Edward Farbenblum and Orly Lieberman collection of photographs
Call Number
Date
Creator
Extent
Language of Materials
Abstract
This collection, assembled and donated by Edward Farbenblum and Orly Lieberman, contains New York Theatre and Hollywood Film portraits and production photos dating from 1924-1993, as well as a small amount of ephemera.
Arrangement
This collection is organized into two series:
Series I: New York Theatre
Series II: Hollywood Film
Series I: New York Theatre is organized into 4 subseries. The first 3 subseries correlate to the 3 different photography studios that produced the photographs related to New York theatrical productions: Friedman-Abeles Studio, Martha Swope Studio, and Vandamm Studio. The fourth subseries consists of ephemera related to theatrical productions. Each subseries is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Series II: Hollywood Film is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Scope and Contents
This collection, assembled and donated by Edward Farbenblum and Orly Lieberman, contains photographs of and a small amount of ephemera related to New York theatre and Hollywood film productions and personalities. It is organized into two series:
Series I: New York Theatre
Series II: Hollywood Film
Series I: New York Theatre is organized into 4 subseries. The first 3 subseries correlate to the 3 different photography studios that produced the photographs related to New York theatrical productions: Friedman-Abeles Studio, Martha Swope Studio, and Vandamm Studio. The fourth subseries consists of ephemera related to theatrical productions. Each subseries is arranged alphabetically by subject
Most productions depicted in the collection are from Broadway, though some national tours, international troupes such as France's Theatre National Populaire, and off-Broadway programming such as the Brooklyn Academy of Music Next Wave Festival appear. The collection documents the original runs of iconic musicals My Fair Lady, A Little Night Music, A Chorus Line, Oklahoma!, 1776, and Cats (the title most substantially represented in the collection), in addition to new plays, revivals, and multiple iterations of productions such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Tennessee Williams's The Night of the Iguana. Notable subjects include theatre stalwarts such as Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt (in Quadrille) and Robert De Niro (in Last Stand, with Diane Ladd, and later Cuba and His Teddy Bear).
Also present are portraits of Judy Holliday, Helen Hayes, and others, along with a small selection of Swope's ballet and dance photography, including the New York City Ballet and its star ballerina Patricia McBride.
All materials are stamped with photographer's credit and variously include subject name, date, and other information. Some photographs also feature press clippings or publicity captions on the verso.
Series II: Hollywood Film includes publicity and glamour portraits, on-set production shots, and special photography from a variety of studios and photographers such as Clarence Sinclair Bull, George Hurrell, Frank Powolny, and John Egstead. Stars depicted include Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Lana Turner, Clark Gable, Lena Horne, Laurence Olivier, Ava Gardner, Linda Darnell, Ginger Rogers, Lassie the dog, Eve Arden, and Catherine Deneuve.
This series also features an Annie Leibovitz photoshoot with Diane Keaton, Sissy Spacek, and Jessica Lange on the set of Crimes of the Heart (1986), and George Hurrell coverage of the red carpet arrivals at the film premiere of The Rose Tattoo (December 2, 1955), held at the Hotel Astor in New York City.
This series is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Subjects
Conditions Governing Access
Available by advance appointment only. To schedule an appointment, contact the Print Room Librarian at printroom@nyhistory.org. Photocopying undertaken by staff only. Limited to twenty exposures of stable, unbound material per day. (Researchers may not accrue unused copy amounts from previous days.)
Conditions Governing Use
Application to use images from this collection for publication should be made in writing to:
Department of Rights and Reproductions The New-York Historical Society 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024-5194 rightsandrepro@nyhistory.org 212-485-9282
Permission to reproduce or quote text from this collection in a publication must be requested from and granted in writing by the Library Director, The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024-5194.
Preferred Citation
This collection should be cited as Edward Farbenblum and Orly Lieberman Collection of Photographs, PR 378, Department of Prints, Photographs, and Architectural Collections, The New-York Historical Society.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Edward Farbenblum and Orly Lieberman, 2013 and 2016.
About this Guide
Processing Information
This material was originally included in the finding aid for the Michael Sonnenfeldt Collection of Theatre, Film, and Entertainment Photography PR 305, which was processed by project intern Brynn White in 2014. This material was separated into a discrete collection and finding aid in 2019 by processing archivist Marybeth Kavanagh.
