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Title: Marsh's Juvenile Comedians.
Description: In Ballou's pictorial drawing-room companion, v. 12, no. 8 (Boston, Feb. 21, 1857), p. 124., Marsh's Juvenile Comedians was a traveling children's theater troupe that performed in locations from Maine to California to Australia. Many of its members went on to successful adult acting careers., "In the performances of these children, you would look for something automatic; and might fancy beforehand, if you saw them once, you would exhaust their capabilities. Such, however, is by no means the case. Though they certainly evince careful training, still there is a great deal of spontaneity in their performances. If they possessed a purely imitative faculty, without any creative genius, they could not by any possibility be taught to play the many pieces which make up their repertory."--P.124., Full-length portrait of the troupe, including sixteen girls and three boys.
Date: [1857?]

Title: Howard, Cordelia, 1848-1941.
Description: In Gleason's pictorial drawing-room companion, v.6, no. 26 (Boston, July 1, 1854), p. 416., Howard began acting at age four, and was famous for playing the role of Little Eva in Uncle Tom's Cabin., Waist-length portrait of Howard., Another portrait appears in: American phrenological journal, v. 23 (May, 1856), p. 108.
Date: [1854?]

Title: Macbeth. November 16, 1861
Description: Photographic reproduction of a caricature of Philadelphia actor Edwin Forrest in the character of Macbeth. Shows the actor in a Scotch cap and holding a shield., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook of views of Philadelphia., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Date: [1861]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department cdv - misc. - Civil War - Caricatures and cartoons [(1)5750.F.157e]

Title: Edwin Booth
Description: Photographic reproduction of a caricature by William J. Gladding, Jr. of actor Edwin Booth in the character of Hamlet. Booth portrayed the character for 100 consecutive nights between November 26, 1864, and March 22, 1865, Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook of portraits., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Date: [ca. 1865]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department cdv - misc. - Caricatures and cartoons - B [(1)5750.F.49i]

Title: Burton, William Evans, 1801-1860
Creator: Library Company of Philadelphia, creator
Date: March 3, 1848

Title: Stuart Robson and Wm. H. Crane
Description: Illustrated trade card depicting the heads of actors Stuart Robinson and William Henry Crane on the bodies of winged cherubs resting on their elbows, imitating the famous duo from Raphael's Sistine Madonna (1513-1514). Robinson and Crane formed a comedy partnership that lasted twelve years, from 1877 to 1889., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Digitized.
Date: [ca. 1880]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Robson [1975.F.739]

Title: Jay Rial's ideal Uncle Tom's Cabin L.H. Stockwell as lawyer Marks & his trained donkey Jerry
Description: Trade card for Jay Rial's touring stage company's production of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Shows actor L.H. Stockwell in character as Marks from the play standing on the sidewalk. He is attired in a top hat, a white collared shirt, a white bowtie, a black jacket with tails, yellow-and-black striped pants, and black shoes and holds a red umbrella. In the left, a donkey stands in the street. In the background is a block of buildings. Jay Rial, a New York theatrical manager, began tours of his production of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" circa 1881. The production was associated with novel features of live dogs and donkeys and props, such as floating cakes of ice, and was purported to have earned $1,000,000 by the end of its run., Title from item., Date inferred from dates of the theatrical production., Advertising text printed on verso: Academy of Music! Week commencing September 12. Matinees Wednesday & Saturday. The survival of the fittest. Sixth season. The Jay Rial Uncle Tom's Cabin Co. This Great Company is the only one considered worthy of metropolitan recognition. The only Company that has stood the test of all the important Academies and Theatres in the great capitals of the country. All the old favorites. New scenery. Trained donkey. Beautiful music. The magnolia jubilee band. Camp meeting shouters. And the only genuine trained bloodhounds in the world. The enormous success of the enterprise has prompted imitation in many ways. The matter of the show bills has been widely copied, and especially have efforts been made to give the appearance of presenting Bloohounds; but imitation is ever entirely successful. Excellence is only obtatined by time and labor. The people's prices: 25, 35 & 50 cents. No higher. No extra. Sale of Tickets will commence, Thursday, Sept. 8, at 9 a.m., Gift of David Doret, 2011.
Date: [ca. 1881]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department LCP Trade Cards - Academy [P.2011.45.24]

