Finding Aid for Mantell family papers, 1911-1981
03455

Summary Information

Repository
Detroit Public Library. Burton Historical Collection.
Title
Mantell family papers,
ID
03455
Date
1911-1981
Extent
2.0 linear ft.
General Physical Description note
(4 boxes)
Language
English
Abstract
This collection consists mainly of photographs of the Mantel family. Also included are photos of the Hamper, Stair and Bowes families. The earliest items in the collection are undated photographs, probably dating in the late 1800's, but the earliest dated items are photographs of Genevieve Hamper in 1911.

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Biographical/Historical note

Genevieve Hamper was born on September 8, 1888, the daughter of Henry and Emma Hamper. Mr. Hamper worked as sales manager for the Globe Tobacco Co. in Detroit. Originally from Greenville, Michigan, the family came to Detroit around 1907. Genevieve soon afterward took up the study of dramatic art and voice culture. Around 1910, at the height of his fame, Shakespearean actor Robert B. Mantel] came to Detroit with his touring acting company. Miss Hamper joined the troupe and the two of them were married two years later, on January 16, 1912 while on tour in Pueblo, Colorado. A Detroit Times newspaper article of January 17, 1912 wrote that Miss Hamper "...was praised for her work in `King Lear', as Cordelia, Jessica in 'The Merchant of Venice', and Marie in 'Louis XI'." The marriage to Miss Hamper was Mr. Mantell's fourth. The Times recounted the previous marriages: "Mr. Mantell's third wife, who was Marie Booth Russell, died at Atlantic Highlands, on Oct. 31 last. She was Mantell's leading lady for several years, before the marriage. Mantell married Mrs. Charlotte Huhn in Chicago, in 1896. She had been his leading lady. Mr. Mantell's first wife secured a divorce from him, naming Mrs. Huhn, who was the wife of a theatrical manager, as correspondent. His first wife was Marie Sheldon." Robert Bruce Mantell was born on February 7, 1854 in Scotland. His earliest Broadway credits were with his own company in December 1904. He and his company appeared on Broadway until 1918. From 1915-1923 he and his wife Genevieve appeared together in seven silent movies. Robert Mantell died at age 74, in 1928, in Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey. His obituary touted him as an "eminent tragedian". In 1931, Mrs. Mantell found herself in financial straits, and had to sell her husband's elaborate stage costumes to make some money. She was attempting a return to the stage with her son, Robert Jr., when real-life tragedy struck. Robert Jr., who had tried to make a go of it as an actor and had appeared in two silent films in 1915 and 1917, died at age twenty-one of suicide, in Hollywood, in 1933. Genevieve Hamper Mantel] died on February 13, 1971 in New York. Genevieve's brother, Charles, and his wife Winnetta had three children, including Kathleen. Kathleen Hamper, Genevieve's niece, married Edward Douglas (E.D.) Stair Jr., son of the newspaper publisher. They had three children, Susan, Nancy and E.D. III. After E.D.'s death, Kathleen married Jack Bowes in 1951.

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Administrative Information

Publication Information

Detroit Public Library. Burton Historical Collection.

Restrictions

This collection is open for research use.

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Controlled Access Headings

Family Name(s)

  • Bowles family
  • Hamper family
  • Hamper, Genevieve, -- 1889-1971.
  • Mantell family -- Archives
  • Stair family

Genre(s)

  • Family papers -- aat
  • Photographs -- aat

Subject(s)

  • Actresses -- Michigan -- Detroit.

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Other finding aids note

Finding aid and white index cards available in the Burton Historical Collection and on the World Wide Web.

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Collection Inventory

Miscellaneous 

Box:File

Hamper Family, 1920; n.d. 

1:1

Printed Material 

1:2

Silhouettes, 1952-1962 

1:3

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Photographs: 

Box:File

Hamper Family 

1:4

Genevieve Hamper, 1911 and earlier (not dated) 

1:5
Box:File

Not Dated 

1:6

Kathleen Hamper and E.D. Stair Jr. 

1:7

Robert B. Mantel] 

1:8

Robert and Genevieve Hamper Mantel] and Son 

1:9

Stair Family 

1:10

Stair/Bowes Family 

1:11

Children 

1:12
Box:File

Boys 

1:13

Girls 

1:14

Children with Adults 

2:1

Costumed Actors 

2:2

Groups 

2:3

Houses and Scenes, n.d.-1981 

2:4

Men 

2:5

Women 

2:6

Photo Album, n.d.—Folder 1 

2:7
Box:File

Folder 2 

2:8

c. 1900's 

2:9
Box

Photo Albums, c. 1910's-1960's 

3

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Large Photos 

Box
4
Box

Genevieve Hamper Mantell 

4

Robert B. Mantell 

4

Robert, Genevieve and Robert Jr. 

4

Groups 

4

Miscellaneous 

4

Wedding Photos, Kathleen and E.D. Stair Jr. Women and Children 

4

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