Frances Bemis Papers, 1921-1974
General International Standard for Archival Description
Sophia Smith Collection Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA
Finding aid encoded using Perl scripts and edited in XMetal 2.0. Encoded by Brook Hopkins. 2003-07-01
Encoded Archival Description
Encoded Archival Description (EAD) Version 2002
collection
Frances Bemis Papers
Creation of Frances Bemis Papers
Time of Creation of Frances Bemis Papers
Bemis, Frances, d. 1974
Biographical History for: Frances Bemis Papers
Biographical Note Frances Bemis, n.d. Frances Bemis was a public relations specialist, executive, writer, radio producer, and fashion director. She was born in Georgia on 25 June 1898, and she attended Oglethorpe University and the University of California. In the 1920s, she wrote columns for the Atlanta Constitution and Journal, and she started her public relations career by handling publicity for the Woman's Club of Atlanta. She accompanied her husband (probably Clarence Bemis) to New York City in the late 1920s, and it was there that she became a professional in the fields of public relations and advertising. (She used the name Frances Bemis professionally. She was married four times, but the names of her husbands and dates of the marriages are unknown). Hearn's, a Brooklyn Department Store that during the Depression declared itself "the bargain store of all the people," hired her as a fashion promoter and publicist in 1932. Bemis is responsible for numerous innovations in the field of department store publicity. She designed events that were guaranteed to garner press attention and bring crowds of entertainment-starved, Depression-Era New Yorkers to the free events at the store. She used celebrities and lavish shows with elaborate sets and costumes to promote new departments and features of the store, fashion collections, and holiday tie-ins. For example, in 1936-37, she staged a dog show, brought a psychologist to the store to counsel shoppers on their personal problems, hired legendary society woman Elsa Maxwell to emcee a fashion contest, and held a Thanksgiving Day circus in Central Park. In addition to writing scripts and coordinating production of these events, Bemis wrote lively releases for the press and radio. News of her events could often be found on the women's pages of New York papers, and occasionally, she made the front pages of the paper, as was the case when Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia opened ceremonies for Forgotten Man Day in 1934, a response to the National Recovery Act. In 1938, Bemis left Hearn's department store to do free-lance public relations work with the Claire Wolff Agency. Among other projects, she directed a "College Girl's Day" for the Ford Motor Company at the 1939 New York World's Fair and staged a "Fashions Out of Test Tubes" event for the chemical industry. Her husband, (first name unknown) McLain, had joined the Army air force, and Bemis enlisted in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps in 1943. She was stationed in Daytona Beach, where she gave radio addresses and staged entertainment for GIs and WAACs. She achieved the rank of corporal and was given an honorable discharge upon the urging of New York Times editor Ivan Veit. The Times sought a director for a war-time fashion show intended to vaunt New York City as a fashion capital while Parisian fashion houses languished under German occupation. The result, Bemis's "Fashions of the Times," was an unqualified success. Spectators filled the show to capacity, and the publicity did much to promote American fashion. After the war, Bemis returned to Atlanta to become Director of Special Events at Rich's Department Store. She drew great press for her "Fashionata" show (1946-47), which used local socialites as models in a typically lavish production. In 1947, Bemis took a position as Director of Feature Events at New York City's Abraham and Strauss Department Store. She stayed at A and S until 1954 and continued her successful formula of spectacular events, luminous personalities, and innovative consumer services. Her personal interests in the fine arts, radio, and literature were reflected in several shows in which she showcased notable artists and performers, including Betty Smith (author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn), the Met Opera's Rise Stevens, and radio and TV star Morey Amsterdam. In 1956, Bemis moved to St. Augustine, Florida for a retirement of sorts. Though she no longer staged fashion extravaganzas, she used her considerable creative energy for civic and charitable activities. She worked as a publicist for the city of St. Augustine, wrote for the local papers, volunteered at an art gallery, and took an interest in advocacy for civil rights and the mentally ill. She was murdered in November, 1974.
