Elder Michaux with Gene Autry and Eleanor Roosevelt : acetate film photonegative

Object Details

Photographer: Scurlock, Addison N., 1883-1964
Creator: Agfa (Firm)
Names: Melody Ranch (radio program); Autry, Gene, 1907-1998; Michaux, Lightfoot; Roosevelt, Eleanor, 1884-1962
Subseries Creator: Scurlock Studio (Washington, D.C.); Scurlock, Robert S. (Saunders), 1917-1994; Custom Craft; Scurlock, Addison N., 1883-1964; Scurlock, George H. (Hardison), 1919-2005

See more items in: Scurlock Studio Records, Subseries 4.1: Black-and-White Silver Gelatin Negatives; Scurlock Studio Records, Subseries 4.1: Black-and-White Silver Gelatin Negatives / 4.1: Black-and-White Silver Gelatin negatives

Sponsor: The collection was acquired with assistance from the Eugene Meyer Foundation. Elihu and Susan Rose and the Save America's Treasures program, provided funds to stabilize, organize, store, and create digital surrogates of some of the negatives. Processing and encoding funded by a grant from the Council on Library and Information Resources.

Subseries Citation: Scurlock Studio Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History. Smithsonian Institution

Subseries Rights: When the Museum purchased the collection from the Estate of Robert S. Scurlock, it obtained all rights, including copyright. The earliest photographs in the collection are in the public domain because their term of copyright has expired. The Archives Center will control copyright and the use of the collection for reproduction purposes, which will be handled in accordance with its standard reproduction policy guidelines. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Genre/Form: Photographs -- 1940-1950 -- Black-and-white negatives -- Acetate film

Scope and Contents: Autry and Michaux stand at microphones, apparently reading program script, with Michaux's robed choir behind them, while Eleanor Roosevelt sits nearby; members of band in foreground. According to Chris Smith, co-author of the revision of "Blues and Gospel Recordings, 1890-1943," the event is the Melody Ranch Radio Program of January 28,1940, summarizing the program as follows: "Melody Ranch Radio Program - Gene Autry from Washington, DC - Songs and Melody of America. Thank you from ER to Gene and other artists for the campaign to stamp out Infantile Paralysis. Discusses Fort Meyer Horse Show, President's birthday balls on 30th, ER's favorite horse-Dot retired to country, usually rode Tiffany in Washington, mentions son John's horse Palomine. Elder Michaux, Pastor, Church of God, Washington D.C. and his Choir sing Negro Spirituals. From the hills of the Great South West, singer Pappy Chesshire. From New England the "Ambassador of Good Will", singer Billy B. Van. From Washington D.C. the Barber Shop Quartette, Washington Chapter #9 of the Society of the Preservation of the Barber Shop Quartet. From Chicago, Orin Tucker, band leader, and singer Virginia Verel. Washington DC." Also identified by Jay Bruder, 18 May 2016. Negative uncaptioned. Agfa Safety Film edge imprint.

Subseries Restrictions: Collection is open for research. Gloves must be worn when handling unprotected photographs and negatives. Special arrangements required to view negatives due to cold storage. Using negatives requires a three hour waiting period. Contact the Archives Center at 202-633-3270.