Arthur Nottingham photograph collection, circa 1910-1930

Overview of the Collection

Collector
Nottingham, Arthur
Title
Arthur Nottingham photograph collection
Dates
circa 1910-1930 (inclusive)
Quantity
146 photographic prints, 1 ephemera (1 box and 1 folder) ; sizes vary
Collection Number
PH0007
Summary
Arthur Nottingham family photographs and theatrical publicity photographs of Babe Harris, Babe Freeman and others, circa 1910-1930
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

The collection is open to the public.

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Arthur Albert Nottingham (1890-1980) was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the son of Frank (possibly George Frank) and Mary Nottingham. Census records indicate that George Nottingham moved his family across the country to Hoquiam, Washington, possibly after the death of his wife Mary. George F. Nottingham married Lena Erickson in 1901 in Chehalis County and they had a son, Arthur, born in 1890.

Arthur Nottingham served in World War I from November 1917 until December 1918. He married to Louise H. Nottingham and they lived in Seattle. Arthur was a police officer and Louise was a theater actress. Louise retired from the stage by 1930.

It is likely that Louise Nottingham went by the stage name Babe Harris. The photographs and ephemera in the collection show that she appeared as a chorus member in group acts such as the Billy Rice Musical Co. A newspaper clipping included in the collection describes the theatrical act of Babe Harris and Babe Freeman. The two "Babes" seem to have had a close friendship and theatrical partnership.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

The collection includes family photos (mostly unidentified) and theatrical publicity photographs of Babe Harris (probably Mrs. Arthur Nottingham), Babe Freeman and other colleagues on the vaudeville circuits of the Pacific Northwest states. Many of the photographs of stage performers are unidentified, or identified only by first name or nickname.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

View selections from the collection in digital format

Restrictions on Use

Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation, or publication. Contact Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Custodial History

Terrance Cole acquired the collection from "Bill" of Hardwick's Swap Shop, who cleared it out of George [probably Arthur] Nottingham's house on Wallingford Avenue in Seattle in 1980.

Acquisition Information

Donor: Terrence Cole; received in 1986.

Processing Note

Processed by Heather Robbins and Elizabeth Russell; processing completed in 2012.

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Arthur Nottingham and FamilyReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Arthur Nottingham
Arthur Albert Nottingham was born on November 7, 1890 in Wisconsin. He served with the Seattle Police Department.
Box/Folder item
1/1 1
Studio portrait of Arthur Nottingham, probably with his parents George and Mary
Spettel Bros., La Crosse Wisconsin (photographer)
circa 1900-1910
1/1 2 circa 1900-1910
1/1 3 circa 1910s
1/1 4a circa 1910s
1/1 4b
Arthur Nottingham seated in rocking chair in front of fireplace, on bearskin rug
: Hand-colored
Same image as item a, but Nottingham's face has not been hand-colored.
circa 1910s
1/1 5a
Arthur Nottingham in army uniform standing in front of flowers
circa 1917-1918
1/1 5b
Arthur Nottingham in army uniform standing in front of flowers
: Hand-colored
Photograph is an enlargement of the image in item a.
circa 1917-1918
1/2 6 circa 1917-1918
1/2 7 circa 1917-1918
1/2 8 circa 1917-1918
1/2 9 circa 1917-1918
1/2 10 circa 1917-1918
1/2 11
Two soldiers, with army tents and buildings in background
circa 1917-1918
1/2 12a circa 1917-1918
1/2 12b
Arthur Nottingham in uniform with young woman
Same young woman as in item a. It is possible this woman is Babe Harris.
circa 1917-1918
1/2 12c
Arthur Nottingham in uniform with two young women
One woman is the same as in items a and b.
circa 1917-1918
1/2 12d
Soldier with three women on residential street
The women and soldier are the same as in item c. Arthur Nottingham is not in the image.
circa 1917-1918
1/2 13 circa 1917-1918
1/2 14 circa 1920s
Nottingham Family Members
Box/Folder item
1/3 15
The Nottingham family, probably in La Crosse, Wisconsin
Arthur Nottingham is identified at right.
circa 1900-1910
1/3 16
Studio portrait of three young women and one older woman
Pryor, La Crosse, Wisconsin (photographer)
Handwriting on photo: To Uncle Frank & Aunt Lena from Virginia
circa 1900-1910
1/3 17a
Studio portrait of two women and one man
Pryor, La Crosse, Wisconsin (photographer)
circa 1900s
1/3 17b
Woman standing outside holding a baby
Woman is same as younger woman in item a.
circa 1900s
1/3 18
Portrait of Martha Jane Welch
Handwriting on back of photograph: 1st generation John Nottingham, b. England. 2nd gen William H. Nottingham, b. Virginia. 3rd gen Nancy Louisa Nottingham Welch, b. Indiana. 4th gen Martha Jane Welch Faniani, b. Sept 1858 b. Missouri. 5th gen Jessie Faniani Lemm, b. California. 6th gen Lynn B. Balmer, b. California.
circa 1870s
1/3 19
Portrait of young child leaning against boulder
Spettel Bros. Studios, North and South La Crosse, Wisconsin (photographer)
undated
1/3 20
Portrait of man seated in chair surrounded by standing woman, young girl, and young man
Myers, La Crosse, Wisconsin (photographer)
undated
1/3 21
Three young girls, three older women, and one man standing in front of Nottingham home, probably in La Crosse, Washington
circa 1915-1920
1/3 22
Three men, two women, and one girl standing in front of Nottingham home, probably in La Crosse, Washington
circa 1915-1920
1/3 23
Two older women standing in front of car
circa 1915-1920
1/3 24
Man dressed in military uniform with two other men and two women in front of Nottingham home, probably in La Crosse, Wisconsin
circa 1915-1920
1/3 25
Two men and four women standing in front of Nottingham home
circa 1915-1920
1/3 26 circa 1910s
1/3 27
Young woman seated on deck, probably in La Crosse, Wisconsin
circa 1910s
1/3 28 undated
1/3 29
Four women, four children, and five men posing for a group portrait on the beach
Handwriting on back of photograph: This is the bunch of us on the beach. Taken with arts.
undated
1/3 30 undated
1/3 31 undated

