355fg Posted October 11, 2015 Share #1 Posted October 11, 2015 I have been collecting USO Camp Show material, as a primary focus, for a few years now. At first, I thought it would be a fairly easy collection to build since it was out of the mainstream of airborne, marine, etc. However, I soon found that finding original pieces was very difficult and came to treasure every little item that I was able to acquire. It's taken me years to get what I have, which isn't much, but I would like to share what I have with forum members. I will start with the first item I acquired from a friend. This overseas cap was worn by 1930's violinist, saxophonist, and big band leader Benny Meroff. His band was popular from the 1920's-1940's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted October 11, 2015 Author Share #2 Posted October 11, 2015 This uniform was worn by Dorothea Kent. A Hollywood actress with 48 films to her credit, including parts in "Stage Door Canteen", "Pin Up Girl", and "Carnival Queen". Additionally, she appreared in four films with the Three Stooges.. She wore this uniform for her role in the 1940 Warner Brothers movie "Flight Angels". The tailor label inside the jacket shows her name, date, and production number of the movie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted October 11, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted October 11, 2015 This is an unidentified men's uniform made by Saks Fifth Avenue. All Camp Show uniforms are difficult to find, but male uniforms are seen much less than female. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted October 11, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted October 11, 2015 This uniform was worn by Barbara O'Connell. She was an accordionist with the Camp Show unit "On The Ball", which went to Germany at the end of the war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted October 11, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted October 11, 2015 Standard army officer uniform named to R. Q. Marston. It has been modified, cut-down and is double patched. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted October 11, 2015 Author Share #6 Posted October 11, 2015 Uniform worn by Valda Stone, a dancer with USO Camp Show Unit #812. Saks Fifth Avenue provided a lot of the uniforms for Camp Show members.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted October 11, 2015 Author Share #7 Posted October 11, 2015 This is a very rare Hostess-Librarian Service uniform worn by Barbara O'Connell. Many Camp Show members were issued this uniform, but they are very hard to find and difficult to attribute to Camp Show members. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted October 11, 2015 Author Share #8 Posted October 11, 2015 This next uniform is named inside and was worn by another dancer, Virginia Wallace. She may have toured with Marlene Dietrich during her performances in the 3rd Army area of operations in late '44 and early '45. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparty On Posted October 11, 2015 Share #9 Posted October 11, 2015 Nice, different area of collecting. I think this is an area that sometimes get overlooked. I've been trying to accumulate homefront entertainment pieces related to film, music and radio the last year or so. The overseas cap you have is very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
US Victory Museum Posted October 11, 2015 Share #10 Posted October 11, 2015 These are very nice and very rare uniforms. I once had the opportunity to buy a women's camp shows USO uniform; however, as it was unidentified, I considered the premium too high for a collection of patches and devices attached to a uniform. Yours appear in excellent condition and well identified. Congratulations for a unique and very focused collection. Msn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted October 11, 2015 Author Share #11 Posted October 11, 2015 SFC Helen Hulberg wore this uniform while stationed in England during the war. She was most likely assigned to a Special Service Section unit and helped with logistics for USO Camp Shows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted October 11, 2015 Author Share #12 Posted October 11, 2015 Perhaps the rarest item I have is the stage costume worn by Elaine Rodgers. She was part of Camp Shows Unit "Stop and Go" for performances in the Philippines towards the end of the war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garth Thompson Posted October 11, 2015 Share #13 Posted October 11, 2015 Excellent material, thanks for taking the time to post these unique uniforms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Apathy Posted October 11, 2015 Share #14 Posted October 11, 2015 This next uniform is named inside and was worn by another dancer, Virginia Wallace. She may have toured with Marlene Dietrich during her performances in the 3rd Army area of operations in late '44 and early '45. Hi 355fg, thank you for showing your collection of very interesting uniforms. Looking at the label and style of this one you show in post #8 it looks like a British manufactured jacket, could you show close up's of the buttons please. Thanks, Lewis. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grant S. Posted October 12, 2015 Share #15 Posted October 12, 2015 Wonderful stuff. Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tarbridge Posted October 12, 2015 Share #16 Posted October 12, 2015 Keith...Thanks for posting. ..seldom seen items...a very neat group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.Jerry Posted October 13, 2015 Share #17 Posted October 13, 2015 Great Pieces Keith! I am very impressed! Love those woman's uniforms! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Keith Posted October 13, 2015 Share #18 Posted October 13, 2015 Fantastic! Really neat items, I have a couple of items, nothing ID'd. Thanks for sharing them. BKW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted October 13, 2015 Share #19 Posted October 13, 2015 The Rodgers stage set is out of this world. owen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cutiger83 Posted October 13, 2015 Share #20 Posted October 13, 2015 Excellent uniforms! I imagine these would be extremely hard to find and collect. Thanks for posting these....Kat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
355fg Posted October 13, 2015 Author Share #21 Posted October 13, 2015 Thanks for the nice comments. There were just over 7000 entertainers in Camp Shows so finding an ID'd uniform is very hard. I will post more of my collection soon as time permits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumpin Jack Posted October 14, 2015 Share #22 Posted October 14, 2015 Hello Keith. If you PM me with your postal mailing address, I will send you photo copies of coverage I have for shows in the Pacific area. Jack Angolia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumpin Jack Posted October 14, 2015 Share #23 Posted October 14, 2015 Photos on their way. Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Collector5516 Posted October 15, 2015 Share #24 Posted October 15, 2015 Awesome collection and wonderfully presented. Thank you for sharing with the forum! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KurtA Posted October 15, 2015 Share #25 Posted October 15, 2015 Thought I'd add this hat to this great thread. Italian-made example of the USO patch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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