Series VI. Motion Picture and Theater Posters, 1790-2022, inclusive

Scope and Contents

This series includes posters advertising individual plays operettas, mistrel shows, musicians, specialty acts, and dance companies, as well as posters advertising motion pictures.

The bulk of the series dates from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century. This includes text playbills that provide a detailed record of performances in NYC from the 1790s to 1890s.

Subseries VI.A Motion Picture Posters, 1914-2022, inclusive

Scope and Contents

This subseries contains posters created to advertise movies. Some posters are by identified artists or printmakers, such as Strobridge Litho. Co.

"Priscilla about to be put in the Stocks for Witchcraft" from 'When Broadway was a Trail', a Shubert Feature, 1914

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Advertisement produced by World Film Corporation of New York City.

"Trial of Henry Minnet" from 'When Broadway was a Trail', a Shubert Feature, 1914

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Ad produced by World Film Corporation of New York City.

"In the Land of the Head Hunters", 1914

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

The still was produced by the World Film Corporation of New York City and features Native Kwakwaka'wakw men (from British Columbia) in their masks and carvings. Edward Curtis was a noted photographer, and he produced this documentary featuring Native North Americans.

"Overcome by the Drug" from 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood', 1914

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Features Tom Terriss in leading role on bed overcome by opium.

"Like an Avenging Spirit Jasper is Always Near" from 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood', 1914

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Features a couple in a garden with a gentleman in the background.

"The Kangaroo, Terrors of Old New Orleans", 1914

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Poster features four scenes from the film: "Adrian Starts on his Trip of Inspection", "On Board the Barge", "The Discovery of the Tell-Tale Book", and "Buck Flint Unaided Attempts Dick Hullum's Arrest". The film was based on stories by Harris Dickson.

"Miss Betty Nansen, the Distinguished Emotional Actress Featured by The Great Northern Film Co. in 'The Fallen Idol'", 1914

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

The poster was produced by Acme Lith. Co. The film was a William Fox Features, Box Office Attraction Film Rental Company of New York City. The large poster features an image of Betty Nansen wearing a feathered hat, pearls and two medals.

"A Jolly Party" from 'The Price of Treachery', 1914

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Features a scene with a group at a table outside with one playing the accordian.

Howard Estabrook in "M'Liss" with Barbara Tennant, 1915

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

The still was produced by the World Film Corporation of New York City and features a crowd around a man and a donkey. The film was based on writings by Bret Harte and was a Shubert Feature.

Clara Kimball Young in "The Heart of the Blue Ridge", 1915

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

The still was produced by World Film Corporation of New York City (Lewis J. Selznick was president and general manager). "The Heart of the Blue Ridge" was a Shubert feature.

Clara Kimball Young in "The Deep Purple", 1915

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Still produced by World Film Corporation of New York City and features an interior scene with Clara Kimball Young and Milton Sills. The film was based on a 1910 play written by Paul Armstrong and was an A. Liebler Feature.

Beatriz Michelena in "The Lily of Poverty Flat", 1915

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

The still was produced by the World Film Corporation of New York City and features men gambling around a small table. The film was based on writings by Bret Harte and was a California Motion Picture Corporation feature.

Beatriz Michelena in "The Lily of Poverty Flat", 1915

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

The still was produced by the World Film Corporation of New York City and features "Lily" in an interior space with a couple folding an American flag. The film was based on writings by Bret Harte and was a California Motion Picture Corporation feature.

Beatriz Michelena in "The Lily of Poverty Flat", 1915

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

The still was produced by the World Film Corporation of New York City and features two men panning for gold. The film was based on writings by Bret Harte and was a California Motion Picture Corporation feature.

Lillian Russell in "Wildfire", a Shubert Feature, 1915

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

The still was produced by the World Film Corporation of New York City and features Lillian Russell and Lionel Barrymore in an interior space. The film was produced by the Shuberts based on a 1908 broadway play, Wildfire, by George V. Hobart and George Broadhurst.

Lillian Russell in "Wildfire", a Shubert Feature, 1915

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

The still was produced by the World Film Corporation of New York City and features Lillian Russell in an interior space. The film was produced by the Shuberts based on a 1908 broadway play, Wildfire, by George V. Hobart and George Broadhurst.

"What Happened to Jones" with Fred Mace, William A. Brady Picture Plays, Inc., 1915

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Still produced by World Film Corporation of New York City. Features Fred Mace with two gentlemen near a dressing table. The film was based on a 1897 play by George Broadhurst of the same title.

