Meyer Davis Collection
Scope and Contents
The Meyer Davis collection reflects the career of a society orchestra leader. Included are day books (of news clippings and publicity), photo albums, artifacts, letters, and other materials about the Davis family and the orchestra.
Dates
- Creation: 1880-1977
Creator
- Davis, Meyer (Person)
Restrictions on Access
This collection is kept at Fogler Library's offsite storage facility. One week's notice is required for retrieval.
Restrictions on Use
Information on literary rights available in the repository.
Biographical Note
Meyer Davis was born in Elliot City, MD in 1893. He started his first band while in high school after being rejected by the school orchestra. His band played for Woodrow Wilson and for every President since then until Gerald Ford. His orchestra played at the inaugural balls of Coolidge, Hoover, Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower and Kennedy. The Davis Orchestra also played for weddings, debutante balls, including that for Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, and on luxury liners. At the height of his career, Davis owned 80 orchestras or bands with over 1,000 musicians. The band also played for King George V of England, George VI and Queen Elizabeth, and at the 1939 World's Fair. Benny Goodman, Jimmy Dorsey and Tommy Dorsey played in the Davis Orchestra. His son, Garry, became a World Citizen. Emery Davis took over the orchestra. Meyer, Jr. was killed in action in World War II, and Ginia, his daughter, now lives in Maine. His wife, Hilda, was a musician in her own right and her material is also in the collection.
Extent
102 linear feet (85 flat boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The Meyer Davis collection reflects the career of a society orchestra leader.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Ginia Davis Wexler and the family of Meyer Davis, 1997.
Subject
- Davis, Hilda, 1895-1995 (Person)
- Davis family (Family)
- Meyer Davis Orchestra (Organization)
- Title
- Guide to the Meyer Davis Collection
- Status
- Box And Folder List Available
- Date
- September 2003
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for uncoded script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Raymond H. Fogler Library Special Collections Repository
5729 Raymond H. Fogler Library
University of Maine
Orono ME 04469-5729 United States
207-581-1686
