Estes Von Rhein Family papers

Collection

Identifier: Coll 236

Scope and Contents

The Estes von Rhein Family papers include the personal papers and theater memorabilia collection assembled by Charles and Amy Estes von Rhein in late nineteenth to early twentieth century Portland, Oregon. Materials include personal papers, incoming correspondence, travel writings, clippings, playbills and programs, artifacts, sheet music, and photographs.

Theater and performing arts memorabilia comprises the bulk of the collection and includes playbills, clippings, color souvenir programs for traveling productions, The Stage newsletter (Portland, OR), and sheet music. The playbills are primarily representative of theatrical productions and acting companies in Portland, Oregon active during the early twentieth century, such as the Baker Theatre, Heilig Theatre, and Marquam Grand Theatre. The collection also includes programs for theatrical performances in New York City, San Francisco, Salem, OR, and Eugene, OR, as well as other performing arts productions including opera, ballet, and dance. In addition, the memorabilia contains a large collection of celebrity photographs, many of which are autographed.

Dates

Creation: 1884-1958

Creator

Von Rhein, Charles Estes, 1885-1960 (Person)
Von Rhein, Amy Estes, 1867-1937 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access note

Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.

Conditions Governing Use note

Property rights reside with Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish collection materials must be submitted to Special Collections and University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.

Biographical / Historical

Amy Estes von Rhein (1867-1937) was the daughter of Levi Estes (1829-1898) and Jennie Munsell Estes (d. 1898), pioneers who settled in Portland and operated a sawmill. Charles Estes von Rhein (1885-1960), nicknamed "The Baron," was the son of Amy and Arthur W. von Rhein.

Amy and Charles were patrons and collectors of material related to theater and performing arts in early twentieth century Portland, the Northwest, and United States.

Extent

13.25 linear feet (12 containers (2 rsb, 1 manuscript box, 1 custom phase box, 8 flat boxes))

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Estes von Rhein Family papers include the personal papers and theater memorabilia collection assembled by Charles (1885-1960) and Amy (1867-1937) Estes von Rhein in late nineteenth to early twentieth century Portland, Oregon. Materials include correspondence, clippings, playbills and programs, artifacts, sheet music, and photographs, primarily relating to the performing arts in Portland.

Arrangement

Collection is arranged in the following series:

Series 1: Personal papers and correspondence, 1893-1955.

Series 2: Theater and performing arts memorabilia, 1884-1958.

Series 2 is arranged into the following subseries:

Subseries 2.1: Publications, 1890-1955.

Subseries 2.2: Artifacts, 1908-1924.

Subseries 2.3: Scrapbooks, 1910-1926.

Subseries 2.4: Photographs, 1884-1958.

Other Finding Aids

Finding aids with additional information (including names of correspondents and names of sitters and films pictured in photographs) are available upon request.

Processing Information note

Collection processed by Alexa Goff, 2019. Related materials from the the Amy Estes Von Rhein collection of theater memorabilia (CA V897, PH125) and Amy Estes music manuscript (F784 Es85) were merged into a single collection (Coll 236) in 2019.