Title: Vezin, Herman, 1829-1910
Creator: Library Company of Philadelphia, creator
Date: November 5, 1847

Title: A hearty laugh for the holidays commencing Christmas Eve, Saturday, Dec. 24th and continued on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, Dec. 26, 28, 29, 30 Matinee Monday afternoon. The distinguished and world-renowned artists, Mr. & Mrs. Harry Watkins! (formerly Mrs. Charles Howard,) in a novel, humorous and elegant entertainment! as presented by them for six weeks at Niblo's, N. York ... The entertainment, from the pen of the popular author, Charles Gayler, is entitled Photographiana or, Wives by advertisement, being a series of eccentric sketches of character ... Admission, 25 cents. Reserved seats, 50 cents Doors open quarter-past 7 o'clock. Commence at 8. Afternoon, open at 2. Commence at 3
Description: Dec. 24 fell on a Saturday in 1864., Printed area, including double-rule border, measures 55.5 x 19.9 cm., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: Watkins, Harry, 1825-1894
Date: [1864]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare PB 1864 Watkins (6)5761.F.63 (McAllister)

Title: Notwithstanding its great success! in consequence of the hall being pre-engaged, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Watkins! are compelled to announce as the last 3 nights, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Dec. 28th, 29th and 30th, of their novel, peculiar, humorous and elegant entertainment! received at every representation with enthusiastic shouts of laughter and applause, by large and brilliant assemblages of the elite of Philadelphian society! ... The entertainment, from the pen of the popular author, Charles Gayler, is entitled Photographiana or, Wives by advertisement, being a series of eccentric sketches of character ... Matinee on Saturday, at 3 o'clock. Admission, 25 cents. Reserved seats, 50 cents Doors open quarter-past 7 o'clock. Commence at 8. Afternoon, open at 2. Commence at 3
Description: Dec. 28 fell on a Wednesday in 1864., Printed area, including double-rule border, measures 55.3 x 19.8 cm., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: Watkins, Harry, 1825-1894
Date: [1864]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare PB 1864 Watkins (6)5761.F.64 (McAllister)

Title: Notwithstanding its great success! in consequence of the hall being pre-engaged, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Watkins! are compelled to announce as the last two nights, Thursday & Friday, Dec. 29th and 30th, of their novel, peculiar, humorous and elegant entertainment! received at every representation with enthusiastic shouts of laughter and applause, by large and brilliant assemblages of the elite of Philadelphian society! ... The entertainment, from the pen of the popular author, Charles Gayler, is entitled Photographiana or, Wives by advertisement, being a series of eccentric sketches of character ... Matinee on Saturday, at 3 o'clock. Admission, 25 cents. Reserved seats, 50 cents Doors open quarter-past 7 o'clock. Commence at 8. Afternoon, open at 2. Commence at 3
Description: Dec. 29 fell on a Thursday in 1864., Printed area, including double-rule border, measures 54.9 x 19.8 cm., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: Watkins, Harry, 1825-1894
Date: [1864]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare PB 1864 Watkins (6)5761.F.69 (McAllister)

Title: Dan Bryant
Description: Full-length portrait of the popular New York minstrel performer and manager in Blackface and costumed as a disheveled 18th-century gentleman. Bryant stands posed with his right hand on his hip and his left hand holding a sword to the ground while looking up to the left. Known for his versatility as a comedian, actor, dancer, and musician, Bryant was most famous for his rendition of the dance, "Essence of Old Virginny," and for popularizing the songs "Dixie," "Turkey in the Straw," and "Shoo Fly." He performed in Philadelphia in September 1856. "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.", Title from manuscript note on mount., Date based on presented age of the sitter., Description of Blackface minstrelsy from Dorothy Berry, Descriptive Equity and Clarity around Blackface Minstrelsy in H(arvard) T(heater) C(ollection) Collections, 2021., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook of portraits. McAllister Collection, gift, 1886., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., 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.
Date: [ca. 1865]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department portrait cdvs - sitter - Bryant [(1)5750.F.60f]

