Special Collections: Guide to the Rudy Vallée Papers and Memorabilia

Summary Information:

Collection Title: Rudy Vallée Papers and Memorabilia  
Dates of Collection:  1917-1984
Box Numbers: 2590-2601
Quantity: 12 boxes  

Administrative Information:

Access Restrictions: No restrictions
Preferred Citation: Rudy Vallée Papers and Memorabilia, Special Collections, Raymond H. Fogler Library, University of Maine
Copyright: Contact department for copyright information

For Additional Information:
Special Collections Department
University of Maine
5729 Fogler Library
Orono, Maine 04469-5729
(207) 581 1686
 
 
Biography
 
Rudy Vallée was one of the most popular vocalists of the pre-swing era. With his megaphone and nasal voice, he will forever be remembered as the archetypal image of the early crooners. Born in Island Pond, Vermont, in 1901, Hubert Prior Vallée grew up in Westbrook, Maine, where he played drums in his high school band. He dropped out of school and joined the Navy in 1917, at the start of America's involvement in World War I, but was soon discharged when the Navy discovered that he was only fifteen years old. Returning home, he found work as a movie projectionist and began to study the clarinet but switched to the saxophone when he first heard recordings of sax player Rudy Wiedoeft. He also re-entered high school and graduated, enrolling at the University of Maine in 1921. Hubert's fraternity brothers, knowing of his great admiration for Wiedoeft, nicknamed him 'Rudy' Vallée, a name which stuck. In the fall of 1922, Vallée transferred to Yale University, where he worked for his tuition by playing at country clubs, social functions, and school dances, often as a member of the Yale Collegians. He also began to sing, using a megaphone to enhance his voice. It quickly became one of his trademarks and, in those days before electric amplification, was later copied by other vocalists. His career included theater, the Broadway stage, screen, radio, and television. He was a composer, author, singer, actor, stand-up comedian, orchestra leader and musician, with a career longevity span from 1921 to 1986. He introduced the Maine Stein Song on his radio show in 1930. It became an instant hit. He died in 1986.
 
Scope and Content Note
 
The papers of a popular vocalist in the U.S. during the 20th century. Included are correspondence from 1917 to 1984, newspaper clippings, scores, photographs, scrapbooks, phonograph records, and a megaphone and other memorabilia.
 

Box # 2590

 

Box #2590   f1	Correspondence, 1917-1940.
Box #2590   f2	Correspondence, 1940-1950.
Box #2590   f3	Correspondence, 1950-1955.
Box #2590   f4	Correspondence, 1955-1960, folder 1 of 4.
Box #2590   f5	Correspondence, 1955-1960, folder 2 of 4.
Box #2590   f6	Correspondence, 1955-1960, folder 3 of 4.
Box #2590   f7	Correspondence, 1955-1960, folder 4 of 4.
Box #2590   f8	Correspondence, 1960-1964, folder 1 of 2.
Box #2590   f9	Correspondence, 1960-1964, folder 2 of 2.
Box #2590   f10	Correspondence, 1964-1967, folder 1 of 2.
Box #2590   f11	Correspondence, 1964-1967, folder 2 of 2.
Box #2590   f12	Correspondence, 1967-1970.
Box #2590   f13	Correspondence, 1970-1973, folder 1 of 2.
Box #2590   f14	Correspondence, 1970-1973, folder 2 of 2.
Box #2590   f15	Correspondence, 1974-1976.
Box #2590   f16	Correspondence, 1977-1984.

