Popular Entertainment

Elvis Presley Record

This Museum's popular entertainment collections hold some of the Smithsonian's most beloved artifacts. The ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz reside here, along with the Muppet character Kermit the Frog, and props from popular television series such as M*A*S*H and All in the Family. But as in many of the Museum's collections, the best-known objects are a small part of the story.

The collection also encompasses many other artifacts of 19th- and 20th-century commercial theater, film, radio, and TV—some 50,000 sound recordings dating back to 1903; posters, publicity stills, and programs from films and performances; puppets; numerous items from World's Fairs from 1851 to 1992; and audiovisual materials on Groucho Marx, to name only a few.

Date: 1900s

“There's One Rose That Will Never Bloom Again”

This sheet music for the song “There’s One Rose That Will Never Bloom Again” was written and composed by Raymond A. Browne and published by Sol Bloom of New York, New York in 1903. The music appeared as a supplement to the “New York Herald” on May 10, 1903.
Description
This sheet music for the song “There’s One Rose That Will Never Bloom Again” was written and composed by Raymond A. Browne and published by Sol Bloom of New York, New York in 1903. The music appeared as a supplement to the “New York Herald” on May 10, 1903. The cover has an illustration of a young woman holding the bloom of a rose on a rosebush in her hands.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1903
composer
Browne, Raymond A.
publisher
Sol Bloom
ID Number
1982.0440.63
accession number
1982.0440
catalog number
1982.0440.63

"Hiawatha (A Summer Idyl)"

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, around 1901-1902. It is Regina Disc #1993 - "Hiawatha (A Summer Idyl)," by Neil Moret.
Description

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, around 1901-1902. It is Regina Disc #1993 - "Hiawatha (A Summer Idyl)," by Neil Moret. This disc is playable in a Regina Disc Music Box that can accommodate a 15-1/2” diameter disc.

This disc features the following patents:

U. S. Patent #417649, dated December 17, 1889 by Oskar Paul Lochmann for a music plate for mechanical instruments.

U. S. Patent #500374, dated June 27, 1893 by Gustav A. Brachhausen and Paul Riessner for a note-plate for music boxes.

Location
Currently not on view
manufacturing date
1901-1902
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.378567.12
catalog number
378567.12
accession number
144168

"Home Sweet Home"

This sheet music is for the song “Home Sweet Home,” written by H. R. Bishop. It was published by Eclipse Publishing Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1907.Currently not on view
Description
This sheet music is for the song “Home Sweet Home,” written by H. R. Bishop. It was published by Eclipse Publishing Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1907.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1907
publisher
Eclipse Publishing Company
ID Number
1985.0808.03
accession number
1985.0808
catalog number
1985.0808.03

Eagle Figure

This figure is made of painted wood. It is a figure of an eagle on shell with two American flags. The eagle faces left and is a companion piece to CL*68.435.Currently not on view
Description
This figure is made of painted wood. It is a figure of an eagle on shell with two American flags. The eagle faces left and is a companion piece to CL*68.435.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 19th century
ID Number
CL.68.434
accession number
260206
catalog number
68.434
collector/donor number
B-16

"Smokey Mokes"

This music box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1899-1900. It is Stella Disc #579 - "Smokey Mokes," by Abraham "Abe" Holzmann ...
Description

This music box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1899-1900. It is Stella Disc #579 - "Smokey Mokes," by Abraham "Abe" Holzmann ... This disc is playable in Mermod Freres music box models, #63, #84, #126, #168, and #268, which can accommodate 17-1/4” diameter discs.

