Descriptive inventory for the Raeburn Flerlage photographs and papers, 1917-2006, bulk 1950s-1980s

Exhibited in "Amplified: Chicago Blues," Chicago History Museum, opening April 2018. Album covers from box 42: "Hard Drivin' Blues," "I Was Walking Through the Woods," "Evil," "Door to Door," "South Side Blues," "Blues on Highway 49," "Broke and Hungry; Ragged and Dirty, Too," "Blues Piano Orgy." Album covers from box 43: "Preachin' the Blues," "Urban Blues," "Slim's Got His Thing Goin' On," Blues and Lonesome," "Piano Blues Legends," Chicago Blues," "Big Joe Williams and His Nine-String Guitar," "The Blues Never Die!," "More Blues on the South Side," "Memphis Slim and the Real Honky Tonk," "Mississippi John Hurt 1963."

Advance appointment required to view color material in cold storage or negatives in cool storage; please email research@chicagohistory.org.

Credit photographer or photography studio where identified. The donor deeded all rights owned by the donor to this material, including copyright, to Chicago Historical Society. Other copyrights may be retained by the creators of items, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Museum purchase from the Estate of Raeburn Flerlage, 2016 (accession #: 2016.0030).

Select images are available to view digitally through the Chicago History Museum. See site: https://images.chicagohistory.org/?service=set&action=show_content_page&language=en&set=20&ref=news.

Raeburn Flerlage photographs and papers (Chicago History Museum), plus a detailed description, date, and series/box/folder number of a specific item.

Collection includes black-and-white and color photographic prints, negatives, transparencies, and contact sheets; business and personal papers; journals; audio recordings; collected ephemera; and published works relating to, or produced by, Raeburn Flerlage.

In documenting Flerlage’s varied business activities, the collection includes approximately 29.5 linear feet of photographic materials, which are comprised of original black-and-white negatives (8 x 10 in. and smaller), color transparencies (120 mm and smaller), and color negatives (35 mm) and prints (16 x 20 in. and smaller). Images also include Flerlage’s freelance photography for recording artists and record companies, such as Folkways, Delmark, Prestige, and Testament. Associations between clients and assignments are noted in the container list when known. Significant examples of published materials using Flerlage’s photographs or writings, including record album covers, serials, newspaper clippings, and posters, are also included in the collection.

Additionally, the collection includes approximately 8 linear feet of sound recordings (205 programs on 150 reel-to-reel tapes) containing interviews and announcements produced for radio programs on Chicago-based stations, WXFM and WSBC.

Approximately 28.25 linear feet of business papers comprise radio scripts, article and book drafts, and assorted notes related to Flerlage's work for national and local publications, such as “Sing Out!,” “Down Beat,” and “Chicago FM Guide.” Business correspondence dating from 1941-2000 includes letters to and from colleagues at People’s Songs, Folkways, and the Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago, as well as other professional organizations and individuals working in the music industry.

While the collection largely documents Flerlage’s professional activities, it also includes substantial materials documenting his personal life. For example, journals and day planners that contain notes pertaining to professional activities also notably reveal thoughts and feelings about his personal relationships. Likewise, of the approximately 40,000 unique photographic images, more than one-third document personal aspects of his life, especially his family and friends. Personal correspondence related to his education and personal history also forms a portion of the collection.

John Raeburn “Ray” Flerlage was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1915, where he began his longtime personal and professional involvement with music. Flerlage began working as a record store promoter and record reviewer in Ohio in the late 1930s. By the early 1940s, he had formed the Gramophone Society under whose auspices he lectured on classical music. During World War II, Flerlage served as the Director of Employee Recreation and Industrial Music at Wright Aeronautical Corporation in Lockland, Ohio.

Flerlage continued his career in music after moving to Chicago in 1944 and residing at various South Side locations. He wrote a music column, “The People’s Music,” in the “Chicago Star” newspaper and conducted a successful series of lectures at the Parkway Community House called, “The People in Their Music.” This work brought him to the attention of People’s Songs, an organization formed in New York City in 1945 by Pete Seeger and others, which aimed to “create, promote, and distribute songs of labor and the American people.” (People’s Song’s Newsletter. Vol. 1 No. 1.1945). In 1946, Flerlage became the Midwest Executive Secretary of People’s Songs, a position he held for less than a year.