Repository
Series I. New York Theatre, 1924-1993, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Three photographers and studios are represented in the series: Florence Vandamm, of Vandamm Studio (in operation in New York from 1924 to 1964), has been posited as the "inventor" of the commercial head shot and noted for her use of lighting, costume and movement.
Leo Friedman and Joseph Abeles commenced their publicity photography parternship Friedman-Abeles in 1954 and produced documented the New York theatrical world using their handheld Rolleiflex camera.
Martha Swope, of Swope Associates, was a former dancer who also began her photographic career in the 1950s and, like Friedman-Abeles, shot backstage activities and the rehearsal process for publicity and documentary purposes.
Most productions depicted in the collection are from Broadway, though some national tours, international troupes such as France's Theatre National Populaire, and off-Broadway programming such as the Brooklyn Academy of Music Next Wave Festival appear. The collection documents the original runs of iconic musicals My Fair Lady, A Little Night Music, A Chorus Line, Oklahoma!, 1776, and Cats (the title most substantially represented in the collection), in addition to new plays, revivals, and multiple iterations of productions such as Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Tennessee Williams's The Night of the Iguana. Notable subjects include theatre stalwarts such as Lynn Fontanne and Alfred Lunt (in Quadrille) and a young Robert De Niro (in Last Stand, with Diane Ladd, and later Cuba and His Teddy Bear).
There are also portraits of Judy Holliday, Helen Hayes, and others, and a small selection of Swope's ballet and dance photography, including the New York City Ballet and its star ballerina Patricia McBride. Additionally, this series contains a small number of Playbill programs, press kit materials, clippings, and ticket stubs.
Friedman-Abeles Studio, 1955-1972, inclusive
Theatrical Productions: A-B, 1956-1963, inclusive
Scope and Contents
At the Drop of a Hat (1959);
The Bad Seed (1956);
Bells are Ringing (1957);
Beyond the Fringe (1963);
Bye Bye Birdie (1962);
The Boy Friend (1957)
Theatrical Productions: C, 1955-1963, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Can Can (1956);
Carnival (1962);
A Case of Libel (1963);
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1955-56);
Catch a Star (1955);
Theatrical Productions: A Far Country, 1961
Theatrical Productions: E-L, 1957-1963, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Eugenia (1957);
A Far Country (1962);
Five Finger Exercise (1960);
Funny Girl (1963);
The Happiest Millionaire (1958);
Lil Abner (1957);
Theatrical Productions: Last of the Red Hot Lovers, 1970
Theatrical Productions: M, 1957-1972, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Major Barbara (1957);
A Man for All Seasons (1963);
Mary, Mary (1962);
Much Ado About Nothing (1972);
Music Man (1960);
My Fair Lady (1957);
Theatrical Productions: N-O, 1962-1971, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
No Time For Sergeants;
Never Too Late (1964);
No No Nannette (1971);
Night of the Iguana (1962);
The Odd Couple (1967)
Theatrical Productions: S-Z, 1957-1963, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Strange Interlude (1963);
Song of the Grasshopper;
Sunrise at Campobello (1958);
Tchin-Tchin (1962);
Zeigfield Follies (1957)
Theatrical Productions: Unidentified, undated, inclusive
Martha Swope Studio, 1952-1993, inclusive
Theatrical Productions: A, 1977-1993, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Ain't Misbehaving;
Anna Christie (1993);
Annie (1977);
Theatrical Productions: C, 1970-1986, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Castro Complex (1970);
A Chorus Line (1979);
Cuba and His Teddy Bear (1986)
Theatrical Productions: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, 1974, inclusive