 

Box # 2591  

 

Box #2591   f1	Biographies of  Rudy Vallee.
Box #2591   f2	Clippings.
Box #2591   f3	Clippings.
Box #2591   f4	Clippings.
Box #2591   f5	Clippings.
Box #2591   f6	Coffee Time Products of America - Stockholders’ Meeting, December 2, 1955.
Box #2591   f7	Dallas Knife and Fork Club, 1965.
Box #2591   f8	The Dallas Knife and Fork Club, 1965.
Box #2591   f9	George White’s Scandals - 12th Stage edition, circa 1930.
Box #2591   f10	Hollywood Revels of 1935 - Promotional.
Box #2591   f11	Itineraries & Receipts, 1936, 1950’s.
Box #2591   f12	Newsletters.
Box #2591   f13	Pavilion Royal - Souvenir Menu & Wine List, 1934.
Box #2591   f14	Photographs.
Box #2591   f15	Photographs.
Box #2591   f16	Photographs.
Box #2591   f17	Rudy Vallee’s Historic Estate.
Box #2591   f18	Rudy Vallee’s Photographer Case - Lawsuit, 1937.
Box #2591   f19	Scrapbook Components.
Box #2591   f20	Scripts.
Box #2591   f21	Sheet Music.
Box #2591   f22	Sheet Music.
Box #2591   f23	Stationary - Rudy Vallee.
Box #2591   f24	Stratoliner Club - Transcontinental, Inc. - Certificate, October 11, 1940.
Box #2591   f25	Vallee’s Lodge, Lake Kezar, Maine - Brochures, Pamphlets, 1950’s.
Box #2591   f26	Vallee Promotions.

 

Box # 2592

 

Box #2592  f1	Business Cards - “My time is your time,-”
Box #2592  f2	Cassette Tape - “Merrywinkle Music” by Jon Batson.
Box #2592  f3	Cassette Tape - Everett, Washington Elks Club- April 16th, 1971.
Box #2592  f4	Cassette Tape - “Something Different”, February 18th, 1980.
Box #2592  f5	Cassette Tape - Four Sealtest Radio Shows, 1942.
Box #2592  f6	Cassette Tape - “Vagabond Lover” & “My Day”.
Box #2592  f7	Christmas and Greeting cards - Vallee themes.
Box #2592  f8	Magnetic Recording Tape - Old Whiffenpoof Song, Slow Occupation, etc.
Box #2592  f9	Magnetic Recording Tape - Fort Eustes, Virginia - May 18th, 1974.
Box #2592  f10	Magnetic Recording Tape - Fort Myer, Washington, D.C. - May 9th,  1974; two reels.
Box #2592  f11	Magnetic Recording Tape - Madison, Wisconsin - May 2nd, 1974; two reels.
Box #2592  f12	Magnetic Recording Tape - Norfolk Naval Station - May 19th, 1974.
Box #2592  f13	Magnetic Recording Tape- Fort Dix - May 12th, 1974.
Box #2592  f14	Musical Guides - Program notes.
Box #2592  f15	Personal Address Directory.
Box #2592  f16	Rudy Vallee Kisses & Tells by Rudy Vallee, six copies.
Box #2592  f17	Slide Carousel & Slides.
Box #2592  f18	Stationery & Envelopes
Box #2592  f19	Westbrook High School - Programs - Historical Pageant &  “Nothing But the Truth”, 1920, 1921.
Box #2592  f20	University of Maine Handbook - 1921-1922
Box #2592  f21	Westbrook High School - Spanish Class - Notes.

 

Box # 2593

 

