Introduction | Biographical Sketch | Scope and Content | Inventory

Introduction

The "Wild" Bill Davison Collection documents the life of a jazz cornetist. The collection focuses on his public and private life between 1906 through 1989. The collection consists of over 30 linear feet of correspondence, magazines, news clippings, photographs, posters, art work, and books.

The collection was donated by Anne Davison on March 10, 1995. Recordings and selected books and sheet music are housed in the Music Library and Sound Recording Archives, Bowling Green State University. The main collection is housed at the Center for Archival Collections. The collection is open to the public and duplication is permitted for research purposes. The collection was processed by Jennifer Hults, graduate assistant. The finding aid was completed in January 1997.

Biographical Sketch

William Edward Davison was born on January 5, 1906, in Defiance, Ohio. From an early age he was interested in playing music. By the age of 15 he left Defiance and moved to Cincinnati, then Chicago, and finally New York City. William Edward Davison, known affectionately as "Wild" Bill, recorded his first album in 1925, at the age of 19. "Wild" Bill was known for his casual, but hot, Chicago-style jazz. Though accomplished on several instruments he is most famous for playing the cornet.

During the mid-1940's, "Wild" Bill was drafted into the army. While in the army he played in a touring Dixieland band. He received an honorable discharge in 1945 and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, much to the amusement of his friends. After he was discharged, "Wild" Bill spent a successful dozen years playing in Eddie Condon's band and touring with them throughout the United States and Europe.

In 1954, "Wild" Bill met his fifth and last wife, Anne Stewart. Anne, a former actress under contract with 20th Century-Fox, became not only "Wild" Bill's wife but also his manager. During the last twenty years of his life "Wild" Bill concentrated on playing jazz in Europe and Asia. He and Anne spent several years living in Denmark and Japan. In Europe and Asia, "Wild" Bill found more success and appreciation than in the United States. "Wild" Bill Davison died on November 14, 1989, at the age of 83.

Scope and Content

The "Wild" Bill Davison Collection is comprised of correspondence, photos of "Wild" Bill with friends and jazz artists, foreign and domestic publications, contracts, sheet music, concert itineraries, awards, foreign and domestic news clippings, and art work. Each series in this collection is extensive, the largest series being the correspondence, sheet music, photos, and news clippings.

The correspondence covers a span of sixty years. This series consists of letters from friends, business associates, and fans to "Wild" Bill and Anne. There are also copies of letters sent from Anne Davison regarding "Wild" Bill.

The foreign and domestic news clippings are also an important series in this collection. These news clippings range from the 1940's through the year of his death, 1989, and well into the 1990's. The news clippings cover "Wild" Bill and Anne's private and public life. This series has extensive information on his career and life and is an integral part of this collection.

The photographs are largely identified although many are not dated. The photographs depict "Wild" Bill on his tours, as he is performing with various musicians and dignitaries, and with his family.

The sheet music may be of interest to musicians as many contain "Wild" Bill's notations. Contracts, dating 1950-1989, document the business aspect of a performer's life. Programs, posters, certificates, and awards complete this collection and highlight "Wild" Bill's popularity and abilities as a jazz cornetist.

The "Wild" Bill Davison Collection is an excellent source for any researcher or fan interested in researching his life and work. This collection is also a great resource for any researcher attempting to document the evolution of jazz in the 20th century in the United States, Europe, and/or Asia.

Series Description

CORRESPONDENCE

CORRESPONDENCE - OUTGOING
Box 1
Arranged chronologically
1921, 1932, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991.
Includes letters to friends and colleagues. Correspondence written mostly by Anne Davison in reply to letters received by Bill and Anne.

CORRESPONDENCE - INCOMING
Boxes 1-4
Arranged chronologically
1955-1993, n.d.
Includes letters from fans, friends, and business colleagues from the United States, Europe, and Asia.

LITERARY PRODUCTIONS

DATE BOOKS
Box 5
Arranged chronologically
1968, 1971-73, 1976-79, 1986-89.
Includes schedule information on trips, musical engagements and personal appointments.

