WAUNottinghamPHColl007.xml Guide to the Arthur Nottingham Photograph Collection circa 1910-1930 Nottingham (Arthur) Photograph Collection Special Collections, University of Washington Libraries ©2008 (Last modified: 4/18/2018)
Seattle, WA 98195
Finding aid written inEnglish. Finding aid based on DACS (Describing Archives: A Content Standard). University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections PH0007 Nottingham, Arthur Arthur Nottingham photograph collection circa 1910-1930 146 photographic prints, 1 ephemera (1 box and 1 folder) ; sizes vary Collection materials are inEnglish. Arthur Nottingham family photographs and theatrical publicity photographs of Babe Harris, Babe Freeman and others, circa 1910-1930

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.

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.

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The collection is open to the public.

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

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.

Donor: Terrence Cole; received in 1986.

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

 Photographic prints Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington) Photographs Home and Family Performing Arts

 

Arthur Nottingham and Family Arthur Nottingham

Arthur Albert Nottingham was born on November 7, 1890 in Wisconsin. He served with the Seattle Police Department.

 1/1 1 Studio portrait of Arthur Nottingham, probably with his parents George and Mary circa 1900-1910 Spettel Bros., La Crosse Wisconsin 1/1 2 Studio portrait of George, Arthur, and Lena Nottingham circa 1900-1910 1/1 3 Studio portrait of Arthur Nottingham circa 1910s 1/1 4a Arthur Nottingham seated in rocking chair in front of fireplace, on bearskin rug circa 1910s : Hand-colored 1/1 4b Arthur Nottingham seated in rocking chair in front of fireplace, on bearskin rug circa 1910s : Hand-colored

Same image as item a, but Nottingham's face has not been hand-colored.

 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 circa 1917-1918 : Hand-colored

Photograph is an enlargement of the image in item a.

 1/2 6 Arthur Nottingham and six other soldiers in uniform, probably at training camp circa 1917-1918 1/2 7 Arthur Nottingham and another soldier, possibly on sentry duty in training camp circa 1917-1918 1/2 8 Arthur Nottingham in uniform in front of sign reading "Act Wilde To Fix Your Pump" circa 1917-1918 1/2 9 Arthur Nottingham in uniform in front of sign reading "Half Mile to End of Track" circa 1917-1918 1/2 10 Arthur Nottingham and another soldier pretending to bayonet a man dressed as a civilian circa 1917-1918 1/2 11 Two soldiers, with army tents and buildings in background circa 1917-1918 1/2 12a Arthur Nottingham and another soldier in uniform with young woman circa 1917-1918 1/2 12b Arthur Nottingham in uniform with young woman circa 1917-1918

Same young woman as in item a. It is possible this woman is Babe Harris.

 1/2 12c Arthur Nottingham in uniform with two young women circa 1917-1918

One woman is the same as in items a and b.

 1/2 12d Soldier with three women on residential street circa 1917-1918

The women and soldier are the same as in item c. Arthur Nottingham is not in the image.

 1/2 13 Arthur Nottingham with two young women in front of house, possibly in Hoquiam, Washington. circa 1917-1918 1/2 14 Arthur Nottingham holding bag on ocean beach circa 1920s Nottingham Family Members 1/3 15 The Nottingham family, probably in La Crosse, Wisconsin circa 1900-1910

Arthur Nottingham is identified at right.

 1/3 16 Studio portrait of three young women and one older woman circa 1900-1910 Pryor, La Crosse, Wisconsin

Handwriting on photo: To Uncle Frank & Aunt Lena from Virginia

 1/3 17a Studio portrait of two women and one man circa 1900s Pryor, La Crosse, Wisconsin 1/3 17b Woman standing outside holding a baby circa 1900s

Woman is same as younger woman in item a.

 1/3 18 Portrait of Martha Jane Welch circa 1870s

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.

 1/3 19 Portrait of young child leaning against boulder undated Spettel Bros. Studios, North and South La Crosse, Wisconsin 1/3 20 Portrait of man seated in chair surrounded by standing woman, young girl, and young man undated Myers, La Crosse, Wisconsin 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 Arthur Nottingham and other family members in front of house, probably in La Crosse, Wisconsin circa 1910s 1/3 27 Young woman seated on deck, probably in La Crosse, Wisconsin circa 1910s 1/3 28 Three women, two men, and four children posing for a group portrait on the beach undated 1/3 29 Four women, four children, and five men posing for a group portrait on the beach undated

Handwriting on back of photograph: This is the bunch of us on the beach. Taken with arts.

