Locating early photographs of Lucille Ball requires targeting reputable archives and collections specializing in classic Hollywood. These seven sources offer credible starting points:
Authoritative Archives & Databases
- Library of Congress Digital Collections: Search its extensive Prints & Photographs Online Catalog for historical images.
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (Margaret Herrick Library Digital Collections): Focuses on film history; search using "Lucille Ball" and relevant date ranges.
- Getty Images Archive: A major resource for entertainment photography; refine searches by decade (e.g., 1930s, 1940s).
Specialized Media Libraries & Museums
- Media History Digital Library (Lantern Search): Digitizes classic film periodicals (fan magazines, trade papers) where Ball's early career was documented.
- National Museum of American History & Entertainment Icons Collections: Explore Smithsonian archives holding significant pop culture photography.
Additional Online Platforms
- University Digital Collections: Major research universities often digitize performance archives containing early Hollywood materials.
- Image Hosting Platforms (Specific Searches): Combine "Lucille Ball" with precise keywords like "young", "1930s", "modeling", "Broadway", "RKO", or "early career" while carefully evaluating image source and context.
Always prioritize primary sources and institutions for verification. Refine searches using specific studios (e.g., RKO Radio Pictures) or projects early in her career.