Scope and Contents of the Collection The Frances Bemis Papers consist of 7 linear ft. of material from her professional career and date from 1933 to 1974. Photographs make up the largest portion of the collection, but the Papers also include biographical information, correspondence, publicity, scripts, clippings, programs, and scrapbooks. The Papers detail Bemis's busy career over decades during which professional women were often a marginal part of the work-world. The documentary evidence of Bemis's innovative transformation of the staid department store exhibition into a headline-grabbing cavalcade indicates the often-overlooked influence of professional women in the mid-twentieth century. The Papers also illustrate the world of fashion in 1930s-50s New York City and give a window into the celebrity and consumer culture of this time.
Advertising--United States--History--20th century--Sources
lcsh
Celebrities--New York (State)--New York--20th century
Department stores--United States--History--Sources
Fashion--United States--History--20th century--Sources
Fashion shows--United States--History--20th century--Sources
Popular culture--United States--History--20th century--Sources
Public relations--United States--History--20th century--Sources
Women executives--United States
Women in advertising--United States--History--20th century--Sources
lcnaf
Alexander, Madame
Huxtable, Ada Louise
McBride, Mary Margaret
New York (N.Y.)--Social life and customs--20th century--Sources
series
SERIES I. BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS (1935-74, n.d.)
This series includes clippings pertaining to Bemis's professional activities and photographs of Bemis and friends and acquaintances. There are photos of celebrities and of models with whom Bemis worked.
SERIES II. CORRESPONDENCE (1934-74, n.d.)
This series consists largely of letters sent to Bemis that document her personal associations and professional activities. There are a small number of letters from Bemis to others. Bemis's correspondents include dollmaker Madame Alexander, Svetlana Allilueva (daughter of Josef Stalin), and many of the writers, artists, and radio and television personalities with whom Bemis worked.
SERIES III. WRITINGS (1933-circa 1970s),
This series includes materials from an unpublished memoir, "Barnum in Merchandising," and notes from a proposed project about older women living alone. Other personal notes in this series record Bemis's thoughts on the cultural changes of the 1960s and give insight into her less-documented private life.
SERIES IV. PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES (1933-71, n.d.)
This series documents Bemis's public relations work. It starts with her career at Hearn's Department Store in Brooklyn and follows it through her employment for the city of St. Augustine. The material consists largely of photographs of Bemis-directed special events and exhibitions, but there are also clippings, publicity, scripts, correspondence, and other related material.
SERIES V. SUBJECT FILES
This series consists of clippings, publicity, photographs, and ephemera collected by Bemis on friends and subjects of interest. Files include information about dollmaker Madame Alexander, radio personality (and Bemis friend and correspondent) Mary Margaret McBride, and Bethune Cookman College. There is also a scrapbook from the 1920s detailing Bemis's newspaper work. This scrapbook showcases Bemis's early career and consists of clippings of Bemis's writings as well as clippings of Bemis and her family and friends appearing in dramatic productions and social events. Another scrapbook from the 1950s documents her public relations work for St. Augustine.
Press releases, etc., 1954-55, n.d.
Clippings re: Bemis, 1936-1974, n.d.
Clippings re: Mrs. W.H. Gillette (F. Bemis's mother), n.d.
Photographs
Frances Bemis, 1947, 1950-51, n.d.
Miscellaneous notables (see folder for listings), 1935-36, 1953, n.d.
Clay Martin and "Lucifer" the rooster, 1974
Unidentified promotions and groups, circa 1940s, n.d.
Models and fashion
n.d.
Outgoing
General, 1944-74, n.d.
Ada Louise Huxtable, 1965
Incoming
General, 1934-74, n.d.
Madame Alexander, 1952-74
Allilueva, Svetlana (daughter of Josef Stalin), 1969-70
Atkinson, Brooks, 1966
Baldwin, Faith, 1951, 1957
Blair, Frank, 1958
Cannon, Poppy, 1952
Chadwick, Florence, 1954
Collins, Leroy, 1957-58
Daniel, Clifton, 1970
Falkenberg, Jinx, 1951, 1953, 1967
Flexner, James Thomas, 1954
Hurst, Fannie, 1951-54
Huxtable, Ada Louise, 1957, 1965
Kingman, Dong, 1958, 1967, 1971, n.d.
Koerner, Henry, n.d.
Lowell, Joan, 1952
McBride, Mary Margaret, 1945-60, n.d.
Merrill, Robert, 1961
Murray, Kathryn, 1953
Snow, Edward Rowe, 1950
Sulzberger, Arthur Hays, 1942-43, 1954
General: includes introduction to lecture, fashion assignment, and notes for book, "A Living Doll," re: Madame Alexander, 1955, n.d.