 1/3 30 Man holding rock at water's edge on the beach undated 1/3 31 Nottingham home probably in La Crosse, Wisconsin undated Babe Harris and Family 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.

 1/4 32 Babe Harris standing on curb of residential street undated 1/4 33 Babe Harris standing in front of tree with a dog undated 1/4 34 Babe Harris holding a dog next to a woman circa 1920s 1/4 35 Babe Harris standing near two women and a young boy circa 1920s 1/4 36 Babe Harris and Arthur Nottingham sitting on ground circa 1920s 1/4 37 Babe Harris and Arthur Nottingham sitting on car circa 1920s 1/4 38 Babe Harris standing next to car with woman circa 1920s 1/4 39 Babe Harris near water fountain circa 1920s 1/4 40 Babe Harris sitting on ground with man and woman circa 1920s 1/4 41 Babe Harris at the beach in front of logs circa 1920s 1/4 42 Babe Harris with dog sitting on grass undated 1/4 43 Babe Harris with a dog undated 1/4 44 Babe Harris sitting in front of tree with a dog 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.

 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 circa July 1939

Man and woman might be friends of Babe Harris and Arthur Nottingham.

 1/4 45c Babe Harris and Arthur Nottingham with man and woman in front of house circa July 1939

Man and woman are the same as in item b.

 1/4 45d Man and woman on bench circa July 1939 1/4 45e Man and woman standing in front of tree circa July 1939

Man and woman same as in item b, c, and d.

 1/4 45f Man and woman seated on lawn in front of tree circa July 1939

Man and woman same as in item b, c, d, and e.

 1/4 45g Babe Harris and Arthur Nottingham with man and woman undated

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.

 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.

 1/5 46 Woman, probably relative of Babe Harris circa 1860s-1870s F. Hauff, Maler und Photograph, Neustadt, Germany 1/5 47 Studio portrait of three young children circa 1870s Gifford, Portland, Oregon 1/5 48 Young man in military uniform, probably relative of Babe Harris circa 1860s-1870s

Probably originally in carte de visite format; cut with scissors into oval shape.

 1/5 49 Older man, Hernich S., possibly father of Babe Harris circa 1910s-1920s

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.

 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 April 22, 1934

Same older woman as in item above. Handwriting on verso: Mother Zola & Hugh, taken April 22, 1934.

 Family and Friends of Arthur Notthingham and Babe Harris 1/6 52 Studio portrait of young man circa 1920s Ralston, Seattle, Washington 1/6 53 Studio portrait of Ben, Anna, and Jane circa 1923 Eklund Studios, Great Falls, Fort Benton, Montana

Handwriting on frame: with love to Frank and Laura. Ben, Anna, and Jane, Aug 8. 1923.

 1/6 54 Ben, Anna, and Jane standing on residential street circa 1925

Handwriting on verso: Aug 5 1925. Ben, Jane, Anna. Mrs. Hodge on porch. The day before Jane left for home-Anna.

 1/6 55 Portrait of Tom circa 1922

Written on photo: To Babe and Art From Tom 4/22-1922.

 1/6 56 Photographic postcard of woman and young boy circa 1920s Cal Calvert, Portland, Oregon 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 circa 1920s : Hand-colored 1/6 60 Mr and Mrs E.V. Gumbliss on residential street circa 1930s

Handwriting on verso: Mr and Mrs E.V. Gumbliss. Portland, Oregon.

 1/6 61 Group of men standing on a dock near water circa 1920-1930

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.

 Pacific Northwest Theater and Babe Harris Theater advertisments mentioning of Babe Harris OS4 62 Advertisement for Billy Rice Musical Company at The Grand Theater undated

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.

 1/7 63a Photograph of Babe Harris on residential neighborhood sidewalk attached to newspaper clipping undated

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.

 1/7 63b Babe Harris on residential neighborhood sidewalk, dressed in gymnast's shorts and ballet shoes undated

Item b is same image as item a.

 Babe Harris as performer with various Pacific Northwest Vaudville theaters 1/8 64 Babe Harris circa 1910s 1/8 65 Babe Harris dressed in cloche hat and hat with fur collar circa 1920s 1/8 66 Babe Harris holding parasol undated : Hand-tinted Cal Calvert Theatrical Photos, Portland, Oregon 1/8 67 Babe Harris in tutu seated on pedestal undated : Hand-tinted 1/8 68 Babe Harris dressed in man's suit and bowler hat holding a cane undated Cal Calvert Theatrical Photos, Portland, Oregon OS4 69 Babe Harris seated on bench circa 1911-1925 : Hand-tinted Lothrop, Seattle Babe Harris with other performers 1/9 70a Publicity photograph of ten female performers, including Babe Harris circa 1910s D. Perry Evans, Portland, Oregon 1/9 70b Babe Harris with group of performers, three seated 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 Babe Harris and five other female performers dressed in unitards, fur-trimmed tutus and hats possibly for holiday performance circa 1910s-1920s : Hand-colored with gold paint

Same performers as in a-d above.