"The Ballet Girl," William A. Brady Picture Plays, Inc., 1916

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Still produced by World Film Corporation of New York City. Features Alice Brady in the leading role in a bedroom scene with a man. The film was based on a novel, Carnival, by Compton MacKenzie.

"Equitable Motion Picture Corp. Presents Robert T. Haines in 'Human Cargoes'", 1916

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Still produced by Equitable Motion Picture Corp. (founded by Arthur Spiegel of Chicago) and features a group examining a young woman.

"Grand Central Palace Hero Land", circa 1917

Folder: FF 06.1-01 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

J. Carl Mueller designed the still, and Heywood Strasser & Voight Litho. Co. N.Y. published the still. Hero Land promised "The greatest spectacle the world has ever seen for the greatest need the world has ever known. British tank 'Britannia' in action".

"Sincerely Douglas Fairbanks", circa 1920

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Poster features a smiling Douglas Fairbanks looking over a wall of some sort.

Mary Pickford in "Through the Back Door", 1921

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Poster features an image of Mary Pickford sitting on her bed holding a doll. The movie was directed by Jack Pickford and Alfred Green with scenario by Marion Fairfax.

Douglas Fairbanks in "The Nut", 1921

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Poster features a scene with Douglas Fairbanks and Marguerite De La Motte in evening dress.

"Danse Macabre", 1922

Folder: FF 06.1-01 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Information about the still handwritten on back: "Adolph Bolm with Ruth Page (his pupil) Olin Howland as Death in Adolph Bolm screen version of the Dance Macabre, music by C. Saint-Saens. A-2"

"Danse Macabre", 1922

Folder: FF 06.1-01 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Written on back: "Adolph Bolm with Ruth Page (his pupil) Olin Howland as Death in Adolph Bolm screen version of the Dance Macabre, music by C. Saint-Saens. B-2"

"A Woman of Paris: A Drama of Fate", 1923

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Features a dining scene with Edna Purviance and Adolphe Menjou. The film was written, directed, produced and scored by Charles Chaplin.

"D.W. Griffith's - 'Isn't Life Wonderful'", 1924

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Features a scene from the film directed and produced by D.W. Griffith, based on a novel by Geoffrey Moss, and starring Carol Dempster and Neil Hamilton.

"The Enemy", 1925

Folder: FF 06.1-01 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Information about the still handwritten on back: "John Wray, Fay Bainter and Jane Seymour in 'The Enemy'".

"Douglas Fairbanks in 'Don Q, Son of Zorro'", 1925

Folder: FF 06.1-03 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Features a scene between Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Astor and an image of Douglas Fairbanks in full-swashbuckling regalia superimposed over an edge of the scene.

"Tarzan the Tiger", 1929

Folder: FF 06.1-02 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Advertisement in the shape of an elephant. On the reverse side, "Tarzan the Tiger by Edgar Rice Burroughs with Frank Merrill and Natalie Kingston. New adventures, hazards, thrills. Printed in U.S.A."

"William Fox Presents Lightnin' ", 1930

Folder: FF 06.1-01 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Bottom front of still: "Made in U.S.A."

Carl Laemmle presents Harry Langdon and Slim Summerville in "See America Thirst", 1930

Folder: FF 06.1-02 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

The advertisement is in two pieces and features the commedians, Harry Langdon and Slim Summerville, leaning against a lamp pole with an inset image of the actress, Bessie Love.

Carl Laemmle presents "East is West", 1930

Folder: FF 06.1-02 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

The advertisement features a woman dressed in a stylized kimono. "East is West" is a movie of the stage play of the same name by Samuel Shipman and John B. Hymer. The Universal Picture was a Monta Bell Production, produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr. with Lupe Velez, Lewis Ayes, and Edward G. Robinson.

Carl Laemmle presents "Dracula", 1931

Folder: FF 06.1-02 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Advertisement was made in the U.S.A. and features an image of Dracula with an open cape holding a swooning model. "Dracula, a Universal Picture, was produced by Carl Laemmle, Jr., based on the novel by Bram Stoker.

"David and Dora in their little love-nest." from David Copperfield, 1935

Folder: FF 06.1-01 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Bottom front of still: "Country of Origin USA." "David Copperfield from the novel by Charles Dickens".

"The Rookery -- Boyhood home of Little David" from David Copperfield, 1935

Folder: FF 06.1-01 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

On bottom front of still: "Country of Origin U.S.A." and "David Copperfield from the novel by Charles Dickens".

