Clyde Killens and Sammie Rabin Billboard collection, circa 1940-1960
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Brief Description:

This collection consists of 116 billboards, commissioned by Clyde Killens and created by Sam Rabin, advertising entertainment acts in Overtown during the 1940s through the 1960s.

The billboards measure: 119 cm (length) x 77 cm (width) x 3 cm (depth). They are made of mixed media and are enclosed in wood and glass frames.

Catalog of billboards:

1. The Dells

2. Big Show

3. X-mas Night Big Show

4. Nappy Brown

5. Fay Ray Shelar

6. Timi Yuro

7. Yvonne Fair

8. Chris Kenner

9. Doris Troy

10. The Five King Pins

11. Joe Henderson

12. Ladies Night

13. Special 5 Big Acts

14. Billy Haley

15. Freddie Scott

16. Classic Night Dance

17. Shift Dress Ball

18. Sam & Dave

19. Piano Red

20. The Sensations/The Falcons

21. Miller Sisters

22. Barbara Lewis

23. Chuck Jackson

24. Matinee Dance

25. The Laddins

26. Coeds/Chicke Horne/Buttercup

27. Clyde McPhatter

28. Carnet Mimms and the Enchanters

29. All Star Floor Show

30. E. Lois foreman

31. Soul Sisters

32. Count Basie

33. B. B. King

34. Ben E. King

35. Big Waitress Ball

36. Big Show Tonight

37. Coasters

38. Mary Wells

39. Joan Procter*

40. Ted Taylor

41. Etta Jones

42. The Fascinations

43. Jerry Butler

44. Roy Hamilton

45. Betty Lovett

46. Lou Johnson

47. Freddie Scott

48. Impressions

49. Patti Labelle

50. Five Royals

51. Chickie Horne

52. Sam & Dave

53. The Zeniths

54. Ruth Brown

55. The Tams

56. Nina Simone

57. J. Fred Muggs

58. Barbara Lynn

59. Olivette Miller

60. Jimmy Ricks

61. Milly Collier

62. Johnny Nash***

63. Ada Lee

64. Louisiana Red

65. Cookies

66. Tommy Hunt

67. Little Willie John

68. Gloria Lyn

69. Bell Brothers

70. Garnet Mimms

71. Valadeers

72. Little Esther

73. Dodo Greene

74. Betty Everett

75. The Vibrations

76. Chanteers

77. Sonny Johnson

78. Halloween Masquerade

79. Little Eva**

80. Thanksgiving Show

81. Major Lance

82. Coeds

83. Falcons

84. Matinee Dance

85. Dakota Staton

86. Jean Dushon

87. Paul Kelly

88. Red Foxx

89. Marv Johnson

90. Dick Gregory

91. Steve Alaimo

92. Rufus Thomas

93. Janette Washington

94. Big Dee Irwin

95. Friday Night Show

96. Theola Kilgore

97. Inez Foxx

98. Bo Diddley

99. Sam Cooke

100. Dee Dee Sharp

101. Easter Show*

102. Wildman Steve Revue

103. Solomon Burke****

104. Drifters**

105. Bill Robinson

106. Red Foxx

107. Aretha Franklin

108. Dinah Washington

109. Big Maybelle

110. Etta James

111. Etta James

112. Brook Benton

113. Hank Ballard

114. Ruby & the Five Romantics

115. Falcons

116. Duke of Earl

*Damage Glass

**Damage Rope

***Special Artwork

****Frame Damage

Held at:
The Black Archives History & Research Foundation of South FL, Inc.
819 NW 2nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33136
Phone: 786-708-4610
Fax: 305-400-8756
Email: jhurtado [at] bahlt.org
Record Series Number: 03/BAF AC_00001
Created by: Killens, Clyde
Volume: 116.0 Items
More information is available at http://www.theblackarchives.org/archon/legacy/killensrabin.pdf (pdf)
Biographical Note for Killens, Clyde : Killens was an entrepreneur who contributed to the economic growth of Overtown.  A native of Valdosta, Georgia, he came to Miami in 1924.  Killens made his mark as a hotel and night club manager and entertainment promoter during the 1940s through the 1960s.
Rights/Use Restrictions: (c) 2010 The Black Archives, History and Research Foundation, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.  Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from teh Director of The Black Archives, History and Research Foundation, Inc.
Related Materials: Clyde Killens papers