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Stempel, Frederick W. “Signor Faranta” (1846-1924). Papers, 1883-1932

 Collection
Identifier: UAAMC-COLL-0108

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of Stempel’s scrapbooks, photographs, and newspapers.

This collection is on loan to UAAMC.

Dates

  • 1883-1932

Creator

Biographical / Historical

Frederick William “Signor Faranta” Stempel was born 30 October 1846 in Buffalo, New York, the son of Frederick William Stempel, a brewer from Strasbourg, France. He was the oldest of nine children.

Stempel left home at age 14 to join the circus, and worked as a contortionist for 28 years. Later he became interested in the theatrical business, building the first popularly-priced playhouse in the South, located in New Orleans. His Iron Theatre (1883-1889), on Bourbon and Orleans streets, offered inexpensive, popular entertainment: jugglers, contortionists, trained animals, dancers, sword swallowers, minstrel singers, hypnotists as well as plays. Stempel was a lifelong member of the Elks Lodge. He died in New Orleans on 10 January 1924 and was interred in the Elks tomb in Metairie Cemetery.

Extent

0.416667 Linear Feet (5 inches of materials contained in 1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Title
Frederick W. “Signor Faranta” Stempel Papers
Status
Completed
Author
Zack Stein
Date
03/23/2020
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Part of the University Archives and Acadiana Manuscripts Collection Repository

Contact:
Edith Garland Dupré Library
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
400 East St. Mary Blvd.
Lafayette LA 70503 United States
337-482-6031