Between the Covers

Unbound. Eight broadsides and one two-page letter. Mix of white and various colored quarto and folio sheets, some printed on both sides. Overall very good or better with some creases, wear at the edges and a few stains. The archive contains announcements, donation forms, printed and typed letters, ticket information, meeting agenda, and a press release relating to the "Jingle Bells" Disco and other fundraising events to benefit The Mammoth Christmas Tree in Harlem Committee. The annual event sought to raise money for an oversized tree in Harlem similar to the one raised each year in Rockefeller Center. The annual event, first tried in 1978, attracted support from a large number of Harlem residents and the attention of Count Basie and his Orchestra, Charles "Honi" Coles, Irene Reed, and future New York Mayor David Dinkins who all either performed or otherwise helped fundraise. This material comes from Doris E. Chamber, a former model, beauty queen, and Harlem celebrity, who in addition to appearing several times on the cover of *Jet* magazine, was the winner of the First Miss Beaux Arts Pageant in 1961, one of black high society’s premiere events. Chambers was an active member of the committee helping with the Jingle Bells Disco and later served as Corresponding Secretary. Her notes included the names and numbers of a dozen volunteers, a receipt from a tree farm, and a list of party expenses. A nice collection of material from a community effort to improve Christmas for Harlem residents and its children.

Item #444176