Research Catalog

Details

Additional authors

1. Miles, Bertrand, 1928-2005.
2. Seymour, Maurice.
3. Elcha, Eddie.
4. Allen, James A.
5. Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964.
6. Georges, S.
7. Bloom (Chicago, Ill.)

Found in

1. p1bc Washington, Fredi, 1903- Fredi Washington papers, 1922-1981 (CstRLIN)NYPW89-A224

Description

1. 255 items (.6 lin. ft., 2 boxes); 26 x 21 cm. and smaller.

Summary

1. The Fredi Washington Photograph Collection depicts some aspects of her personal life and her career as a dancer, actress and activist, from the late 1910s to the 1950s.

Subject

1. Washington, Fredi, 1903-1994
2. Norton and Margot (Dance team)
3. Washington, Fredi, 1903-1994 > Performances > 1920-1949
4. Group portraits > 1920-1959
5. Theatrical productions > 1920-1949
6. African American musicians
7. Powell, Isabel Washington, 1908-
8. African American actresses
9. Welch, Elisabeth
10. Beavers, Louise, 1902-1962
11. Maynor, Dorothy
12. Whipper, Leigh R (Leigh Rollin), 1877-1975
13. Gelatin silver prints > 1910-1959
14. Henderson, Fletcher, 1879-1952
15. African American dancers
16. Thomas, Edna
17. Snapshots > 1920-1949
18. Madeline Trio
19. Publicity photographs > 1920-1949
20. Photographic postcards > 1920-1949
21. Moiret, Al
22. Nicholas Brothers
23. African American actors
24. Ellington, Duke, 1899-1974
25. African American motion picture actors and actresses
26. Moreland, Mantan
27. Negro Actors Guild of America
28. African American entertainers
29. Powell, Adam Clayton, Jr., 1908-1972
30. Pencil works > 1920-1929
31. Halftone photomechanical prints
32. Hines, Earl, 1903-1983
33. African Americans in the performing arts
34. Portrait photographs > 1910-1959
35. Bell, Anthony H
36. Hampton, Lionel
37. March, Fredric, 1897-1975
38. Trevor, Claire, 1910-2000
39. Film stills > 1930-1939
40. Delany, Hubert T
41. Lee, Canada
42. Brown, Lawrence, 1907-1988
43. Bryant, Willie

Genre/Form

1. Portrait photographs – 1910-1959.
2. Group portraits – 1920-1959.
3. Snapshots – 1920-1949.
4. Photographic postcards – 1920-1949.
5. Film stills – 1930-1939.
6. Publicity photographs – 1920-1949.
7. Gelatin silver prints – 1910-1959.
8. Halftone photomechanical prints.
9. Pencil works – 1920-1929.

Call number

1. Sc Photo Fredi Washington Collection

Note

1. Title devised by cataloger.
2. Many photographs have photographer's or photographic studio's handstamp on verso; some items have photographer's or photographic studio's name either blind stamped, printed, or inscribed on recto; a small group of items bear photographer's proof handstamp on recto.
3. Many photographs have handwritten notations on verso; many items bear inscriptions on recto; some items bear handwritten captions on recto; some items are duplicates.
4. Collection contains work by Carl Van Vechten, James L. Allen, Maurice Seymour, Bloom, Bertrand Miles and Eddie Elcha, among others.

Terms of use (note)

1. Some items are restricted; permission of the photographer or copyright holder is required for duplication.

Biography (note)

1. Fredericka Carolyn Washington, dancer, actress and civil rights activist, was born in Savannah, Georgia, in 1903.

Linking entry (note)

1. Forms part of the Fredi Washington Papers, 1922-1981.

Author

1. Washington, Fredi, 1903-1994.

Title

1. Fredi Washington photograph collection [graphic].

Imprint

1. 1919-1953.

Terms of use

1. Some items are restricted; permission of the photographer or copyright holder is required for duplication.

Biography

1. Fredericka Carolyn Washington, dancer, actress and civil rights activist, was born in Savannah, Georgia, in 1903. After moving to New York, she began her acting and dance career, at age 16, as a cabaret performer and would establish her reputation as an actress and dancer in numerous plays and films, most notably the film "Imitation of Life" (1934). In the movie, her convincing performance as a young black woman passing for white led many African-Americans to accuse her of trying to pass in real life, while the film industry began to typecast her for tragic mulatto roles.
2. Resenting the stereotyping that may have shortened her acting career, Washington became politically active in the late 1930s, which included helping to found the Negro Actors Guild (1937) to eliminate stereotyping and open acting opportunities for African-American actors. From the mid-1940s to the early 1950s she returned to the stage and worked in radio and television. Washington was married twice: in 1933 to trombonist Lawrence Brown, and in 1952 to dentist Anthony H. Bell. Washington, who was also the sister of actress Isabel Washington, the first wife of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., died in Stamford, Conn., in 1994.

Linking entry

1. Forms part of the Fredi Washington Papers, 1922-1981.

Local note

1. Sc MG 184

Connect to:

1. NYPL Digital Collections
2. Request Appointment

Added author

1. Miles, Bertrand, 1928-2005. Photographer
2. Seymour, Maurice. Photographer
3. Elcha, Eddie. Photographer
4. Allen, James A. Photographer
5. Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964. Photographer
6. Georges, S. Photographer
7. Bloom (Chicago, Ill.)

Found in:

1. p1bc Washington, Fredi, 1903- Fredi Washington papers, 1922-1981 (CstRLIN)NYPW89-A224

Research call number

1. Sc Photo Fredi Washington Collection