SHEET MUSIC
Boxes 7-9
Arranged chronologically
1950s, 1970s, n.d.
Sheet music has notes written on them by Bill Davison. Sheet music contains keys written for different instruments in a jazz band.

TRANSCRIBED INTERVIEW
Box 5
September 15, 1992.
Interview of Anne Davison by Floyd Levin.

LEGAL DOCUMENTS

CONTRACTS
Box 6
Arranged chronologically
1950s-1991, n.d.
Contains contracts and attached itineraries for concert appearances for the United States, Europe, and Asia.

SCRAPBOOKS AND SCRAPBOOK MATERIALS

SCRAPBOOKS
Box 10
1944-1945, 1989.
Contains news clippings of "Wild" Bill Davison as well as news clippings regarding national and world affairs. One album is a memorial scrapbook on Davison.

FOREIGN NEWS CLIPPINGS
Box 11
Arranged chronologically
1940s-1990s, n.d.
Foreign news clippings containing information on "Wild" Bill Davison's appearances in Europe and Asia.

DOMESTIC NEWS CLIPPINGS
Boxes 11-13
Arranged chronologically
1930s-1990s, n.d.
News clippings containing information about "Wild" Bill and Anne Davison's public and private lives.

PRINTED MATERIALS

BOOKS
Box 14
Arranged chronologically by publication date.
1942-1994
Books discuss the history of jazz and jazz musicians. They contain sections on "Wild" Bill Davison.

MAGAZINES
Box 15-16
Arranged chronologically
1950s-1990s, n.d.
Includes various magazines containing articles about "Wild" Bill and his music.

PROGRAMS/CONCERT PROGRAMS
Boxes 17-22
Arranged chronologically
1941-1994, n.d.
Programs contain information on "Wild" Bill's concerts and gives an idea of where he has played and with what other artists.

CERTIFICATES
Box 10
Arranged chronologically
1960s-1980s
Certificates that were awarded to "Wild" Bill in recognition of his musical accomplishments. They are given by local, state, and national organizations, and includes resolutions by local and state governments.

POSTERS-CONCERTS
Box 23 and oversize materials at end of collection.
No arrangement
1920s-1990, n.d. (very scattered dates)
Posters contain information on concert appearances of "Wild" Bill.

PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL

PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL
Boxes 24-29
Most photographs are individually identified, some are in albums.
1907-1990s
Includes photographs of Davison as a child and young man, family members, publicity photographs, concert and travel photographs, photographs of other musicans and actors.

SUBJECT FILES

GENEALOGICAL/BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION
Box 29
n.d.
Contains a family tree and interviews and biographical information.

WORK PERMITS
Box 29
Arranged chronologically
1970s-1980s
Contains several permits for Bill and Anne Davison to work in Europe.

TRAVEL INFORMATION
Box 29
1978
Information on "Wild" Bill and Anne's travels through Argentina.

INSTRUMENT INFORMATION
Box 29
n.d.
Contains information and owner's manuals on "Wild" Bill's cornets.

PUBLICITY PROMOTIONAL
Box 29
Scattered dates
Contains ideas from business colleagues on how to promote jazz musicians and dedication of collection in 1999.

ARTIFACTS

ART WORK-PAINTINGS/PRINTS
Boxes 30-35 and oversize materials at end of collection.
No arrangement.
Various dates.
Paintings and prints of "Wild" Bill Davison and jazz musicians, or paintings given to the Davisons. Paintings are done in different mediums.

FRAMED RECORDS
Boxes 36-37
1925, 1927, 1979, 1985
The framed records of "Wild" Bill Davison's recordings.

BADGES AND BUTTONS
Box 38
No arrangement
Buttons and badges are largely of jazz festivals and jazz musicians.

TROPHIES AND PLAQUES
Boxes 39-40
Arranged chronologically
1969-1990
Trophies and plaques given to "Wild" Bill from various jazz organizations for recognition of his accomplishments.

MISCELLANEOUS ARTIFACTS
Box 41
No arrangement
These artifacts consist of such items as foreign coins, stickers of jazz festivals, lighter, guest book, and a birthday banner.

