Research Catalog

Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee photograph collection.

Title: Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee photograph collection.
Author: Davis, Ossie
Publication: [between 1940 and 2010?]

Items in the Library & Off-site

Filter by

10 Items

Item details
Status	Vol/Date	Format	Access	Call Number	Item Location
Not available - Please for assistance.	Box 10	Still image	Use in library	Sc Photo Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Collection Box 10	Schomburg Center - Photographs & Prints
Not available - Please for assistance.	Box 9	Still image	Use in library	Sc Photo Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Collection Box 9	Schomburg Center - Photographs & Prints
Not available - Please for assistance.	Box 8	Still image	Use in library	Sc Photo Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Collection Box 8	Schomburg Center - Photographs & Prints
Not available - Please for assistance.	Box 7	Still image	Use in library	Sc Photo Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Collection Box 7	Schomburg Center - Photographs & Prints
Not available - Please for assistance.	Box 6	Still image	Use in library	Sc Photo Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Collection Box 6	Schomburg Center - Photographs & Prints
Not available - Please for assistance.	Box 5	Still image	Use in library	Sc Photo Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Collection Box 5	Schomburg Center - Photographs & Prints
Not available - Please for assistance.	Box 4	Still image	Use in library	Sc Photo Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Collection Box 4	Schomburg Center - Photographs & Prints
Not available - Please for assistance.	Box 3	Still image	Use in library	Sc Photo Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Collection Box 3	Schomburg Center - Photographs & Prints
Not available - Please for assistance.	Box 2	Still image	Use in library	Sc Photo Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Collection Box 2	Schomburg Center - Photographs & Prints
Not available - Please for assistance.	Box 1	Still image	Use in library	Sc Photo Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Collection Box 1	Schomburg Center - Photographs & Prints

Details

Additional Authors

Found In

p1pc Davis, Ossie Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee papers, 1932-2015 (OCoLC)1135064241

Description

2,059 items (5.38 cubic ft., 3 record cartons, 7 boxes); 36 x 28 cm and smaller.
39 photographic prints : gelatin silver, black and white ;
807 photographic prints : gelatin silver, black and white ;
180 photographic prints : gelatin silver, black and white ;
11 photographic prints : color ;
264 photographic prints : color ;
334 photographic prints : color ;
216 photographic prints : color ;
48 photographic prints : inkjet, color ;
9 photographic prints : inkjet, black and white ;
1 contact print : gelatin silver, black and white ;
44 instant camera prints : color, one black and white ;
103 slides : color ; 5 x 5 cm
2 photocopies : black and white ;
3 lobby cards : photomechanical, black and white, one color ;
3 postcards : photomechanical, black and white ;
1 film negative : gelatin silver, black and white ;

