Zeno Bakery Postcard, 1937

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Descriptive Summary

 

Repository: Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University

Title: Zeno Bakery Postcard, 1937

Collection No.: SC 0023
Creator: Unknown

Extent: 1 legal folder; .08 cubic feet

Language: English

Abstract: The Zeno Bakery Postcard, 1937, portrays Jimmie Packard, an African-American baker in a white chef's coat and baker's hat, as "Zeno's Singing Baker." The postcard, dated February 24, 1937, is addressed to Mrs. Pearl Allen of South Vernon, Massachusetts.

 

Administrative Information

Access Restrictions: Collection open to research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the James Madison University Special Collections Library to use this collection.

Use Restrictions: The copyright interests in this collection have been transferred to the James Madison University Special Collections Library. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library Reference Desk (library-special@jmu.edu).

Preferred Citation: [identification of item], [box #, folder #], Zeno Bakery Postcard, 1937, SC 0023, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Acquisition Information: Special Collections acquired this item at auction from Cohasco, Inc. in January 2016.

Bio/Historical Note:

Zeno Bakery was owned and operated by Edward Zeno in Bellows Falls, Vermont from the 1930s to 1945. The bakery featured its "singing baker," Jimmie Packard, as an attraction. The bakery was in operation until Zeno's death on September 10, 1945. There were various court cases surrounding the bakery, most involving "adulteration of bakery products," which constitutes having ingredients which were deemed impure.

Scope and Content:

The Zeno Bakery Postcard, 1937, portrays Jimmie Packard, an African-American baker in a white chef's coat and baker's hat, as "Zeno's Singing Baker." Packard is sitting on a stool with an acoustic guitar. He is featured with a grand piano and a microphone. The front of the postcard is inscribed with the following message: "Sincerely Zeno's Singing Baker Jimmie Packard."

The back of the postcard features lyrics to the Zeno's Bakery theme song, set to the tune of "Little Brown Jug." The postcard, dated February 24, 1937, is addressed to Mrs. Pearl Allen of South Vernon, Massachusetts. The postal location stamp indicates an origination of Bellows Falls, Vermont.

Arrangement:

The postcard is housed in one legal folder.

Bibliography:

"Zeno Information Wanted." Ancestry.com Message Boards. Accessed November 10, 2016. http://boards.ancestry.com/thread.aspx?mv=flat&m=77&p=surnames.zeno.

Contents:

Folder Title
Box : Folder
Zeno Bakery Postcard, 1937
1:1

Compiled by: Dillon Thomas, November 2016