Inventory

Box 1

Folders

1. Letter form Herbert Clark to Elden Benge, 1921
2. IOU note from Bill Davison, 1932
3. Correspondence from Anne Davison, 1974
4. Correspondence from Anne Davison, 1977
5. Correspondence from Anne Davison, 1979
6. Correspondence from Bill and Anne Davison, 1981
7. Correspondence from Bill and Anne Davison, 1986
8. Correspondence from Bill and Anne Davison, 1987, 1989
9. Correspondence from Bill and Anne Davison, 1995
10. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1955-1956
11. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1957
12. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison 1958
13. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1959
14. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1960-1961
15. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1962
16. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1963
17. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1964
18. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1965
19. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1966
20. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1967
21. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1968-69
22. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1970
23. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1971
24. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1972
25. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1973
26. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1974
27. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1975
28. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1976 (January-June)
29. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1976 (July-December)
30. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1977 (January-June)
31. Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison, 1977 (July-December)

Box 2 Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison

Folder

1. 1978 (January-February)
2. 1978 (March)
3. 1978 (April-December)
4. 1979 (January-March)
5. 1979 (April-August)
6. 1979 (September-December)
7. 1980
8. 1981
9. 1982 (January-June)
10. 1982 (July-August)
11. 1982 (September-December)
12. 1983

Box 3: Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison

Folders

1. 1984 (January-August)
2. 1984 (September-December)
3. 1985 (January-June)
4. 1985 (July-December)
5. 1986 (January-June)
6. 1986 (July-December)
7. 1987 (January-June)
8. 1987 (July-December)
9. 1988
10. 1989 (January-June)

Box 4: Correspondence to Bill and Anne Davison

Folders

1. 1989 (July-September)
2. 1989 (October-December)
3. 1989 (October-December)
4. 1990-1993
5. n.d.
6. n.d.
7. n.d.
8. n.d.
9. n.d.
10. n.d.
11. n.d.
12. Correspondence between Anne Davison and Defiance College, 1989-1994

Box 5

Folders

1. Transcribed interview of Anne Davison by Floyd Levin, September 15, 1992
2. Date books-Bill Davison, 1968
3. Date books, 1971-1973, 1976
4. Date books, 1977-1979
5. Date books, 1986-1989

Box 6: Contracts

Folders

1. 1950s
2. 1960s
3. 1970
4. 1972
5. 1973
6. 1975
7. 1976
8. 1977
9. 1978
10. 1979
11. 1980
12. 1981
13. 1982
14. 1983
15. 1984
16. 1985
17. 1986
18. 1987
19. 1988
20. 1989
21. 1991
22. n.d.

Box 7: Sheet Music

Folders

1. n.d.
2. n.d.
3. n.d.
4. n.d.
5. n.d.
6. n.d.
7. n.d.

Box 8: Sheet Music

Folders

1. n.d.
2. n.d.
3. n.d.
4. n.d. (popular rock music)
5. 1956

Box 9: Sheet Music

Folders

1. 1956
2. 1957
3. 1957
4. 1957
5. 1970s

Box 10

Folders

1. Scrapbook, 1944-1945
2. "Wild" Bill Davison Memorial Album by Masao Ogawa, 1989
3. Get Well Certificate from Jubilee By the Sea Committee-Pismo Beach, California, c. 1989
4. Certificates and Resolutions honoring "Wild" Bill Davison, 1960s-1980s
5. Certificates and Resolutions honoring "Wild" Bill Davison, 1960s-1980s

Box 11: Newspaper Clippings

Folders

1. Foreign, 1940s and 1950s
2. Foreign, 1970s
3. Foreign, 1980s
4. Foreign, 1990s
5. Foreign, n.d.
6. Domestic, 1930s
7. Domestic, 1940s
8. Domestic, 1950s
9. Domestic, 1960
10. Domestic, 1961
11. Domestic, 1962
12. Domestic, 1963
13. Domestic, 1964
14. Domestic, 1965
15. Domestic, 1966
16. Domestic, 1967
17. Domestic, 1968
18. Domestic, 1969
19. Domestic, 1970
20. Domestic, 1971
21. Domestic, 1972
22. Domestic, 1973

Box 12: Domestic Newspaper Clippings

Folders

1. 1974
2. 1975
3. 1976
4. 1977
5. 1978
6. 1979
7. 1980
8. 1981
9. 1982
10. 1983
11. 1984
12. 1985
13. 1986

Box 13: Domestic Newspaper Clippings

Folders

1. 1986
2. 1987
3. 1988
4. 1989
5. 1990s
6. n.d.
7. n.d.
8. n.d.

