Finding Aids to Archival Collections

This series primarily contains 8 x 10 inch, black-and-white publicity photographs of musicians, actors, dancers, comedians, ventriloquists, contortionists, and other novelty acts with whom the Prestons performed in the 1940s, largely on the Chitlin' Circuit. Many photographs are inscribed, and the dates below are those noted in the inscriptions. Locations in the inscriptions include Abe and Pappy's Clubs in Houston and Dallas; Club Three Sixes and Club Plantation in Detroit; the Apollo Theater, 400 Club, Cafe Zanzibar, and Ubangi Club in New York City; and Club DeLisa in Chicago. A few photographs include addresses and phone numbers on the reverse. Photographers are listed when known. Management company information is sometimes noted at the bottom of the photographs and includes Associated Booking Corporation (Joe Glaser), the William Morris Agency, Shaw Artists Corporation, the Gale Agency, Nat Nazarro Management, Rentie Booking Agency, General Artists Corporation, Jolly Joyce Agency, Louise Crane, Universal Attractions, Dick Richards, Phil Tyrrell Music and Entertainment, Consolidated Radio Artists, Harry Green, Ferguson Brothers Agency, Mike Falk Agency, and Barney Young. There is also a small photograph collage assembled by Armstrong as a gift to Lucille Preston.