A selection of original WW2 Stage Door Canteen memorabilia from our private collection
We have been collecting Canteen memorabilia for over fifteen years. As there is hardly any documentation (due to the ATW archives being destroyed in a fire), there is little known about certain items.
(A) large hostess pin
Constructed from sterling silver with red white and blue enamel
(A) large hostess pin
Constructed from different kind of metal and painted rather than enamelled
(B) small entertainer and/or volunteer pin
This design available in variations showing location name, Hospital Committee, Work Room, Tea Dances, Club For Merchant Seamen or Campaign Personnel.
(B) small entertainer and/or volunteer pin
This design also existed in a cloth version, with name and logo woven in white
Matchbooks
To complete our collection of Stage Door Canteen matchbooks, we are looking for Newark and San Francisco
Cloak Room or Check Room tag
Newark Canteen invitation cards with map on reverse and when unfolded, showing images of the canteen.
Hostess ID card
San Francisco Canteen
Boston Canteen guest card with tokens for beverages and food.
One of 5 postcard designs that exist of the Stage Door Canteen. This particular one is from the Washington D.C. Canteen, and dated March 1943
One of 5 postcard designs that exist of the Stage Door Canteen.
This particular one is from a series of 3, drawn by Barney Tobey.
One of 5 postcard designs that exist of the Stage Door Canteen.
This particular one is from a series of 3, drawn by Barney Tobey.
One of 5 postcard designs that exist of the Stage Door Canteen.
This particular one is from a series of 3, drawn by Barney Tobey.
The reverse shows advertising of the Stage Door Canteen radio show and its sponsor.
One of 5 postcard designs that exist of the Stage Door Canteen.
This one is of the Cleveland canteen.
San Francisco information guide featuring the local Stage Door Canteen
Philadelphia Stage Door Canteen biography
Box of playing cards
Compliments of American Theatre Wing Stage Door Canteen New York
Refreshment Check
Philadelphia Stage Door Canteen had their own specific logo despite being run by the American Theatre Wing War Service Inc.
Press photo "Queen of the Photographers Ball"
8" x 6" original b/w press photograph 19 January 1944. The label on the reverse reads: New York City - "This is the biggest thrill of my life," is the way Gloria Knight expressed her feeling about being chosen "Queen of the Press Photographers Ball" today. She was selected from a group of 14 volunteer Stage Door Canteen hostesses. Profits of the ball will benefit the American Theatre Wing War Service, Inc.
Note the ATW hostess pin on her dress.
Food check
Probably used at the New York canteen, it was printed by the American Ticket co. of Brooklyn.
If you have further information or Canteen memorabilia you would like to share with us, please get in touch: admin@stagedoorcanteen.co.uk