, Theater
    Subject: A. S. Pennoyer, BABA, Blanche Selickson, C. M. Winter, Clara Fisher, Cora Verne, Edward E. Rice, Edwin S. Tarr, Eliza Weathersby, Estelle Stroelin, Evangeline, Flora Lee, George H. Cassidy, George Ulmer, Golden and Dixey, Harry Braham, Harry Hunter, Harry Josephs, Hattie Richardson, Herman Singleton, J. Cheever Goodwin, J. P. Steele, J. R. Quincy, Lizzie Webster, Louise Winans, Lucy Wood, M. C. Daly, Mechanic Hall, N. C. Goodwin Jr., Niblo's Garden, Seth M. Crane, Stella Richings, The Boston Museum, The Evangeline Combination, The Heiffer Dance, The Lydia Thompson Troupe, W. W. Bullock
    Description: Advertisement for a production of Evangeline featuring female impersonator Harry Josephs as Catherine.
  5. Just Arrived: The New Dime Museum

     
    Collection: Ephemera
    Institution: Peabody Essex Museum
    Creator:
    Date: circa 1880
    Topics: Dime museums, Female impersonators, Theater
    Subject: Essex Street, G. B. Bunnell, Irene Woodward, J. Lang, Joseph Jenny, Signor Giovanna, The New Dime Museum, The Tattooed Lady
    Description: Advertisement for a Dime Museum featuring female impersonator Joseph Jenney.
  6. He is the Greatest of the Chinese Actors

     
    Collection: Newspaper and Periodical Clippings (Pre 1900)
    Institution: Digital Transgender Archive
    Creator:
    Date: 1899
    Topics: Costumes, Female impersonators, LGBTQ+ theater, Theater
    Subject: Ada Rehan, Chinese People, Fon Chong Mai, Merchant of Venice
    Description: This item is an article published in the Philadelphia Inquirer about China actor and female impersonator, Fon Chong Mai. This article talks about his talent as an actor, Chinese theater, and his im...
  7. The Fascinating Widow

     
    Collection: Ephemera
    Institution: Peabody Essex Museum
    Creator:
    Date: circa 1910
    Topics: Female impersonators, Theater
    Subject: Ann Kingsley, Dwight Meade, Empire Theater Players, Julian Eltinge, The Fascinating Widow, Tommie Martelle
    Description: Advertisement for the play "The Fascinating Widow" starring female impersonator Tommie Martelle in a role originated by Julian Eltinge.
  8. Karyl Norman Posing in Dress 1

     
    Collection: Transas City Photographs (1900-1950)
    Institution: Transas City
    Creator: Apeda N.Y.
    Date: circa 1919
    Topics: Crossdressers, Crossdressing, Female impersonators, Lyricists, Musical theater, Singers, Theater
    Subject: Karyl Norman
  9. Karyl Norman Posing in Dress 2

     
    Collection: Transas City Photographs (1900-1950)
    Institution: Transas City
    Creator: Apeda N.Y.
    Date: circa 1919
    Topics: Crossdressers, Crossdressing, Female impersonators, Lyricists, Musical theater, Singers, Theater
    Subject: Karyl Norman
  10. Jolly Jack in Headdress

     
    Collection: Rex Maniscalco Collection of Bobby Smith Photographs
    Institution: University of South Florida
    Creator: Smith, Bobby
    Date: 1949
    Topics: Costume, Female impersonators, Theater
    Subject: Jolly Jack
    Description: Jolly Jack, a female impersonator, poses in front of a backdrop wearing a large headdress and a ruffled, sleeveless dress with black gloves. Inscription reads: "To Bobby & Mary, Two Grand People, H...
  11. Karyl Norman Career Summary Page

     
    Collection: Transas City Photographs (1900-1950)
    Institution: Transas City
    Creator:
    Date: circa 1950
    Topics: Crossdressers, Crossdressing, Female impersonators, Lyricists, Musical theater, Singers, Theater
    Subject: Karyl Norman
    Description: Page with career summary for Karyl Norman. Includes multiple pictures of Karyl Norman across different times in her career, two of which are signed.
  12. Saratoga Club Franklin & Fortune, 1950

     
    Collection: Rex Maniscalco Collection of Bobby Smith Photographs
    Institution: University of South Florida
    Creator: Smith, Bobby
    Date: 1950
    Topics: Clothing, Costume, Drag, Drag queens, Female impersonators, Music--Performance, Singing, Theater
    Description: A performer wearing a ruffled, two-piece dress and headdress sings into a microphone on stage at the Saratoga Club.
  13. Performer Exiting a Stage

     
    Collection: Rex Maniscalco Collection of Bobby Smith Photographs
    Institution: University of South Florida
    Creator: Smith, Bobby
    Date: 1950s
    Topics: BIPOC, Black LGBTQ+ people, Drag, Drag queens, Female impersonators, LGBTQ+ people of color, Music--Performance, Theater
    Description: A black performer poses for a photograph near a stage as she smiles, holding one arm out and holding up the skirt of her dress.
  14. Performer in Front of a Band

     
    Collection: Rex Maniscalco Collection of Bobby Smith Photographs
    Institution: University of South Florida
    Creator: Smith, Bobby
    Date: 1950s
    Topics: BIPOC, Black LGBTQ+ people, Drag, Drag queens, Evening gowns, Female impersonators, LGBTQ+ people of color, Music--Performance, Singing, Theater
    Description: A black person wearing a silk dress and gloves performs on stage with a band.
  15. Kiwanis Vanities of 1955

