The Original amateur hour was broadcast on radio from Apr. 1934 until 1945 with Major Edward Bowes as emcee and talent scout. It was revived as a television program with Ted Mack as emcee from Jan. 14, 1948 until Sept. 20, 1970. This finding aid describes over 7000 applications from contestants who appeared on the Major Bowes' Original Amateur Hour radio program between 1934 and 1948. A small percentage of the administrative papers dating from the late 1940s and 1950s, as well as materials relating to the Mexican version of the program, La hora internacional del aficionado, are also included. Filed with the contestant applications are letters of introduction, reference letters, and other documents sent by prospective contestants. Applications from conventional performers such as musicians, dancers, singers, and impersonators are the most numerous, but also included are applications from novelty acts such as a human piccolo, a group of hand-standing singers, and a group who played harmonicas with fire extinguishers. Of particular interest are applications from various performers, now well-known, including Teresa Brewer, Stubby Kaye, Robert Merrill, Beverly Sills, and Frank Sinatra. Photographs from the 1940s and 1950s provide a visual record of the show, while correspondence to and from program staff members recount some of the program's business transactions. Scripts, promotional material, and advertising and sponsor documents also are part of the collection. Spelling of names is highly variable in this collection, and many individuals performed under aliases, often assigned to the performer by Major Bowes' staff.

The Amateur Hour Collection also consists of business materials such as correspondence, administrative and operations paperwork, program information, advertising packages, sponsor documents, ratings information, and scripts.

Black and white photographs from the 1940s and 1950s provide a visual record of the show. The photographs show the wide variety of performers that appeared on the show, from singers and dancers to harmonica ensembles, and even a man who made music with fire extinguishers. Major Bowes and Ted Mack appear with the performers in some of the photographs, while others are action shots or more formal portraits of the performers. Identifying information appears on the back side of a number of the photographs, but many remain unidentified in terms of who the performer is and the exact date of their appearance on the show.