Collection of Silk Performing Arts Programs
SPEC.TRI.0019
Ohio State University Libraries Special Collections
0.88 Cubic feet
circa 1820s-1986
Silk programs were created as souvenirs to commemorate special occasions, such as long-running and landmark theatre performances, gala openings, or the presence of important individuals in the audience. The Collection of Silk Performing Arts Programs contains programs from theatre performances between circa 1820s and 1986; programs for non-theatrical annual events and performances commemorating individuals are also included Performances were held at various venues, mostly in the United States. All programs are in English, except one is in Italian.
(2) flat boxes
English, Italian
Arrangement of Materials
Materials are arranged chronologically.
Acquisitions Information
TRI.2012.0061: Purchased, 2012 November; TRI.2015.0050: Purchased, 2015 September; TRI.2017.0084: Purchased, 2016 July; TRI.2017.0085: Purchased, 2016 August; TRI.2017.0086: Purchased, 2016 August; TRI.2017.0088: Purchased, 2016 September; TRI.2017.0089: Purchased, 2017 January; TRI.2017.0090: Purchased, 2017 February; TRI.2018.0033: Purchased, 2018 March; TRI.2019.0001: Purchased, 2018 September; TRI.2024.0008: Purchased, 2022 October; TRI.2024.0009: Purchased, 2022 October; TRI.2024.0010: Purchased, 2023 August; TRI.2024.0011: Purchased, 2023 September; TRI.2024.0012: Purchased, 2022 October; TRI.2024.0013: Purchased, 2022 May; some accessions are unknown
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], Collection of Silk Performing Arts Programs, SPEC.TRI.0019, Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute, Ohio State University
Access to Materials
Materials in this collection are available for use, but may be used in the Thompson Library Special Collections reading room only.
Use of Materials
Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright, and are made available for research and educational purposes. In general, the OSU Libraries do not own the copyright for materials from our collections and cannot grant copyright permissions for these materials. The user is responsible for making a final determination of copyright status. If copyright protection applies, permission must be obtained from the copyright holder to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exceptions to the law. Works in the public domain are not protected by copyright and do not require permission to use.
Processing Information
Processed by: Ashleigh Minor, 2017 November; Nicole Miller, 2019 January; Ashleigh Minor, 2019 January; Courtney Bishop, 2021 March; Casey Blackmore, 2024 March; Finding aid written by: Ashleigh Minor, 2017 November; Nicole Miller, 2019 January; Ashleigh Minor, 2019 January; Courtney Bishop, 2021 March; Casey Blackmore, 2024 March.
Historical Note
Silk programs were created as souvenirs to commemorate special occasions, such as long-running and landmark theatre performances, gala openings, or the presence of important individuals in the audience. Silk programs started to appear during the 1800s and became more rare in 1920s. Silk programs were also used to commemorate non-theater performances as well.
Scope and Contents
The Collection of Silk Performing Arts Programs contains programs from theatre performances, theatre openings, and events honoring individuals in the theatre between circa 1820s and 1986. Silk programs for non-theatrical annual events and performances commemorating individuals are also included. Performances were held at various venues, mostly in the United States. All programs are in English, except one that is in Italian.
B.F. Keith's Theatre (Providence, R.I.)
Barrett, Lawrence, 1838-1891
Bijou Theatre (Organization : New York, N.Y.)
Broadway Theatre (New York, N.Y.: 1681 Broadway)
Civic Theatre (New Orleans, La.)
Colonial Theatre (Cleveland, Ohio)
Elizabeth II, Queen of Great Britain, 1926-2022
Metropolitan Opera (New York, N.Y.)
Peralta, Francisco
Sothern, E. H. (Edward Hugh), 1859-1933
Templeton's Minstrels
Whitney Opera Company
Ziegfeld Theatre (Organization : New York, N.Y.)
Actors--Italy--19th century
Actors--United States--20th century
Minstrel shows--England--19th century
Musicals--United States--20th century
Opera companies--United States--19th century
Opera programs--United States--19th century
Opera programs--United States--20th century
Opera--United States--19th century
Opera--United States--20th century
Operetta--United States--19th century
Operetta--United States--20th century
Screen prints
Souvenir programs
Theater programs
Theater--United States--20th century
Theaters--Scotland--19th century
Theaters--United States--19th century
Theaters--United States--20th century
Theatrical companies--United States--20th century
Francisco Peralta performance
1
1
circa 1820s
"The Rivals," "The Rendevous," "The Spoil'd Child" performances at the Leek Theatre for the benefit of Miss Hilton broadside
1
2
1829
Templeton's Minstrels at the Mechanics' Institute (Plymouth, England)
1
3
1864 July 15
Christy's Minstrels at Balmoral Castle playbill
1
4
1868 October 16
"Brian Boru" presented by The Whitney Opera Co. at Broadway Theatre
2
1
circa 1870
"Pique" production at the Fifth Avenue Theatre
1
5
1876
First Annual Meeting of the 'Thread and Needle' of Wilmington, Delaware
2
2
1885 April 17
Edwin Booth and Lawrence Barrett "Othello" performance
2
3
1888 February 16
Fifth Avenue Theater opening of the regular season
1
6
1888 October 29
"The Patrol" opening at the Bijou
2
4
1891 August 22
"The State Capitol" performance
2
5
1893 December 15
100th performance of the Vaughan Glaser Company's "The Adventure of Lady Ursula" at the Colonial Theatre in Cleveland, Ohio
2
6
1904 May 30
200th performance of "The Amazons" at the Colonial Theatre
2
7
1904 August 15
"Spooks" presented by the Albee Stock Company at B. F. Keith's Theatre in Providence, Rhode Island
2
8
1911 September 9
Edward H. Sothern performances
1
7
1916 May
Ziegfiled Follies Ball
1
8
1917 April 10
3183rd performance of "Life With Father" at the Bijou Theatre
1
9
1947 June 14
"Kind Sir" world premiere at the Civic Theatre in New Orleans
1
10
1953 September 26
Rob Roy gala performance
1
11
1962 October 17
Rob Roy "The Story"
1
12
1962 October 17
"Antony and Cleopatra" Inaugural performance in the Metropolitan Opera House Lincoln Center
1
13
1966 September 16
"Fiddler on the Roof" performed at Broadway Theatre
1
14
1971 July 21
"Fanfare for Elizabeth" performance at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden
1
15
1986 April 12