Scope and arrangement
The Mrs. Harry A. Lee scrapbooks, dated 1847 to 1918 (bulk dates 1887-1918) were created by Mrs. Lee as keepsakes of theatrical and popular entertainment. The scrapbooks hold broadsides, several letters, newspaper clippings, playbills, photographs and ticket stubs.
The scrapbooks feature ephemera from comic operas, drama, historical plays, minstrel shows, musicals and traveling circuses. The Lees travelled extensively to many cities across the United States including Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, New York City, New Orleans, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and San Francisco. Some ephemera from the mid-1880s indicates that the Lees may have lived abroad for several years in London. The last scrapbook in the collection focuses on entertainment produced at the Nixon's Apollo Theatre (volume 6). Since the scrapbooks date to 1918, it is possible that her husband or another individual completed the volumes.
Mrs. Lee usually arranged the pages with the playbill centered, surrounded by pictures of actors or a stage performance. Occasionally, a ticket stub was added. She would also annotate a playbill or photograph with additional information.
It should be noted that Mrs. Lee created her first scrapbook with a two-page spread of Edwin Booth, the elder brother of John Wilkes Booth.
The volumes retain the original call number.
Arrangement
The scrapbooks are arranged chronologically.