Details
Creator Photo Illustrators (Firm), photographer.
Title [Finale of an unidentified theatrical production] [graphic] / The Photo-Illustrators, 1210 Locust St., Phila., Pa. Commercial Photographers.
Publisher [Philadelphia]
Publisher PA. Philadelphia. 1925
Date [ca. 1925]
Physical Description 1 photograph : gelatin silver ; sheet 21 x 26 cm (8 x 14 in.)
Description Depicts the entire cast of men gesturing toward center stage where the show's "female" star is hoisted on the shoulders of two cast members. In the left, a supporting player, wearing Black face and costumed as a messenger in a cap and white gloves, kneels and points with his right hand. The front row of actors kneel, many of whom are attired as women in large brimmed hats and dresses with tulle skirts. The back row of actors stand, attired in white collared shirts, ties, dark-colored jackets, and white pants. The backdrop depicts a small town street including "Bernies Antique Shop," a drug store, and a post office. "Blackface minstrelsy is a popular entertainment form, originating in the United States in the mid-19th century and remaining in American life through the 20th century. The form is based around stereotypical and racist portrayals of African Americans, including mocking dialect, parodic lyrics, and the application of Black face paint; all designed to portray African Americans as othered subjects of humor and disrespect. Blackface was a dominant form for theatrical and musical performances for decades, both on stage and in private homes."
Notes Title supplied by cataloger.
Photographer's imprint ink stamped on verso.
Description of Blackface minstrelsy from Dorothy Berry, Descriptive Equity and Clarity around Blackface Minstrelsy in H(arvard) T(heater) C(ollection) Collections, 2021.
Gift of Joseph Kelly, 1982.
RVCDC
Description revised 2022.
Access points revised 2022.
Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Subject Actors -- United States.
African Americans -- Performances and portrayals -- United States.
Blackface.
Costumes -- United States
Cross dressing -- United States.
Minstrel shows -- United States.
Racism in popular culture.
Stages (Platforms)
Theatrical productions -- United States.
Female impersonators.
African American History
Queer history.
Genre Gelatin silver prints -- 1920-1930.
Group portraits -- 1920-1930.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| Photo-Illustrators-11x14 [P.8882.20]
Accession number P.8882.20