| Dates: | 1928-1939, undated |
| Size: | 1.25 linear feet |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature, 9525 S. Halsted Street, Chicago, Illinois 60628 |
|
Collection Number: |
2004/07 |
| Provenance: | Donated by Frances Brown in September 2004 |
| Access: | No restrictions |
| Citation: | When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Al Browne Papers, [Box #, Folder #], Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature |
| Processed by: | Elizabeth Loch, Archival Specialist, July 2021 |
Biographical Note
Allan Browne was born September 18, 1903. He lived in Shelbyville, Tennessee before moving to Chicago in 1939. He lived at 4715 S. Michigan Avenue in a kitchenette apartment. In 1929 he joined the Al G. Barnes Side Show Band as a traveling trombone performer for the Al G. Barnes-Sells-Flotto and John Robinson Combined Circus. He went on to work for the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus and the Cole Brothers Circus. After retiring from the circus, Browne returned to Chicago to work as a mechanic. He died on December 21, 1986.
Scope and Content
This collection consists of two scrapbooks (and the loose materials found in the scrapbooks) compiled by Al Browne to document his career as a circus musician. The scrapbooks contain official route cards, business cards, photographs, postcards, payroll receipts, artist contracts and programs.
Arrangement
This collection is organized into two series; Series 1: Scrapbooks, 1928-1939, undated, and Series 2: Loose Materials, 1930-1939, undated. Each series is organized by item title. Al Browne titled the scrapbooks himself.
Related Materials
Related materials at other institutions:
- John Heney Papers, United States Marine Band Library and Archives, Washington D.C.
- Circus, Minstrel and Traveling Show Collection, University of Southern Mississippi, McCain Library and Archives
Container List
Series 1: Scrapbooks, 1928-1939, undated
| Box 1 | Folder 1 | Al Browne Circus Book From 1929 On Up with Another Book of His Life’s Best Friends, Goodbye, Farewell, Good Loves You All, 1928-1939, undated |
| Box 1 | Folder 2 | Al Browne’s Last Circus Book of the Last Best Friends He Ever or Ever Will Have, Farewell and Old Ange Zion, God Loves You All, 1928-1939, undated |
Series 2: Loose Materials, 1930-1939, undated
| Box 2 | Folder 1 | Business card, Mauryce’s Merry Makers [Nashville dance orchestra], undated |
| Box 2 | Folder 2 | Business card, The Rhythm Buddies’ Orchestra, undated |
| Box 2 | Folder 3 | Photograph, Bennie Allen, undated. Photo by Stigan [?] |
| Box 2 | Folder 4 | Photograph, Billie Davis [?], Hagenbeck Wallace Circus, 1934 |
| Box 2 | Folder 5 | Photograph, Gloria McLeod, Hagenbeck Wallace Circus, undated. Photo by Wolpe. |
| Box 2 | Folder 6 | Photograph, Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus Side Show Band, 1934 |
| Box 2 | Folder 7 | Photograph, Masie Kitchden [?], Hagenbeck Wallace Circus, 1934 |
| Box 2 | Folder 8 | Photographs, four photographs of Browne’s time in the John Robinson’s Circus, 1930 |
| Box 2 | Folder 9 | Photograph, two women, 1935 |
| Box 2 | Folder 10 | Sideshow artist’s contract and release between H. Allan Browne and Cole Brothers Circus, Inc., 1939 February 9 |