Following his exit from People’s Songs, Flerlage held a variety of jobs including serving as a steward on the New York Central Railroad (1950-1955) and as a record salesman and distributor. In 1955, he became a sales representative for Folkways Records through their Midwest distributor K. O. Asher. The Folkways label represented the same folk artists – Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Lead Belly – that Flerlage had followed while at People’s Songs.

Although he never received a degree in photography, Flerlage began taking photography courses at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Institute of Design at the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1959. The latter included coursework with photographer Harry Callahan from 1959-1960. Flerlage’s first professional photography assignment came from Moe Asch of Folkways, shortly thereafter in 1959. Knowing Flerlage’s interest in photography, Asch contacted him for some last-minute photographs of blues singer and pianist Memphis Slim to be used as an album cover. Flerlage’s photographs of Slim taken at the Pershing Hotel did not make the cover, but they were used in an accompanying booklet. This assignment soon led to other freelance projects, work that continued through the early 1970s.

Flerlage’s photographs were commissioned by music publications such as “Down Beat,” “Rhythm and Blues,” and “Chicago Scene,” as well as recording artists, music producers, and record labels. His work often appeared on the covers of albums produced by Testament, Chess, Prestige, Delmark, and Folkways Records. Flerlage also photographed in blues clubs, at folk festivals and clubs, in recording studios, and accompanied interviewers on assignment.

In his work, Flerlage documented a wide variety of artists in recording studios and in music venues of all sizes - small clubs like Pepper’s Lounge, Sylvio’s, McKie’s, and in large theaters like the Trianon and the Regal. His subjects included some of the 1960s most prominent blues artists such as Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Memphis Slim, and Howlin’ Wolf. Flerlage also photographed icons of the burgeoning folk scene – Frank Hamilton, Pete Seeger, Frank Profitt, and Ella Jenkins at locations including the University of Chicago’s Annual Folk Festival and the Old Town School of Folk Music.

During his most prolific years as a photographer, Flerlage continued to work as a record distributer for K. O. Asher. He additionally produced and hosted a number of radio programs for local stations including Folk City, Blues International, Meetin’ House, and Critic’s Choice. By the late 1960s, changes in the publishing industry resulted in fewer buyers for his pictures. When K. O. Asher closed his operation in 1971, Flerlage not only lost his job, but smaller labels such as Testament and Arhoolie lost their distributor. With few opportunities to make money through photography, he went into record distribution on his own, forming Kinnara Inc. in 1971.

Kinnara required all of Flerlage’s attention. He eventually stopped taking pictures and gave up his radio programs. Despite his and his wife Luise’s best efforts to keep the business afloat, Kinnara folded in 1984. While Flerlage was not producing any new photographs, the 1980s and 1990s brought an increase in licensing requests for his pictures of musicians for use in books, magazines, album art, and exhibitions. In 1995, Charles K. Cowdery featured a large number of his photographs in the book "Blues Legends." This exposure led to a number of new relationships, and in the late 1990s, he was connected with film editor Lisa Day. The result was the 2000 publication “Chicago Blues as Seen from the Inside: The Photographs of Raeburn Flerlage.” Raeburn Flerlage died in Chicago on September 28, 2002. He was survived by his fourth wife, Luise Flerlage, and six children.

Related materials at the Chicago History Museum, Research Center, includes publications by or about Flerlage, cataloged separately.

Exhibited in "Amplified: Chicago Blues," Chicago History Museum, opening April 2018. Album covers from box 42: "Hard Drivin' Blues," "I Was Walking Through the Woods," "Evil," "Door to Door," "South Side Blues," "Blues on Highway 49," "Broke and Hungry; Ragged and Dirty, Too," "Blues Piano Orgy." Album covers from box 43: "Preachin' the Blues," "Urban Blues," "Slim's Got His Thing Goin' On," Blues and Lonesome," "Piano Blues Legends," Chicago Blues," "Big Joe Williams and His Nine-String Guitar," "The Blues Never Die!," "More Blues on the South Side," "Memphis Slim and the Real Honky Tonk," "Mississippi John Hurt 1963."

