Popular Entertainment

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.

This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1314 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139.
Description
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1314 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139. These table-top disc players featured a 130 steel tongues double comb mechanism. The Regina Company was in business from 1894-1922.
Location
Currently not on view
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.73.01.11.174
catalog number
73.01.11.174
maker number
1314
accession number
301414
Benny Goodman Trio. side 1: China Boy; side 2: Oh, Lady Be Good! (Victor 25333).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Benny Goodman Trio. side 1: China Boy; side 2: Oh, Lady Be Good! (Victor 25333).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1936
recording artist
Benny Goodman Trio
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0698.1084
catalog number
1988.0698.1084
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
G55
maker number
25333
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1357 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139.
Description
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1357 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139. These table-top disc players featured a 130 steel tongues double comb mechanism. The Regina Company was in business from 1894-1922.
Location
Currently not on view
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.73.01.11.195
catalog number
73.01.11.195
maker number
1357
accession number
301414
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1913 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139.
Description
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1913 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139. These table-top disc players featured a 130 steel tongues double comb mechanism. The Regina Company was in business from 1894-1922.
Location
Currently not on view
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.73.01.11.235
catalog number
73.01.11.235
maker number
1913
accession number
301414
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1326 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139.
Description
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1326 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139. These table-top disc players featured a 130 steel tongues double comb mechanism. The Regina Company was in business from 1894-1922.
Location
Currently not on view
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.73.01.11.034
catalog number
73.01.11.034
maker number
1326
accession number
301414
"Doctor" (Peter J.) Clayton. side 1: Pearl Harbor Blues; side 2: My Own Blues (Bluebird B-9003).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
"Doctor" (Peter J.) Clayton. side 1: Pearl Harbor Blues; side 2: My Own Blues (Bluebird B-9003).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1942
recording artist
Clayton, Peter J.
manufacturer
Bluebird
ID Number
1996.0153.08741
catalog number
1996.0153.08741
label number
B-9003
accession number
1996.0153
This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, about 1896. It is Regina Disc #4050 - "Morning Papers" (Waltz), by Johann Strauss II.
Description

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, about 1896. It is Regina Disc #4050 - "Morning Papers" (Waltz), by Johann Strauss II. This disc is playable in a Regina Disc Music Box that can accommodate a 27” 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
ca 1896
user
Meggers, Edith R.
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.74.12.11
catalog number
74.12.11
accession number
314637
maker number
4050
side 1: The Dixieland Jazz Group of "NBC's Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street" with Lena Horne. Aunt Hagar's Blues; side 2: The Dixieland Jazz Group of "NBC's Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street." East St.
Description
side 1: The Dixieland Jazz Group of "NBC's Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street" with Lena Horne. Aunt Hagar's Blues; side 2: The Dixieland Jazz Group of "NBC's Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street." East St. Louis Blues (Victor 27544), from the album, The Birth of the Blues: An Album Of W.C. Handy Music (Victor P 82).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1941
recording artist
Horne, Lena
Dixieland Jazz Group of NBC's CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY of Lower Basin Street
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1979.1023.156
accession number
1979.1023
maker number
27544
P 82
catalog number
1979.1023.156
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #11007 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139.
Description
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #11007 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139. These table-top disc players featured a 130 steel tongues double comb mechanism. The Regina Company was in business from 1894-1922.
Location
Currently not on view
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.73.01.11.071
catalog number
73.01.11.071
maker number
11007
accession number
301414
Alexander Kipnis with Balalaika Orchestra. side 1: The Innocent Siberian Exile; side 2: Lullaby (Victor 10-1014), from the album, Russian Folk Songs (Victor M 917).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Alexander Kipnis with Balalaika Orchestra. side 1: The Innocent Siberian Exile; side 2: Lullaby (Victor 10-1014), from the album, Russian Folk Songs (Victor M 917).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1943
recording artist
Balalaika Orchestra
Kipnis, Alexander
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1979.1023.145
accession number
1979.1023
maker number
M 917
10-1014
catalog number
1979.1023.145
Tommy Dorsey and his Clambake Seven. side 1: The Lady Is a Tramp; side 2: The Seik of Araby (RCA Victor 20-3032), from the album, Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven (RCA Victor P220).78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1937 and released on Victor 25673.
Description
Tommy Dorsey and his Clambake Seven. side 1: The Lady Is a Tramp; side 2: The Seik of Araby (RCA Victor 20-3032), from the album, Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven (RCA Victor P220).
78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1937 and released on Victor 25673. Side 2 was originally recorded in 1938 and released on Victor 26023. The album was released in 1948.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1937
1938
release date
1948
recording artist
Tommy Dorsey and his Clambake Seven
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.660
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
20-3032
P-220
catalog number
1978.0670.660
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1257 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139.
Description
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1257 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139. These table-top disc players featured a 130 steel tongues double comb mechanism. The Regina Company was in business from 1894-1922.
Location
Currently not on view
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.73.01.11.022
catalog number
73.01.11.022
maker number
1257
accession number
301414
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1342 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139.
Description
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1342 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139. These table-top disc players featured a 130 steel tongues double comb mechanism. The Regina Company was in business from 1894-1922.
Location
Currently not on view
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.73.01.11.207
catalog number
73.01.11.207
maker number
1342
accession number
301414
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1036 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139.
Description
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1036 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139. These table-top disc players featured a 130 steel tongues double comb mechanism. The Regina Company was in business from 1894-1922.
Location
Currently not on view
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.73.01.11.143
catalog number
73.01.11.143
maker number
1036
accession number
301414
This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, after 1893. It is Regina Disc #4102 - "The Stars and Stripes Forever," by John Philip Sousa.
Description

