The American Burlesque Collection

Dear Constant Reader,

I’ve been a little quiet lately. It’s because I’ve been working on…

ABC Logo - white bg

…a burlesque museum in Salem, MA!

I know this seems like a terrible time to open a museum, but Scratch had an opportunity and grabbed it. The museum is planning some virtual events as well allowing a small number of people to view the collection each day.

And the collection is worth viewing. Of course, there are costumes. They’re the very first thing you see. I was helping to dress some mannequins and dreaming of a time when the museum can afford to have Schaeffer Arts make custom mannequins. That’s a costume that belonged to Raven Roland on the left, and one made by Hedy Jo Star on the right. And there’s even more…

Not only can you see a poster adverting Lynne O’Neill, The Original Garter Girl’s garters, but also one of her actual hand-made garters. There are one-sheets from movies like Gypsy and Teaserama. The museum has 48 of the 50 individual photos that Lili St. Cyr would sell, as well as a letter that accompanied an order to a fan. There’s a lot more, but I don’t want to spoil it.

Here’s one last tease, the exhibit on burlesque comedians, in progress:

You can follow the American Burlesque Collection on Instagram or Facebook for more tidbits!

The museum opens Labor Day weekend! So soon! Must get back to work!

M2

These writings and other creative projects are supported by my Patrons. Thank you so much! To become a Patron, go to my Patreon page. Or you can just tip me if you liked this.

Published in: on 26 August 2020 at 11:58 am  Leave a Comment  
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Quick Note

Dear Constant Reader,

Costume-Con was a ton of fun and I will tell you all about it as soon as I get a moment or two.

Last night was the B.A.B.E. Spring Student Recital which I will also tell you all about, as soon as I get a moment or two.

Right now The Boston Babydolls getting ready to launch (no pun intended…) Harborlesque, a weekly burlesque show on The Music City Queen.

Soon, my lovelies, I will tell you all about my latest adventures.

M2

Published in: on 20 May 2015 at 9:47 am  Leave a Comment  

Happy Birthday, Gypsy

Dear Constant Reader,

My apologies, this goes out a day late, but your faithful correspondent was at the dentist yesterday and her entire schedule went keflewie (that’s a technical term) as a result.

A very happy 102* to the greatest Lady of Burlesque, Gypsy Rose Lee!

For your pleasure, here’s a little picture of Gypsy:
gypsy inside
This is the program from her 1949 tour, from The Boston Babydoll Collection. And here’s a photo of her autographing one of those very same programs!
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And just for fun, here’s Devora Darling, all dressed up for her Gypsy tribute act, “A Stripteaser’s Education” during the Madame Burlesque tour and the photo that inspired the costume.**

devora as gypsy grlsmaller

For more Gypsy goodness, you could read her famous memoir, Gypsy: Memoirs of America’s Most Celebrated Stripper, her novels, The G-String Murders and Mother Finds a Body, or listen to her on the albums Gypsy Rose Lee Remembers Burlesque and That’s Me All Over. Not to mention all the movies inspired by her writings: Gypsy, Lady of Burlesque, and Doll Face.

There’s also her son’s memoir Gypsy and Me: At Home and on the Road With Gypsy Rose Lee (also called My G-String Mother: At Home and Backstage with Gypsy Rose Lee).

And then there is a plethora of other books about her: American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose, Stripping Gypsy: The Life of Gypsy Rose Lee, Gypsy: The Art of the Tease, and Lady of Burlesque: The Career of Gypsy Rose Lee.

Not bad for someone who described herself as “no talent”!

M2

*Probably. Her mother had a fluid relationship with the truth and thought nothing of forging birth certificates to raise or lower her daughters’ ages when the situation arose.

**That’s not actually Gypsy; it’s Burgundy Brixx as Gypsy. Our costumer didn’t look too closely…

Published in: on 10 January 2013 at 1:00 pm  Leave a Comment  
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From the Archives

Dear Constant Reader,

First, I’d like to thank anyone who came out to see A (Re)Movable Feast this weekend. It was a great kick-off for our summer tour! Next we’ll be in Saratoga Springs, NY to celebrate the birthday of The First Lady of Burlesque, April March.

Second, thank you to everyone who has pledged to our Kickstarter campaign! We are less than $100 from giving every backer a *second* extra gift — and we have 13 days to go!

Finally, today’s treat.

Here is a page from the June 1943 issue of Mechanix Illustrated with an article entitled “The Mechanix of Gypsy Rose Lee”, about the sets used in her show “Star and Garter”. It’s a serious article about backstage mechanics — scenery and scene changes. Most of the illustrations are similarly serious: a diagram of a “jackknife” scene change or a photograph of a banks of lights. But they manage to sneak in the cheesecake, as you can see from the publicity photo of Gypsy. My favorite is a photo of backstage with the caption “Keep your eyes on the maze of ropes in this picture. They control the sets and drops for Star and Garter. Note the girls among ropes.” As though anyone would miss the showgirls parading toward the stage.

Other articles in the magazine include “War Wonders Of Radio”, “What Your Post-War Pleasure Boat Will Look Like”, “Modern Cigarette Boxes” (with diagrams and instructions), and “Ideas for the Victory Gardener”.

Published in: on 11 June 2012 at 11:06 am  Leave a Comment  
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From the archives

Dear Constant Reader,

Here’s another item from our collection of burlesque memorabilia.

rand frontrand back

She’s a little beat up from her adventures over the years, but Sally Rand is still lovely, and no doubt was delighted, as promised, to autograph her picture.

Published in: on 8 May 2012 at 10:26 am  Leave a Comment  
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A New Acquisition

Dear Constant Reader,

I have a small collection of burlesque memorabilia, mostly ephemera (programs, postcards, matchbooks, &c.) and photographs. A new item arrived today and I thought I’d share.

It’s the program for Gypsy Rose Lee’s 1949 carnival tour!

gypsy cover
Let’s lift the lace and see the rest of her…

gypsy inside
What a tease!

Published in: on 1 April 2012 at 9:54 am  Leave a Comment  
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