Collection processed between May and September 2017 by Armstrong-Johnston, LLC. The following negatives are missing as of final processing in September 2017: 120799-120833 (digitized), 146083-146084, 100222-100242, 131522-131527, 140483-140485 (digitized), and 134509. Note also that accessioned empty negative sleeves were retained and processed into Box 75, Folder 1.

• Names
  • Flerlage, Raeburn--Archives
  • Asch, Moses
  • Baez, Joan
  • Barker, Horton--1889-
  • Bland, Bobby
  • Bloomfield, Michael
  • Charles, Ray--1930-2004
  • Coltrane, John--1926-1967
  • Davis, Gary--1896-1972
  • Dvořák, Antonín--1841-1904
  • Dylan, Bob--1941-
  • Feeney, Ellen
  • Fitzgerald, Ella
  • Flerlage family
  • Gillum, Jazz--1904-1966
  • Gray, Arvella--1906-1980
  • Gross, Bernard--1913-1966
  • Guthrie, Woody--1912-1967
  • Guy, Buddy
  • Hamilton, Frank
  • Hooker, John Lee--1917-
  • Hopkins, Lightnin'--1912-1982
  • Hopkins, Willie
  • Horton, Big Walter
  • House, Son
  • Howard, Hugo
  • Howlin Wolf
  • Hurt, Mississippi John--1892-1966
  • James, Janell
  • Janell, Retina
  • King, B. B
  • King, Freddy--1934-1976
  • Little Walter--1930-1968
  • Mayfield, Curtis
  • McDowell, Fred
  • Memphis Slim
  • Montgomery, Little Brother--1906-1985
  • Muddy Waters--1915-1983
  • Nissenson, Norma
  • Reed, Jimmy--1925-1976
  • Odetta--1930-
  • Pineda, Elba
  • Rembert, George
  • Rush, Otis
  • Sandburg, Carl--1878-1967
  • Seeger, Pete--1919-
  • Shankar, Ravi
  • Simone, Nina--1933-2003
  • Sinatra, Frank
  • Staples, Mavis
  • Stedham, Arbee
  • Stracke, Win--1908-1991
  • Sunnyland Slim--1907-1995
  • Terkel, Studs--1912-2008
  • Ward, Betty Ann
  • Watson, Doc
  • Welding, Pete
  • Wells, Junior--1934-1998
  • Wells, Mary--1943-1992
  • Wilson, Jackie
  • Wilson, Nancy--1937-
  • Chicago History Museum--Amplified: Chicago Blues (Exhibition)
  • Chess Records (Chicago, Ill.)
  • Dave Brubeck Quartet
  • Delmark Records
  • Folk-Legacy Records
  • Folkways Records
  • George and Norma
  • Kinnara, Inc. (Firm)
  • Old Town School of Folk Music
  • People's Songs (Organization)
  • Prestige Records (Firm)
  • Staples Singers
  • Testament Records
  • Vandellas (Musical group)
  • Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago
  • Wright Aeronautical Corporation
  • 57th Street Art Fair (Chicago, Ill.)
  • Bud Billiken Parade
  • Newport Folk Festival
  • Pan American Games (3rd : 1959 : Chicago, Ill.)
  • University of Chicago Folk Festival
  • University of Chicago Blues Festival
  • Critics choice (Radio program)
  • Folk city (Radio program)
  • Wednesday meetin' house (Radio program)
  • Record review (Radio program)
• Subject
  • Art fairs--Illinois--Chicago
  • Art, Japanese
  • Blues (Music)
  • Folk music
  • Gospel music
  • Jazz
  • Music
  • Nightclubs--Illinois--Chicago
  • Radio programs, Musical
  • Record stores
  • Trade shows--Illinois--Chicago
• Geographic Coverage
  • Chicago (Ill.)--Music
  • Japan--Social life and customs

The collection is arranged in four series by subject and format and subdivided by document type.

Series 1. Journals and planners, 1932-2002, undated (28 boxes)

Series 1 comprises notebooks, personal calendars, address books, journals, diaries, and loose notes. The series is subdivided by book-type, which varied according to Flerlage’s purpose. Materials are arranged chronologically within each subseries.