Box 14

1. Charles Edward Smith, The Jazz Record Book1942
2. Japanese title and author.
3. Orrin Keepnews and Bill Grauer, Jr., A Pictorial History of Jazz. 1955
4. John S. Wilson, The Collector's Jazz.1958
5. Leonard Feather, New Edition of the Encyclopedia of Jazz. 1962
6. John Chitton, Who's Who of Jazz, Storyville to Swing Street. 1972
7. Eddie Condon and Hank O'Neal, The Eddie Condon Scrapbook of Jazz, 1973
8. Paul Rimstead, Cocktails and Jockstraps. 1980
9. K.O. Eckland, Jazz West 1945 to 1985. 1986
10. Burt Wilson, A History of Sacramento Jazz, 1948-1966: A Personal Memoir. 1986
11. Fred Hall, Dialogues in Swing. 1989
12. Doug Armstrong, Wild Bill Davison: A Celebration, (2 copies)1991
13. W. Royal Stokes, The Jazz Scene. 1991
14. Von Axel Melthardt, Geschecte Und G'schichtln. 1992
15. David Meltzer, ed., Reading Jazz. 1993
16. Fred Karlin, Listening to Movies: The Film Lover's Guide to Film Music. 1994

Box 15: Magazines

Folders

1. 1950s
2. 1963
3. 1965
4. 1967
5. 1968
6. 1969
7. 1970s
8. 1981
9. 1983

Box 16: Magazines

Folders

1. 1985
2. 1986
3. 1987
4. 1988
5. 1989
6. 1990
7. 1990
8. 1991
9. 1992
10. n.d.

Box 17: Concert Programs

Folders

1. 1941
2. 1944
3. 1952
4. 1955
5. 1957
6. 1959
7. 1962
8. 1963
9. 1966
10. 1967
11. 1968
12. 1969
13. 1970
14. 1971
15. 1972
16. 1973
17. 1974
18. 1975
19. 1976

Box 18: Concert Programs

Folders

1. 1977
2. 1978 (January-June)
3. 1978 (January-June)
4. 1978 (July-December)
5. 1979
6. 1980
7. 1981

Box 19: Concert Programs

Folders

1. 1982 (January-June)
2. 1982 (July-December)
3. 1983
4. 1984
5. 1985
6. 1986 (January-June)

Box 20: Concert Programs

Folders

1. 1986 (July-December)
2. 1987 (January-July)
3. 1987 (August-December)
4. 1988
5. 1989

Box 21: Concert Programs

Folders

1. 1990 (January-June)
2. 1990 (July-December)
3. 1991
4. 1992
5. 1993
6. 1994

Box 22: Concert Programs

Folders

1. n.d.
2. n.d.
3. n.d.
4. n.d.