 1/9 74a Babe Harris with other performers photographed in front of water backdrop undated 1/9 74b Babe Harris with other performers photographed in front of water backdrop undated

Performers same as pictured in item a.

 1/9 74c Babe Harris with other performers photographed in front of water backdrop standing and sitting on wood blocks undated

Performers same as pictured in items a and b.

 1/9 74d Babe Harris with other performers photographed in diving poses in front of water backdrop undated

Performers same as pictured in items a, b, and c.

 1/9 75 Babe Harris with other performers in swimming suits standing around man seated on ground in front of water backdrop undated

Hand colored with gold paint.

 Photographic postcards of Babe Harris and other performers 1/10 76a Photographic postcard of Babe Harris with other performers outdoors undated 1/10 76b Photographic postcard of Babe Harris with other performers outdoors in front of tree undated Babe Freeman

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

 1/11 77 Publicity photograph of Babe Freeman circa 1910s-1920s Parks 1/11 78 Publicity portrait of Babe Freeman in dance costume circa 1910s : Hand-colored

Written on photo: To dear Little Babe one nice kid and everything in remembrance of Levy's Orpheum. Love Babe.

 1/11 79 Publicity portrait of Babe Freeman in dance costume lying on bench circa 1910s : Hand-colored Mushet, Seattle

Written on photo: To dear Little Babe with lots of love n' everything may we always love each other. Babe.

 1/11 80 Publicity portrait of Babe Freeman wearing large hat with feather plume circa 1910s

Cut into oval shape.

 1/11 81 Photographic postcard of man with chorus girls, possibly members of Armstrong's Baby Dolls circa 1910s - 1920s

Babe Freeman identified on photo.

 1/11 82 Publicity photograph of Babe Freeman 1915

Written on verso: Babe Freeman. Portland, Oregon 1915 taken at Baker Stock Co.

 1/11 83a Babe Freeman holding bouquet, seated on fence in McClay Park, Portland, Oregon 1916

Written on photo: My best [friend] Babe Harris from Babe Freeman. McClay Park, 1916.

 1/11 83b Babe Freeman holding bouquet, seated on tree stump in McClay Park, Portland, Oregon 1916

Item c is on verso: photograph of unidentified man.

 1/11 84 Babe Freeman raking garden, possibly in San Francisco 1917

Written on verso: Hello Babe come and help me to rake yard. I give you dish nice pudding & cream. Babe.

 1/11 85 Probably Babe Freeman and two other women in back of U.S. Army World War I enlistment poster circa 1917-1918

Written on verso: Here's one of Madge, Margie & Yours Truly.

 1/11 86 June Gray, Frances Lively, and Babe Freeman in dance costumes outdoors June 9, 1920

Written on verso: Armstrong Baby Dolls. Los Angeles, Calif. June 9, 1920.

 1/11 87 Three costumed female performers and small child in Stockton, Calif. circa 1920s

Written on verso: Bell in front, me in middle, Mrs. DeLeor in rear. In Stockton at back of Theater Rex.

 1/11 88 Babe Freeman at the beach September 8, 1920

Written on verso: Taken at Long Beach. Sept. 8, 1920. Babe Freeman to Babe Harris Seattle Wash.

 Theatrical friends of Babe Harris Signed publicity photographs of Pacific Northwest actors 1/12 89a Publicity photograph of Ruth Broderick circa 1918 : Hand-colored Davies, Portland, Oregon

Written on photo: To Babe a good old scout with love from Ruth. May we meet again. 1918.

 1/12 89b Publicity photograph of Ruth Broderick circa 1919

Written on photo: To Babe. Memories of Portland (not). With lots of love from Ruth Broderick. Orpheum Theater. Season -19.

 1/12 90 Publicity photograph of Olive Finney circa 1910s-1920s

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.

 1/12 91 Publicity photograph of Leslie George circa 1916 : Hand-colored Cal Calvert, Portland, Oregon

Written on verso: With the best of wishes to little Babe from Georgie. Casino Theater. Leslie George. 1916, Portland.

