Research Catalog

Lillian E. Bradley papers

Title
Lillian E. Bradley papers, circa 1893-1961.
Author
Bradley, Lillian E.
Supplementary Content
Finding Aid

Items in the Library & Off-site

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2 Items

StatusContainerFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
Box 1Mixed materialSupervised use JPB 06-24 Box 1Offsite
Box 2Mixed materialSupervised use JPB 06-24 Box 2Offsite

Details

Additional Authors
Russell, Lillian, 1861-1922.
Description
2.5 linear feet (2 boxes )
Summary
The Lillian E. Bradley papers consist of three folders of photographs, mainly of Lillian Bradley.
Subjects
Genre/Form
  • Clippings.
  • Correspondence.
  • Memorial cards.
  • Photographs.
  • Programs.
  • Scrapbooks.
  • Scores.
Source (note)
  • Graham, Elizabeth
Biography (note)
  • Lillian E. Bradley (1880-1961) was a soprano on the popular musical stage, who later also acted as a theatrical agent and impresario, well-known for giving and arranging performances for charity.
Indexes/Finding Aids (note)
  • Collection guide available in repository and on internet.
Call Number
JPB 06-24
OCLC
122364044
Author
Bradley, Lillian E.
Title
Lillian E. Bradley papers, circa 1893-1961.
Biography
Lillian E. Bradley (1880-1961) was a soprano on the popular musical stage, who later also acted as a theatrical agent and impresario, well-known for giving and arranging performances for charity. Born Lillian Elizabeth Rustmann, she married John James Bradley, the son of wealthy contractor, William Bradley in 1904. The marriage proved to be an unhappy one and ended in a well-publicized divorce case. Choosing to support herself and her young daughter (also called Lillian), Bradley began to sing professionally in local venues after leaving her husband. By the time her divorce was finalized in 1912, Bradley was giving concerts at hotels and resorts and had published a popular song, Without You Dear, I'm So Lonely. During World War I, she toured extensively, but also organized the Bradley Volunteer Entertainers, which solicited donations to support performers who went to military hospitals and training camps around the United States. In the 1930s, she presented variety programming under the auspices of the Lillian Bradley Entertainment Bureau. In 1940, Bradley celebrated her twentieth year in show business, with a lavish Gay Nineties Ball at the Hotel Warwick in New York City. This event was a benefit for the Stagecrafters Dinner Club, and the patrons included Milton Berle, Irving Berlin, Al Jolson, Mary Pickford, and Ed Sullivan. Throughout the 1940s and early 1950s she continued to entertain in hospitals and homes for the aged, arranging programs that featured a varied bill of singers, child performers, and magicians. Her own performances on these occasions traded on 1890s nostalgia; she became known for Lillian Russell impersonations.
Indexes
Collection guide available in repository and on internet.
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Finding Aid
Occupation
Impresarios.
Sopranos (Singers)
Added Author
Russell, Lillian, 1861-1922.
Research Call Number
JPB 06-24
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