Box 23

1. 19th Annual Concord Jazz Festival, 8-87
2. Jazz Concert - Scandinavia, n.d.
3. Jazz Concert - Bern, 5-90
4. Milt Gabler's Sunday Swing Clam Jam Session, n.d.
5. Jazzland Club Z - Vienna, n.d.
6. Banefest Scandinavian Jazz Concert, 1979
7. Club Pigalle, n.d.
8. Dixie Fest - Scandinavia, n.d.
9. The Tramshed Theatre Jazz Festival - London, England, 1986
10. Jazz Concert - Argentina, n.d.
11. Beverly Hills Jazz Festival, n.d.
12. Jazztone Society - Germany, 9-57
13. Dixieland Jazz Konzert - Germany, n.d.
14. Elkhart, Jazz Festival - Indiana (framed), 7-90
15. 100 Club - London, England, n.d.
16. The Ohio Lucky Seven at White Maple Pavilion, c. 1921-1922
17. Advertising Ancient Age Bourbon, c. 1970
18. Seagram's Ad, 1986
19. Richmond Jazz Festival, 1986
20. Concert at Marlow, England, 12-15-77
21. L.A. Classic Jazz Festival, 9/1-3/84
22. Savoy Cafe` - Boston, n.d.
23. Japanese Jazz Festival - Olgawa, 1987
24. Jazz Festival - Bern, 4-30-78
25. Concert - Frankfurt, Germany, n.d.
26. Jazz Festival - Oakdale, 8-11-57
27. Concert - Hereford, England, n.d.
28. Arts Festival - Santa Barbara, California, 1983
29. Jazz Festival - Bern, 5/4-8/77
30. "Wild" Bill Davison in Buenos-Aries, Argentina, 7/24-25/78
31. Jazz Concert - England - Dyfed Jazz Society, n.d.
32. Chicago Jazz Festival, 1980
33. German Jazz Festival, 1980
34. Jaylins' Club - Jazz Concerts - Bern, 1981
35. Jaylins' Club - Jazz Concerts - Bern, 1983
36. Jazz Band Ball Casino Luzern, 1980
37. Jazz Concert - Eastern Europe, 1976
38. "Wild" Bill Davison and Jack Maheu, n.d.
39. Dublin Jazz Society, n.d.
40. Mad House Jazz Klub - Scandinavia, n.d.
41. Traditional Jazz - Royal Oak Ormesky, England, n.d.
42. German Jazz Festival, 1982