     
    Collection: Drag Show Programs
    Institution: JD Doyle Archives
    Creator: Rockwell, Norman
    Date: 1955?
    Topics: Female impersonators, Theater
    Subject: Kiwanis Vanities, Norman Rockwell
    Description: Poster for what appears to be a drag show illustrated by Norman Rockwell.
  16. Drag Queen Performing in Front of a Band

     
    Collection: Rex Maniscalco Collection of Bobby Smith Photographs
    Institution: University of South Florida
    Creator: Smith, Bobby
    Date: circa 1950 to circa 1970
    Topics: Costume, Dance, Female impersonators, Music--Performance, Performance art, Theater
    Subject: Saratoga Club
    Description: A female impersonator, clothed in a ruffled dress and headpiece, dances in front of a band.
  17. Drag Queen Standing in Front of a Microphone

     
    Collection: Rex Maniscalco Collection of Bobby Smith Photographs
    Institution: University of South Florida
    Creator: Smith, Bobby
    Date: circa 1950 to circa 1970
    Topics: Evening gowns, Female impersonators, Music--Performance, Singing, Theater
    Description: Female impersonator standing in front of a microphone in a shiny dress.
  18. Drag Queen Wearing a Black Shawl

     
    Collection: Rex Maniscalco Collection of Bobby Smith Photographs
    Institution: University of South Florida
    Creator: Smith, Bobby
    Date: circa 1950 to circa 1970
    Topics: Evening gowns, Female impersonators, Theater
    Description: Female impersonator wearing a formal dress and a black shawl poses in front of a silk curtain.
  19. Jolly Jack in a Feathered Hat

     
    Collection: Rex Maniscalco Collection of Bobby Smith Photographs
    Institution: University of South Florida
    Creator: Smith, Bobby
    Date: circa 1950 to circa 1970
    Topics: Costume, Drag, Drag queens, Female impersonators, Gay community, Theater
    Subject: Gay Nineties
    Description: A close-up of Jolly Jack in a ruffled dress and wearing a feathered hat. The handwritten inscription on the back of the photograph reads: "Just an old bag of the Gay Ninties [sic]. Your card was ve...
  20. Jolly Jack in Blonde Wig and Headdress

     
    Collection: Rex Maniscalco Collection of Bobby Smith Photographs
    Institution: University of South Florida
    Creator: Smith, Bobby
    Date: circa 1950 to circa 1970
    Topics: Costume, Drag, Drag queens, Female impersonators, Theater
    Description: An elliptical photograph on a white background of Jolly Jack posing in a large wig with a headpiece and a shiny, ruffled dress.
  21. Jolly Jack in Large Hat and Long Dress

     
    Collection: Rex Maniscalco Collection of Bobby Smith Photographs
    Institution: University of South Florida
    Creator: Smith, Bobby
    Date: circa 1950 to circa 1970
    Topics: Clothing, Costume, Drag, Drag queens, Female impersonators, Theater
    Description: Jolly Jack, a female impersonator, poses in front of a curtain in a long, ruffled dress and a large hat.
  22. Performer Holding a Hand Fan

     
    Collection: Rex Maniscalco Collection of Bobby Smith Photographs
    Institution: University of South Florida
    Creator: Smith, Bobby
    Date: circa 1950 to circa 1970
    Topics: Drag, Drag queens, Evening gowns, Female impersonators, Theater
    Description: A female impersonator in an embroidered dress poses sitting on what appears to be a stage, holding a hand fan.
  23. Performer Standing in Front of a Microphone (Full Image)

     
    Collection: Rex Maniscalco Collection of Bobby Smith Photographs
    Institution: University of South Florida
    Creator: Smith, Bobby
    Date: circa 1950 to circa 1970
    Topics: Drag, Drag queens, Evening gowns, Female impersonators, Music--Performance, Singing, Theater
    Description: A performer in a shiny two-piece dress sings on stage into a microphone.
  24. Jolly Jack Wearing a Costume with a Plumed Hat

     
    Collection: Rex Maniscalco Collection of Bobby Smith Photographs
    Institution: University of South Florida
    Creator: Smith, Bobby
    Date: circa 1950 to circa 1979
    Topics: Clothing, Costume, Drag, Drag queens, Female impersonators, Theater
    Description: Jolly Jack, wearing a plumed hat and and leotard with long sleeves, poses for a photo.
  25. Divine

     
    Collection: Newspaper and Periodical Clippings (1950-2000)
    Institution: Northeastern University Archives and Special Collections
    Creator: Divine, Holland, David
    Date: Nov. 13, 1976
    Topics: Drag, Drag queens, Female impersonators, Gender identity in the theater, Motion pictures, Off Off-Broadway theater, Theater
    Subject: Allen Ginsberg, Andy Warhol, Babs Johnson, Divine, Female Trouble, Gay Community News, John Waters, Multiple Maniacs Mondo Trasho, Museum of Modern Art, Pink Flamingos, Roman Candles, Shakespeare, Tom Eyen, Women Behind Bars
    Description: An interview with Divine, the drag queen and actor. Originally printed on page 9 of Volume 4, number 2 of Gay Community News. Photography by Deborah Irmas.