Subseries 1. Pocket notepads, calendars, and address books, 1942-2002, undated (9 boxes)

Small pocket notepads, calendars, and address books used by Flerlage to log administrative details collected during photography sessions. Details include film roll numbers, locations, subject matter, and contacts. Volumes also include a variety of personal details, to-do lists, and reminders.

Subseries 2. Diaries and journals, 1932-2000, undated (18 boxes)

Traditional diaries and journals containing long-form entries spanning Flerlage’s adult life. Entries reveal a man constantly trying to define, understand, and reinvent himself. Flerlage addressed all topics relative to his life: his family, his life as a transplant to Chicago, his career, and his physical and mental health. The journals are richest in the earliest years, 1935-1971. After 1971, Flerlage’s writing became more sporadic.

Subseries 3. Loose notes and journal entries, 1935-2001, undated (2 boxes)

Receipts, paper scraps, calendar pages, and other items re-used by Flerlage for drafting notes to himself or impromptu journal entries.

Series 2. Business materials, 1941-2002, undated (196 boxes, 2 folders)

Series 2 comprises business papers, original manuscripts, audio recordings, photographic materials, and collected ephemera of, or relating to, the professional life of Raeburn Flerlage. The series is subdivided into fourteen subseries, which are arranged chronologically and by document type.

Subseries 1. Correspondence, 1941-2002 (3 boxes)

Business correspondence is organized chronologically by year and includes letters written to and from Flerlage. A selection of correspondence pertains to Flerlage’s work as Midwest Executive Secretary for People’s Songs (1946-1947), Folkways Records (1959-1968), for whom Flerlage worked as both a sales representative and freelance photographer and writer, and the Executive Board of the Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago (1969-1976), a spiritual organization on which he served.

Subseries 2. Typescript and manuscript drafts, 1946-2000, undated (2 boxes)

Typescript and manuscript drafts include music review columns (published copies are found in Series 4. Published Works), radio program scripts, and outlines and information for public programs. The bulk of the subseries contains extensive drafts and notes for Flerlage’s 2000 book, “Chicago Blues.”

Subseries 3. Professional affiliations, 1943-2000 (1 box)

Miscellaneous items such as certificates of merit related to Flerlage’s employment and professional affiliations.

Subseries 4. Legal and financial, 1946-2000 (1 box)

Invoices, bills of sale, contract and licensing information, and model releases signed in 1958-1960 by subjects of Flerlage’s photography work.

Subseries 5. Work history, 1962-2002 (2 boxes)

Includes Flerlage’s resumes, photography subject lists, awards, and biographical and autobiographical sketches.

Subseries 6. Audio recordings, 1961-1975, undated (150 reels)

Two hundred and three programs contained on 150 reel-to-reel tapes. The audio recordings include announcements, commercials, and Flerlage’s narration for radio programs including “Folk City,” Critics Choice,” and “Blues International.” Aired on Chicago-area radio stations WXFM and WSBC, program content includes record reviews, interviews, anniversary programs, political programs, and wide-ranging discussions related to a variety of musical forms, including folk, jazz, and blues. In most cases, the musical selections played during the program are not included on the recordings. Listening copies of the programs are available in the Chicago History Museum’s Research Center.

Subseries 7. Black-and-white photographic prints, 1940-1989, undated (7 boxes)

Photographs are arranged by topic and date and predominantly include Flerlage’s most-often reproduced pictures of folk, jazz, and blues musicians and performances. Prints range in size from 3 x 5 in. to 16 x 20 in. and many contain handwritten notes or Flerlage’s stamp on the verso. Additional prints show Chicago streets and landscapes, art fairs, models, and unidentified people.

Subseries 8. Photographic contact sheets, 1939-1977, undated (4 boxes, 1 folder)

Contact sheets are arranged chronologically by year and are occasionally annotated with film roll numbers, dates, locations, and subject identification.

Subseries 9. Black-and-white photographic negatives, 1955-1976, undated (19 boxes)

Negatives are further divided into seven topical sub-subseries and arranged chronologically. Negatives from 1967 are notably sparse. Researchers should note that Flerlage photographed some subject matter, notably musical performances, using black-and-white negative film, color negative film, and color transparencies. Subjects arranged in this subseries may have related images in alternate formats in alternate formats in Subseries 10 and Subseries 13. Also note that empty negative sleeves can be found in Box 75, Folder 1.