According to the accession correspondence, the music box and accompanying discs were purchased by the donor in Worcester, Massachusetts, July 25. 1901

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1899-1900
maker
Mermod Freres
ID Number
MI.381443.44
catalog number
381443.44
accession number
159680

“It Must Have Been Svengali in Disguise”

This sheet music for the song “It Must Have Been Svengali in Disguise” was written by Vincent Bryan and composed by Harry von Tilzer. The music was published by the Harry Von Tilzer Music Publishing Co. of New York, New York in 1902.
Description
This sheet music for the song “It Must Have Been Svengali in Disguise” was written by Vincent Bryan and composed by Harry von Tilzer. The music was published by the Harry Von Tilzer Music Publishing Co. of New York, New York in 1902. The music was from the show “The Wild Rose,” and appeared as a supplement to the “New York American and Journal” on Sunday, November 9, 1902. The cover is divided in half with one side featuring a photograph of vaudevillian actor Eddie Foy being hugged by a woman, the other side is an illustration of a tall sinister man, intended to be Svengali.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1902
composer
Von Tilzer, Harry
lyricist
Bryan, Vincent P.
publisher
Harry Von Tilzer Music Publishing Co.
ID Number
1982.0440.24
accession number
1982.0440
catalog number
1982.0440.24

“Mammie's Pickaninny Boy”

This sheet music for the song “Mammie’s Pickaninny Boy” was written and composed by Raymond A. Brown and published by Howley, Haviland and Co. of New York, New York in 1902. The music appeared as a supplement to the “New York Herald” on January 4, 1903.
Description
This sheet music for the song “Mammie’s Pickaninny Boy” was written and composed by Raymond A. Brown and published by Howley, Haviland and Co. of New York, New York in 1902. The music appeared as a supplement to the “New York Herald” on January 4, 1903. The cover of the sheet music features a pencil drawing a young black boy, signed on the lower right by “Drake.” The term “pickaninny” was a 19th century slang term for a small African American child.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1902
composer; lyricist
Browne, Raymond A.
publisher
Howley, Haviland, and Company
ID Number
1982.0440.58
accession number
1982.0440
catalog number
1982.0440.58

"Indianola"

This sheet music is for the song “Indianola,” with lyrics by Frank H. Warren and music by S. R. Henry and D. Onivas. It was published by Joseph W.
Description

This sheet music is for the song “Indianola,” with lyrics by Frank H. Warren and music by S. R. Henry and D. Onivas. It was published by Joseph W. Stern and Company in New York, New York in 1908.

The cover art for this sheet music was made by brothers William Starmer (1872-1957) and Frederick Starmer (1878-1962) Born and raised in England, the brothers moved with their family to New York, William in 1898 and Frederick in 1899. The Starmer Brothers flourished until 1929. William became a U.S. citizen in 1924, while Frederick returned to England in 1929.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1908
publisher
Joseph W. Stern and Company
ID Number
1983.0692.11
accession number
1983.0692
catalog number
1983.0692.11

Celestina or Mandolina Music Roll #4013

This music roll was made by Mechanical Orguinette Company, in New York, New York, around 1895-1900. It is Roll #4013, playable in a Celestina or Mandolina model roller organ. This roll sold for $1.00.
Description

This music roll was made by Mechanical Orguinette Company, in New York, New York, around 1895-1900. It is Roll #4013, playable in a Celestina or Mandolina model roller organ. This roll sold for $1.00. The tune list for this roll is as follows:

Yankee Doodle
When Johnny comes marching home
We won’t go home till morning
Upidee

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1895-1900
ID Number
MI.73.02a.16
accession number
301352
catalog number
73.02a.16

“The Coldest Coon in Town”

This sheet music for the song “The Coldest Coon in Town” was written by Andrew B. Sterling and composed by Harry Von Tilzer. The song was originally published by W. C. Dunn and Co.
Description
This sheet music for the song “The Coldest Coon in Town” was written by Andrew B. Sterling and composed by Harry Von Tilzer. The song was originally published by W. C. Dunn and Co. of New York, New York in 1899, and republished as a supplement to the “New York Herald Supplement” on March 16, 1902. The sheet features an illustration of a caricatured black man ice skating on ice that is cracking.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1902
lyricist
Sterling, Andrew B.
composer
Von Tilzer, Harry
publisher
W. C. Dunn and Company
ID Number
1982.0440.45
accession number
1982.0440
catalog number
1982.0440.45

“Sweet Red Roses”

