NBC microphone

ca. 1950

Part (mic): 12 × 4 × 3 in. (30.5 × 10.2 × 7.6 cm)

Gift of the Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation

2021.26.3

This RCA microphone was presented to Bob Hope on his 80th birthday. Bob Hope’s career in radio and television broadcasting spanned over six decades. Hope made his network radio debut in 1937 on NBC, the first major broadcast network in the United States. His first regular series for NBC was the "Woodbury Soap Hour." A script for this show from the "Rippling Rhythm Revue" broadcast on May 9, 1937 will become part of the New-York Historical Society’s library collection. In 1938, Hope signed up for "The Pepsodent Hour." Airing until 1948, the show quickly became the number one radio show in the United States. The New-York Historical Library adds to its collection two scripts from The Pepsodent Radio Show from the January 28, 1940 episode with Judy Garland and the January 5, 1943 with Frances Langford and guest Rita Hayworth. In many promotional photographs Bob Hope can be seen holding such a microphone.

DescriptionMicrophone, attached 50 foot length of cord, lambskin stoage bag.

ClassificationsENTERTAINMENT & RECREATION