Box #2593  f1	American Kennel Club - entry form, 1948.
Box #2593  f2	Book Plate - “Ex-Libris Rudy Vallee”
Box #2593  f3	Caption Plate - “I entered the University of Maine...”
Box #2593  f4	Caricature - “For I’m Just a Vagabond Lover in Search of a     Sweetheart”.
Box #2593  f5	Certificate - La Fiesta Association Ltd.
Box #2593  f6	Christmas Card - Vallee family photo with envelope.
Box #2593  f7	Christmas Card - Rudy & Ellie Vallee and Santa Clause.
Box #2593  f8	Christmas Card - Hollywood Guild donation notice.
Box #2593  f9	Dance Request Card - January 21, 1934.
Box #2593  f10	Hot Plate - 1958 Yankee Homecoming - “Rudy Vallee distinguished  patron”
Box #2593  f11	Laboratory Manual - Rudy Vallee - Chemistry (General), 1921-1922.
Box #2593  f12	Music Books - You Took Me out of this World - two copies.
Box #2593  f13	Passcard - General Alumni Association (UM) - “An Evening With Rudy Vallee” - Saturday, October 11th, 1975.
Box #2593  f14	Pen - “Gratefully Rudy Vallee”.
Box #2593  f15	Postcard - “Himmell Sends His Best Too”
Box #2593  f16	Promotional - Victor Records & Paramount (“Radio Rhythms”).
Box #2593  f17	Promotional - Hit-of-the Week Durium Records.
Box #2593  f18	Puzzle (Jigsaw) - “America’s Troubadour! Rudy Vallee”, 200 pieces.
Box #2593  f19	Record Set - “Rudy Vallee”, five records.
Box #2593  f20	Response Cards - “No Can Do”- five copies.
Box #2593  f21	Rudy Vallee Restaurant Promotions.
Box #2593  f22	Wall Plaque - “My Time is Your Time”.
Box #2593  f23	Wall Plaque - “Up in Maine” by Aroline Van Wyck.
Box #2593  f24	Yearbook - Westbrook High School, 1922.

 

Box # 2594

 

Box #  2594

Nineteen pictures of Vallee’s Lodge, Lake Kezar, Maine.

 

Box # 2595

 

Box #  2595

Nine pictures of Vallee’s Lodge, Lake Kezar, Maine. One portrait of Rudy  Vallee framed in red velvet, one plaque - The Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters 50  years award.

 

Box # 2596

 

Box #2596  f1	Glass - “RV” deco initials.
Box #2596  f2	Megaphone - blue with black trim - 15 1/4’’ high.
Box #2596  f3	Ornament - Angel on compressed dome base - silver.
Box #2596  f4	Plaque - M Award “Presented to Rudy Vallee, May 17th, 1964”.
Box #2596  f5	Stein - “To Rudy From Henry, X-Mas, 1950”.
Box #2596  f6	Trophy - “Rudy Vallee - A Token of Our Appreciation From Western Maine...”, 12 1/4” high.

 

Box # 2597

 

Box #  2597   f1	Megaphone - “Fill the Stein”
Box #  2597   f2	Trophy - Stein on Square Base - “The First Century Award”

 

Box folio # 2598

 

Box folio#2598  1	Book jackets, Let the Chips Fall...(5 copies)
Box folio#2598  2	Certificate - Kiwanis Club of Westbrook, Maine - Letter to Charles A. Vallee - November 27th, 1929.
Box folio#2598  3	Certificate - “M Club” - Vallee’s Cheerleading Award - April 10th, 1930.
Box folio#2598  4	Picture - Rudy Vallee with dog.
Box folio#2598  5	Picture - Young Rudy Vallee on steps.
Box folio#2598  6	Poster - Rudy Vallee - Now at the Brooklyn Paramount - Text & Vallee Picture.
Box folio#2598  7	Poster - Rudy Vallee - Orchestra Corporation of America - Rudy Vallee Picture.
Box folio#2598  8	Poster - Rudy Vallee - Orchestra Corporation of America - Text.
Box folio#2598  9	Poster - Rudy Vallee - Orchestra Corporation of America - Text. (upper and lower portion).
Box folio#2598  10	Poster - Rudy Vallee - Third Annual Tour...
Box folio#2598  11	Poster - Victor Records by Rudy Vallee - Vallee Bust Cut-out.
Box folio#2598  12	Poster card - “Big Free Show”
Box folio#2598  13	Poster card - Old Gold Cigarettes - Vallee Endorsement.
Box folio#2598  14	Poster card - “The Private Life of Rudy Vallee”.
Box folio#2598  15	Poster card - “Rudy Vallee (in person)...” - Orchestra Corporation of America.
Box folio#2598  16	Poster card - “Rudy Vallee Now at the Brooklyn Paramount...”
Box folio#2598  17	Real Estate News - Vallee Home as “Home of the Week” - October 17th, 1986 (2 copies).
Box folio#2598  18	Scrapbook - loose page with Victor Records fold-out promotional.
Box folio#2598  19	Scrapbook - loose page with Victor Records’ latest Rudy Vallee releases.

