Research Catalog

Title

Anita Bush Stock Company [graphic].

Publication

[1915?]-[19--]

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

Poole, Paul.

Description

• 15 items (.3 cubic ft., 1 box); 28 x 35 cm.
• 13 photographic prints : gelatin silver, b&w ;

Summary

Collection consists primarily of scenes from the Anita Bush Stock Company's theatrical production of "The Girl at the Fort," in Atlanta, Georgia, featuring Andrew Bishop, Anita Bush, Edward Thompson and Dooley Wilson. Also included are two photographic reproductions of posters for the motion picture "The Crimson Skull" featuring Anita Bush and Lawrence Chenault.

Alternative Title

• The Crimson Skull.
• The Girl at the Fort.

Subjects

• Bishop, Andrew > Performances > 1910-1919
• Thompson, Edward > Performances > 1910-1919
• Theatrical productions > Georgia > Atlanta > 1910-1929
• Gelatin silver prints > 1910-1999
• African American actors
• African Americans in the performing arts
• Bush, Anita, 1883-1974 > Performances > 1910-1919
• Anita Bush Stock Company
• Chenault, Lawrence > Peformances > 1910-1919
• African American actresses

Genre/Form

Gelatin silver prints – 1910-1999.

Note

• Title devised by cataloger.
• Collection contains work by Paul Poole.
• Most items bear photographer's blind stamp. Most photographs bear handwritten captions on recto and verso. Some prints are cropped. Two items are duplicates. Some prints are in need of conservation.

Terms of Use (note)

• Restricted: Photocopying of original prints is prohibited due to condition of prints.

Biography (note)

• Anita Bush, known as the Little Mother of Negro Drama, organized the Anita Bush Stock Company at the Lincoln Theater in Harlem in 1915. One of the first professional African American dramatic theater ensembles in the United States, the company's original members included Charles Gilpin and Dooley Wilson. In December 1915 Bush moved the company to the Lafayette Theatre in Harlem where it later became known as the Lafayette Players. Bush eventually started three additional traveling groups of Lafayette Players--a group based in Chicago traveling the mid-West circuit, a group playing East coast Black theaters, and a group that traveled throughout the South. In 1920 Bush left the Lafayette Players and went on to establish another company consisting of vaudevillians and dancers which was short-lived. By 1921 Bush moved into film and she co-starred in "The Crimson Skull," one of the first all-Black Westerns.

Call Number

Sc Photo Anita Bush Stock Company

OCLC

NYPG06-F378

Title

Anita Bush Stock Company [graphic].

Imprint

[1915?]-[19--]

Terms Of Use

Restricted: Photocopying of original prints is prohibited due to condition of prints.

Biography

Anita Bush, known as the Little Mother of Negro Drama, organized the Anita Bush Stock Company at the Lincoln Theater in Harlem in 1915. One of the first professional African American dramatic theater ensembles in the United States, the company's original members included Charles Gilpin and Dooley Wilson. In December 1915 Bush moved the company to the Lafayette Theatre in Harlem where it later became known as the Lafayette Players. Bush eventually started three additional traveling groups of Lafayette Players--a group based in Chicago traveling the mid-West circuit, a group playing East coast Black theaters, and a group that traveled throughout the South. In 1920 Bush left the Lafayette Players and went on to establish another company consisting of vaudevillians and dancers which was short-lived. By 1921 Bush moved into film and she co-starred in "The Crimson Skull," one of the first all-Black Westerns.

Connect to:

Request Appointment

NYPL Digital Collections

Added Author

Poole, Paul. Photographer

Added Title

The Crimson Skull.

The Girl at the Fort.

Research Call Number

Sc Photo Anita Bush Stock Company