Theatrical Productions: Cats, 1982, inclusive
Theatrical Productions: D-F, 1970-1990, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Dancin' (1983);
Dreyfus in Rehearsal (1974);
Endangered Species (1990);
Forty Carats (1970)
Theatrical Productions: G-L, 1970-1991, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
The Good Doctor;
Good Evening;
Hair (1971, 1991);
Henry V (1984);
Irene (1973);
Last Stand (1970);
A Little Night Music (1973);
Theatrical Productions: M-N, 1974-1985, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Man and Superman;
Mary Tudor;
A Map of the World (1985);
A Moon for the Misbegotten (1974);
Monty Python;
Night of the Iguana (1976)
Theatrical Productions: O-Z, 1952-1990, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Oh, Kay! (1990);
On Your Toes (1983);
Pirates of Penzance (1981);
Rainbow (1972);
Suggs in the City (1972);
Venus Observed (1952);
1776 (1969)
Dance Productions: A-Z, 1978, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Don Quixote;
An Evening's Waltzes;
Prodigal Son;
Skater's Waltz [ice dancing];
A Sketch Book (1978);
Tricolore;
Trio [ice dancing];
Dance Portraits: A-Z, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
John Curry;
Patricia McBride;
Kathleen Moore;
Jimmy Tate;
Unidentified
Vandamm Studio, 1924-1959, inclusive
Theatrical Productions: A-B, 1926-1952, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Affairs of State (1951);
Amphitryon 38;
Angel in the Wings;
Arms and The Man (1926);
Bernadine (1952);
Biography;
Blithe Spirit (1944);
Boys and Girls Together (1940);
Theatrical Productions: C-D, 1933-1959, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Champagne Supper (1933);
The Comic Artist (1933);
The Constant Wife (1952);
Curtains Up (1959);
The Dark Tower (1933);
A Date with April (1953);
The Distaff Side (1934);
The Doctors Dilemma (1955);
Duel of Angels;
Theatrical Productions: A Clearing in the Woods, 1957
Theatrical Productions: The Dark is Light Enough, 1955
Theatrical Productions: E-G, 1926-1958, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
End Summer (1936);
Faithfully Yours;
The Farmer Takes a Wife (1935);
The Farmer's Wife;
The Firstborn (1958);
The Great Sebastians;
The Guardsman (1926);
Theatrical Productions: The Good Fairy, 1932
Theatrical Productions H-J, 1937-1957, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Hear That Trumpet;
Horses in Midstream (1953);
Idiot's Delight (1937);
The Importance of Being Earnest;
Interlock;
Janus (1957)
Theatrical Productions: L-O, 1932-1951, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
The Late Christopher Bean (1932);
Leaf and Bough;
Life With Mother;
Lovers and Friends;
The Man with Blond Hair (1941);
The Man Who Came to Dinner (1941);
Mary of Scotland;
Merrily We Roll Along;
The Middle Watch;
The Moon is Blue (1951);
My Name is Aquilon;
Olympia;
Theatrical Productions: The Little Hut, 1953
Theatrical Productions: Lo and Behold, 1951
Theatrical Productions: Oklahoma!, 1951-1954
Theatrical Productions: One Bright Day, 1952
Theatrical Productions: P-S, 1931-1954, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Parade;
The Play's the Thing;
Porgy;
Precedent (1931);
Rosalinda (1942);
Sabrina Flat (1953);
Showboat (1947);
Sing and Whistle (1934);
Sing Me No Lullaby (1954);
The Searching Wind (1944);
Set to Music;
Small Miracle (1935);
Spring Again;
Springtime for Henry (1932);
Star and Garter;
The Star Wagon (1938);
Storm Over Patsy (1937)
Theatrical Productions: Petticoat Influence, 1930, inclusive
Theatrical Productions: Quadrille, 1955
Theatrical Productions: T-Z, 1924-1948, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
The Taming of the Shrew (1935);
There's Always Juliet;
They Knew What They Wanted (1924);
Three and One (1933);
Three Men On a Horse;
Time Remembered;
Tomorrow and Tomorrow (1931);
Washington Jitters;
Watch on the Rhine (1941);
The Winter's Tale (1945);
Whistling in the Dark (1932);
You Never Can Tell (1948);
You Touched Me!