 

Box #2599

 

Box #2599    1	Record Album     I’m Just a Vagabond Lover / I’m Still Caring Same Old Moon / Strange Interlude Till To-Morrow / Here it is Monday and I’ve Still Got a Dollar The One in the World / S’posin’ You Know What I Mean / Snowflakes Deep Night / Weary River Don’t Play With Fire / Vieni Vieni Love is the Interlude / Lovely Troubadour You Took Me Out of this World / Meet Me in Monterey The Old Sow Song / With Her Head Tucked Underneath His Arm An Old Fashioned Tune When Winter Comes/When Winter Comes I Poured My Heart Into a Song You Know What I Mean / Snowflakes
2	Record Album Ballyhoo Thirsty For Your Kisses / Nevertheless I Knew the Moment I Lost You / Oh! You Pretty Woman Anniversary Song / The Loveliest Night of the Year Oops / Baby Doll No Letter Today / Born to Lose Who Wouldn’t Love You / Don’t Tell a Lie About Me Dear I Waited a Little Too Long / Me Too Till We Meet Again / Good-bye Girls I’m Through Columbus Stockade Blues / Honky Tonk Blues You Belong To Me / Pretty Boy Singin’ in the Rain / That’s You Baby
3	Record Album  Stein Song / St. Louis Blues The Drunkard Song / The Tattooed Lady Whiffenpoof Song / Mad Dogs and Englishmen I Carry the Mail / I Carry the Mail part II Cloth of Liberty / Cloth of Liberty part II
4	Record Static Sleeves - one package.

 

Box # 2600

 

Box #2600   1	Record - Rudy Vallee’s Drinking Songs
Box #2600   2	Record - Rudy Vallee’s Drinking Songs
Box #2600   3	Record - Hi-Ho Everybody
Box #2600   4	Record - The Greatest Vaudeo-Doe-R of all Time!
Box #2600   5	Record - The Greatest Vaudeo-Doe-R of all Time!
Box #2600   6	Record - The Greatest Vaudeo-Doe-R of all Time!
Box #2600   7	Record - The Greatest Vaudeo-Doe-R of all Time!
Box #2600   8	Record - Is This Your Rudy Vallee?
Box #2600   9	Record - The Kid From Maine
Box #2600   10	Record - The Kid From Maine
Box #2600   11	Record - The Kid From Maine
Box #2600   12	Record - The Old Sow Song
Box #2600   13	Record - Alouetta / The Whiffenpoof Song
Box #2600   14	Record - Baby Oh Where Can You Be? / You’re Just Another Memory
Box #2600   15	Record - Is This Your Rudy Vallee?
Box #2600   16	Record - How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Box #2600   17	Record - Let’s Do it With Rudy Vallee
Box #2600   18	Record - The Kid From Maine
Box #2600   19	Record - Vieni Vieni
Box #2600   20	Record - Stein Songs
Box #2600   21	Record Case - Stein Songs
Box #2600   22	Record Sleeve - Blue Bird - “Rudy Vallee Now on Blue Bird Records Hear Him!”