This sheet music for the song “Sweet Red Roses” was written by Effie Genee and composed by R. M. Stults. The music was originally published by William A. Pond and Co.
Description
This sheet music for the song “Sweet Red Roses” was written by Effie Genee and composed by R. M. Stults. The music was originally published by William A. Pond and Co. of New York, New York in 1900, but this sheet music was published as a supplement to the New York Herald on June 7, 1903. The cover features an image of roses in a vase. Newspapers would often include these supplements in their Sunday editions to boost sales because of the popularity of sheet music during this time.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1900
publisher
William A. Pond & Co.
ID Number
1982.0440.03
accession number
1982.0440
catalog number
1982.0440.03

“Ma Honey Gal”

This sheet music for the song “Ma Honey Gal” was written and composed by James Davis and published by the Shapiro-Bernstein-Von Tilzer Company of New York, New York in 1900. This sheet music appeared as a supplement to the “New York Herald Supplement” on April 13, 1902.
Description
This sheet music for the song “Ma Honey Gal” was written and composed by James Davis and published by the Shapiro-Bernstein-Von Tilzer Company of New York, New York in 1900. This sheet music appeared as a supplement to the “New York Herald Supplement” on April 13, 1902. The sheet music has an image of a well-dressed black woman batting her eyelashes. This is an example of a “coon song,” a genre of songs that were popular in the late 19th and early 20th century that stereotyped and caricatured blacks.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1902
composer; lyricist
Davis, James H.
publisher
Shapiro, Bernstein and Von Tilzer
ID Number
1982.0440.37
accession number
1982.0440
catalog number
1982.0440.37

"Whistling Rufus"

This music box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1899-1900. It is Stella Disc #521 - "Whistling Rufus," by Kerry Mills.
Description

This music box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1899-1900. It is Stella Disc #521 - "Whistling Rufus," by Kerry Mills. This disc is playable in Mermod Freres music box models, #63, #84, #126, #168, and #268, which can accommodate 17-1/4” diameter discs.

According to the accession correspondence, the music box and accompanying discs were purchased by the donor in Worcester, Massachusetts, July 25. 1901

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1899-1900
maker
Mermod Freres
ID Number
MI.381443.23
catalog number
381443.23
accession number
159680

“Come Out, Dinah, on the Green”

This sheet music is for the song “Come Out, Dinah, on the Green” from the play “The Sleeping Beauty and the Beast.” Bob Cole and James W. Johnson wrote the lyrics and Rosamond Johnson composed the music to the song.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “Come Out, Dinah, on the Green” from the play “The Sleeping Beauty and the Beast.” Bob Cole and James W. Johnson wrote the lyrics and Rosamond Johnson composed the music to the song. Howley, Haviland & Dresser of New York City published the sheet music in 1901. The cover features a brightly colored illustration of a sleeping beauty and a beast above the title, as well as a princess and a witch below the title.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1901
publisher
Howley, Haviland & Dresser
ID Number
1983.0424.113
catalog number
1983.0424.113
accession number
1983.0424

I'd Like To Meet Your Father

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1907
composer
Francis, William T.
Kern, Jerome
depicted (sitter)
Sanderson, Julia
maker
T. B. Harms Company
ID Number
2018.3010.164
nonaccession number
2018.3010
catalog number
2018.3010.164

"General Grant's Grand March"

This sheet music is for the composition “General Grant’s Grand March,” by E. Mack. It was published by E. B. Swisher in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1907. The cover features an image of Ulysses S. Grant, Commanding General, U.S.
Description
This sheet music is for the composition “General Grant’s Grand March,” by E. Mack. It was published by E. B. Swisher in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1907. The cover features an image of Ulysses S. Grant, Commanding General, U.S. Army, 1864-1869, and President of the United States, 1869-1877.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1907
depicted (sitter)
Grant, Ulysses S.
ID Number
1984.0024.01
accession number
1984.0024
catalog number
1984.0024.01

“That's the Tune They Play in Dixie Land”

