- Collection:
- The Blues, Black Vaudeville, and the Silver Screen, 1912-1930s: Selections from the Records of Macon's Douglass Theatre
- Title:
- Letter: New Orleans, Louisiana to Ben Stein, Macon, Georgia, 1927 Oct. 5
- Creator:
- Norfolk, Battling
- Date of Original:
- 1927-10-05
- Subject:
- African American boxers
Boxers--Louisiana--New Orleans
Boxing matches--Georgia--Macon
Boxing--Georgia--Macon
Sports promoters--Louisiana--New Orleans
Entertainment events--Georgia--Macon
Silas Green from New Orleans (Musical show)
Douglass Theatre (Macon, Ga.)
Stein, Ben
Starr, Milton
Haack, Billy - Location:
- United States, Georgia, Bibb County, Macon, 32.84069, -83.6324
- Medium:
- letters (correspondence)
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- image/jpeg
text/html - Description:
- Letter from boxer Battling Norfolk to Ben Stein, owner and manager of the Douglass Theatre, dated October 5, 1927, regarding the possibility of a boxing match at the Douglass Theatre. Norfolk explains that he was referred to Stein by a friend who thinks Stein could use Norfolk in one of his shows. Norfolk describes himself as a heavyweight who has fought and defeated some of the best heavyweights in the country. He asserts his desire to box in Macon and promises a good showing against any opponent. Norfolk provides a list of men that he has boxed (including Tiger Flowers) and adds that he has boxed for Milton Starr, president of Theatre Owners Booking Association (T.O.B.A.), a Tennessee-based booking agency from 1920 to the 1930s for African American vaudeville acts, at his Bijou Theatre in Nashville, Tennessee, and for Billy Haack, in Memphis, Tennessee. Norfolk expresses his hope that Stein will respond soon with his best terms.
Digital image and encoded transcription of an original manuscript, scanned, transcribed and encoded by the Digital Library of Georgia in 2005, as part of Georgia HomePLACE. This project is supported with federal LSTA funds administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Georgia Public Library Service, a unit of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. - Local Identifier:
- dbr058
- External Identifiers:
- Metadata URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/dtrm/id:dbr058
- Digital Object URL:
- https://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/do:dlg_dtrm_dbr058
- IIIF manifest:
- https://dlg.usg.edu/record/dlg_dtrm_dbr058/presentation/manifest.json
- Bibliographic Citation (Cite As):
- Cite as: [title of item], Theater Records Series, Charles Henry Douglass, Jr. Business Records, 1906-1967, Middle Georgia Archives, presented in the Digital Library of Georgia.
- Extent:
- [2] p.
- Original Collection:
- Manuscript held by the Middle Georgia Archives, Washington Memorial Library, Charles Henry Douglass, Jr. business records, 1906-1967, box 21, folder 205, document 6.
- Holding Institution:
- Washington Memorial Library, Middle Georgia Regional Library
- Rights:
-
Page: [1]
[Note: This document contains both handwritten and printed text.]
[printed text:
PAL MORAN
E. MILES N. MARTINO
J. N. SMITH
MORAN-MILES
Gymnasium
934 POYDRAS STREET] [written text: Jackson 9496]
[printed text: NEW ORLEANS, LA. [LOUISIANA],]
[written text: Oct [October] 5 1927
Mr. Ben Stein
Douglass Theatre
Macon, Ga. [Georgia]
Dear Sir:
A friend of yours gave me your address and said he thought you could use me on one of your shows. Am a heavy weight [heavyweight] and have fought and defeated some of the bess [best] heavy weights [heavyweights] in the country.
Would like to show in your city and I assure you that I will make a good showing against any opponent you may select for me.
Page: [2]
Have boxed such men as Tiger Flowers -- Bob Lawson -- Batt. Siki -- Pinkie Lewis -- Geo. [George] Godfrey -- and many others.
Have boxed several times for Mr. Milton Star in Nashville, Tenn [Tennessee] at the Bijou theatre. Have also boxed for Billy Haack at Memphis Tenn. [Tennessee]
Hoping to hear from at an early date stating your best terms
I am
Sincerely Yours
[Signed] Battling Norfolk.
Colored 180 lbs. [pounds]
934 Poydras St [Street]
N. O [New Orleans] La. [Louisiana]]