Summary

The collection depicts aspects of the public and professional activities, of African American performing artists, writers and activists Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee, from the 1940s to the 2010s. Depictions of Davis and Dee's personal lives are limited; personal and professional activities before the 1940s are not depicted.
The collection consists of individual and group portraits of Davis and Dee, some of which were used for publicity purposes; group portraits and candid shots of Davis and Dee with family members, friends and acquaintances; portraits and candid shots of friends and colleagues; stills, publicity photographs and candid shots from film, television and theatrical productions; and candid shots and views of Davis and Dee at political and civil rights events, publicity appearances, public gatherings, awards presentations, social events and gatherings, domestic settings, and travel.
The Portraits and publicity photographs series consists mainly of individual studio portraits of Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, many of which were probably used for publicity purposes, from the 1940s to the mid-2000s. Many studio portraits are head shots. Also included are group portraits of Davis and Dee; some portraits taken at events or at home; and some candid shots. Of note are a series of individual portraits of Dee and group portraits of Dee and Davis taken by Carl Van Vechten (1961-1962); individual and group portraits of Davis and Dee when they received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (2000); and a series of portraits of Dee taken by Chester Higgins, Jr. (2006).
The Production photographs series consists of production stills, publicity photographs and candid shots from the theatrical, motion picture and television work of Davis and Dee during the 1940s to the mid-2000s. The series consists of scenes from film and television programs and views of theatrical productions that were probably used for publicity purposes; views of film and television sets with actors and production crews; cast and crew press conferences; candid shots of cast parties and other gatherings; and views of theater marquees for opening or ongoing productions.
Of note are productions featuring either Davis, Dee or both, or directed by Davis, including the motion pictures "The Jackie Robinson Story" (1950), "The Tall Target" (1951), "St. Louis Blues" (1957), "The Scalphunters" (1967), "Uptight" (1968), Cotton Comes to Harlem" directed and co-written by Davis (1970), "Kongi's Harvest" directed by Davis (1970), "Buck and the Preacher" (1972), "Black Girl" directed by Davis (1972), "Do the Right Thing" (1989), "Cop and a Half" (1993) and "American Gangster" (2007); theatrical productions "A Long Way Home" (1948), "The Green Pastures" (1951), "The Taming of the Shrew" (1965) "The Zule & the Zayda" (1965), "The Birds" (1966), "The Wedding Band" (1966 and 1972, television production 1974), "Boesman and Lena" (1970), "I'm Not Rappaport" (1986-1988, film version 1996). "The Glass Menagerie" (1989), and "Saint Lucy's Eyes" (2001); and television productions "The Defenders" (series 1963-1965), "Roots: the Next Generation" (mini-series 1979), "Long Day's Journey into Night" (televised play 1982), Decoration Day (television movie 1990), "The Stand" (mini-series 1994) and "Having Our Say" (television movie 1999).
Also included are views of Davis and Dee's National Black Network radio program "The Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Story Hour" from 1977. Among the actors and performers who are featured in productions with Davis and Dee are Josh White, William Marshall, Nat King Cole, Lou Gossett, Jr., Godfrey Cambridge, Raymond St,. Jacques, Leslie Uggams, Brock Peters, James Earl Jones, Zakes Mokae, Sidney Portier, Harry Belafonte, James Garner, Bill Cobbs, Burt Reynolds and Dianne Carroll.
The Miscellaneous portraits and appearances series consists of individual and group portraits of Davis and Dee at various events, activities or at home, as well as their participation in public appearances, from the 1950s to the 2000s. Included are public readings, radio and television appearances, press gatherings, book signings, award presentations, and postage stamp release celebrations. Of note are views of Davis hosting the annual National Memorial Day Concerts in Washington, D.C. (1999-2004), and group portraits and views of Davis and Dee with concert participants and organizers (2000-2005).
The Civic activities and awards series consists of group portraits, candid shots and views from social, political and civic events that Davis and Dee participated in, as well as ceremonies honoring them, from the 1950s to 2000s, that include civil rights, anti-war and prison reform protests, labor activities, organizing drives for charities and health organizations, community activism, meetings and conferences, college commencements and founder's day celebrations, a memorial service, awards presentations and interviews. Of note are views from CORE meetings, the March on Washington and anti-war protests that Davis and Dee participated in during the 1960s; Davis and Dee receiving the National Medal of Arts award from President Bill Clinton at a White House ceremony (1995); and views of a HistoryMakers interview, conducted by Angela Davis, of Davis and Dee (2002). Among the individuals depicted with Davis and Dee are Angela Bassett, Dianne Carroll, David Dinkins, Fannie Lou Hamer, Dorothy Height, William Kuntsler, Colin Powell and Oprah Winfrey.
The Social activities series consists of individual and group portraits, candid shots and views of social gatherings and events attended by Davis and Dee from the 1960s to the 2000s, that include opening and closing night parties, backstage gatherings, receptions, galas, book parties, film screenings, award presentations, birthday celebrations, banquets, travel, and informal gatherings with friends. Of note are views from a trip to India (1989). Among those depicted with Davis and Dee are Maya Angelou, Harry Belafonte, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Bill Cosby, Duke Ellington, Alex Haley, Gordon Parks, Charles Nelson Riley and Sonia Sanchez.
The Personal photographs series consists of candid shots and views of Davis and Dee's home in New Rochelle, New York, and studio portraits, many inscribed, of the couple's friends and colleagues. Views of their home consist of the exterior and interior of the house, individual rooms, artwork, office space, book shelves, gardens and lawns, trees, and indoor floral arrangements. Also depicted are Davis and Dee, their assistants Sharon Arthur and Rahim Salahuddin, their housekeeper Mrs. Maner Adkins, and others including Deborah McGee and Harold Melvin. Studio photographs of friends, which is the largest component of this series, are individuals from the entertainment, music, literary and political fields. Of note are fellow cast members of the 1946 touring company of "Anna Lucasta." Also included are candid shots of political activists James and Grace Boggs, William and Louise Patterson, and Henry Winston, and actor William Marshall.

