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Jeff Askew and Guy Dobbs Photographs

 Collection
Collection number: ahc.VIS171

Scope and Contents of the Records

This collection contains photographic images previously owned by Jeff Askew and Guy Dobbs. The first part of the collection features images of Askew's family and friends at various social functions including holiday and costume parties, from the late 1940s to the early 1970s. Photographs of Atlanta-native and actress Jane Withers, actor John Bromfield and his wife Mary Ellen Tillotson Bromfield, the Dobbs family, Billy Jones, and Dennis Machett are also included. Images from Guy Dobbs's photo albums highlight a variety of entertainers who performed at Atlanta-based clubs where Dobbs either performed or managed, including the Five O'Clock Supper Club and Queen of Clubs. Entertainers included exotic dancers, female impersonators, performance groups, burlesque and comedy acts. Studio portraits and publicity shots of Mary Ellen Tillotson Bromfield, a popular exotic dancer of the 1950s known as "The Heavenly Body" and Kalantan, are included in this part of the collection. The scrapbook about Kalantan contains promotional photographs, playbills, newspaper ads and articles. Also included are photos of Kalantan with family and friends. Entertainment venues throughout the South and Las Vegas during the 1950s are featured, including Club Peachtree and Domino Lounge in Atlanta, La Rue in Miami, 500 Club on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, and Hotel Showboat in Las Vegas. A promotional poster of Joe's Cellar in Albany, Georgia, also features Kalantan.

Dates

  • 1946 - circa 1978, bulk circa 1955

Creator

Restrictions on Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright law. (Title 17, U.S. Code) Permission for use must be cleared through the Kenan Research Center at the Atlanta History Center. Licensing agreement may be required.

Administrative/Biographical History

Jeff Askew, born December 8, 1923, was raised in College Park, an Atlanta suburb, and attended Commercial High School. Askew was drafted for service in World War II, during which time he served as a company clerk. Before the war, Askew befriended Guy Dobbs, also from College Park; the two went through basic training at Fort McPherson. Upon returning to Atlanta after the war, the friendship between Askew and Dobbs continued and deepened, though they conformed to traditional roles, marrying and raising families. Jeff Askew married Margaret Dobbs (not directly related to Guy Dobbs) and raised two children. During the 1950s and the 1960s, the Askews and the Dobbs had mutual friends. Jeff and Margaret Askew remained married until her death in 1994. It was then that Askew publicly came out and entered into a relationship with his current partner, Dennis Matchett.

Extent

382 item(s)

Language

English

Arrangement of the Papers

The collection is arranged in three groups: Askew family and friends; Guy Dobbs photographs; and Kalantan scrapbook. All photographs have been removed from the original photo albums for preservation purposes. The scrapbook remains assembled. Photographs of Askew family and friends are arranged by alphabetically social event, while the photographs from Dobbs’ photo albums are arranged alphabetically by entertainers’ names, transcribed from studio portrait shots.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Gift of Mr. Jeff D. Askew, 2005 (2005.034).

General Physical Description note

381 photographs, 1 scrapbook

Processing Information

Collection processed in 2009.

Title
Jeff Askew and Guy Dobbs Photographs
Author
Paul Crater
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center Repository

Contact:
130 West Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta GA 30305
404-814-4040