This sheet music is for the song “That's the Tune They Play in Dixie Land.” The lyrics were written by Joseph Mittenthal and the music was composed by Joseph M. Daly. The sheet music was published by the Joseph M. Daly Company of Boston, Massachusetts in 1908.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “That's the Tune They Play in Dixie Land.” The lyrics were written by Joseph Mittenthal and the music was composed by Joseph M. Daly. The sheet music was published by the Joseph M. Daly Company of Boston, Massachusetts in 1908. The cover features a blue-tinged illustration of a man at a pier looking at battleships sailing in the bay. There is an inset photograph of Ben F. Loring on the lower right of the cover, who would have featured and performed the song in his act.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908
publisher
Joseph M. Daly Music Publishing Co.
ID Number
1983.0424.034
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.034

San Toy - "Rhoda and Her Pagoda"

This music box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1900-1901. It is Stella Disc #654 - San Toy- "Rhoda and Her Pagoda" (Act II No. 2 song), music by Sidney Jones and lyrics by Harry Greenbank and Adrian Ross.
Description

This music box disc was made by Mermod Freres, in St. Croix, Switzerland, around 1900-1901. It is Stella Disc #654 - San Toy- "Rhoda and Her Pagoda" (Act II No. 2 song), music by Sidney Jones and lyrics by Harry Greenbank and Adrian Ross. This disc is playable in Mermod Freres music box models, #63, #84, #126, #168, and #268, which can accommodate 17-1/4” diameter discs.

According to the accession correspondence, the music box and accompanying discs were purchased by the donor in Worcester, Massachusetts, July 25. 1901

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1900-1901
maker
Mermod Freres
ID Number
MI.381443.54
catalog number
381443.54
accession number
159680

“The Shepherd Boy”

This sheet music for the song "The Shepherd Boy" was written and composed by G. D. Wilson. The song was published by the Armstrong Music Co. of New York, New York in 1903.
Description
This sheet music for the song "The Shepherd Boy" was written and composed by G. D. Wilson. The song was published by the Armstrong Music Co. of New York, New York in 1903. The cover features an illustration of a shepherd boy sitting on rocks among sheep and doing his best to woo a girl.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1903
composer
Wilson, G. D.
publisher
Armstrong Music Publishing Company
ID Number
1982.0439.30
accession number
1982.0439
catalog number
1982.0439.30

Eisele Bass Drum

This bass drum was made by Henry Eisele in New York, New York, around 1890-1900. It has a dark-stained wood shell with a painted eagle below the vent hole. There are two painted wood hoops with 12 metal tensioning rods, and skin heads.
Description

This bass drum was made by Henry Eisele in New York, New York, around 1890-1900. It has a dark-stained wood shell with a painted eagle below the vent hole. There are two painted wood hoops with 12 metal tensioning rods, and skin heads. There is a printed label inside the shell that is inscribed:

HENRY EISELE
SUCCESSOR TO WILLIAM SEMPF
MANUFACTUROR OF BASS AND SNARE DRUMS
209 & 211 GRAND STREET, NEW YORK
N.B. Drum heads, sticks, cords and etc. Constantly on hand.

This drum was used by William T. Armstrong (1879-1965), orchestra leader and musician in vaudeville and silent film theaters. Armstrong grew up in South River, New Jersey and began playing drums at the age of 14. He continued his musical career through the mid-1910s, after which, Armstrong began work in banking and finance. This artifact is part of a collection of drums, sound effect instruments, and other percussion instruments used by Armstrong.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1890-1900
ID Number
1984.0335.01
accession number
1984.0335
catalog number
1984.0335.01

"A Message from Mars"

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1905
ID Number
2013.0327.1390
catalog number
2013.0327.1390
accession number
2013.0327

