The paintings and memorabilia that hang on the walls of The Lambs’ clubrooms form an intimate, unique history of the New York Stage from 1874 to the present creating a veritable living history of American Theatre. Many of these paintings and portraits are by renowned artists such as James Montgomery Flagg, Howard Chandler Christy, Hubert Vos, Robert Reid, and Everett Raymond Kinstler. The paintings fall into two general categories; the Shepherds’ (Presidents’) portraits, and the nudes. All the artwork and artifacts are owned, maintained and being restored by The Lambs Foundation.
            The Club possesses the portraits of all thirty-three Shepherds since its inception, except two—that of Shepherd William Courtleigh, which was presented to his descendants during a time of disuse, and of Shepherd DeWolf Hopper, who chose to have a bronze likeness instead.
            The nudes were created as artwork for the souvenir-journal covers of many of our famous Gambols, which were elaborate shows held in the clubhouse or in a nearby theatres or hotel ballrooms.
            Also adorning the walls and halls are programs from assorted Gambols, performances and events held at the Club. Additionally, the Club owns hundreds of framed caricatures and sketches by its talented amateur artists such as Eddie Bracken and Senator Ed Ford, and professional illustrators such as Al Kilgore and Jim Ruth (Jim Ruth's lamb cartoons adorn our web site).

Right, The mysterious “Spirit of The Lambs” portrait of Founding
 Shepherd Henry Montague, showing the actor returned as a specter
to one of the  19^th Century clubhouse rooms.  He died tragically as
a young man and was mourned by all.


Below is a sample of items displayed in our clubhouse. They include oil portraits of Shepherds, cartoon drawings (which members signed on nights honoring that person), bronze statues and plaques, past programs and photos of historical nature, and the nudes.  The nude paintings were used for Gambol program covers and include works by Howard Chandler Christy, Reid, and James Montgomery Flagg. Click on thumbnails to enlarge.

 

 

The Lambs' Archives

       In 1975 much of the Club’s vast archives were transferred to the Billy Rose Theatre Collection at the Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts. During a time of financial stress in the 1970’s, the Club library was sold to the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center of the University of Texas at Austin. The library and these archives are accessible to the public. The Lambs currently maintains files on hundreds of its members past and present; and a collection of  The Lambs’ Scripts, the Club’s newsletter which began publication in 1932; and all known Blue Books (Certificates of Incorporation, Constitutions, By-laws and Rules, and membership rosters). These archives are not open to the public.

Left: Eddie Bracken hams it up during an evening
celebrating the return of some of our art and archives.
The evening raised funds for the art restoration project.

When the Club left its 44th Street Clubhouse many artifacts were auctioned, or taken by members, and are now showing up in garage sales, antique dealers and on eBay. These items include dinnerware, programs, letters, plaques, glasses, books, recordings and more. Any person holding such an item may consider donating it back to The Lambs Foundation; the item's value may then be deducted from your taxes (the Foundation is 501-3c). Depending on the value of the item we may also place a plaque acknowledging its donor and include news of the donation in our newsletter. We thank all those who have generously acted by returning stray items to us!

The Lambs Foundation is continually accepting tax-deductible donations
toward the restoration of our art and archives.

The Lambs has not closed - read the disclaimer