"Bette Davis, Miriam Hopkins in Warner Bros. "Old Acquaintance" at the Hollywood Theater, 1943

Folder: FF 06.1-02 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Advertisement strip copyrighted by Nathan Rubin Ads. Also includes a small advertisement for the Strand movie palace.

"Cary Grant in Frank Capra's 'Arsenic and Old Lace'" at the Strand movie palace, 1944

Folder: FF 06.1-02 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Advertisement strip by Nathan Rubin for "Broadway's Happiest Fun Show! at the Strand". On screen, "Arsenic and Old Lace" with Cary Grant (pictured), Raymond Massey, Jack Carson, Peter Lorre; on stage, Charlie Barnet, his orchestra and gala revue.

Columbia Pictures presents "The Killer that Stalked New York", 1950, inclusive

Folder: OS FF 06.1-04 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

The poster is copyrighted by the Columbia Pictures Corp. in 1950. The film starred Evelyn Keyes, Charles Korvin, and William Bishop. Screenplay by Harry Essex, based on Cosmopolitan Magazine article by Milton Lehman, directed by Earl McEvoy and produced by Robert Cohn. The plot of the film involves a smallpox outbreak.

The Rank Organisation presents a Val Guest Production "80,000 Suspects", 1963

Folder: OS FF 06.1-04 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

The poster was printed in Great Britain. The film starred Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, Yolande Donlan, and Cyril Cusack. Val Guest wrote the screenplay and directed the film. It was based on a novel by Elleston Trevor, and the film was shot in CinemaScope. The plot of the film involves a smallpox outbreak.

ABC Television Network poster announcing the airing of "Roots", 1977

Folder: FF 06.1-02 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

The poster features images of the starring actors set out by the generations. It was a David L. Wolper Production based on the Alex Haley novel "Roots," about slavery in America. It was first was shown on TV on 8 consecutive nights from January 23 to January 30, 1977.

Broadway Dancer in Art Deco fashion, undated

Folder: FF 06.1-02 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

A two part advertisement for Broadway by The Hennegan Company of Cincinnati, Ohio. It features an image of a broadway dancer with a second piece with "Broadway" written on it that could be attached to the dancer as a skirt.

"Bros" poster signed by Nicholas Stoller, Billy Eichner, and Luke Macfarlane, 2002, inclusive

Folder: OS FF 06.1-05 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Subseries VI.B Theater Posters, 1790-1945, inclusive

Scope and Contents

Many of the posters in this subseries were individually cataloged in the library's catalog Bobcat in 2017.

Researchers can use the partial call phrase "PR-055-06" to search for these items.

This subseries includes posters advertising individual plays operettas, minstrel shows, musicians, specialty acts, and dance companies. The bulk of the series dates from the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century.

Most of the posters are arranged by date, and then alphabetically by theater; a small number are arranged by type of entertainment. There is some overlap of contents.

Theaters, 1820-1829, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-42 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Chatham Gardens

Chatham Theatre

Park Theatre

Thomas Langdon's Columbian Gardens

Theaters, 1850-1859, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-43 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Academy of Music

Astor Place

Bowery

Broadway

Brougham's

Burton's

Castle Garden

Ha! Market Theater

Melodeon

Metropolitan

National

Niblo's Garden

St. Charles

Thomas' Opera House

Wallack's

Theaters, 1860-1869, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-44 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Academy of Music

American Theatre

Fox's Old Bowery

Hitchcock's National Concert Hall

Laura Keene's Theatre

Mechanic's Hall

New Bowery

New York Theatre

Niblo's Garden

Olympic Theatre

St. Charles Theatre

Stuyvesant Hall

Wall's Theatre

Wallack's Theatre

Winter Garden

Theaters, 1870-1879, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-45 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Academy of Music

Booth's

Bowery

Boston

Columbia Opera House

Cooper Institute, Great Hall

Dramatic Hall

Fifth Avenue

Fourth Street

Harry Hill's Variety

Haverly's 14th Street

Heller's Wonder Theater

Morrisania

New Third Avenue

Olympic

Palais Royal Garden

Parisian Varieties

Parisian Vaudeville

Robinson Hall

Ryan's Vaudeville

St. James

Theaters, 1870-1879, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-46 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Broadway (various)

Bryant's Opera House

Burton Dramatic Association

Theaters, 1870-1879, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-47 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Eagle Theatre