The Third Little Show;
This Time Tomorrow;
Theatrical Productions: The Time of the Cuckoo, 1952
Theatrical Productions: Twilight Walk, 1951
Theatrical Productions: The Wisteria Trees, 1950
Theatrical Portraits: A-Z, 1931-1947, undated, inclusive
Scope and Contents
Holbrook Blinn;
Kitty Carlisle;
Ina Claire;
Betty Compton;
Peggy Conklin;
Joe Cook;
Constance Cummings;
Ruth Draper;
Clare Eames;
Lynn Fontanne;
Rose Franken;
Ruth Gordon;
Helen Hayes;
Judy Holliday;
Sam Jaffe;
Nancy Kelly;
Earle Larimore;
Pauline Lord;
William Lynn;
Hugh Marlowe;
Burgess Meredith;
Gaby Monet;
Victor Moore;
Reginald Owen;
Mary Phillips;
Barbara Robbins;
June Walker;
Nydia Westman;
Bretaigne Windust;
Playbills and Publicity Materials, 1969-1990, inclusive
Theatre Productions: Publicity Files - Find Your Way Home, 1974
Theatre Productions: Publicity Files - Making Movies, 1990
Theatre Productions: Publicity Files - Seven Days of Mourning, 1969
Series II. Hollywood Film, 1927-1986
Scope and Contents
This series includes publicity and glamour portraits, on-set production shots, and special photography from a variety of studios and photographers such as Clarence Sinclair Bull, George Hurrell, Frank Powolny, and John Egstead. Stars depicted include Katharine Hepburn, Bette Davis, Lana Turner, Clark Gable, Lena Horne, Ava Gardner, Ginger Rogers, Lassie the dog, Eve Arden, and Catherine Deneuve.
This series also includes an Annie Leibovitz photoshoot with Diane Keaton, Sissy Spacek, and Jessica Lange on the set of Crimes of the Heart (1986), and George Hurrell coverage of the red carpet arrivals at the film premiere of The Rose Tattoo (December 2, 1955), held at the Hotel Astor in New York City.
Portraits: A-D, 1927-1960
Scope and Contents
Eve Arden;
Lew Ayres;
Lionel Barrymore;
Warner Baxter;
George Brent;
David Brian;
Dirk Bogarde;
Edwina Booth;
Phyllis Brooks;
Joe E. Brown;
Yul Brynner;
Walter Connolly;
Constance Cummings;
Linda Darnell;
Reginald Denny;
Portraits: Bette Davis, 1939-1942, undated
Portraits: Catherine Deneuve, 1964
Portraits: G-K, 1927-1960
Scope and Contents
Clark Gable;
Judy Garland;
Ava Gardner;
Cary Grant;
Fernand Gravet;
Nan Grey;
Mitzi Green;
Jon Hall;
Thurston Hall;
Jean Harlow;
Audrey Hepburn;
Wanda Hendrix;
Ian Hunter;
Joe Jeffries;
Glynis Johns;
Danny Kaye;
Andrea King;
Otto Kruger
Portraits: Katharine Hepburn, 1942, undated
Portraits: Lena Horne, undated
Portraits: L-M, 1927-1960
Scope and Contents
Hedy Lamarr;
Lassie;
Rex Lease;
Viveca Lindfors;
John Loder;
Paul Lukas;
Tully Marshall;
Leora Maricle;
Raymond Massey;
Rosalind Marquis;
Dina Merrill;
Ray Milland;
Elizabeth Montgomery;
Mae Murray
Portraits: N-R, 1927-1960
Scope and Contents
Patricia Neal;
Claudette Nevins;
John Neville;
Barbara Nichols;
Doris Nolan;
Joan Perry;
Zasu Pitts;
Tyrone Power;
Frank Powolny;
Jane Randolph;
Phil Regan;
Ginger Rogers;
Portraits: Laurence Olivier, 1955, undated
Portraits: Rosalind Russell, 1945, undated
Portraits: S-W, 1927-1960
Scope and Contents
Ann Sheridan;
Clara Lou Sheridan;
Sylvia Sidney;
George E. Stone;
Harry Stockwell;
Elizabeth Taylor;
Ann Todd;
Lana Turner;
Lupe Velez;
Bryant Washburn;
Natalie Wood;
Jane Wyatt
Portraits: Unidentified, 1927-1960, inclusive
Film Set: Crimes of the Heart, 1986, inclusive
Scope and Contents
photos of Diane Keaton, Sissy Spacek, and Jessica Lange on the set of the film "Crimes of the Heart." The photographs were taken by Annie Leibovitz.
Film Premiere: The Rose Tattoo, 1955, inclusive
Scope and Contents
photos of red carpet arrivals at the film premiere of "The Rose Tattoo," taken by George Hurrell.