Research Catalog

Title

A. Robins papers, 1908-1973.

Author

Robins, Adolf, 1886-1950.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Description

.21 linear foot (1 box)

Summary

A. Robins (1886-1950) was a clown who performed in the United States and Europe from the 1900s until 1950. He was born Adolf Proper in Vienna, Austria. He took on the stage name A. Robins before coming to the United States in the early 1910s. In his early career, he performed as part of a duo, the Brothers Robins. He was known as the Banana Man for a trick he performed in which he pulled large numbers of bananas out of his pockets. Robins was known for making his own props. After his death, his act and stage name were adopted by Sam Levine. During the 1950s and 1960s, Levine appeared frequently on television as A. Robins or as the Banana Man. The A. Robins papers contain photographs, letters, and other papers dating from 1908 to 1950 documenting Robins' career, and a ledger that belonged to Sam Levine when he was performing as A. Robins. Photographs date from 1908 to about the 1940s and include promotional images of Robins in makeup, portraits of him out of costume, and portraits of unidentified individuals. One photograph is inscribed to Robins' niece, Phyllis Wollman. There are photographic postcards depicting the Brothers Robins, one of which has a note from Robins written on the back. The collection also includes a drawing of a clown signed "Krehan." Letters date from 1927 to 1948, and contain invitations to Robins to perform and thanks for his performances. The letters from 1928 concern Robins' work in England, where he was a popular performer. The collection also contains magazine articles about Robins, dating to 1950; certificates awarded to Robins for his charitable work; promotional brochures; piano-conductor scores; and a piece of writing about Robins' life and work, labeled "written by Harry Houdini for Robins." Sam Levine's ledger records his engagements, expenses, and income from 1951 to 1973.

Subjects

• Clowns
• Photographs
• Letters (correspondence)
• Clowning

Genre/Form

• Letters (correspondence)
• Photographs.

Access (note)

• Collection is open to the public. Library policy on photography and photocopying will apply. Advance notice may be required.

Terms of Use (note)

• The author/creator retains copyright of materials. For information on obtaining permission to publish, contact the Theatre Division at theatre@nypl.org.

Source (note)

• Donated by Phyllis Wollman, 2000.

Call Number

*T-Mss 2001-044

OCLC

908036360

Author

Robins, Adolf, 1886-1950.

Title

A. Robins papers, 1908-1973.

Restricted Access

Collection is open to the public. Library policy on photography and photocopying will apply. Advance notice may be required.

Terms Of Use

The author/creator retains copyright of materials. For information on obtaining permission to publish, contact the Theatre Division at theatre@nypl.org.

Source

Donated by Phyllis Wollman, 2000.

Connect to:

Finding Aid

Request Access to Theatre Division Special Collections material

Occupation

Clowns.

Research Call Number

*T-Mss 2001-044