Zeno Bakery Postcard

Access and use

Location of collection:
James Madison University
Second Floor Room 203, MSC 1704
Carrier Library
James Madison University
880 Madison Drive
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Tiffany Cole
Phone: (540) 568-3444
Phone: (540) 568-3612
Fax: (540) 568-3405
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.

Terms of access:

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).

Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Zeno Bakery Postcard, 1937, SC 0023, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Summary

Extent:
0.08 cubic feet 1 legal folder
Creator:
Cohasco, Inc.
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.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

[identification of item], [box #, folder #], Zeno Bakery Postcard, 1937, SC 0023, Special Collections, Carrier Library, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.

Background

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.

Biographical / historical:

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.

Acquisition information:
Special Collections acquired this item at auction from Cohasco, Inc. in January 2016.
Arrangement:

The postcard is housed in one legal folder.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard