Ethell Drake's party, July 11, 1957 cellulose acetate photonegative

Object Details

Photographer: Scurlock Studio (Washington, D.C.)
Creator: Eastman Kodak Company (film manufacturer)
Names: Drake, Ethell
Subseries Creator: Scurlock, Robert S. (Saunders), 1917-1994; Custom Craft; Scurlock, Addison N., 1883-1964; Scurlock, George H. (Hardison), 1919-2005; Scurlock Studio (Washington, D.C.)

Topic: Birthday parties; Birthday cakes; Party decorations; African American women

See more items in: Scurlock Studio Records, Subseries 4.6: Black and white negatives in cold storage arranged by client; Scurlock Studio Records, Subseries 4.6: Black and white negatives in cold storage arranged by client / 4.6.1: Black and White Negatives Part 1

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.

Extent: 1 Item (Silver gelatin on cellulose acetate film sheet., [4" x 5"].)

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 -- 1950-1960 -- Black-and-white negatives -- Acetate film

Scope and Contents: Subject/Sitter: party; Two women posing behind the bar at an unidentified venue. There is a mirror along the back of the bar which is decorated with text and pictures, including a birthday cake. Text reads, "The Hollywood 20 Club Celebrations [Happy] Birthday party in honor of Ethell Drake Thur. July 11th". A birthday cake and bottles with measuring pourers line the shelf behind the bar. 'Hollywood 20 Club' may be the name of the venue but this has not been confirmed. No ink on negative. "KODAK -- 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.