Box 24

1. "Wild" Bill Davison at Desk of Kaiser Wilhelm in Doorn (The Netherlands), plaque, photo - 9 x 6 3/4, 15-12-78
2. Unidentified color photocopy of "Wild" Bill Davison signing autographs - 5 x 6 1/2, c. 1960
3. Early photocopy of "Wild" Bill Davison with his army band in Ashville, NC. It was the only authorized Dixieland jazz band in the army - 9 1/2 x 7 1/4, c. 1944
4. "Wild" Bill Davison dressed as Kaiser Wilhelm - 10 1/2 x 13 1/2 n.d., c. 1960
5. "Wild" Bill Davison and Walter Cronkite (2) -11 1/2 x 10, n.d., c. 1980
6. "Wild" Bill Davison as Emperor of the Sacramento Dixieland Jubilee - 8 x 10, 1986
7. L to R - Photocopy of Jimmy Archy, Pops Foster, "Wild" Bill Davison, Tony Piazanit (last name illegible) - 13 x 10, n.d., c. 1950
8. ESS-R-BEE Sweaters on Benny Meroff and Orchestra ("Wild" Bill Davison is probably in back row farthest from left) - copy photo - 12 x 11, 1927
9. "Wild" Bill Davison at Funky Butt Dance Hall (?) -16 x 20, n.d., c. late 1960s, early 1970s
10. "Wild" Bill Davison Portrait - 10 1/2 x 13 1/2n.d., c. 1960
11. "Wild" Bill Davison Portrait (possible album cover design) - 10 1/2 x 13 1/2, n.d., c. 1960
12. "Wild" Bill Davison at Jaylin's Club - 75th celebration (2) 10 3/4 x 15, n.d., c. 1970s
13. Magazine photo of "Wild" Bill Davison appearing on Rudi Blesh's "This is Jazz" radio program - 10 3/4 x 8, n.d., c. 1940s
14. "Wild" Bill Davison in tuxedo. Bill had a quartet at the Sherman Hotel called the Beau Brummells, 1931-1932
15. "Wild" Bill Davison portrait - Raus Frantiser Prague - 11 x 14 3/4, 10-76
16. "Wild" Bill Davison portrait with two musicians, perhaps for an album cover, 8 x 10, c. late 1960s
17. Benny Meroff's famous Orchestra ("Wild" Bill Davison front row second from left) - 11 x 14 and 8 x 10, c. 1930
18. "Wild" Bill Davison from back - performing at Lucerna Hall, Prague 14 /12 x 11, 10-10-76
19. "Wild" Bill Davison imposed over Times Square (backing removal) - 16 1/2 x 13, n.d., 2-12-61
20. "Wild" Bill Davison performing with school boys - 10 1/2 x 13 1/2, n.d., c. 1960
21. "Wild" Bill Davison portrait - 10 x 15 1/2, n.d., c. 1980s
22. "Wild" Bill Davison standing beside bust of Kaiser Wilhelm in Doorn (Netherlands) - 9 x 6 3/4, 15-12-78
23. "Wild" Bill Davison performing at The Mint in Las Vegas - 5 x 7, 1966
24. "Wild" Bill Davison at the age of 13 on the steps of the Carnegie Library. He lived in its basement with his grandparents in Defiance, Ohio - 4 1/2 x 5 1/2, n.d., c 1919
25. "Wild" Bill Davison performing at Condon's. Photo inscribed to "Wild" Bill Davison from Jackie Cooper - 7 1/2 x 10, n.d., c. 1950
26. "Wild" Bill Davison with unidentified group on sofa - 9 3/4 x 8, n.d., c. 1980
27. "Wild" Bill Davison talking with Kirk Douglas at Condon's - Condon's I - 8 x 7 1/4, 1945-1958
28. Chuck-Steinberg Band, Kemperlane Apt., hotel in Cincinnati, ("Wild" Bill Davison fifth from left). Others from left are Ray Fetzer - sax; Frank Baumberger - trombone; Jack Sedcamp - piano; Burt Allen - trumpet.; "Wild" Bill Davison, Carl Clauve - banjo; Art Hicks (band leader) - violin; Bud Ebel - drum; Homer Reacraft - sax; and Jack Weber - ts - 9 1/4 x 7 1/2, 1924
29. "Wild" Bill Davison performing with Burgess Meredith at Condon's (2) - 7 1/2 x 9 1/2, c. 1950
30. "Wild" Bill Davison, Yul Brynner, and Bill Funaro at Condon's I - 7 1/2 x 9 1/2, 1945-1958
31. "Wild" Bill Davison with group dressed as Kaiser Wilhelm - 9 x 7, n.d., c. 1960
32. "Wild" Bill Davison speaking to a group (left to right - Don Brow (Adelaide Clarinet), Tony Brethereck (local jazz radio announcer), Phil Barnes (?), Herman (trombonist) - 8 x 10, n.d., c. 1980
33. "Wild" Bill Davison as a 1 year old - 11 x 7, n.d., c. 1907
34. "Wild" Bill Davison and Melvyn Douglas at Condon's, Condon I - 6 x 7 1/2, 1945-1958
35. "Wild" Bill Davison performing 12 1/2 x 15 (rolled), n.d., c. 1970
36. "Wild" Bill Davison with Eddie Condon and Robert Mitchum at Condon's - 4 1/2 x 6, c. 1952
37. "Wild" Bill Davison with Jan Hunter and Robert Morley at Condon's (to Wild from "Groover" Morley) - Condon 1 - 9 1/2 x 7 1/2, 1945-1958
38. "Wild" Bill Davison with Eddie Condon, Janice Paige and Jackie Cooper at Condon's - Condon I - 8 x 10, c. 1945-1958
39. "Wild" Bill Davison's mother, Ann Kreps at age 18 - 6 1/2 x 9, n.d., c. 1906
40. "Wild" Bill Davison's mother or material grandmother (unidentified photo), 5 x 7, n.d., c. 1906
41. Photo of the Amazing Platters with inscriptions to "Wild" Bill Davison - 8 x 10, 1988
42. Photo of Stanley Halloway inscribed to "Wild" Bill Davison - 5 x 7, 1958
43. Photo of Count Basie inscribed to "Wild" Bill Davison, Copenhagen "To my man - Wild Bill. In my book you are still the tops", Love Bill Basie - 7 1/4 x 8 1/4, n.d., c. 1950
44. Photo of Milton Hinton inscribed to "Wild" Bill Davison - 5 x 7, n.d., c. 1970
45. Photo of Bill Allred inscribed to "Wild" Bill Davison - 8 x 10, n.d., c. 1980
46. Unidentified photo of man with clarinet - 7 1/4 x 9, n.d.
47. Photo of Kiki Paige inscribed to "Wild" Bill Davison - 7 1/4 x 10, n.d., c. 1960
48. Photo of Rex Allen inscribed to "Wild" Bill Davison - 8 x 10, n.d., c. 1970
49. Photo of Tom ? inscribed to "Wild" Bill Davison (stuck to glass) - 7 1/4 x 9 1/2, 1986
50. Photo of Adolf Hitler and Martin Borman of Pren Bavaria - 8 x 10, 1945
51. "Wild" Bill Davison performing - 19 3/4 x 24, n.d., c. 1970
52. "Wild" Bill Davison on TV, film inscribed from the Danish TV, crew for his birthday (mounted on particle board) - 20 x 24, 1977
53. "Wild" Bill Davison performing - printed inscription from Akihiro Toguchi - 20 x 15 1/2, c. 1989
54. "Wild" Bill Davison performing (framed) - 20 x 21 3/4, c. 1970
55. Album photo - Columbia - with strings attached ("Wild" Bill Davison) - 13 x 12 1/2, n.d., c. 1962
56. Album photo - Columbia - Garry Moore presents "My Kind of Music" featuring "Wild" Bill Davison, 13 x 12 1/2, n.d., c. 1960
57. Album photo - Storyville - "Driftin Down the River" with "Wild" Bill Davison - 11 3/4 x 12 3/4
58. "Wild" Bill Davison sleeping - 5 x 3 1/2, c. 1980
59. Photo of montage - Sweden, 11-5-82
60. Folder of "publicity" photos

