Scrapbooks and photographs, 1930s-2005
Scope and Contents
This series mainly comprises photographic prints and ephemera documenting Lewis’s professional and family life including portraits and publicity stills; photography from performances, award ceremonies, and other events; and family candids. The scrapbooks additionally include publicity headshots signed by their subjects, correspondence, fliers, and programs. Among the scrapbooks is a compilation of materials prepared for WGBH’s “Basic Black” show, produced after Lewis’s death.
Photographs are also present in other series in the collection, including the correspondence and biographical material series.
Dates
- Creation: 1930s-2005
Creator
- From the Collection: Lewis, Sabby (1914-1994) (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research by appointment, with the exception of one scrapbook in Series 3 due to fragility. Advance notice is required for access because materials are stored offsite.
Audiovisual recordings have not been transferred. Patrons may view an item’s original container and/or carrier, but the recordings themselves are not available for playback due to preservation concerns. Patrons may request access to viewing/listening copies via onsite appointment, however recordings on obsolete formats may not be available. Contact Archives staff for further information.
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Arrangement
Organized chronologically.
Processing Information
Three complete issues of the Missippi Rag periodical were removed from storage among the Sabby Lewis Orchestra scrapbook (Box 1) due to preservation concerns alongside other scrapbook material, copyright concerns in reproducing in full for the digitized edition, and their condition not requiring restrictions due to fragility. These issues were filed intellectually under Series 4 Printed Materials and housed separately in Box 2.
Repository Details
Part of the Berklee Archives Repository