Usage conditions may apply for digital images, video, and sound recordings linked within SOVA collections. While digital content may be restricted, SOVA collection descriptions and catalog records are available CC0 for re-use. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page.
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Boudini Brothers Vaudeville Collection
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NMAH.AC.1426
- Creators:
-
Boudini, PhilBoudini BrothersBoudini, Dan, 1891-
- Dates:
-
1909-1928
- Languages:
-
Collection is inEnglish. Some items are inItalian.
- Physical Description:
-
1.25 Cubic feet4 boxes
- Repository:
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
The papers document the Boudini Brothers Vaudeville act. They include letters, postcards and telegrams, mostly of a business nature (such as relating to bookings); business papers including contracts and papers relating to expenses; photographs of the family and of the act; programs; scores and sheet music; music manuscripts; advertisements for appearances; magazines; periodicals; clippings and articles; calendars; scrip; and miscellaneous.
Arrangement
Arrangement
1 series.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Phil and Dan Boudini (original names: Filippo and Domenico D'Agostino) were accordionists. Phil was born in Ireland, Dan in Italy. As children, they and their parents moved to Paris. After an apprenticeship, Dan worked in an accordion store. After immigrating to America, they appeared as a vaudeville act during the 1910s and 1920s, performing on the Orpheum Circuit. Initially, the act was called the Boudini Brothers. Their agent was also Harry Houdini's agent and suggested that they adopt the similar name. Phil left the act in 1917, and Dan Boudini's wife, Adele Bernard, joined the act. That act ended in 1928 and Dan and Adele lived the rest of their lives in Wallingford, Connecticut.
Administration
Author
NMAH Staff
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Division of Culture and the Arts.
Processing Information
The collection is unprocessed.
Custodial History
Collection transferred to the Archives Center in 2017 by the Division of Culture and the Arts (now Division of Cultural and Community Life).
Using the Collection
Preferred Citation
Boudini Brothers Vaudeville Collection, 1909-1928, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Keywords
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
archivescenter@si.edu