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Creator
Young, Charles L.
Call number
*T-Mss 1985-010
Physical description
4 linear feet (1 box, 5 volumes)
Preferred Citation

Charles L. Young scrapbooks, *T-Mss 1985-010. Billy Rose Theatre Division, The New York Public Library.

Repository
Billy Rose Theatre Division
Access to materials
Request an in-person research appointment.

Charles L. Young was a manager and entrepreneur. The Charles L. Young scrapbooks date from 1892 to 1918 and consist of scrapbooks and a publication that document Young's work managing performing artists and aviators, theater companies, concert tours, and an aviation company.

Biographical/historical information

Charles L. Young was a manager and entrepreneur who oversaw the careers of performing artists and aviators, ran theatrical and aviation companies, directed concert tours, and published a musical and amusement directory. In the late 1890s, Young managed: the Columbia Opera Company in New York City; various concert tours; and individual performing artists such as Mabel Eaton, Thuel Burnham, Emma Nevada and Aileen Brower. In 1901, he published The Charles L. Young Musical Club and Amusement Directory, a comprehensive guide outlined by region. In 1907, Young ran a musical comedy company that presented productions such as The Pride of New York and The Girl from Frisco. In the early 1910s, Young managed pioneer aviators such as Charles Walsh, Arthur Smith, and Robert Fowler. He also ran the Young Aeroplane Company in Kansas City, Missouri, and Young's High Flyers, a group of stunt-flying entertainers who exhibited at various fairs.

Scope and arrangement

The Charles L. Young scrapbooks date from 1892 to 1918 and consist of scrapbooks and a publication that document Young's work managing performing artists and aviators, theater companies, concert tours, and an aviation company.

The bulk of the collection is scrapbooks of clippings related to Young's musical comedy company productions and the performing artists he managed. The productions and performing artists most discussed are: The Pride of New York, The Girl from Frisco, Mabel Eaton, Emma Nevada, and Aileen Bower.

One of the scrapbooks contains photographs and postcards of aviators and action shots of their flights. Pioneer aviators such as Charles Walsh, Art Smith, and Robert Fowler are well documented in this collection. There are some clippings, correspondence, and testimonies related to the Young Aeroplane Company and the Young's High Flyers exhibitions at various fairs.

There is a copy of Young's The Charles L. Young Musical Club and Amusement Directory (1901). The directory is a comprehensive resource to music and amusement organized by region. Each region contains population estimates, local amenities, and a list of musical theaters with manager names if known.

Arrangement

The volumes are arranged chronologically.

Administrative information

Source of acquisition

Donated by V.D. Smith, 1985.

Processing information

Compiled by Joyce Joseph, 2014

Using the collection

Location

Billy Rose Theatre Division
New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center
40 Lincoln Center Plaza, New York, NY 10023-7498
Third Floor

Conditions Governing Use

The author/creator retains copyright of materials. For information on obtaining permission to publish, contact the Theatre Division at theatre@nypl.org.