"Older Woman Alone": notes and research material, 1967-70, n.d.
"Barnum in Merchandising": unpublished memoirs
Research material
Lists of events staged by Bemis and celebrities with whom she worked, 1933-54
Annotated photographs from Hearns department store events (includes Eddie Cantor, Fannie Hurst, Al Smith), 1934-38
Clippings and notes re: celebrities, models, and "personalities" with whom Bemis worked, 1943, 1959, n.d.
Notes from agent and typescript (incomplete), circa 1956
Personal notes, circa 1970s
Hearn's Department Store, 1933-37
Buy American, Feb 1933
NRA Ceremonies, 11 Sep 1933
Forgotten Man Day (includes photo of Fiorello La Guardia), Nov 1935
Dog Show with Dave Irwin, Jan 1936
Gala Fashion Showing, 16 Mar-2 Apr 1936
14th Street Bus Ceremony, Apr 1936
Opening of Children's World, 31 Aug-5 Sep 1936
109th Anniversary Event, Sep 1936
Opening of Historic Wine Caves under Brooklyn Bridge, 7 Oct 1936
Bureau of Human Relations, Feb 1937
Elsa Maxwell: Queen of Fashion Contest, Mar 1937
Scrambles of 1937, 11 Nov 1937
Hearn's Circus, Thanksgiving Day, 1934-37
Consumers Mass Meeting (includes photos of Lillian Gish, Mary Pickford, and Ed Wynn), 21 March 1938
A Woman's World, 1938
Miscellaneous, 1935-37, n.d.
Freelance and WAAC career, 1937-42
Fashions by Television, 18 Nov 1937
Astra Elephant Ceremonies (includes photos of Al Smith), Oct 1938
Century Ribbon Show, Oct 1939
Paris Review of Coney Furs, 1939
College Day, Oct 1939
Fashions Out of Test Tubes, 7 Dec 1939
March Carnival of Advertising Women of New York, 15 Mar 1940
Textiles of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, 13 Apr 1940
Fashions of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, 29-30 Aug 1941
The American Trend, 24 Sep 1940
Defense Bonds for the Fur Industry, 10 Nov 1941
Cottons for Victory, 2 Dec 1942
Women's Army Auxiliary Corps career, 1943
Keep 'em in Stitches, 12 Jan 1944
War Bond Frolics, 14 Feb 1944
Rich's Department Store: miscellaneous, 1946, 1955
"Fashions of the Times," 1942-45
"Fashionata" for Rich's, 1946-47
Script and production information, 1946
Clippings, publicity, programs, and photographs, 1946-47, n.d.
Script, production information, and miscellany, 1947
Abraham and Straus, 1947-54
Stationery
Contemporama, 5 Aug 1947
Openings
Floor for Better Living, Sep 1947
Junior Size Center, Oct 1947
Music Center (includes photos of Vic Damone and Rise Stevens), 10 Feb 1948
Art to Live With, 26 Jul 1948
Petticoat Parade, 10 Mar 1948
Launching of Betty Smith's Tomorrow Will Be Better (includes photos of Smith (author of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn)), 5 Aug 1948
Miscellaneous, 1948
Spring Tonic, 11 Mar 1949
White House Housekeeper, 25 Apr 1949
Spending for Happiness, 19 May 1949
Elizabeth Arden Beauty Classes, 13-17 Jun 1949
Eternally Young (includes photos of Billie Burke), 20 Jun 1949
Better Living with Television, 20 Jul 1949
Back to School Fashion Primer (includes photos of Robin Morgan), 1 Sep 1949
Glamour Career Fashion Show for Savings Bank Girls, 8 Sep 1949
What Makes a Woman Beautiful, 19-22 Sep 1949
Ski World Opening and Ski Queen Contest, 10 Dec 1949
Miscellaneous, 1949
Men's Short Pants, 1 Feb 1950
Homemaker's Carnival, 13-25 Feb 1950
Margaret O'Brien, 18 Feb 1950
T.H. Robijohn-Gibbings, 18 Apr 1950
Painting for Pleasure, 8-17 Jun 1950
The 1950 Bride and Her Home, 24-25 Jul 1950
