COLORFUL CALENDARS

The Rosenberg Library’s Galveston and Texas History Center announces the exhibit, “Captivating Commercial Calendars: Glimpses into Galveston’s Business History, 1906-1938.”

The majority of the calendars, illustrated by well-known magazine cover artists of their day, such as Haskell Coffin and Neysa McMein, feature portraits of young women depicted in warm colors that enhance their allure. A 1916 calendar for
E. R. Henck & Son, a manufacturer of sails and awnings, strikes a patriotic note. It features an illustration, “Long May It Wave,” that anticipated the United States’ entry into World War I. Another calendar from 1906, for the book seller Ferdinand Ohlendorf, depicts a woman placing a call using a hand-cranked telephone.

The calendars make an interesting visual statement about times past, such as women’s fashion and hair styles once in vogue. They are also reminders of firms that once operated in Galveston.

The exhibit was drawn from a collection of approximately 80 promotional calendars that the Library collected many decades ago. Among the earliest are F. J. Finck Stationery and Printing Co. (1905), which dealt in stencils and rubber seals, and the Galveston Tribune (1906). Knapp Bros, (17 calendars dating from 1916-1936) and J. V. Love and Co. (14 items, 1921-1934) are the most heavily represented firms.

The collection also includes eight calendars, 1926-1939, for Fred M. Burton & Company, an insurance agency, featuring color illustrations of such American history icons as Monticello and Daniel Boone’s trek in the Cumberland Valley. A 1926 calendar for the Creole Line, Navigazione Alta Italia – Genoa, a steamship line that called at Galveston, features a photograph of the steamer Monrosa.

“Captivating Commercial Calendars” may be viewed in the Harris Gallery (3rd floor) at the Rosenberg Library, 2310 Sealy, during normal hours (Mondays-Saturdays, 9 AM-5 PM). For further information, please contact Casey Edward Greene, Head of Special Collections, at (409) 763-8854, email cgreene@rosenberg-library.org; or Carol Wood, Archivist, at (409) 763-8854, extension 127, email cwood@rosenberg-library.org.

Galveston’s Gaming Days

Glamour, Glitz, and Gambling: Galveston’s Gaming Days

Photo Caption:

Set of playing cards used at the Sui Jen Café and the Hollywood Dinner Club (gift of Mrs. Courtney C. Washington); $100 poker chips from the Balinese Room (gift of the Estate of Joseph Levy); $5 chip from the Turf Athletic Club (gift of E. Burke Evans, M.D.)

During the month of May, several souvenirs related to Galveston’s gambling era will be on display at Rosenberg Library. Playing cards, poker chips, and score cards from several old casinos are featured.

Long before Las Vegas became America’s capital of betting, drinking, and entertaining, Galveston was considered by many to be the “Sin City of the Southwest.” Bootlegging and gambling were major industries on the island from the 1920s through the 1950s.

During Prohibition, which lasted from 1920 to 1933, a number of Galveston businessmen involved with bootlegging. Large sums of money could be made by those who illegally transported and sold liquor, and several enterprising individuals took full advantage of the opportunity. This venture led to an even more ambitious and more profitable industry: gambling.

Gambling was outlawed in the entire state of Texas. Galveston, however, had an “open city” policy, and casinos, though illegal, were more or less tolerated by law enforcement officials. Four island establishments—The Hollywood Dinner Club, the Turf Athletic Club, the Sui Jen Cafe, and the Balinese Room—offered cocktails, gambling, and entertainment. Some of America’s most popular artists, including Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, and Bob Hope performed in Galveston clubs.

The Hollywood Dinner Club, located at 61st Street and Stewart Road, opened its doors in 1926. The club, outfitted with elegant crystal chandeliers and a large hardwood dance floor, offered fine dining and top-notch live entertainment. Nationally known bands, orchestras, and singers performed regularly at the Hollywood Dinner Club. Although gambling was illegal at the time, it was permitted at the club.

The Turf Athletic Club and was another local hot spot situated in downtown Galveston. The three-story building, which was located on 23rd Street between Market and Postoffice, housed a nightclub, a restaurant, a casino, a gym, and a betting parlor for sporting events. The posh Studio Lounge at the Turf was touted as being one of America’s first air-conditioned clubs.

In 1923, the Chop Suey restaurant and gambling parlor opened on Galveston Island. Built as a pier overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, the Chop Suey (later called the Grotto) was located at 21st Street and Seawall. In 1932, the facility was remodeled as an oriental café and night club, and its name was changed to the Sui Jen (pronounced “swee ren”). It was another chic venue for gambling and music, and famous American performers were booked there regularly.

The Sui Jen was completely remodeled and renamed the Balinese Room in 1942. The Balinese Room was a restaurant and nightclub with a South Seas-inspired décor. Its interior design featured bamboo and reed wall coverings, neon and copper palm trees, and colorful murals.

Things began to change in Galveston when Will Wilson became State Attorney General in the late 1950s. Determined to stop illegal gambling in Galveston, Wilson sent undercover agents into bars, nightclubs, and casinos to monitor the illegal activities that were taking place in the city. By June 1957, there was sufficient evidence to force 47 island establishments to close their doors permanently. Hundreds of slot machines and gaming tables were smashed to pieces and dumped into the bay. Stashes of weapons and business records were also confiscated. Galveston’s days as a gambler’s paradise had come to an end.

The Rosenberg Library Treasure of the Month can be viewed Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The artifacts will be on display in the Hutchings Gallery, located on the library’s third floor.

For more information, please contact Eleanor Clark at 409-763-8854, ext. 125 or at eclark@rosenberg-library.org.

