Document: dbr059   [view transcript]

Letter: Columbus, Georgia to Macon, Georgia, 1928 Mar. 19


author: Collier, Charles
extent: [1] p.
date: March 19, 1928
summary: Letter from Charles Collier, owner of the traveling tent show The Original Silas Green from New Orleans, based in Macon, Georgia, to the manager of the Douglass Theatre, probably Ben Stein, owner and manager of the Douglass Theatre from 1927 to 1929, dated March 19, 1928, regarding plans for a show at the Douglass Theatre. Collier recalls that according to a verbal agreement, he will play the Douglass Theatre on March 31. He affirms that the manager can begin to advertise for that date and lists prices for seating. Collier describes his troupe as fifty-four people with a sixteen-piece band and sixteen girls. He advises that their agent will visit in order to find out the best part of town in which to post promotional bills. Collier asks that the manager have some location slips prepared for the promotional bills that read "Douglass Theatre." He stresses that proper billing should enable them to fill the house. The show, Silas Green from New Orleans, toured the South continuously from 1904 to the early 1940s. Salem Tutt Whitney wrote the original show and gave it to African American showman Eph Williams. Collier purchased a half interest in the show, and upon Williams' death, his heirs sold the remaining portion to Collier.
repository: Middle Georgia Archives
collection: Charles Henry Douglass business records
box: 21
folder: 206
item: 16

subjects:
Macon (Ga.)
Bibb County (Ga.)
Columbus (Ga.)
Muscogee County (Ga.)
Douglass Theatre (Macon, Ga.)
Stein, Ben
African Americans--Music
Musicians--Employment--Georgia--Macon
Entertainment events--Georgia--Macon
Revues--Georgia--Macon
Theaters--Georgia--Macon
Advertising--Georgia--Macon
Musicians--Employment--Georgia--Macon
Contracts for work and labor--Georgia--Macon
Negotiation--Georgia--Macon
Silas Green from New Orleans (Musical show)
Advertising fliers--Georgia--Macon Letters (correspondence)




Page: [1]   [view image] thumbnail


[Note: This document contains typewritten, handwritten, and printed text.]

[Note: The letterhead is framed by festive red and green decoration, including a clown face, and photographs of a man who is probably Charles Collier, the show's passenger railcar, and the lavish interior of the railcar, featuring its chandelier and water closet. Text colors are green and red]

[printed text:
CHAS. [CHARLES] COLLIER, OWNER.HENRIETTA COLLIER, SECRETARY.JOHNSON ROOKS, MANAGER.
 FINEST ALL STEEL SHOW CAR IN AMERICA
THE ORIGINAL
SILAS GREEN
~ FROM ~
~NEW ORLEANS~		Permanent
Address
MACON, GA. [GEORGIA]]]


[typewritten text: Columbus, Ga. [Georgia] Mar. [March] 19, 1928.
Mrg [Mgr]. [Manager] Douglas Theatre,
Macon, Ga. [Georgia]
Dear Sir --

According to our verbal agreement, I will play your house, Douglas Theatre on Saturday, Mar. [March] 31, 1928., therefore, you can began to advertise for that date, prices; 50¢ for balcany [balcony]. 75¢ for down stairs [downstairs]. We are carrying 54 people with a 16 peace [piece] band and 16. girls of the chocolate colored varity [variety].

Our agent will call on you one day this week in order to bill the town, please furnish him with an assistance to help and show him the best part of town to bill. Also, have some location slips ready, reading; "Douglas Theatre"

With proper billing, I feel, we should pack your house on that night, with best wishes for same, I am


Yours truly,]
[Signed] [written text: Chas. [Charles] Collier]