Babe Harris and FamilyReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Babe Harris
Babe Harris, probably the stage name of Louise Notthingham, was an actress working in Seattle, Washington between the 1920s and 1930s. Very little is known about Babe Harris' stage career in Seattle, Washington other than her work with Billy Rice Musical Company and her friendship with fellow actress, Babe Freeman.
Box/Folder item
1/4 32 undated
1/4 33 undated
1/4 34 circa 1920s
1/4 35
Babe Harris standing near two women and a young boy
circa 1920s
1/4 36 circa 1920s
1/4 37 circa 1920s
1/4 38
Babe Harris standing next to car with woman
circa 1920s
1/4 39 circa 1920s
1/4 40 circa 1920s
1/4 41 circa 1920s
1/4 42 undated
1/4 43
Babe Harris with a dog
undated
1/4 44 circa 1920s
Babe Harris and Arthur Nottingham with man and woman
Man and woman might be friends of Babe Harris and Arthur Nottingham. Man's name might be Hughie.
Box/Folder item
1/4 45a
Babe Harris and Arthur Nottingham on bench
circa July 1939
1/4 45b
Babe Harris and woman seated on bench with Arthur Nottingham and man standing behind
Man and woman might be friends of Babe Harris and Arthur Nottingham.
circa July 1939
1/4 45c circa July 1939
1/4 45d
Man and woman on bench
circa July 1939
1/4 45e
Man and woman standing in front of tree
Man and woman same as in item b, c, and d.
circa July 1939
1/4 45f
Man and woman seated on lawn in front of tree
Man and woman same as in item b, c, d, and e.
circa July 1939
1/4 45g
Babe Harris and Arthur Nottingham with man and woman
Man and woman same as in item b, c, d, e, and f. Handwriting on verso: The picture with Hughie [illegible] was no good. Didn't even attempt to make any.
undated
Box/Folder
1/5
Family of Babe Harris
In census records, Louise Nottingham (Babe Harris) lists her parents' nationality as German. Her maiden name is unknown; it is probable that Harris was a stage name.
Box/Folder item
1/5 46
Woman, probably relative of Babe Harris
F. Hauff, Maler und Photograph, Neustadt, Germany (photographer)
circa 1860s-1870s
1/5 47
Studio portrait of three young children
Gifford, Portland, Oregon (photographer)
circa 1870s
1/5 48
Young man in military uniform, probably relative of Babe Harris
Probably originally in carte de visite format; cut with scissors into oval shape.
circa 1860s-1870s
1/5 49
Older man, Hernich S., possibly father of Babe Harris
Photograph pasted to front of card, probably a registration card. People living in the U.S. who were German citizens were required to register with local authorities during World War I. Card lists the man's residence as Dahlia, Oregon in Wahkiakum County.
circa 1910s-1920s
1/5 50
Family group in back of car, including young woman (probably Babe Harris)
circa 1910s-1920s
1/5 51
Older woman with a young girl and boy, standing next to car
Same older woman as in item above. Handwriting on verso: Mother Zola & Hugh, taken April 22, 1934.
April 22, 1934