Fifth Avenue Theatre

Globe

Grand Opera House

London Theatre

Lyceum

Theaters, 1870-1879, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-48 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

National Theater

Olympic Theater

Park Theater

Tony Pastor's

Standard

Theatre Comique

Union Square

Theaters, 1870-1879, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-49 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Wallack's Theatre

Wood's Museum

Theaters, 1880-1889, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-50 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Abbey's Park Theatre

Academy of Music

Association Hall

Atlantic Garden

Bijou Opera House

Booth's Theatre

Boston Theatre

Broadway Opera House

Broadway Theatre (various)

Chickering Hall

Daly's

Theaters, 1880-1889, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-51 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Fifth Avenue Theatre

Fourteenth Street Theatre

Germania Theatre

Globe Theatre

Grand Opera House

Harlem Music Hall

Irving Place Theatre

Leland Opera House

London Theatre

Madison Square

New Park Theatre

Niblo's Garden

Palmer's Theatre

Parker's American Theatre

Pastor's Theatre

Theaters, 1880-1889, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-52 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Standard

Star

Theatre Comique

Union Square

Wallack's

Windsor

Theaters, 1890-1899, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-53 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Abbey's Theatre

Academy of Music

Amburg Theatre

Boston Theatre

Broadway Theatre

Brooklyn Academy of Music

The Casino

Daly's Theatre

Empire Theatre

Fifth Avenue Theatre

Fourteenth Street Theatre

Garden Theater

Garrick Theatre

Grand Opera House

Harrigan's Theatre

Harris Academy of Music

Hawaiian Opera House

Herald Square Theatre

Irving Place Theatre

Knickerbocker Theatre

Koster and Bial's Music Hall

Lamb's Theatre

London Theatre

Lyceum Theatre

Madison Square Theatre

Manhattan Opera House

Metropolitan Opera House

Miner's Fifth Avenue Theatre

Olympic Theatre

Pastor's 14th Street

Proctor's Theatre

Standard Theatre

Star Theatre

Union Square Theatre

Victoria

Weber and Field's Music Hall

Windsor Theatre

Theaters, 1900-1945, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-54 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Academy of Music

Adelphi Theatre

Amberg Theatre

American Theatre

Astor Theatre

Belasco Theatre

Boston Theatre

Broadway Theatre

Bronx Theatre

Carnegie Hall

Century Theatre

Cort Theatre

Daly's Theatre

Deutsche's Theatre

Fifth Avenue Theatre

Forty-Eighth (48th) Street Theatre

Fourteenth (14th) Street Theatre

Garden Theatre

Garrick Theatre

Grand Opera House

Harlem Opera House

Herald Square Theatre

Hollis Street Theatre

Hudson Theatre

Irving Place Theatre

Knickerbocker Theatre

Lyceum Theatre

Madison Square Theatre

Metropolitan Opera House

Montauk Theatre

Morosco Theatre

Murray Hill Theatre

Neighborhood Playhouse

New Amsterdam Theatre

Niblo's Garden

Olympic Theatre

Orpheum Theatre

Park Theatre

Princess Theatre

Provincetown Players

Pythian Theatre

Republic Theatre

Shubert Theatre

Standard Theatre

Star Theatre

Stuyvesant Theatre

Thirty-Ninth (39th) Street Theatre

Tribune Theatre

Union Square Theatre

Wadsworth Theatre

Wallack's Theatre

Weber and Field's Music Hall

Yorkville Casino

Yorkville Theatre

Theatrical Productions - Lectures, 1841-1890, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-55 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Subjects include health, human anatomy, history, literature, and travel. Some are advertised as illustrated lectures which feature paintings, photographs, and panoramas.

Theatrical Productions - Minstrel Shows, 1842-1895, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-56 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Material advertising minstrel shows and entertainments that include performers in blackface makeup.

Theatrical Productions - Minstrel Shows, 1842-1895, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-57 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Material advertising minstrel shows and entertainments that include performers in blackface makeup.

Theatrical Productions - Minstrel Shows, 1842-1895, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-58 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Material related to minstrel shows and performers in blackface makeup. Items in this folder are especially FRAGILE.

Theatrical Productions - Musicians and Concerts, 1840-1925, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-59 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)

Scope and Contents

Posters advertising musical performances at various New York City venues.

Theatrical Productions - 7th Regiment and 28th Regiment Association Productions, 1862, inclusive

Folder: FF 06-60 (Material Type: Graphic Materials)