| Repository: | Western Reserve Historical Society |
| Creator: | Cole, Allen E. |
| Title: | Allen E. Cole Papers |
| Dates: | 1887-1972 |
| Extent: | 1.00 linear feet (1 container) |
| Abstract: | Allen E. Cole (1883-1970) was a Cleveland, Ohio, photographer who produced over 50,000 photographs of Cleveland's African American community. Cole opened his first studio in 1922, supplementing his income with commercial work and commission work for eight white-owned studios, and earned prizes and commendations at state and local exhibitions. His photographs were frequently published in The Call and Post. The collection consists of personal correspondence, which includes postcards, greeting cards, and membership cards; business correspondence, which includes bills, receipts, orders, customer lists, address book, advertising, and description of events photographed; and notebooks and appointment books. The collection pertains largely to Cole's photography business, including his struggle to earn a living during the depression. |
| MS Number | MS 4277 |
| Location: | closed stacks |
| Language: | The records are in English |
Allen E. Cole (l883-l970) was a professional photographer in the Cleveland, Ohio, African American community. His years of photographing the working and middle-class community in Cleveland produced a collection of some 50,000 negatives at the time of his death; the negatives were acquired in l980 by the Western Reserve Historical Society. The motto of his business, "Somebody, Somewhere, Wants Your Photograph," was used as title for a collection of his photographs published by the society in l980. After graduating from Storer College in Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, Cole worked as a waiter, railroad porter, cook, and a real estate businessman. When that business proved to be slower than expected, Cole moved to Cleveland, where he worked as a waiter at the Cleveland Athletic Club, eventually becoming headwaiter, a position he held for ten years. At the Athletic Club, Cole met Joseph Opet, manager of the Frank Moore Studios, who introduced him to photography and hired him as a part-time assistant. After six years, Cole decided to leave the Athletic Club to make his living as a photographer. In 1922, he opened his own studio at his home on East 103rd Street, later moving to 9909 Cedar Road. During the Depression when individual orders declined, he began doing commercial work and commission work for eight white-owned studios. Cole's work earned prizes and praise at state and local exhibitions, and was frequently published in The Call and Post.
click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Allen E. Cole
The Allen E. Cole Papers, 1887-1972 and undated, consist of personal correspondence which includes postcards, greeting cards, and membership cards; business correspondence which includes bills, receipts, orders, customer lists, an address book, advertising, and descriptions of events photographed; and notebooks and appointment books.
The collection pertains largely to Allen E. Cole's photography business, including his struggle to earn a living during the Depression. Those interested in the history of business and entrepreneurship in Cleveland, Ohio, and African American history in the twentieth century will find this collection useful.
None.
Related MaterialResearchers should also consult PG 268 Allen E. Cole Photographs.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4277 Allen E. Cole Papers, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio
Jean Cummings, 1980.
Processed by Thelma Pierce in 1988.
Allen E. Cole Papers 1887-1972 undated |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | Biographical material undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 2-6 | Correspondence 1910-1972 undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 7 | Address book undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 8 | Advertising 1945-1946 undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 9 | Appointment book 1950 | |||||||||
| 1 | 10-11 | Business ledger 1937-1946 | |||||||||
| 1 | 12 | Loose ledger sheets (possibly exercises) 1917 | |||||||||
| 1 | 13 | Business receipts 1916-1963 | |||||||||
| 1 | 14 | Customer lists undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 15 | Lightfoot, Hunter 1887-1891 | |||||||||
| 1 | 16 | Miscellaneous 1969 undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 17 | Orders for photographs and descriptions of events photographed 1928-1968 undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 18 | Postcards and greeting cards 1912-1973 | |||||||||
| 1 | 19 | Receipts and bills 1912-1928 | |||||||||
| 1 | 20 | Warranty deeds 1908-1934 | |||||||||