Zeno Bakery Postcard, 1937
Summary Information
- Repository:
- Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University
- Title:
- Zeno Bakery Postcard
- Collection No.:
- SC 0023
- Date:
- 1937
- Extent:
- 1 legal folder, .08 Cubic Feet
- Language of the Material:
- 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.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Zeno Bakery Postcard, 1937, SC 0023, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.
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.
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).
Acquisition Information
Special Collections acquired this item at auction from Cohasco, Inc. in January 2016.
Location
Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University
880 Madison DriveMSC 1704Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807library-special@jmu.eduURL: https://www.lib.jmu.edu/special/
Index Terms
Genre and Form
- Photographic postcards
Subject
- Postcards -- United States -- 20th century
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.
Collection Inventory
Title/Description | Instances | ||
---|---|---|---|
Zeno Bakery Postcard, 1937 | box 1 | folder 1 | |