 1/12 92a Publicity photograph of Grace Hale circa 1919 : Hand-colored Hartsook Photo

Written on verso: Sept. 12-1919. Fresno Calif. To my loving pal Babe from your pal Grace Hale.

 1/12 92b Publicity photograph of Grace Hale circa 1919 : Hand-colored Hartsook Photo

Written on verso of: Sept. 12-1919. To Babe From your pal Grace.

 1/12 92c Publicity photograph of Grace Hale circa 1919 Hartsook Photo

Written on verso of: Sept. 12-1919. To Babe from your pal Grace.

 1/12 93 Publicity photograph of Madge Moore circa 1919

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.

 1/12 94 Publicity photograph of Jessie La Grange circa 1918

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.

 1/12 95 Composite publicity photograph of Ben Linn circa 1910s - 1920s

Three images of Linn combined into one photograph. Written on photograph: To: Babe Harris. With every good wish. Sincerely, Ben Linn.

 1/12 96 Publicity photograph of Monie Monroe circa 1919 D. Perry Evans, Portland, Oregon

Written on verso: To Babe a good old pal with best wishes to you always. From Monie Monroe. Levys Orpheum Season -19.

 1/12 97 Publicity photograph of Madeline Roar circa 1919

Written on photo: Kindest wishes to Babe from Madeline Roar. April 4 - 1919.

 1/12 98 Publicity photograph of Norine Salmon circa 1919

Written on photo: 4-2-19. To Little Babe from her old sidekicker Norine Salmon.

 1/13 99 Publicity photograph of Florence Teddy circa 1910s - 1920s : Hand-colored

Written on verso: Miss Babe Harris from Florence Teddy. National Theater.

 1/13 100 Publicity photograph of Hazel Wainright circa 1910s-1920s

Written on photo: For Babe HarrisOh You Blondie!from Hazel Wainright.

 1/13 101 Publicity photograph of Mavis West in gypsy costume circa 1919 Mushet, Seattle, Washington

Written on photo: June 1919. To my dressing-room mate- Babe-Wishing you every success in the world. From Mavis West.

 1/13 102 Publicity photograph of Betty circa 1919 Hoffman Studio, Oklahoma City

Written on photo: To Babe one swell little fellow. Betty. 1919 Aug.

 1/13 103 Publicity photograph of Ethel B. circa 1910s-1920s : Hand-colored with green paint D. Perry Evans

Written on photo: Wishing you lots of success. Ethel B.

 1/13 104 Publicity photograph of "Hayesie" circa 1910s-1920s Parks, Seattle

Written on photo: To Babe with much love from Hayesie.

 1/13 105a Publicity photograph of Helen circa 1910s - 1920s : Hand-colored Stuart, El Paso

Written on photo: To Dear Old Babe From Helen.

 1/13 105b Publicity photograph of Helen circa 1910s - 1920s : Hand-colored Bushnell, San Francisco 1/14 106 Publicity photograph of Lesley circa 1921

Written on photo: To Babe, a regular fellow From Lesley. "Season '21."

 1/14 107 Publicity photograph of Rita circa 1919 : Hand-colored Parks

Written on photo: Wishing Babe all the happiness in the world from Rita. 5-3-'19.

 1/14 108 Publicity photograph of "Texas" circa 1916 Davies, Portland, Oregon

Written on photo: To the swellest scout and pal I know. "Texas." May 23, 1916.

 1/14 109 Publicity photograph of young girl with hair styled in ringlets circa 1910s-1920s : Hand-colored Bushnell, Portland, Oregon 1/14 110 Publicity photograph of young female performer perched on stool circa 1910s-1920s 1/14 111 Publicity photograph of female performer circa 1919-1920 : Hand-colored MacBain, Seattle 1/15 112 Publicity photograph of female performer in striped costume circa 1910s-1920s Cal Calvert Photo 1/15 113 Publicity photograph of female performer with bobbed hair and long pearl necklace circa 1910s-1920s : Hand-colored 1/15 114 Publicity photograph of female performer reclining on bench circa 1910s-1920s : Hand-colored Cal Calvert Theatrical Photos, Portland, Oregon 1/15 115 Publicity photograph of female performer wearing feathered hat circa 1910s-1920s : Hand-colored Scenes in the Pacific Northwest 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 undated

Handwriting on verso: Warrendale, Oregon. Cannery at left. Rooster Rock, right.

 1/16 123 View of Rooster Rock, Warrendale, Oregon undated

Handwriting on verson: Probably cannery @ Warrendale, Oregon. Rooster Rock @ center.

 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