Clyde Cale, Collector, Memorabilia of Entertainer Elsie Janis A&M 4355

West Virginia and Regional History Center

1549 University Ave.
P.O. Box 6069
Morgantown, WV 26506-6069
Business Number: 304-293-3536
wvrhcref@westvirginia.libanswers.com
URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu

Repository

West Virginia and Regional History Center

Identification

A&M 4355

Title

Clyde Cale, Collector, Memorabilia of Entertainer Elsie Janis ca. 1900-1964

URL:

https://archives.lib.wvu.edu/ark:/99999/199342

Quantity

.3 Linear Feet, 4 in. (1 document case, 2 1/2 in.); (1 flat storage box, 1 1/2 in.)

Creator

Beerbower, Charles

Location

West Virginia and Regional History Center / West Virginia University / 1549 University Avenue / P.O. Box 6069 / Morgantown, WV 26506-6069 / Phone: 304-293-3536 / Fax: 304-293-3981 / URL: https://wvrhc.lib.wvu.edu/

Language

English

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish or reproduce is required from the copyright holder. For more information, please see the Permissions and Copyright page on the West Virginia and Regional History Center website.

Conditions Governing Access

No special access restriction applies.

Preferred Citation

[Description and date of item], [Box/folder number], Clyde Cale, Collector, Memorabilia of Entertainer Elsie Janis, A&M 4355, West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University Libraries, Morgantown, West Virginia.

Content Description

Memorabilia related to entertainer Elsie Janis, who performed for allied troops in France during World War I. Includes photographs, clippings, notes with her signature, etc. Elsie Janis (1889-1956) was an American singer, songwriter, actress, and screenwriter. After a successful career in America (vaudeville and Broadway) and England, she went to France in 1918 to entertain troops during the First World War where she was immortalized as "the sweetheart of the AEF" (American Expeditionary Force).

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Janis, Elsie, 1889-1956
World War, 1914-1918 -- France

Significant Persons Associated With the Collection

Beerbower, Charles
Janis, Elsie, 1889-1956

Container List

Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 1

original notebook cover

ca. 1940s

Scope and Contents

Original cover of notebook containing Janis memorabilia.

Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 2

pamphlet, "Little Elsie Janis" (1 item)

ca. 1900

Scope and Contents

Booklet with photographs and press reviews for Elsie Janis when she was a child star.

Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 3

photographs (6 items)

ca. 1910-1920

Scope and Contents

Includes three photographs of Elsie Janis, one of her father John Bierbower, one of her brother Percy Bierbower, and one of her home Phillipse Manor, Sleepy Hollow, New York (formerly named North Tarrytown).

Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 4

photographs published in magazines (3 items)

ca. 1905-1915

Scope and Contents

Includes photo of Elsie Janis in "The Fair Co-Ed" and two others.

Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 5

manuscripts (4 items)

1916-1942, undated

Scope and Contents

Includes three original manuscript notes authored by Elsie Janis (1916, 1941, 1942), and one note authored by a representative or manager for Janis (1931). There is also a pamphlet regarding "Historic Philipsie Manor" (undated), one of her homes, and a brochure regarding "Sleepy Hollow County" where the Philipsburg Manor is located.

Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 6

typescripts of articles regarding Janis (2 items)

1939

Scope and Contents

Typescripts of articles, likely for a newspaper, regarding Elsie Janis.

Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 7

newspaper clippings

ca. 1920-1948

Scope and Contents

30 pages of clippings regarding the professional career and personal life of Elsie Janis.

Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 8

newspaper clippings (includes obituaries)

1956, undated

Scope and Contents

3 pages of clippings; 1 page includes two obituaries.

Mixed Materials Box: 1 Folder: 9

miscellaneous material

1978-1979

Scope and Contents

Includes miscellaneous letters regarding Bierbower family history and genealogy.

Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 1

oversize material

1919

Scope and Contents

Clippings of parts 3-7 (12 leaves) of a series of articles Elsie Janis authored that appeared in "Hearst's Magazine" in 1919 regarding her experiences in France entertaining troops during World War I (WWI). Many photographs accompany the text. Her narratives are enlivened by descriptive details and humor. This material also appeared in her related book "The Big Show."

Mixed Materials Box: 2 Folder: 2

oversize material

1964

Scope and Contents

Clipping of two page newspaper article that appeared in "The Pittsburgh Press" on 15 November 1964 regarding the "Last Man's Club" of the 80th Division, American Expeditionary Force (AEF). It includes a reference to Elsie Janis regarding how she helped to launch the organization. This article indicates, among much other history, that the last meeting of the club held in person was at the "Old Stone House" east of Greensburg on the Lincoln Highway.