Photographic postcard from Club Savannah: Museum Object and Cultural History

The object in the museum catalogue

A photographic postcard a female performer in costume at Club Savannah. The woman is depicted standing in three quarters profile on a stage, with her head turned towards the viewer, and her left foot is extended in front of her. She is wearing a pink bathing suit style costume with large pink feathers in her hair, and white, elbow length gloves. Her proper left arm is extended upwards and her proper right arm down and outward. She is holding the sides of a pink sheer cape so that the fabric is displayed. Behind her is a tan curtain with the word [Savannah[?]] embroidered in red sequins over the curtain. On the back, text along the top edge reads [“A SAVANNAH PEACH” / appearing nightly / CLUB SAVANNAH / Greenwich Village, N.Y.C.]. Printed in the bottom left corner and down the middle is information about the photographer and printer. In the text box on the left is an inscription in blue ink that reads, [To Maggie: - / My most warmest / and Sincerest to a “most / personable Lady” My / Love to you always. / Sincerely / Pat Lumen[?] / (Mc Cealla[?])]. The postcard is addressed on the right side, [Dearest Maggie / Happiness Street / Love Always, N.Y. / xxxxxx (Kisses)].

Materials, dates and provenance

• Date: 1950-1963
• Photograph by: Bill Bennett
• Printed by: Color Litho, American
• Subject of: Unidentified Woman or Women
• Subject of: Club Savannah, American
• Type: portraits
• Type: photographic postcards
• Medium: ink on paper
• Dimensions: H x W: 5 7/16 × 3 7/16 in. (13.8 × 8.8 cm)
• Place captured: New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
• Place printed: Arlington, Virginia, United States, North and Central America
• Topic: African American
• Topic: Correspondence
• Topic: Dance
• Topic: Entertainers
• Topic: Jazz (Music)
• Topic: Nightlife
• Topic: Theatre
• Object number: 2013.46.25.191
• Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
• Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Sources and reuse

Catalogue descriptions and facts adapted from National Museum of African American History and Culture through the Smithsonian's official Open Access dataset. This record explicitly marks its metadata CC0 1.0; formatting and selection have been changed. The underlying object's rights statement is: Unknown - Restrictions Possible Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.