| Dates: | 1893 |
| Size: | .5 linear feet in 1 box |
| Repository: | Chicago Public Library, Harold Washington Library Center, Special Collections, 400 S. State Street, Chicago, IL 60605 |
| Collection Number: | Spe.T00082 |
| Immediate Source of Acquisition: | Purchase, 1987 |
| Conditions governing use: | Please consult staff to determine ability to reuse materials from collection |
| Conditions governing access: | Materials are open without restrictions |
|
Preferred Citation: |
When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: J. Howell Russell Costume Drawings, [Accession #], Special Collections, Chicago Public Library |
| Processed by: | Sarah Zimmerman, March 2018. Updated and ingested into ArchivesSpace by Sarah Zimmerman, 2021. |
Abstract
Howell Russell was a British costume designer whose work was also seen on Chicago’s stages. The collection includes drawings for productions at the Chicago Opera House and the Alhambra in London.
Biographical/Historical
Howell Russell grew up in Workington, Cumberland, England. As a young man, he worked in an ironworks. An injury sent him to the south of France to rest and recuperate, and at that time he became interested in drawing. He attended art school at Clifton, near Bristol, England.
According in an 1896 interview, Russell worked as an illustrator at the Bristol Observer until he got his break in costume design, first at the Prince's Theater in Bristol, and then at the Alhambra music hall in London in 1880. He remained associated with the Alhambra for at least the next 16 years designing over 19 productions there including, Chicago, a ballet that was a celebration of the World's Columbian Exposition.
Russell created costume designs for several shows at various theaters in Chicago including, Ali Baba (1892), Sinbad (1893) and Aladdin, Jr. (1894) at the Chicago Opera House, and The Black Crook (1893) at McVicker’s.
Scope and Content
The collection includes sixteen watercolor costume paintings by designer J. Howell Russell. Each drawing depicts a woman dressed to represent a particular country for a Parade of Nations ballet in the productions Sinbad at the Chicago Opera House, and Chicago at the Alhambra music hall in London.
The drawings indicate they are for “Lady,” “Officer” or “Follower” positions in the ballets. Drawings for the Alhambra production are marked, and often signed by the artist.
Arrangement
The drawings are arranged by production, then alphabetically by nation.
Subject Headings
- Russell, Howell – Archives.
- Chicago Opera House (Chicago, Ill: Washington Ave. and Clark St.)
- Royal Alhambra Theatre (London, England)
- Costume Designs Drawings.
Collection Inventory
| Box 1 |
Item No. 87.3.7 |
Chicago at the Alhambra (London) -- Austria, Lady costume drawing, signed “Howell Russell ’93,” 1893 |
| Box 1 | Item No. 87.3.9 | Chicago at the Alhambra (London) -- Austria, Officer costume drawing, signed “Howell Russell ’93,” 1893 |
| Box 1 | Item No. 87.3.11 | Chicago at the Alhambra (London) -- [Germany], costume drawing, circa 1893 |
| Box 1 | Item No. 87.3.10 | Chicago at the Alhambra (London) -- Ireland, costume drawing, signed “H. Russell ’93,” 1893 |
| Box 1 | Item No. 87.3.8 | Chicago at the Alhambra (London) -- Russia, Lady costume drawing, signed “Howell Russell ’93,” 1893 |
| Box 1 | Item No. 87.3.16 | Chicago at the Alhambra (London) -- Turkey, Lady costume drawing, signed “Howell Russell ’93,” 1893 |
| Box 1 | Item No. 87.3.14 | Sinbad at the Chicago Opera House -- Africa, Officer costume drawing, [1893] |
| Box 1 | Item No. 87.3.15 | Sinbad at the Chicago Opera House -- Africa, Follower costume drawing, [1893] |
| Box 1 | Item No. 87.3.2 | Sinbad at the Chicago Opera House -- America, Follower costume drawing, [1893] |
| Box 1 | Item No. 87.3.4 | Sinbad at the Chicago Opera House -- Germany, Officer costume drawing, [1893] |
| Box 1 | Item No. 87.3.6 | Sinbad at the Chicago Opera House -- Germany, Follower costume drawing, [1893] |
| Box 1 | Item No. 87.3.5 | Sinbad at the Chicago Opera House -- India, Officer costume drawing, [1893] |
| Box 1 | Item No. 87.3.13 | Sinbad at the Chicago Opera House -- [India], costume drawing, [1893] |
| Box 1 | Item No. 87.3.1 | Sinbad at the Chicago Opera House -- Ireland, Officer costume drawing, [1893] |
| Box 1 | Item No. 87.3.3 | Sinbad at the Chicago Opera House -- Ireland, Follower costume drawing, [1893] |
| Box 1 | Item No. 87.3.12 | Sinbad at the Chicago Opera House -- Unidentified [Scotland?], [Follower] costume drawing, [1893] |
