Ada "Bricktop" Smith papers, 1926-1983.

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Ada "Bricktop" Smith papers, 1926-1983.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/122485286

The Ada "Bricktop" Smith DuConge Papers, 1920s-1984, primarily document the latter part of Bricktop's life and career. The Papers consist of letters and cards, daily planners and address books, notes on religious thoughts and other subjects, financial papers, sheet music, and news clippings. The diaries range from the 1920s to 1983 and in some instances serve as daily planners and account books. The volumes hold information pertaining to both her personal and professional life. The earliest letters date from the 1950s, after she moved to Rome. Primarily they are from people Bricktop worked with during her career including Jack Jordan, James Haskins, Hugh Shannon, David Hanna, and Earl Blackwell. Additionally, there are promotional materials that relate to her career as an entertainer, e.g. fliers, programs; invitations, among them two from Bricktop's in Paris in 1937; letters from broadcasting agencies; magazines noting her appearance dates; and news clippings that include featured stories about Bricktop in arts, entertainment and society columns.

7 lin. ft.

New York State Historical Documents Inventory

Information

SNAC Resource ID: 6730017

New York State Historical Documents Inventory

Related Entities

There are 5 Entities related to this resource.

Smith, Ada "Bricktop", 1894-1984

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6xf1s4c (person)

The internationally known cabaret personality Bricktop was born Ada Beatrice Queen Victoria Louise Virginia Smith on August 14, 1894 in Alderson, West Virginia. She acquired the nickname "Bricktop" from Barron Wilkins (owner of the Barron's Exclusive Club in Harlem), establishing her red hair as her trademark. Bricktop began her career as an entertainer at the age of 16, performing on the vaudeville circuit and in salons. She went on to own her own nightclubs in Paris (1920s and 1930s), Mexico C...

Blackwell, Earl

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6v146nf (person)

Shannon, Hugh

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6g75ggj (person)

Jordan, Jack, 1929-

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6tj0pzm (person)

Haskins, James, 1941-2005

http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6v71n3k (person)