Sub-subseries 1. Art and artists, 1960-1965

Grouping comprises images of visual artists, many of whom had personal relationships with Flerlage, and their artworks. Also includes copies of paintings and other artworks.

Sub-subseries 2. Art fairs, 1959-1968

Includes a substantial array of images documenting Chicago-area art fairs, including the 57th Street Art Fair and the Old Town Art Fair.

Sub-subseries 3. Events, 1959-1965

Comprises images of activities and events such as parades, performances, parties, and trade shows.

Sub-subseries 4. Landscapes and buildings, 1960-1970

Images include urban landscapes, street scenes, and buildings in the Chicago area.

Sub-subseries 5. Models, 1959-1966

Includes portraits of women, likely professional or aspiring models.

Sub-subseries 6. Music, 1955-1976, undated

Images of musicians, musical performances, people affiliated with the music industry, music venues, and viewing audiences.

Sub-subseries 7. Vivekananda Vedanta Society, 1965-1976

Images relating to the activities of the Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago, including documentation of concerts, lectures and gatherings.

Subseries 10. Color photographic transparencies, 1958-1973, undated (1 box)

Transparencies are further divided into seven topical sub-subseries and arranged chronologically. Researchers should note that Flerlage photographed some subject matter, notably musical performances, using black-and-white negative film, color negative film, and color transparencies. Subjects arranged in this subseries may have related images in Subseries 9 and Subseries 13.

Sub-subseries 1. Art and artists, 1960-1970

Grouping comprises images of visual artists, many of whom had personal relationships with Flerlage, and their artworks. Also includes copies of paintings and other artworks.

Sub-subseries 2. Art fairs, 1958-1965

Includes a substantial array of images documenting Chicago-area art fairs, including the 57th Street Art Fair and the Old Town Art Fair.

Sub-subseries 3. Events, 1959-1963

Comprises images of activities and events such as parades, performances, parties, and trade shows.

Sub-subseries 4. Landscapes and buildings, circa 1960

Images include urban landscapes, street scenes, and buildings in the Chicago area.

Sub-subseries 5. Models, 1960-1966

Includes portraits of women, likely professional or aspiring models.

Sub-subseries 6. Music, 1959-1970

Images of musicians, musical performances, people affiliated with the music industry, music venues, and viewing audiences.

Sub-subseries 7. Vivekananda Vedanta Society, 1969-1973

Images relating to the activities of the Vivekananda Vedanta Society of Chicago, including documentation of concerts, lectures and gatherings.

Subseries 11. Photomechanical printing blocks, circa 1945-1970 (1 box)

Two printing blocks. One was used in promotional materials for the public program, “The People in Their Music,” (1946) and the other is for an unidentified logo.

Subseries 12. Collected ephemera, circa 1935-2002 (3 boxes, 1 folder)

Assorted ephemera arranged topically and represent the items collected and retained by Flerlage that demonstrate the range of his interests in music, theater, politics, and culture.

Subseries 13. Color photographic negatives, circa 1958-1970 (2 boxes)

Negatives are further divided into six topical sub-subseries and arranged chronologically. Researchers should note that Flerlage photographed some subject matter, notably musical performances, using black-and white-negative film, color negative film, and color transparencies. Subjects arranged in this subseries may have related images in alternate formats in Subseries 9 and Subseries 10. Also note that empty negative sleeves can be found in Box 75, Folder 1.

Sub-subseries 1. Art and artists, 1959-1960

Grouping comprises images of visual artists, many of whom had personal relationships with Flerlage, and their artworks. Also includes copies of paintings and other artworks.

Sub-subseries 2. Art fairs, 1958-1960

Includes a substantial array of images documenting Chicago-area art fairs, including the 57th Street Art Fair and the Old Town Art Fair.

Sub-subseries 3. Events, 1959

Comprises images of activities and events such as parades, performances, parties, and trade shows.

Sub-subseries 4. Landscapes and buildings, circa 1960

Images include urban landscapes, street scenes, and buildings in the Chicago area.

