Josephine Baker collection, 1925-1975

Summary Information

At a Glance

Arrangement

• Series I: Photographs
• Series II: Advertising
• Series III: Programs
• Series IV: Sheet Music
• Series V: Press Clippings
• Series VI: Reference
• Series VII: Magazines
• Series VIII: Dolls
• Series IX: Posters
• Series X: Audio Visual
• Series XI: Realia

Description

Content Description

The collection documents Baker's career from her arrival in Paris in 1925 as a show girl in the Revue Negre; her selection to star in a revised version of the Revue and resultant success; her stardom as a headliner at the Folies-Bergere and other Paris venues and as a recording artist and cinema star; her unsuccessful attempt to re-insert herself into the racist American market in 1936; her service during World War II; her post-war attempts to create a "Rainbow Tribe" of adopted children; and her death in 1975.

It contains photographs, contemporary magazines, postcards, theater programs, sheet music, advertising materials, and books along with a small selection of phonograph records, tableware from her château, Les Milandes, and a jug made by Gus Bakker for her as part of an income producing venture.

As noted by Blackwell's staff: "The collection corrects many misconceptions about Baker's career, in particular the circumstances surrounding the Revue Negre which launched her stardom. it also documents the prevailing racist atmosphere of the time, of which Baker became a victim. Of special interest are such items as Felicien Champsaur's 1929 novel "Nora, Le Guenon Devenue Femme (Nora, The Monkey That Became a Woman)" which implies Baker was born a primate but acquired human characteristics from transplanted organs."

• Series I: Photographs

• Series II: Advertising

• Series III: Programs

• Series IV: Sheet Music

• Series V: Press Clippings

• Series VI: Reference

• Series VII: Magazines

• Series VIII: Dolls

• Series IX: Posters

• Series X: Audio Visual

• Series XI: Realia

Using the Collection

Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Conditions Governing Access

You will need to make an appointment in advance to use this collection material in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room. You can schedule an appointment once you've submitted your request through your Special Collections Research Account.

This collection is located on-site.

Conditions Governing Use

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred Citation

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); Josephine Baker collection; Box and Folder; Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Accruals

Materials may have been added to the collection since this finding aid was prepared. Contact rbml@columbia.edu for more information.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchase, 2019.

About the Finding Aid / Processing Information

Columbia University Libraries, Rare Book and Manuscript Library

Processing Information

Processed by Jennifer B. Lee in 2021

Separated Materials

The collection came with 34 volumes of printed books that will be cataloged individually with the note "Josephine Baker Collection (Columbia University Libraries)".

Subject Headings

The subject headings listed below are found in this collection. Links below allow searches at Columbia University through the Archival Collections Portal and through CLIO, the catalog for Columbia University Libraries, as well as ArchiveGRID, a catalog that allows users to search the holdings of multiple research libraries and archives.

All links open new windows.

Subject