Document case MSS 019 Box 04

Scope and Contents This collection contains materials related to the life of Helen Shea. The collection includes photographs, costumes, programs, original works, correspondence, and other materials from her career as a dancer. The material dates from approximately 1920 to 1999, with the majority produced during the span of her dancing career, from about 1920 to 1942. The bulk of the material is made up of photographs, original writings, and correspondence regarding Shea's best-known performance piece, Leda and...

Scope and Contents From the Series:

This series contains sheet music and songbooks, many of which are handwritten. When identifiable, the sheet music has been arranged by title, but many of them are unlabeled working copies. The handwritten sheet music is often marked by stage notes and edits for the dance pieces. The series also contains published songbooks for various titles, including "the Champagne Waltz" and "Sophisticated Lady".

Scope and Contents From the Series:

This series contains sheet music and songbooks, many of which are handwritten. When identifiable, the sheet music has been arranged by title, but many of them are unlabeled working copies. The handwritten sheet music is often marked by stage notes and edits for the dance pieces. The series also contains published songbooks for various titles, including "the Champagne Waltz" and "Sophisticated Lady".

Scope and Contents From the Series:

This series contains sheet music and songbooks, many of which are handwritten. When identifiable, the sheet music has been arranged by title, but many of them are unlabeled working copies. The handwritten sheet music is often marked by stage notes and edits for the dance pieces. The series also contains published songbooks for various titles, including "the Champagne Waltz" and "Sophisticated Lady".

Scope and Contents From the Series:

This series contains sheet music and songbooks, many of which are handwritten. When identifiable, the sheet music has been arranged by title, but many of them are unlabeled working copies. The handwritten sheet music is often marked by stage notes and edits for the dance pieces. The series also contains published songbooks for various titles, including "the Champagne Waltz" and "Sophisticated Lady".

Scope and Contents From the Series:

This series contains information about Shea's life and family history. Included is a short biography entitled "Miss Shea, the South End Follies Girl", by Dick Card, and an approximate timeline of her life. There are also some handwritten notes on Shea's relatives and church certificates belonging to her mother. This series also includes a photocopy of Shea's death certificate from the Town Clerk's Office in Brookline, MA, and an ad for the auction of her estate in March of 1983.

Scope and Contents From the Series:

This small series consists of clippings from newspapers and magazines. Most of them feature photographs of Shea dressed up in costume or modeling clothing. Also included is a feature from "PIC" magazine about Sally Rand, one of the performers who infringed upon Shea's copyright of Leda and the Swan.

Scope and Contents From the Series:

This series contains materials in the collection that do not seem to be related or fit in with the rest of the materials. Included are two OPA Ration Red Tokens from World War II, and several light gel and fabric sample booklets. The series also includes an undated Volunteer Co-Operative Bank mortgage valuation certificate for the property at 147 West Newton St. in Boston. This was not the address of Shea's home, and lists the owner as a Sarah E. Shine.