Jazz at Rosenberg in April

In honor of Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM), Rosenberg Library is hosting a free concert. Mike Fageros and his ensemble will perform Thursday, April 12 at Noon in the Wortham Auditorium. Bring your lunch and enjoy the show.

Mike is an accomplished jazz musician and will be playing the guitar during the concert. The ensemble will be performing a blend of Straight Ahead Jazz featuring classics like John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Joe Henderson; and Soul Jazz featuring the music of George Benson and Pat Martino.

For further information, contact: Brenda Renner, 409-763-8854 ext. 115



Thanks to Brenda for bringing this event to RL!

Antique Beer Steins

During the month of April, the Rosenberg Library will display several examples of antique beer steins. These artifacts were originally made in Germany between the early and late 1800s. Three were donated to the library by W.R.A. Rogers (1869-1937), and one was given by Fred Burton (1876-1938). Mr. Rogers was a prominent Galveston businessman and member of the Rosenberg Library Board of Directors for many years. Mr. Burton was in the cotton and later the insurance industry, and he also served as the Galveston Quartet Society’s first director.

The earliest types of drinking vessels known as steins date back to the 16th century. Most scholars and historians credit the Germans for this invention. Steins, also referred to as tankards, are containers with handles and hinged lids. These lids were used to protect the liquid contents from flies and other pests, a sanitary measure taken after millions in Europe fell victim to the bubonic plague. Steins were made in a variety of shapes and sizes, and the decoration on the vessels ranges from primitive designs to elaborate masterpieces.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, steins were usually made from brown clay and were hand painted using several colors. From the early 18th century on, raised relief decoration and more color were added. By the later half of the 19th century, stein making had reached its pinnacle, becoming a true art form. In addition to clay, pewter, porcelain, colored glass, silver, and even ivory were used to craft beer steins. Etched or painted scenes on steins portrayed figures drinking, dancing, and hunting. “Character steins” were cartoon-like vessels in the shape of animals or vegetables with expressive facial features. Some hand-painted vessels depicted exceptionally realistic military or occupational scenes.

Companies such as Villeroy and Boch, Merkelbach and Wick, Marzi and Remy, and HR began mass producing beer steins during the 1800s. Most of these manufacturers stamped their steins with distinctive makers’ marks, and many steins were engraved with the words “musterschutz” or “geschüzt” on the base. This meant that that particular design was patented and that its duplication by another company was prohibited by law. Steins that have the word “Germany” on the base indicate a production date after 1892. At that time, national law mandated the practice of identifying export goods.

Beer steins that pre-date the mid 19th century were usually one-of-a-kind drinking vessels. Often, these were made to order, and depending on size, quality, and craftsmanship, some steins were quite expensive to produce. These earlier custom-made beer steins are highly sought after by today’s collectors. The values of some steins—particularly the oldest and most unusual examples—have gone up significantly over the past several decades.

The Rosenberg Library Treasure of the Month can be viewed Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The artifacts will be on display in the Hutchings Gallery, located on the library’s third floor. For more information, please contact Eleanor Clark at 409-763-8854, ext. 125 or at eclark@rosenberg-library.org.

Wings in Watercolor Opens...on the Ides of March!

The Rosenberg Library hosted the opening of the Boyer Gonzales exhibit, of several paintings never before seen by the public.

The reception began at 5 pm, with members of FeatherFest, the Friends of the RL, and the Board of the RL along with staff in attendance.

Postcards, posters, and books on Boyer Gonzales are available from the Galveston and Texas History Center, located on the third floor of the Rosenberg Library.

This exhibit will run from March 16 through July 16. For further information, please contact Eleanor Clark at 409-763-8854, ext. 125 or at: eclark@rosenberg-library.org.

The Ides passed with a flourish for RL staff, a good omen, as we welcomed members of the Galveston community to RL. Dr. Edward D. Futch and his wife, our honorary trustee of the Rosenberg Library was in attendance, as well as members of the Hospitality Committee, from our Friends. Mort Voller, the chairman of Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council and the RL staff.

Thanks to our sponsors, FeatherFest and the Friends of RL.

Room With A View

I just wanted to share with everyone what I saw when I walked into my office this morning...an actual view of downtown Galveston! I have to say it was worth all of the pounding noise and dust over the past couple of days. Just a glimpse of what's to come on the exterior renovation project...

March Treasure of the Month

Eanger Irving Couse

In 1979, the Sealy Homestead Trust donated to the Rosenberg Library a number of paintings that once hung in the Sealy Mansion (Open Gates) at the corner of 25th and Broadway in Galveston. Among these was an oil painting by Eanger Irving Couse. Couse was an American painter who lived and worked in New Mexico during the early 1900s. There, he felt inspired by the Indians at Taos Pueblo. Couse used these Indians as models in staged scenes featuring Native-American pottery, textiles, and tools. His paintings depicted the Indians not as savages, but as peaceful, dignified human beings. A highly respected artist during his lifetime, Couse’s work can be found in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institution.

For March, the Treasure of the Month is an oil painting by American artist Eanger Irving Couse. He painted portraits of Native Americans living at the Taos Pueblo in New Mexico. This particular painting is called "Pueblo Fireplace" and it was done around 1928. It was donated by the Sealy Family in 1979. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Smithsonian, and many other U.S. Museums have paintings by Couse in their collections.

The Rosenberg Library Treasure of the Month can be viewed Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The artifact will be on display in the Hutchings Gallery, located on the library’s third floor. For more information, please contact Eleanor Clark at 409-763-8854, ext. 125 or at eclark@rosenberg-library.org.