Penny Contest, week of 26 Jul 1950
Howard Hodge, 5 Sep 1950
Book and Music Week (includes photos of Fannie Hurst, Rise Stevens, Barbara Stanwyck, and Frank Sinatra), week of 25 Sep 1950
Maidenform Dream Fashion Show, 5 Oct 1950
Youth after 40, 9 Oct 1950
Christmas Promotion, Dec 1950
Miscellaneous, 1950
Brooklyn through the Eyes of Brooklyn Artists, 22-31 Jan 1951
Junior Fashion Show, Feb 1951
Homemaker's Carnival, 12-24 Feb 1951
Children's Easter Fair, 8-15 Mar 1951
Tulip Fair, 23-28 Apr 1951
Dog Beauty Show, 3 May 1951
"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" (includes photos of Betty Smith), 8 May 1951
Beauty and Fashion Fair, 21 May 1951
"Experiences Abroad," script of Bemis on Mary Margaret McBride's radio show, 5 Sep 1951
Music, TV, and Book Week (includes photos of Morey Amsterdam, Anna May Wong, Robert Merrill, Carol Channing, and Rise Stevens), week of 24 Sep 1951
Beauty Salon Opening, 15-20 Oct 1951
Christmas Doll Tea Party, 28 Nov 1951
Good Design Exhibit, 28 Nov 1951
Opening of A&S Nassau store, Jan-Mar 1952
Eyes on Israel, 8 Apr 1952
Book and Authors Tea, 13 May-17 Jun 1952
Waiting for Baby, 5 Jun 1952
Ladies Baseball Clinic (includes photos of Jackie Robinson), 27 Jun 1952
Home Fashion Time, 5 Sep 1952
UNESCO Delegates Event, 18 Sep 1952
Miscellaneous, 1951-52
British Royal Family Coronation Robes (includes photographs of Beatrice Lillie), Jan 1953
The Coronation Story (includes photographs of Robin Morgan), 25 May-6 Jun 1953
Featuring Brooklyn, 27 Feb-7 Mar 1953
Travel time, week of 5 May 1953
Merrie Christmas Shop opening, 7 Nov 1953
The Ding Dong Lady, 14 Nov 1953
Christmas Dress Party, 3 Dec 1953
Miscellaneous, 1953
Authors Week, 23-27 Feb 1954
Preview of Easter, 15-22 Mar 1954
Travel Time Is Cotton Time, 17-22 May 1954
Designs in Scandinavia, 20 Apr-16 May 1954
Miscellaneous, 1954
Miscellaneous, 1955-56
Fashion Is a Golden Door--Inspiration Gala, a Tribute to Michelle Murphy, 2 Mar 1955
Jane Harris, Ltd., 1955
Speaking engagements, 1950-56
City of St. Augustine, 1956-71
Public relations forum, 4 Oct 1956
"The Florida Story," Nov 1956
Welcome to newcomers, Feb-Apr 1957
Organization for improved St. George St., 1957
Easter week, 1958
Easter week festival, 29 Mar-5 Apr 1959
St. Augustine Art Association
Exhibit, 2 Apr 1961
Open house events, Jan 1966
Helen Strong exhibition, 23-27 Jan 1971
Lecture of F. Roy Carlson, 6 April n.d
Miscellaneous
Miscellaneous clippings (includes articles by Bemis)
St. Augustine Historical Society miscellany
Pamphlets and brochures
Friends and associates (includes clippings, publicity, and photographs)
Madame Alexander
Allilueva, Svetlana
Bethune, Mary McLeod and Bethune Cookman College
Boyer, Mary-Lou
Kenyon, Dorothy
Kingman, Dong
Koerner, Henry
McNaughton, Elinor
Nemkov, Sol
Weddell, Mimi
Wright, Frank Lloyd
Miscellaneous friends' obituaries
General
Art
Midtown Gallery
Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Children's Museum
Civil rights
Echo House, St. Augustine
The Lightner Museum, St. Augustine
Miscellaneous material collected by Frances Bemis (includes annotated clippings and memorabilia)
Scrapbooks
Clippings from the Atlanta Journal, 1921-32
Public Relations Program for the City of St. Augustine, 1956-57
OVERSIZE MATERIALS
SERIES IV. PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITES
Posters