Title: Bateman sisters.
Description: In Gleason’s pictorial drawing-room companion, vol. 1, no. 28 (Nov. 8, 1851), p. 440., Full-length portraits of the child actresses Kate and Ellen Bateman in costume for their appearance in Bombastes furioso, Kate in the role of King Artaxaminous (?).
Date: [1851?]

Title: The Wabash Minstrels will give their third entertainment on board the U.S. Flagship Wabash on Friday evening, July 4th, 1862, Port Royal Harbor, S.C. H.R. Bogart stage manager. D. Herlihy musical director. Programme. Part I. ... Intermission of 10 minutes. Part II. ... Intermission of 10 minutes. The whole to conclude with an Ethiopian farce of "Box and Cox."
Description: At head of title, printed inside square brackets: With compliments., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: Wabash Minstrels
Date: [1862]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare PB 1862 Wabash 5786.F.181g (McAllister)

Title: Christmas entertainment of the 28th Regiment, Penna. Vol's. (Col. John W. Geary,) at Camp Goodman, Point of Rocks, Md. Stage manager, Lieut. Thos. H. Elliott. Acting do. Lieut. Gilbert L. Parker. Leader of orchestra, Lieut. J.G. Warwick. Ethiopian director, Corp. Wm. Roberts, Jr. Programme. Afternoon at three o'clock
Description: The 28th Infantry Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers was organized in June 1861 and mustered out July 18, 1865. Cf. S.P. Bates. History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, v. 1, p. 418, and F.H. Taylor, Philadelphia in the Civil War 1861-1865, p. 57., The Geary Thespian Corps of the 28th Regiment held its third performance Jan. 21, 1862 and its fourth performance Feb. 22, 1862, both at Camp Goodman; James L. Warwick, band leader, mustered out Sept. 9, 1862., Imprint from colophon., Last page blank., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: Geary Thespian Corps
Date: [1861]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare sm # Am 1861 Geary (2)5786.F.143b (McAllister)

Title: Catalogue of theatrical and public celebrities
Description: Trade catalog containing pages with rows of numbered vignette-size reproduced portrait photographs of female , male, and child entertainers. Includes bust-length, half-length, and full-length portraiture, with one sitter often depicted in several differently posed portraits. Sitters, predominantly women, are usually attired in costume and occasionally are posed as couples, or in character and with props and ornate backdrops. Costumes and props include hats and head pieces; tights and shorts; nautical, peasant, medieval and roman garb; umbrellas, fans and valises; chairs and hammocks; guns and swords; and instruments and animals. Unique costumes and poses include Jeannie Winston as a devil with wings; Kate Forsyth depicted as a sculpted bust; and Lizzie Harold sprawled on a floor., Sitters include French operatic soprano Marie Roze (1846-1926); American entertainer Lotta [Crabtree] (1847-1924); American actress Annie Pixley (1858-1893); comic actors Charles E. Holland and Ben Maginley (d. 1888); actress and theater manager Mrs. John Drew (i.e., Louisa Lane Drew); French magician Prof. Hermann, i.e., Alexander Hermann(1843-1896), author and actress Lillian Chester; and characters from "Pinafore.", Accompanied by pocket-size, printed catalog with preface promoting Gilbert & Bacon's large stock of portrait views of the "most artistic and prominent in their profession" in the sizes "Cabinets" and "Panels." Includes lists of sitters for 1692 "Cabinets" and 115 "Panels.", Front endpaper inscribed: George P. Campbell, Continental Hotel, August 1880. Campbell, probably a Gilbert & Bacon agent, resided at the hotel in the 1880s., Cloth binding, stamped "Scrap" on front cover and "Patented March 1876" on back cover., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gilbert & Bacon, the portrait studio established by Philadelphia photographers Charles M. Gilbert (b. ca. 1848) and William F. Bacon (ca. 1843-1900), operated ca. 1874-ca. 1929. The firm specialized in celebrity portraiture and photographed actors, baseball players, and members of high society. Following the death of Bacon in 1900, the firm continued in business under the management of Gilbert and Bacon's son Frank T. into the early 20th century.
Creator: Gilbert & Bacon
Date: [ca. 1880]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department albums [P.8681.1 & 2]