Strip of 35mm Film

Strip of 35mm negative film, part of a motion picture of a boat sailing on a body of water. The museum acquired this piece of film with the Vitascope #2 movie projector, an early model of the film projector that Thomas Edison's company manufactured in the early 20th century.
Description (Brief)
Strip of 35mm negative film, part of a motion picture of a boat sailing on a body of water. The museum acquired this piece of film with the Vitascope #2 movie projector, an early model of the film projector that Thomas Edison's company manufactured in the early 20th century. Though the title of this particular subject is unknown, it is most likely from a short Edison film of a yacht race around 1900.
Description
The Early Cinema Film and Ephemera Collection [COLL.PHOTOS.000038] includes over 50 pieces of notable motion picture film and more than 80 posters, photographs and other ephemeral objects from cinema’s early days. The collection’s film is primarily short lengths of motion picture film donated by inventors or industry groups to mark technological innovation. Charles Francis Jenkins, the co-inventor of the Vitascope projector, donated a short length of film showing William McKinley’s inauguration. Wallace Goold Levison and E. H. Amet, two early motion picture innovators, gave pieces of film, news clippings and business cards to mark their achievements in the technological development of the medium. The Society of Motion Picture Engineers, the leading trade association for motion picture workers, made two donations of early motion picture film samples, including examples of Biograph and early color motion pictures. Sound cinema pioneer Eugene Augustin Lauste’s scrapbooks and photographs illuminate his work to improve the motion picture as well as the early days of the industry. A portion of the film collection represents the work of pioneers like Charles Urban and August Plahn to perfect a natural and vibrant color for projected film.
The Collection also helps to illuminate the rise of the motion picture industry as a cultural and business phenomenon through ephemera. Posters promoting some of the earliest film exhibitions, the films of silent Western star William S. Hart, the 1930 re-release of D.W. Griffith’s Birth of a Nation and features presented at Washington’s Trans-Lux theater illustrate the range of movie advertising from the earliest days of the cinema to the industry’s attempts to combat television competition in the 1950s. A group of photographs of theaters, 270 glass slides used to promote upcoming features and pieces of movie star memorabilia broaden the collection’s focus to that of cinema culture at its zenith of influence in American life.
This finding aid is one in a series documenting the PHC’s Early Cinema Collection [COLL.PHOTOS.000018]. The cinema-related objects cover the range of technological innovation and popular appeal that defined the motion picture industry during a period in which it became the premier form of mass communication in American life, roughly 1885-1930. See also finding aids for Early Sound Cinema [COLL.PHOTOS.000040], Early Color Cinema [COLL.PHOTOS.000039], Early Cinema Equipment [COLL.PHOTOS.000037] and the Gatewood Dunston Collection [COLL.PHOTOS.000021].
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1900
maker
Edison
ID Number
2008.0095.084
accession number
2008.0095
catalog number
2008.0095.084

“The Captain Told the Mate”

This sheet music is for the song “The Captain Told the Mate” that was written and composed by W.H. Wallis. The sheet music was published by T.B. Harms & Company of London, England in 1901.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “The Captain Told the Mate” that was written and composed by W.H. Wallis. The sheet music was published by T.B. Harms & Company of London, England in 1901. The cover features an illustration of a large circular life preserver in the center, with an illustration of a captain smoking a cigar in the foreground. There is an inset photograph of James T. Powers, who performed the song in the show A Princess of Kensington.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1901
performer
Powers, James T.
publisher
T. B. Harms & Co.
ID Number
1983.0424.082
accession number
1983.0424
catalog number
1983.0424.082

"The Honeysuckle and the Bee"

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, around 1901-1902. It is Regina Disc #1860 - "The Honeysuckle and the Bee," music by William H. Penn and lyrics by Albert H. Fitz.
Description

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, around 1901-1902. It is Regina Disc #1860 - "The Honeysuckle and the Bee," music by William H. Penn and lyrics by Albert H. Fitz. This disc is playable in a Regina Disc Music Box that can accommodate a 15-1/2” diameter disc.

This disc features the following patents:

U. S. Patent #417649, dated December 17, 1889 by Oskar Paul Lochmann for a music plate for mechanical instruments.

U. S. Patent #500374, dated June 27, 1893 by Gustav A. Brachhausen and Paul Riessner for a note-plate for music boxes.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1901-1902
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.378567.08
catalog number
378567.08
accession number
144168

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