Helkema, Emma Alberta (1915-1987)
Extensive Personal Archive of a Nurse and Musician.

1928-1960.

Personal archive containing more than 300 pieces of ephemera including photo albums, autograph letters from numerous senders including from some members of Helkema's band, The Coquettes, large format headshots of band and other female musicians signed and unsigned, loose family photos, nursing school invitations and graduation documents, enrollment slips, and a few other items.

Born in Beech Grove, Indiana, Emma "Helky" Helkema, was a nurse and bass fiddle player for many women's big band ensembles such as Helen Compton's 42nd Street Girls Band and The Coquettes, an all-girl orchestra conducted by Frances Carroll until about 1930-35. Included amongst the correspondence are also various offers for Helkema to join other women-run big bands, but other letters indicate she was obligated to stop performing due to either physical or mental health issues ca. 1938. Likely spurred to action by the war effort, Helkema began studying as a nurse, graduating from Peter Bent Brigham Hospital's School of Nursing in 1946. Helkema's personal archive paints a remarkable picture of life as a touring performer with women's big bands in the 1930s, with many of the documents describing ruckus performances, romantic trysts, and including knock-knock jokes only members of a big band would understand.

Condition
For inquiries about condition, please contact:
Devon Eastland, Senior Specialist: deastland@swanngalleries.com
Grace Meschery-McCormack, Cataloguer: gmccormack@swanngalleries.com