Collections

The Charles R. Underhill, Jr. collection consists of approximately 103 photographs, 3 letters, and 10 items of miscellaneous documentation and ephemera related to Charles R. Underhill, Jr.’s employment with RCA Photophone, which saw him travel around the country installing motion picture theater projector equipment.

The Charles R. Underhill, Jr. collection consists of approximately 103 photographs, 3 letters, and 10 items of miscellaneous documentation and ephemera related to Charles R. Underhill, Jr.’s employment with RCA Photophone, which saw him travel around the country installing motion picture theater projector equipment.

Many of the photographs present in this collection appear to have once been part of an album or scrapbook which may have been compiled and captioned by Underhill, Jr.’s sister, Marguerite Allare Underhill Goetz (1895-1970). Images of interest include views of numerous movie theaters, street scenes, and landscapes in various locations in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C; photos of P-2 projector equipment manufactured for RCA by General Electric; snapshots of Underhill, Jr. and family members including his parents, wife, and daughter taken in various locations during work-related travels; photos of movie theater managers John M. Bernardi (Roxy Theatre, Williamsport, Pennsylvania) and Paul O. Klingler (Rialto Theatre, Lewiston, Pennsylvania); a portrait of Harold Graffius, projectionist for the Rowland Theatre in Phillipsburg, Pennsylvania; and pictures of several theatre organists.

Additional items include Underhill, Jr.’s projected service schedule beginning June 1, 1935; his service schedule for the month of July 1931; a list of films reviewed by Box Office for the year 1933; an undated letter from Rialto Theatre manager Paul O. Klingler regarding an unknown article that had originally been attached; a letter from Ike Benny of Pastime Theatre in Lewiston requesting Underhill, Jr.’s help regarding equipment issues dated October 9 1930; a letter from W. K. Glodfelter regarding an upcoming local meeting of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees dated November 9 1931; and a broadside advertising the Rivoli Theatre of Johnstown, Pennsylvania ; posters advertising the McVeytown Theatre in McVeytown, Pennsylvania; an issue of the Charleroi Mail advertising the opening of the 1935 fall film season at the Menlo Theatre in Charleroi, Pennsylvania.

The E. L. Tobias automobile touring photograph album contains 25 photographs showing friends and relatives (often in the company of automobiles) of Huntington, Indiana-based professional photographer E. L. Tobias.

The E. L. Tobias automobile touring photograph album contains 25 photographs showing friends and relatives (often in the company of autombolies) of Huntington, Indiana-based professional photographer E. L. Tobias. The album (19 x 25 cm) is bound in black cloth, there is one loose photograph. Images include views of cars and occupants shown in various settings: beside an oil field, on a country road, in front of a barn, and on the street near the E. L. Tobias residence. One photograph shows a group pushing a car uphill, while a young boy steers the wheel; in another image, the passengers lean forward to urge the car uphill. One of the automobile models featured is likely the 1905 Michigan Tonneau, manufactured by the Michigan Automobile Co. in Kalamazoo, Michigan. In addition to the automobile-related photographs are outdoor group portraits showing people posing in a daisy field, a gliding swing, and gathered at a table for a picnic. One group portrait showing people beside a street car is captioned, "My special car working along Northern Indiana R.R., this in Fort Wayne, 1903." Other identified locations represented in this album include Huntington, Indiana; Auburn, Indiana; and Osceola County, Michigan.