Family and Friends of Arthur Notthingham and Babe HarrisReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/6 52
Studio portrait of young man
Ralston, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
circa 1920s
1/6 53
Studio portrait of Ben, Anna, and Jane
Eklund Studios, Great Falls, Fort Benton, Montana (photographer)
Handwriting on frame: with love to Frank and Laura. Ben, Anna, and Jane, Aug 8. 1923.
circa 1923
1/6 54
Ben, Anna, and Jane standing on residential street
Handwriting on verso: Aug 5 1925. Ben, Jane, Anna. Mrs. Hodge on porch. The day before Jane left for home-Anna.
circa 1925
1/6 55
Portrait of Tom
Written on photo: To Babe and Art From Tom 4/22-1922.
circa 1922
1/6 56
Photographic postcard of woman and young boy
Cal Calvert, Portland, Oregon (photographer)
circa 1920s
1/6 57
Portrait of young woman wearing fur
circa 1920s
1/6 58a
Portrait of man
circa 1920s
1/6 58b
Portrait of man
circa 1920s
1/6 59
Woman in front of stone building
: Hand-colored
circa 1920s
1/6 60
Mr and Mrs E.V. Gumbliss on residential street
Handwriting on verso: Mr and Mrs E.V. Gumbliss. Portland, Oregon.
circa 1930s
1/6 61
Group of men standing on a dock near water
Handwriting on verso: This is the picture from this year fishing that bald headed fellow was the man I was fishing with the old man. But the fellow I am going with next year is the fellow with the sailor hat and the pipe in the mouth he is a good fisherman.
circa 1920-1930

Pacific Northwest Theater and Babe HarrisReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Theater advertisments mentioning of Babe Harris
box:oversize item
OS4 62
Advertisement for Billy Rice Musical Company at The Grand Theater
Printed on advertisement: Tonight! Billy Rice Musical Co. 15 people. 10 pretty girls, 2 funny comedians, 5 men. This company just closed at Empress Theater, Portland [Oregon]. They are on their way to Seattle [Washington] to play the entire Sullivan & Considine circuit. We have been very lucky in securing this wonderful Fifteen-people Act. All the Latest Songs. Pretty Wardrobe. Babe Harris indicated second from left on advertisement.
undated
Box/Folder
1/7 63a
Photograph of Babe Harris on residential neighborhood sidewalk attached to newspaper clipping
Newspaper clipping contains paragraph review of dance act of Babe Harris and Babe Freeman at the Lodge: Babe Freeman and Babe Harris, two clever singers and dancers, are stepping around the floor this week at a merry gait, singing a neat little number, "Have You Got A Room To Rent, Dear," and finish ith a soft shoe dancing specialty, which takes several encores.
undated
1/7 63b undated
Babe Harris as performer with various Pacific Northwest Vaudville theaters
Box/Folder item
1/8 64 circa 1910s
1/8 65 circa 1920s
1/8 66
Babe Harris holding parasol
: Hand-tinted
Cal Calvert Theatrical Photos, Portland, Oregon (photographer)
undated
1/8 67 undated
1/8 68
Babe Harris dressed in man's suit and bowler hat holding a cane
Cal Calvert Theatrical Photos, Portland, Oregon (photographer)
undated
folder:oversize
OS4 69
Babe Harris seated on bench
: Hand-tinted
Lothrop, Seattle (photographer)
circa 1911-1925
Babe Harris with other performers
Box/Folder item
1/9 70a
Publicity photograph of ten female performers, including Babe Harris
D. Perry Evans, Portland, Oregon (photographer)
circa 1910s
1/9 70b circa 1910s
1/9 71
Babe Harris in chorus line of women dressed in nightgowns and sleeping caps
circa 1910s-1920s
1/9 72
Ten female performers dressed as 18th century men with one male performer
circa 1910s-1920s
1/9 73 circa 1910s-1920s
1/9 74a
Babe Harris with other performers photographed in front of water backdrop
undated
1/9 74b undated
1/9 74c undated
1/9 74d
Babe Harris with other performers photographed in diving poses in front of water backdrop
Performers same as pictured in items a, b, and c.
undated
1/9 75 undated
Photographic postcards of Babe Harris and other performers
Box/Folder item
1/10 76a undated
1/10 76b undated

Babe FreemanReturn to Top

Babe Freeman was a close friend of Babe Harris. It is likely that they performed together on the Pacific Northwest vaudeville circuit.

