Newby Ely deaf movie collection

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: RITDSA-0037

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This is a collection of movies and TV shows that have at least one deaf actor collected by Newby Ely, who is Deaf and has a passion for Deaf cultural history. The collection includes posters, press books and movies that feature deaf actors or deaf characters.

Dates

Creation: circa 1930 - 2005

Creator

Ely, Newby (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

Newby Ely has been an avid collector of film memorabilia for the past 40 years, amassing a private collection of thousands of items, including scripts, lobby cards and posters. After reading John Schuchman's Hollywood Speaks: Deafness and the Film Entertainment Industry and taking his course in the early 2000s, Ely started collecting Deaf-related film memorabilia and video recordings. He eventually donated this collection to the Deaf Studies Archives at RIT. He continues collecting film memorabilia and films produced in Europe. Since 2007, he has been employed as an archival film researcher/consultant for a private historical video company, and enjoys frequent research trips to film archives in New York and Washington, D.C. He lives in the Philadelphia area with his wife.

Extent

9 Linear Feet (6 File boxes, 2 Oversize lid boxes)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

A collection of posters, films, and press books featuring deaf actors or characters as compiled by historian and film buff Newby Ely.

Arrangement

Collection materials are arranged by format.

Physical Location

C.S. North, Shelves 182-185 - Boxes 1-8
Reading Room, Drawer 2 - Posters

Other Finding Aids

In addition to this finding aid, an inventory is available below. For more information, please contact the RIT Archive Collections.

Newby Ely deaf movie collection

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Accession number(s): 10:66, 11:77

The Newby Ely deaf movie collection was gifted to the Deaf Studies Archive by Ely in two accessions: 2010 and 2011.