This music box disc was made by Regina Music Box Co. in Rahway, New Jersey, after 1893. It is Regina Disc #4102 - "The Stars and Stripes Forever," by John Philip Sousa. This disc is playable in a Regina Disc Music Box that can accommodate a 27” 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
ca 1896
composer
Sousa, John Philip
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.74.12.21
catalog number
74.12.21
accession number
314637
maker number
4102
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1124 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139.
Description
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1124 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139. These table-top disc players featured a 130 steel tongues double comb mechanism. The Regina Company was in business from 1894-1922.
Location
Currently not on view
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.73.01.11.227
catalog number
73.01.11.227
maker number
1124
accession number
301414
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1116 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139.
Description
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1116 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139. These table-top disc players featured a 130 steel tongues double comb mechanism. The Regina Company was in business from 1894-1922.
Location
Currently not on view
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.73.01.11.148
catalog number
73.01.11.148
maker number
1116
accession number
301414
side 1: Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. Chlo-E (Song of the Swamp); side 2: Benny Goodman Quartet. Ida, Sweet As Apple Cider (Victor 25531).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
side 1: Benny Goodman and his Orchestra. Chlo-E (Song of the Swamp); side 2: Benny Goodman Quartet. Ida, Sweet As Apple Cider (Victor 25531).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1937
recording artist
Benny Goodman and his Orchestra
Benny Goodman Quartet
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1988.0698.1097
catalog number
1988.0698.1097
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
G68
maker number
25531
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1027 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139.
Description
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #1027 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139. These table-top disc players featured a 130 steel tongues double comb mechanism. The Regina Company was in business from 1894-1922.
Location
Currently not on view
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.73.01.11.151
catalog number
73.01.11.151
maker number
1027
accession number
301414
side 1: John Allison with Sawyer's Minutemen. The Capture of Major Andre; side 2: John and Lucy Allison with Sawyer's Minutemen.
Description
side 1: John Allison with Sawyer's Minutemen. The Capture of Major Andre; side 2: John and Lucy Allison with Sawyer's Minutemen. Nathan Hale [rack 1] Cornwallis's Country Dance (track 2) (Victor 26461), from the album, Ballads of the American Revolution and The War of 1812 (Victor P-11).
78 rpm.
recording date
1939
recording artist
Allison, John
Allison, Lucy
Minute Men
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1979.1023.152
accession number
1979.1023
maker number
P-11
26461
catalog number
1979.1023.152
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #10418 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139.
Description
This master disc was made by the Regina Music Box Company in Rahway, New Jersey. It is master disc #10418 used in the production of 20-3/4” diameter discs for Regina disc music box styles 26, 126, 39, and 139. These table-top disc players featured a 130 steel tongues double comb mechanism. The Regina Company was in business from 1894-1922.
Location
Currently not on view
manufacturer
Regina Music Box Company
ID Number
MI.73.01.11.088
catalog number
73.01.11.088
maker number
10418
accession number
301414
Texas Jim Robertson. side 1: Home on the Range; side 2: The Cowboy's Dream (Victor 27550), from the album, 'Round the Campfire: Famous American Cowboy Songs (Victor P-84).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Texas Jim Robertson. side 1: Home on the Range; side 2: The Cowboy's Dream (Victor 27550), from the album, 'Round the Campfire: Famous American Cowboy Songs (Victor P-84).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1941
recording artist
Robertson, Texas Jim
manufacturer
Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05231
maker number
27550
P-84
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05231
"Doctor" (Peter J.) Clayton. side 1: I Need My Baby; side 2: Hold That Train, Conductor (RCA Victor 20-1995)78 rpmCurrently not on view
Description
"Doctor" (Peter J.) Clayton. side 1: I Need My Baby; side 2: Hold That Train, Conductor (RCA Victor 20-1995)
78 rpm
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist; composer
Clayton, Peter J.
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0153.08740
catalog number
1996.0153.08740
label number
20-1995
accession number
1996.0153
This harmonica was made by Magnus Harmonia Corp. in Newark, New Jersey, after 1947. It is a Horn Harmonica model with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. This harmonica has a black and orange plastic comb with white plastic cover plates with resonator.
Description (Brief)

This harmonica was made by Magnus Harmonia Corp. in Newark, New Jersey, after 1947. It is a Horn Harmonica model with 10 single holes and 20 reeds. This harmonica has a black and orange plastic comb with white plastic cover plates with resonator. It is stamped:

MAGNUS
TRADE MARK
HORN HARMONICA

(and):

MADE IN U.S.A.
MAGNUS
NEWARK N.J.
Pat. No. 2416451 – 2407312 – 2373129 OTHER PATS. PEND.

This harmonica features the following patents:

U. S. Patent 2372129, dated April 10, 1945, for the construction of the reed plate and reeds for instruments of the harmonica type by Finn H. Magnus.

U. S. Patent #2407312, dated September 10, 1946, for harmonicas in which the reeds or reed plate, or both the reeds and reed plate are formed of a plastic composition by Finn H. Magnus assignor to International Plastic Harmonica Corporation.

U. S. Patent #2416451, date February 25, 1947, for a method of and making integral reed plates and reeds by Finn H. Magnus assignor to International Plastic Harmonica Corporation.

Location
Currently not on view
maker
Magnus Harmonica Corporation
ID Number
1988.0783.554
accession number
1988.0783
catalog number
1988.0783.554

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