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/11 77 circa 1910s-1920s
1/11 78
Publicity portrait of Babe Freeman in dance costume
: Hand-colored
Written on photo: To dear Little Babe one nice kid and everything in remembrance of Levy's Orpheum. Love Babe.
circa 1910s
1/11 79
Publicity portrait of Babe Freeman in dance costume lying on bench
: Hand-colored
Mushet, Seattle (photographer)
Written on photo: To dear Little Babe with lots of love n' everything may we always love each other. Babe.
circa 1910s
1/11 80
Publicity portrait of Babe Freeman wearing large hat with feather plume
Cut into oval shape.
circa 1910s
1/11 81
Photographic postcard of man with chorus girls, possibly members of Armstrong's Baby Dolls
Babe Freeman identified on photo.
circa 1910s - 1920s
1/11 82
Publicity photograph of Babe Freeman
Written on verso: Babe Freeman. Portland, Oregon 1915 taken at Baker Stock Co.
1915
1/11 83a
Babe Freeman holding bouquet, seated on fence in McClay Park, Portland, Oregon
Written on photo: My best [friend] Babe Harris from Babe Freeman. McClay Park, 1916.
1916
1/11 83b
Babe Freeman holding bouquet, seated on tree stump in McClay Park, Portland, Oregon
Item c is on verso: photograph of unidentified man.
1916
1/11 84
Babe Freeman raking garden, possibly in San Francisco
Written on verso: Hello Babe come and help me to rake yard. I give you dish nice pudding & cream. Babe.
1917
1/11 85
Probably Babe Freeman and two other women in back of U.S. Army World War I enlistment poster
Written on verso: Here's one of Madge, Margie & Yours Truly.
circa 1917-1918
1/11 86
June Gray, Frances Lively, and Babe Freeman in dance costumes outdoors
Written on verso: Armstrong Baby Dolls. Los Angeles, Calif. June 9, 1920.
June 9, 1920
1/11 87
Three costumed female performers and small child in Stockton, Calif.
Written on verso: Bell in front, me in middle, Mrs. DeLeor in rear. In Stockton at back of Theater Rex.
circa 1920s
1/11 88
Babe Freeman at the beach
Written on verso: Taken at Long Beach. Sept. 8, 1920. Babe Freeman to Babe Harris Seattle Wash.
September 8, 1920