Box 25

1. Early bands of "Wild" Bill Davison, c. 1920s-1940s
2. "Wild" Bill Davison at Eddie Condons, c. 1950s, 1980s
3. "Wild" Bill Davison birthday parties, c. 1970s-1980s
4. Publicity photos of "Wild" Bill Davison, c. 1940s-1970s
5. Publicity photos of "Wild" Bill Davison, c. 1970s-1980s
6. Photos to "Wild" Bill Davison from other musicians, c. 1940s-1980s
7. Negatives
8. Duplicates of early photos of "Wild" Bill Davison
9. "Wild' Bill Davison and Anne Davison, various dates
10. Various musicians and groups, c. 1950s-1990s
11. Photos of clubs in which Bill played, various dates

Box 26

1. "Wild" Bill Davison in Europe
2. "Wild" Bill Davison in East Europe
3. "Wild" Bill Davison in Germany
4. "Wild" Bill Davison in Japan
5. "Wild" Bill Davison in Scandinavia
6. "Wild" Bill Davison in South America
7. "Wild" Bill Davison in the United States

Box 27

1. "Wild" Bill Davison - hobbies
2. "Wild" Bill Davison - family photos
3. "Wild" Bill Davison - unidentified and performing
4. Unidentified of other people with Bill
5. Unidentified of other people with Bill and Anne
6. Unidentified of other people with Anne
7. Unidentified of other musicians and groups
8. Duplicate photos

Box 28

1. Photo albums of trip to Japan, 1987
2. Photo albums of trip to Japan, 1987

Box 29

Folders

1. Tom Sanders and Surfside 6 with "Wild" Bill Davison - live at Jean's Delicatessen (photo album)
2. Japanese photo album, 1985
3. Japanese photo album, 1985
4. Genealogical/biographical data, n.d.
5. Work permits, 1970s-1980s
6. Travel information, 1978
7. Instrument information
8. Publicity (includes dedication of collection, 1999) 1950s, 1980s

Box 30

Folders

1. "Wild" Bill Davison portrait (water color) by Victor Kalin, n.d.
2. "Wild" Bill Davison portrait (charcoal) by Irma Couall, n.d.
3. "Wild" Bill Davison portrait - Jazz Hall of Fame Induction, 12-1-83

Box 31

Folders

1. Eddie Condon's Jazz Club (oil) by Davis Quinn - "47 W. 3rd St.", n.d.
2. Drawings of Eddie Condon
3. Drawing of Eddie Condon's New Bandstand