 

Box # 2601

 

Box #2601   1	Record - Songs of a Vagabond Lover
Box #2601   2	Record - Hollywood
Box #2601   3	Record - An Evening With Rudy Vallee
Box #2601   4	Record - An Evening With Rudy Vallee
Box #2601   5	Record - The Funny Side of Rudy Vallee
Box #2601   6	Record - The Funny Side of Rudy Vallee
Box #2601   7	Record - The Funny Side of Rudy Vallee
Box #2601   8	Record - The Funny Side of Rudy Vallee
Box #2601   9	Record - Stein Song / Whiffenpoof Song
Box #2601   10	Record - Let’s Do it with Rudy Vallee
Box #2601   11	Record - Hi-Ho Everybody
Box #2601   12	Record - My Time is Your Time
Box #2601   13	Record - My Time is Your Time
Box #2601   14	Record - How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
Box #2601   15	Record - Rudy Vallee and his Connecticut Yankees
Box #2601   16	Record - Rudy Vallee Reads Fairy Tales
Box #2601   17	Record - Sposin’ / Vagabond Lover

 

Folio Materials 

 

1.	Embroidery, framed, map of New England, 17 1/2 x 21 1/2.
2.	Photograph (unframed), Rudy Vallee and orchestra, 17 3/4 x 8.
3.	Photograph (unframed), mounted on cardboard, two men overlooking  community, 20 x 15 1/2.
4.	Photograph (unframed), Brooklyn Paramount Theater, Rudy Vallee headlines show, 10 3/4 x 14.
5.	Photograph, (unframed), Vallee Lodge on Lake Kezar, Maine, 23 1/2 x 20.
6.	Portrait, (unframed) studio photograph of Rudy Vallee in Navy dress whites, 11 x 14.
7.	Portrait, (unframed) studio photograph of Vallees and their dogs, 12 x 14.
8.	Portrait, framed, charcoal rendering of Rudy Vallee, signed J. Montgomery Flagg, 15 x 19.
9.	Portrait, (unframed), metal portrait of Rudy Vallee, 14 3/4 x 18 1/2.
10.	Portrait, framed, oil on canvas of Rudy Vallee, dated 1936, 21 x 25.
11.	Portrait, framed, oil on canvas of Rudy Vallee's father, painted in 1937 from an old photo, some paint chipping, 23 x 27 1/2.
12.	Portrait, framed, oil on canvas of Rudy Vallee, some paint chipping, 29 x 34.
13.	Portrait, framed, studio photograph of Rudy Vallee, 22 x 26.
14.	Posterboard, Deertrees Theater, Harrison, ME, featuring Rudy Vallee, 13 3/4 x 21 1/2.
15.	Posterboard, Elk’s County Store, Rudy Vallee appearance, 14 x 22.
16.	Poster-composite, (unframed) nine black & white photos featuring Rudy Vallee, 13 3/4 x 18 3/4.
17.	Poster (unframed), Hear Them on Columbia Royal Blue Records, 28 x 34.
18.	Poster (unframed), mounted article on Vallee marriage, 20 x 16.
19.	Poster (unframed), Rudy Vallee appearing in the Blue Max.
20.	Poster, framed, JFK LEARNS: HOW TO SUCCEED..., January 20, 1962, 12 1/2 x 18 1/2.
21.	Poster, (unframed), Rudy Vallee and the Connecticut Yankees, 18 x 24.
22.	Poster, (unframed), Rudy Vallee gets praise from First Lady (Hoover), February 28, 1930, 17 x 21.
23.	Poster, (unframed), Rudy Vallee the Vagabond Lover, 19 x 13.
24.	Scrapbook page, loose, Rudy Vallee and State of Maine Special Train.
25.	Photograph (unframed), University of Maine, N.Y. Alumni Association, Presentation of M sweater to Rudy Vallee, Hotel St. George, May 13, 1930.

Finding Aids for selected manuscript collections in the Special Collections Department at Fogler Library are accessible online in URSUS, in a browsable Guide to Manuscript Collections. Please contact Special Collections at spc@umit.maine.edu or (207) 581-1686 for further information.

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Special Collections Staff: spc@umit.maine.edu | Revised: 01/17/2013