ABSTRACT: Signed photograph of entertainer Josephine Baker, 1929.
SCOPE: This black and white portrait shows a smiling Josephine Baker posing in a beret. The photograph is signed by Baker and dated July 26, 1929. It also includes a blind stamp for the photographers G.L. Manuel Frères in Paris.
EXTENT: One photograph.
HISTORY: Josephine Baker (1906-1975) was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. She became involved in theater and dance from an early age, and her success in vaudeville eventually led her to Paris, where she would achieve great success and fame. Though she continued to perform as a singer and actress for the rest of her life, Josephine also became involved in political movements, working undercover for the French Resistance during World War II and participating in the American civil rights movement in the 1950s and ‘60s. When she died in 1875, she was buried in France and honored with a 21-gun salute.
Source for historical note: “Biography–The Official Licensing Website of Josephine Baker.” www.cmgww.com/stars/baker/about/biography/
ACCESS: This collection can be viewed on-site in the Rare Book and Manuscripts Reading Room. Some of the material may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, subject to condition and other access restrictions. Information on conducting research with the archival collections of the Library, including current building hours and reading room policies, can be found on our Research page. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building on the University of Missouri-St. Louis’ north campus.
Preferred Citation note: The preferred citation for this collection is “From the Special Collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri – St. Louis."