Subjects

Genre/Form

Portrait photographs – 1940-2019.
Group portraits – 1940-2019.
Snapshots.
Publicity photographs – 1940-2019.
Film stills – 1940-2009.
Television stills – 1950-2009.
Gelatin silver prints – 1940-2009.
Dye coupler prints – 1950-2009.
Inkjet prints – 1990-2009.
Dye diffusion transfer prints – 1970-1999.
Slides – 1970-1989.
Photograph albums.

Note

Title taken from the Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Papers.
Some photographs bear photographer's or photography studio's hand stamp on verso; some items bear photographer's or photography studio's name printed on recto; some items bear photographer's blind stamp; some items bear photographer's signature.
Some items bear handwritten captions on recto or verso; some items bear inscriptions. Some items bear printed captions on recto or verso. Some items that are attached to photograph albums bear accompanying handwritten captions.
Most items are arranged in photograph albums. Some images are only available as slides.
Collection contains work by Bert Andrews, Adger Cowans, Fred Fehl, Chester Higgins, Carl Van Vechten and Jack Vartoogian, among others.

Terms of Use (note)

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

Biography (note)

Ossie Davis (1917-2005) and Ruby Dee (1922-2014) were African American actors, directors, producers, writers, and activists who worked collaboratively and independently throughout their careers, spanning the mediums of film, theater, television, and radio. They also published poetry, articles, plays, children's books, and a joint memoir, and were committed to a life-long activism in support of civil rights and social justice.

Linking Entry (note)

Forms part of the Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Papers, 1932-2015.

Call Number

Sc Photo Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Collection

OCLC

1314389584
1314389584

Author

Davis, Ossie, collector.

Title

Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee photograph collection.

Production

[between 1940 and 2010?]

Type of Content

still image

Type of Medium

unmediated

projected

Type of Carrier

sheet

slide

Terms Of Use

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

Biography

Ossie Davis (1917-2005) and Ruby Dee (1922-2014) were African American actors, directors, producers, writers, and activists who worked collaboratively and independently throughout their careers, spanning the mediums of film, theater, television, and radio. They also published poetry, articles, plays, children's books, and a joint memoir, and were committed to a life-long activism in support of civil rights and social justice.

Linking Entry

Forms part of the Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Papers, 1932-2015.

Local Note

Sc MG 305

Added Author

Dee, Ruby, collector.

Adelman, Bob, photographer.

Allen, Vance, 1939-1997, photographer.

Andrews, Bert, photographer.

Braverman, Harvey, photographer.

Cowens, Adger, photographer.

Davidson, Bruce, 1933- , photographer.

Fehl, Fred, photographer.

Higgins, Chester, photographer.

Jeffry, Alix, photographer.

Kesslère, G. Maillard (George Maillard), photographer.

Munkácsi, Muky, 1909-1999, photographer.

Richards, Rayon, photographer.

Stein, Jack, photographer.

Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964, photographer.

Vartoogian, Jack, photographer.

Weiner, Josh, photographer.

Willson, G. Marshall, photographer.

Friedman-Abeles (Firm), photographer.

Found In:

p1pc Davis, Ossie Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee papers, 1932-2015 (OCoLC)1135064241

Research Call Number

Sc Photo Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee Collection

View in Legacy Catalog