Scope and arrangement
The Edith Spencer Scrapbook, consists of a scrapbook and two folders, and documents Spencer's entertainment career. Although the majority of newspaper clippings do not have dates, those that do are dated 1932 and 1933. The newspaper clippings are comprised of feature articles containing biographical information on the entertainer as well as reviews of productions in which she appeared. In addition, there are advertisements and flyers for performances, a photograph of the trio Spencer formed with Lottie Gee and Allegretti Anderson and of Spencer's niece, as well as a page of autographs. There are photographs of Spencer in the Photographs and Prints Division.
The two folders may contain materials previously pasted in the scrapbook, including newspaper clippings, letters, telegrams, advertisements, and membership cards. Folder 1 dates from 1922 to 1974 and contains letters to Spencer's husband, Cecil P. Brooks from a female admirer while Edith and Cecil were stationed in Los Angeles and the Philippines as well as his Veteran of Foreign War membership cards. There are a couple of letters to Spencer's mother, letters from friends and admirers, and telegrams from her husband, Cecil. The second folder's contents date from 1927 to 1941 and contain printed materials, primarily newspaper clippings, articles, greeting cards, and advertisements and flyers for her performances. Articles on Spencer's brother, C. Spencer Tocus, who was the organizer and director of the All Saints Episcopal Choir in St. Louis, Missouri are also included in the folder. Tocus was a concert pianist and the musical director for Stowe College (Missouri?). Report cards and a diploma for William H. Parker are among the folder's contents, although there is no other documentation or identification of who he is in the scrapbook or folders.