Theatrical friends of Babe HarrisReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Signed publicity photographs of Pacific Northwest actors
Box/Folder item
1/12 89a
Publicity photograph of Ruth Broderick
: Hand-colored
Davies, Portland, Oregon (photographer)
Written on photo: To Babe a good old scout with love from Ruth. May we meet again. 1918.
circa 1918
1/12 89b
Publicity photograph of Ruth Broderick
Written on photo: To Babe. Memories of Portland (not). With lots of love from Ruth Broderick. Orpheum Theater. Season -19.
circa 1919
1/12 90
Publicity photograph of Olive Finney
Written on photo: To Dear Little Babe-The Girl with a Heart of Gold. With sincerest good wishes, Olive Finney. Written on verso: La Velle & Finney A Singing Scenic Novelty.
circa 1910s-1920s
1/12 91
Publicity photograph of Leslie George
: Hand-colored
Cal Calvert, Portland, Oregon (photographer)
Written on verso: With the best of wishes to little Babe from Georgie. Casino Theater. Leslie George. 1916, Portland.
circa 1916
1/12 92a
Publicity photograph of Grace Hale
: Hand-colored
Hartsook Photo (photographer)
Written on verso: Sept. 12-1919. Fresno Calif. To my loving pal Babe from your pal Grace Hale.
circa 1919
1/12 92b
Publicity photograph of Grace Hale
: Hand-colored
Hartsook Photo (photographer)
Written on verso of: Sept. 12-1919. To Babe From your pal Grace.
circa 1919
1/12 92c
Publicity photograph of Grace Hale
Hartsook Photo (photographer)
Written on verso of: Sept. 12-1919. To Babe from your pal Grace.
circa 1919
1/12 93
Publicity photograph of Madge Moore
Written on photo: "To dearest Babe" With Love and sinceresest wishes for your happiness. Madge. Written on verso: To dearest Babe - When you are sitting all alone and thinking of the past - Remember that you have a friend - who will always and truly last. Madge Moore. 1919. "Can you dance the hornpipe, girlie?" M.
circa 1919
1/12 94
Publicity photograph of Jessie La Grange
Written on photo: To "Babe," a good old pal, in memories of the Garrick Days, with much love and many kind wishes, Sincerely Jessie La Grange. 27/12/1918.
circa 1918
1/12 95
Composite publicity photograph of Ben Linn
Three images of Linn combined into one photograph. Written on photograph: To: Babe Harris. With every good wish. Sincerely, Ben Linn.
circa 1910s - 1920s
1/12 96
Publicity photograph of Monie Monroe
D. Perry Evans, Portland, Oregon (photographer)
Written on verso: To Babe a good old pal with best wishes to you always. From Monie Monroe. Levys Orpheum Season -19.
circa 1919
1/12 97
Publicity photograph of Madeline Roar
Written on photo: Kindest wishes to Babe from Madeline Roar. April 4 - 1919.
circa 1919
1/12 98
Publicity photograph of Norine Salmon
Written on photo: 4-2-19. To Little Babe from her old sidekicker Norine Salmon.
circa 1919
1/13 99
Publicity photograph of Florence Teddy
: Hand-colored
Written on verso: Miss Babe Harris from Florence Teddy. National Theater.
circa 1910s - 1920s
1/13 100
Publicity photograph of Hazel Wainright
Written on photo: For Babe HarrisOh You Blondie!from Hazel Wainright.
circa 1910s-1920s
1/13 101
Publicity photograph of Mavis West in gypsy costume
Mushet, Seattle, Washington (photographer)
Written on photo: June 1919. To my dressing-room mate- Babe-Wishing you every success in the world. From Mavis West.
circa 1919
1/13 102
Publicity photograph of Betty
Hoffman Studio, Oklahoma City (photographer)
Written on photo: To Babe one swell little fellow. Betty. 1919 Aug.
circa 1919
1/13 103
Publicity photograph of Ethel B.
: Hand-colored with green paint
D. Perry Evans (photographer)
Written on photo: Wishing you lots of success. Ethel B.
circa 1910s-1920s
1/13 104
Publicity photograph of "Hayesie"
Parks, Seattle (photographer)
Written on photo: To Babe with much love from Hayesie.
circa 1910s-1920s
1/13 105a
Publicity photograph of Helen
: Hand-colored
Stuart, El Paso (photographer)
Written on photo: To Dear Old Babe From Helen.
circa 1910s - 1920s
1/13 105b
Publicity photograph of Helen
: Hand-colored
Bushnell, San Francisco (photographer)
circa 1910s - 1920s
1/14 106
Publicity photograph of Lesley
Written on photo: To Babe, a regular fellow From Lesley. "Season '21."
circa 1921
1/14 107
Publicity photograph of Rita
: Hand-colored
Parks (photographer)
Written on photo: Wishing Babe all the happiness in the world from Rita. 5-3-'19.
circa 1919
1/14 108
Publicity photograph of "Texas"
Davies, Portland, Oregon (photographer)
Written on photo: To the swellest scout and pal I know. "Texas." May 23, 1916.
circa 1916
1/14 109
Publicity photograph of young girl with hair styled in ringlets
: Hand-colored
Bushnell, Portland, Oregon (photographer)
circa 1910s-1920s
1/14 110
Publicity photograph of young female performer perched on stool
circa 1910s-1920s
1/14 111
Publicity photograph of female performer
: Hand-colored
MacBain, Seattle (photographer)
circa 1919-1920
1/15 112
Publicity photograph of female performer in striped costume
Cal Calvert Photo (photographer)
circa 1910s-1920s
1/15 113
Publicity photograph of female performer with bobbed hair and long pearl necklace
: Hand-colored
circa 1910s-1920s
1/15 114
Publicity photograph of female performer reclining on bench
: Hand-colored
Cal Calvert Theatrical Photos, Portland, Oregon (photographer)
circa 1910s-1920s
1/15 115
Publicity photograph of female performer wearing feathered hat
: Hand-colored
circa 1910s-1920s

Scenes in the Pacific NorthwestReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/16 116
Scaffolding and railroad tracks at construction site
undated
1/16 117
Men loading truckbed next to series of wood warehouses
undated
1/16 118
Three men in conversation at water's edge standing next to a fishing boat
undated
1/16 119
Three men standing among logs and barrels at the beach
undated
1/16 120
Two men rowing boat on the water
undated
1/16 121
Boat, Cleveland,on the water with three men standing on top deck
undated
1/16 122
View of Rooster Rock, Warrendale, Oregon
Handwriting on verso: Warrendale, Oregon. Cannery at left. Rooster Rock, right.
undated
1/16 123
View of Rooster Rock, Warrendale, Oregon
Handwriting on verson: Probably cannery @ Warrendale, Oregon. Rooster Rock @ center.
undated
1/16 124
View of Columbia River Gorge from Vista House, Oregon
undated
1/16 125
Man leaning against statue of George Washington at the University of Washington
1909

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Form or Genre Terms

  • Photographic prints

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)