1 early Follies poster (1948), 1948

This collection includes: an oversized scrap book, sheet music, oversized posters, publicity coverage, a tambourine, finger cymbals, and castanets

Sylvia Lewis' Early Career Sub-Series features materials from Sylvia's early performing days. Primarily contained in this sub-series are items dating to Sylvia's time at the Peabody Conservatory of Music and Sylvia's time in Mexico, although the oversized scrap book contains programs and highlights from Sylvia's early vaudeville career as a child.

There are scores and sheet music from Sylvia's "Childhood Performances," dating to the 1930s, and there are scores and sheet music from Sylvia's time in Mexico. Also dating to Sylvia's time in Mexico are oversized publicity posters and publicity articles in magazines (all of which feature Sylvia during her time working in nightclubs in Mexico City). Located in a separate box, Sylvia has included a tambourine, finger cymbals, and castanets (in Sylvia's original storage purse) "from [her] early performances".