| Very little is documented about the role of the American Theatre Wing in WW2, beyond the pioneer efforts of Jill Smith in Volume Two of her seminal work Dressed for Duty. I contacted the American Theatre Wing, and was informed that their historical records were destroyed in a fire years ago. If anyone has personal memories, scrapbook photos, or official published dress regulations for the American Theatre Wing Stage Door Canteen employees, please contact me. The Soldier's museum would like to thank our Sponsors whose generous donation of time and resources has made this gallery page possible.
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ATW Breast Pin - 2 1/2" - While referred to as a breast pin, contemporary photos show it being worn on the left sleeve of the USO Camp Shows uniform. This example has a blue painted mask, with the red and white being fired enamel. |
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The back of the pin shows its diecast construction.
[Don Wagner Collection] |
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ATW Breast Pin - 2 3/4" - This example has red, white and blue paint as opposed to fired enamel. |
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The back of the pin shows its heavy construction, which is similar to women's rhinestone jewelry of the times. [Don Wagner Collection] |
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This unusual variation is green, white and blue as opposed to red, white and blue [Jon Olivarri Collection] |
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Ultra-rare example of the ATW breast pin - mint condition in the original box. This solves two mysteries behind these unmarked pins - they were made by H. Popper & Sons, and they are Sterling Silver.
[James Graham Collection] |
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ATW lapel pin for male volunteers - Sterling Silver, made by Dieges & Clust. Another rare pin. [James Graham Collection] |
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ATW Stage Door Canteen Pin - 1 1/8" - While this is a small pin, it is believed to belong to an ATW volunteer or employee, not to a donor. [Don Wagner Collection] |
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ATW Work Room Pin - 1 1/2" - Nothing is known about the "Work Rooms". A logical guess would be that volunteers assembled giveaway packets for visiting servicemen there, and similar activities. [Don Wagner Collection] |
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ATW Hostpital Committee Pin - 1 1/2" -
[Jon Olivarri Collection] |
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ATW "Club for Merchant Seamen" Pin - 1 1/2" - These clubs catered to members of the U.S. Maritime Service. [Don Wagner Collection] |
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ATW "Stage Door Canteen - San Francisco" Pin - 1 1/2". [Jon Olivarri Collection] |
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ATW "Stage Door Canteen - Cleveland" Pin - 1 1/2". [James Graham Collection] |
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ATW "Stage Door Canteen - Washington" [DC] Pin - 1 1/2". Also pictured is a "Camp Shows" Pin from the same estate. [Jon Olivarri Collection] |
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Cloth ATW "Stage Door Canteen" Pin. This may be a late war item made to conserve on precious materials. The American Red Cross implemented a similar policy with their volunteer pins. [James Graham Collection] |
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Very unusual and undocumented Hollywood Canteen Armband [James Graham Collection] |
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ATW "Victory Guild of N.Y. Women" Pin. A completely unknown organization. We are actively seeking information on this pin. [James Graham Collection] |
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ATW Hostess Identification Card for the Stage Door Canteen of San Francisco - "You will not be admitted without this card". |
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ATW Hostess Identification Card for the Stage Door Canteen of Washington, D.C. The significance of the colored border is not certain, but on a military ID card, this signifies a non-combatant under the Geneva Convention (such as medical personnel). [Jon Olivarri Collection] |
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ATW Hostess Identification Card. This one is for the Stage Door Canteen of New York City. Signed by Antoinette Perry (1907-1946) for whom the Tony Awards are named. Also pictured here is a Certificate of Appreciation issued to the same woman. [James Graham Collection] |
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Hollywood Canteen Certificate of Appreciation - signed by Bette Davis. Addressed to Thelma Himmel. Thelma was a minor starlet who went on to make it in ballet.. [James Graham Collection] |
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[Courtesy of Pamela Whitaker (Daughter )] |
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[Courtesy of Pamela Whitaker (Daughter )] |
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[Courtesy of Pamela Whitaker (Daughter )] |
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Hollywood Canteen Identification Card. [James Graham Collection] |
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New York Stage Door Canteen Photo - with ATW rubber stamp on the back Alysa Solomon lives in Los Angeles and her grandfather, William Haber, is in the photo. She is seeking any information about the photo and how it was used (possibly a publicity photo?) [Alysa Solomon Collection] |
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ATW Stage Door Canteen Photo Junior Hostess Elynor Krings entertains a US Navy Chief Petty Officer [Courtesy of Pamela Whitaker (Daughter)] |
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Newspaper Clipping Junior Hostess Elynor Krings entertains at a Stage Door Canteen party [Courtesy of Pamela Whitaker (Daughter)] |
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Stage Door Canteen Color Photo Junior Hostess Elynor Krings, Fred Casey and his sister, Hostess Doris Casey. Note that both women are wearing the red/white/blue apron. They were best friends, and both were John Robert Powers models. [Courtesy of Pamela Whitaker (Daughter of Elynor Krings)] |
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Hollywood Canteen - Convoy Car Photo Can anyone identify these beauties? [James Graham Collection] |
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ATW Stage Door Canteen Letter - October 13, 1945 "Dear Junior Hostess ... The Stage Door Canteen is closing ..." (There is a nice list of committee members in the left margin) [Courtesy of Pamela Whitaker (Daughter of Elynor Krings )] |
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ATW Souvenir Postcard #1 (Note the rare red, white & blue aprons worn by hostesses)
[Keith.W.Lillywhite Collection] |
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ATW Souvenir Postcard #2
[Keith.W.Lillywhite Collection] |
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ATW Souvenir Postcard #3
[Keith.W.Lillywhite Collection] |