Box 32

Folders

1. Boston troops of light Dragoon given to "Wild" Bill Davison, 10-1976
2. 1st city troop of Cleveland, Ohio given to "Wild" Bill Davison, 10-1976
3. Freude print given to "Wild" Bill Davison, 10-1976

Box 33

Folders

1. Jazz performances (watercolor) - "New Orleans", 11-69
2. Water color of jazz musicians (birthday present), n.d.

Box 34

Folders

1. Jazz performers (water color ink) by Art Tamers, n.d.
2. PIC framed newspaper and picture, n.d.

Box 35

Folders

1. "Wild" Bill Davison portrait (caricature) - Sabat, n.d.
2. "Wild" Bill Davison portrait (pencil caricature) - Sabat, n.d.
3. "Wild" Bill Davison portrait (pencil caricature) - Sabat, n.d.
4. "Wild" Bill Davison portrait - Montgomery (2), n.d.
5. "Wild" Bill Davison portrait (pencil) - J.M. Elliott, n.d.
6. "Wild" Bill Davison portrait (marker) - rehearsal at Sheraton, 7-24-78
7. Miscellaneous portrait
8. Miscellaneous portrait (watercolor)
9. Color photocopy of portrait by Leroy Neiman, n.d.
10. Miscellaneous photos of art with "Wild" Bill Davison, n.d.
11. Album of publicity designs by Jorgen Saaby (ink)
12. Watercolor by Jacques Gauthe
13. "Coat of Arms" of Davison
14. Artwork for Jazz Forum Book-salute to WBD
15. "Wild" Bill Davison and his jazz kings-Argentina (watercolor) by Mausa Szabo (framed), 1981

Box 36

Folders

1. Framed record "Mandy Make up your Mind", c. 1925
2. Framed record "Because They All Love You", 1925
3. Framed record birthday plaque "That's a Pie", 1-5-85

Box 37

Folders

1. Framed record - Storyville, 1-5-79
2. Framed record - Chubb-Stenburg Orchestra, n.d.
3. Framed record "Smiling Skies", 1927

Box 38

Folders

1. Assorted badges and buttons from jazz festivals

Box 39

Folders

1. Plaque-Professional Musicians Association, 1986
2. In appreciation of 60 years of Jazz - Defiance, Ohio
3. Plaque celebrating 59 years in jazz- New Jersey Jazz Society, 2-18-79
4. Plaque - Jazz Forum - 60 years of Jazz, 1980
5. Plaque - Preservation Jazz (sic) Festival Society, 11-83
6. Plaque - Musicians Union Local 47, 1-86
7. Plaque - Jazz Hall of Fame (induction), 5-22-88
8. Plaque - "Wild" Bill Davison, Defiance, Ohio Distinguished jazz artist, 8-16-69
9. Plaque to Anne Davison for commitment to "Wild" Bill Davison - 20th Big Horn Jazz Festival, 1990
10. Plaque - Old Spanish Days fiesta - S.B. California, 8/7-11/85
11. Insignia from Banta Horn's Jazz Band given to "Wild" Bill Davison
12. Plaque graystone, 5-22-1988

Box 40

Folders

1. Trophy - parade special award, 7-4-88
2. Trophy - "Wild" Bill Davison Grand Emperor of Jazz 13th Annual Sacramento Dixieland Jubilee, 1986

Box 41

Folders

1. Tobacco rationing card - war department
2. Foreign coins
3. Jazz festival stickers
4. "Wild" Bill Davison - WWII medal
5. Cigarette lighter given to "Wild" Bill Davison from CBS Morning Show
6. Birthday celebration sentiment book, Jaylin's Club, Bern, Switzerland, 1981

Oversized Documents

1. Framed Poster: At the Village Lounge
2. Framed Poster: Jazzhus Slukefter
3. Framed Poster: New Orleans Jazz and Food Festival
4. Portrait by Victor Kalim
5. Poster of "Wild" Bill Davison

Manuscripts by Subject | Arts & Entertainment | Miscellaneous Collections