Thaddeus Drayton collection

Description data TOP

unitid

{"value"=>"21003", "type"=>"local_mss"}

{"value"=>"Sc MG 389", "type"=>"local_call"}

{"value"=>"b16329203", "type"=>"local_b"}

unitdate

{"value"=>"1926-1960", "type"=>"inclusive", "normal"=>"1926/1960"}

unittitle

{"value"=>"Thaddeus Drayton collection"}

physdesc

{"format"=>"structured", "physdesc_components"=>[{"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"1 folder", "unit"=>"containers"}, {"name"=>"extent", "value"=>"0.01 linear feet", "unit"=>"linear_feet"}]}

repository

{"value"=>"<span class=\"corpname\">Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division</span>"}

abstract

{"value"=>"Thaddeus Drayton (1893-1964) together with Rufus Greenlee (1893-1963), pioneered the \"class act\" tap style, which combined grace and elegance with precision soft-shoe tap dancing. Known as \"Drayton and Greenlee,\" they wore top hats and tails, adding monocles and canes to their costume. They were among the few African Americans to play at the Palace Theater in New York on the vaudeville circuit during World War I. Their act broke up in 1930; Drayton then formed a dance act with Lucille Smith in the 1940s known as \"Teddy Drayton and Lucille.\". The Thaddeus Drayton collection documents portions of his career as a member of the tap dance team of Drayton and Greenlee (Rufus). Included are letters from W.C. Handy concerning a tribute honoring him and with song lyrics on the reverse (1950-1951), letters from composer/conductor Eva Jessye (1960), and letters from Germany and Russia in 1926. Programs from the Veteran's Camp in Mt. McGregor where Drayton performed in 1950, and from the Negro Actors Guild, mention his name. Of special interest is manuscript music from the Teddy Drayton and Lucille act. There are also song lyrics printed in Italian."}

langmaterial

{"value"=>"English"}

origination

{"value"=>"Drayton, Thaddeus", "type"=>"persname"}

bioghist

{"value"=>"<p>Thaddeus Drayton (1893-1964) together with Rufus Greenlee (1893-1963), pioneered the \"class act\" tap style, which combined grace and elegance with precision soft-shoe tap dancing. Known as \"Drayton and Greenlee,\" they wore top hats and tails, adding monocles and canes to their costume. They were among the few African Americans to play at the Palace Theater in New York on the vaudeville circuit during World War I. Their act broke up in 1930; Drayton then formed a dance act with Lucille Smith in the 1940s known as \"Teddy Drayton and Lucille.\".</p>"}

scopecontent

{"value"=>"<p>The Thaddeus Drayton collection documents portions of his career as a member of the tap dance team of Drayton and Greenlee (Rufus). Included are letters from W.C. Handy concerning a tribute honoring him and with song lyrics on the reverse (1950-1951), letters from composer/conductor Eva Jessye (1960), and letters from Germany and Russia in 1926. Programs from the Veteran's Camp in Mt. McGregor where Drayton performed in 1950, and from the Negro Actors Guild, mention his name. Of special interest is manuscript music from the Teddy Drayton and Lucille act. There are also song lyrics printed in Italian.</p>"}

acqinfo

{"value"=>"<p>Gift, Drayton, Ethel, December 1987</p>"}

separatedmaterial

{"value"=>"<p>Photographs transferred to Photographs and Prints division.</p>"}

sponsor

{"value"=>"Home to Harlem Project funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation"}

revisiondesc

{"value"=>"This finding aid was updated by Allison Hughes.", "date"=>"2022 September 23"}

date_start

1926

keydate

1926

date_end

1960

date_inclusive_start

1926

date_inclusive_end

1960

extent_statement

0.01 linear feet (1 folder)

prefercite

{"value"=>"[Item], Thaddeus Drayton collection, Sc MG 389, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Manuscripts, Archives and Rare Books Division, The New York Public Library"}

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