Sub-subseries 5. Models, 1958-1966

Includes portraits of women, likely professional or aspiring models.

Sub-subseries 6. Music, 1960-1970

Images of musicians, musical performances, people affiliated with the music industry, music venues, and viewing audiences.

Subseries 14. Color photographic prints, circa 1950-1969 (1 box)

Small format (5 x 7 in. or smaller) snapshots and proof prints arranged topically and chronologically. The bulk of the subjects are artists and models, both named and unidentified.

Series 3. Personal materials, 1917-2002, undated (19 boxes)

Series 3 encompasses manuscript and photographic materials related to Flerlage’s personal life and family. The series is subdivided into six subseries based on subject and format.

Subseries 1. Personal correspondence, 1926-2002, undated (3 boxes)

Personal correspondence, primarily between Flerlage and friends and family, arranged chronologically. Note that correspondence with friends in the music industry, such as Pete Seeger, is located in Business Materials (Series 2, Subseries 1) even when topics discussed are personal rather than professional.

Subseries 2. Education, 1926-1970 (1 box)

Materials comprise grade school report cards, papers written by Flerlage for college courses, and his National Forensic League diploma (1934) arranged topically and chronologically.

Subseries 3. Personal history, 1954, undated (1 box)

Generally undated genealogical and biographical materials related to the extended Flerlage family and identification cards owned by Flerlage.

Subseries 4. Black-and-white photographic prints, 1917-2002, undated (1 box)

Family and personal photographs are arranged by topic and date. The bulk of the prints date from the 1950s-1970s and show Flerlage and his children.

Subseries 5. Black-and-white and color photographic transparencies and negatives, 1939-2000 (10 boxes)

Transparencies and negatives are subdivided into six topical divisions and arranged chronologically. Note that empty negative sleeves can be found in Box 75, Folder 1.

Sub-subseries 1. Art, 1960

Photograph reproduction copies of modern Japanese prints at the Art Institute of Chicago.

Sub-subseries 2. Education, 1959-1965

Photographs Flerlage made as a student in photography classes at the Institute of Design and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Sub-subseries 3. Family and friends, 1939-1980, undated

Comprises substantial documentation of family, friends, holiday celebrations, and social gatherings.

Sub-subseries 4. Landscapes, 1958-1970, undated

Images of nature, city landscapes, beach scenes, and more, which are not seemingly connected to professional endeavors.

Sub-subseries 5. Miscellaneous, 1958-2000, undated

Unidentified images and copies of albums, artwork, press passes, and other items.

Sub-subseries 6. Photographs of Raeburn Flerlage, 1950-1995

Groups of images that include portraits of Raeburn Flerlage, typically taken by family members or during family gatherings. Some images were used for professional purposes.

Subseries 6. Color photographic prints, 1950-2002 (1 box)

Small format (5 x 7 in. or smaller) snapshots and proof prints arranged topically and chronologically. The bulk of the subjects are artists and models both named and unidentified.

Series 4. Published works, 1933-2006 (7 boxes, 1 folder)

Series 4 comprises published versions of Flerlage’s writing and photography. Materials include record and CD covers, books, magazines, newspaper clippings, and ephemera.

Subseries 1. Albums: records and CDs, 1960s-1990s (4 boxes)

Empty album sleeves are arranged alphabetically by record producer. All albums use photographs by Flerlage in their cover art.

Subseries 2. Books including licensed images, 1966-1997 (1 box)

Publications including Flerlage images licensed by authors and publishers for narrative works on jazz, blues, and folk music.

Subseries 3. Calendars and postcards, 1993 (1 box)

Printed two-color calendars and postcards featuring Flerlage photographs.

Subseries 4. Clippings and scrapbooks, 1946-2002 (3 boxes)

Three scrapbooks of clipped articles authored by Flerlage, compiled by him 1946-1947. Clippings include music reviews and articles reporting on his public programs.

Subseries 5. Posters, 1964-2000, undated (1 folder)

Printed four-color posters for events and albums featuring Flerlage photographs.

Subseries 6. Serials, programs, and catalogs, 1933-2006, undated (2 boxes)

Published materials arranged chronologically, including those Flerlage contributed to as an author, editor, or photographer.