Research Catalog

Title

John W. Cooper photograph collection [graphic].

Author

Cooper, John W. (John Walcott), 1873-1966.

Publication

[190-]-1999.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Van Der Zee, James, 1886-1983.
• Apeda Studio (New York, N.Y.)
• Bell Studio (New York, N.Y.)
• King Photographers (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
• Thomas (Shamokin, Ashland, Tamaqua, Pa.)

Description

• 203 items (.83 cu. ft., 3 boxes); 28 x 50 cm. and smaller.
• 2 photographic prints : gelatin silver, b&w ;
• 105 photographic prints : gelatin silver, b&w, one hand-col. ;
• 47 photographic prints : gelatin silver, b&w ;
• 14 photographic prints : col. ;
• 9 photographic postcards : silver gelatin, b&w ;
• 4 polaroid prints : b&w
• 6 photomechanical prints : halftone, b&w ;
• 15 negatives : b&w, one col. ;
• 1 photocopy col. ;

Summary

The collection (ca. 1900-1999) consists of individual portraits of African-American ventriloquist John W. Cooper (ca. 1900-1950s), many of them studio portraits used for publicity purposes; portraits of Cooper with his ventriloquist dummies (ca. 1907-1940s); and several portraits of Cooper's professional colleagues in entertainment.

Subjects

• Cooper, John W (John Walcott), 1873-1966
• Portrait photographs > 1900-1999
• Maynard, Joan
• Entertainers > United States
• Panoramic photographs > 1930-1939
• Dye coupler prints > 1980-1999
• Ventriloquists > United States
• Publicity photographs > 1900-1999
• Gelatin silver prints > 1900-1999
• African American entertainers
• Mannequins (Figures)
• Photographic postcards
• Negatives > 1950-1999
• Group portraits > 1900-1999
• Fax, Elton C
• Inscriptions > 1930-1999
• Instant camera photographs
• Photomechanical prints

Genre/Form

• Portrait photographs – 1900-1999.
• Group portraits – 1900-1999.
• Publicity photographs – 1900-1999.
• Inscriptions – 1930-1999.
• Gelatin silver prints – 1900-1999.
• Dye coupler prints – 1980-1999.
• Instant camera photographs.
• Photographic postcards.
• Photomechanical prints.
• Panoramic photographs – 1930-1939.
• Negatives – 1950-1999.

Note

• Title devised by cataloger.
• Some photographs bear photographer's or photography studio's handstamp on verso; some items bear photographer's or photography studio's name printed on recto. Some items bear handwritten notations on verso; some items bear captions either printed on recto or attached to recto. Some items bear inscriptions. Some items are mounted; some items are attached to album pages. Some items are duplicates.
• Collection contains work by Apeda Studio, Bell Studio, King Photographers and Thomas, among others.

Terms of Use (note)

• Some items are restricted; permission of the copyright holder is required for duplication.

Biography (note)

• John Walcott Cooper (1873-1966), a Brooklyn, New York-born African American ventriloquist, began his career as an entertainer as part of a vocal group in the late 1880s.

Linking Entry (note)

• Forms part of the John W. Cooper Papers.

Call Number

Sc Photo John W. Cooper Collection

OCLC

NYPG05-F10165

Author

Cooper, John W. (John Walcott), 1873-1966.

Title

John W. Cooper photograph collection [graphic].

Imprint

[190-]-1999.

Terms Of Use

Some items are restricted; permission of the copyright holder is required for duplication.

Biography

John Walcott Cooper (1873-1966), a Brooklyn, New York-born African American ventriloquist, began his career as an entertainer as part of a vocal group in the late 1880s. In the mid-1890s, he began practicing his ventriloquist act and debuted with the Richards and Pringles Minstrels in 1900. From the 1900s to the late 1920s, Cooper performed in vaudeville houses, lodge halls and private clubs. With vaudeville declining in the 1930s, Cooper, with his ventriloquist dummy Sam, became part of the weekly radio show "The Major Bowes Original Amateur Hour." He toured with the USO camp shows around the United States during World War II, and later performed in New York City nightclubs during the 1940s and 1950s. Well regarded by his fellow ventriloquists, Cooper retired in 1960 upon the death of his second wife, Juliana. He died in Brooklyn in 1966.

Linking Entry

Forms part of the John W. Cooper Papers.

Local Note

Sc MG 743

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Added Author

Van Der Zee, James, 1886-1983. Photographer

Apeda Studio (New York, N.Y.)

Bell Studio (New York, N.Y.)

King Photographers (Brooklyn, N.Y.)

Thomas (Shamokin, Ashland, Tamaqua, Pa.)

Research Call Number

Sc Photo John W. Cooper Collection