Title: Mr. T.D. Rice As the original Jim Crow
Description: Full-length, caricatured portrait depicting T.D. Rice, known as the "father of American minstrelsy." Depicts Rice as his African American racist shyster character of "Jim Crow." He is portrayed with exaggerated features and mannerisms. He stands, attired in torn and worn clothing, in an exaggerated pose with his right hand on his hip as his left hand tips his hat. His attire includes a jacket, vest, collared shirt, pantaloons, stockings, and slip one shoes. He stands in a fenced in pasture with two cabins in the distant background. 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. Jim Crow (mid to late 19th century) was a Minstrel character representing enslaved/rural Black manhood as foolish, lazy, interested in shirking labor., Title from item., After the caricature illustration originally created around the 1820s, often reproduced on sheet music covers of the 19th century. See Hugh Honour's The Image of the Black in western art (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1989), part 2, vol. IV, p. 62-63., Description of Blackface minstrelsy and minstrel characters from Dorothy Berry, Descriptive Equity and Clarity around Blackface Minstrelsy in H(arvard) T(heater) C(ollection) Collections, 2021., Purchase 1992., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., 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.
Date: [ca. 1885]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department portrait prints - Rice [P.9369]

Title: Bijou Music Hall No. 607 Arch St, next door to the theatre Harry Enochs, sole proprietor Programme for this evening. ... Bijou Minstrels ... Malicious trespasses! ... Run for life ... African Roscius! ... Sky-light adventures! ... Grand inpalement feat ... Mons. O. Phi Clide, the great Hercules! ... To conclude with The Mullygrubs! ... Grand matinee every Saturday, at half-past 2 o'clock for ladies and children. Admission.--Parquet, 10c. Orchestra, 15c. Private boxes, $2. Single seats 50c
Description: Henry B. Enochs is listed in the Philadelphia directory for 1864 with a music hall at this address; dated playbills are for programs from Nov. 1863 to March 1864., Performers include: Billy Boyd, Carrie Carson, Harry Enochs, Harry Harrington, Helene Smith, Tom Vance, Dave Williams, Ida Williams, Sammy Williams, and Billy Wright., Printed area, including ornamental border, measures 25.1 x 11.4 cm., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: Bijou Music Hall (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Date: [1863 or 1864]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare PB Phi Bijou 1863 (26)5761.F.128b (McAllister)

Title: Monday, Sept. 25th, and every night during the week Two hours in fun-land. Two hours in fun-land. Two hours in fun-land. The citizens of Philadelphia are respectfully informed that, owing to a success unparalleled in the world of amusement, the distinguished artists, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Watkins and the best of living lady pianists, Miss Carlotta Shaw, will continue their comical musical entertainments! ... Two hours in fun-land or, Wives by advertisement. ... During the evening Miss Carlotta Shaw will play selections from the eminent composers, ... The piano used at this entertainment is from the manufactory of Geo. Steck, and furnished by J.E. Gould, Seventh and Chestnut Streets. The elegant suite of furniture used upon this occasion, is from the celebrated house of Gould & Co., Ninth and Market Streets. Reserved seats, 50c. Body of the hall, 25c. Doors open quarter-past 7. To begin at 8 o'clock
Description: Sept. 25 fell on a Monday in 1865., Printed area, including double-rule border, measures 54.9 x 20.0 cm., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: Watkins, Harry, 1825-1894
Date: [1865]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare PB 1865 Watkins (6)5761.F.62 (McAllister)

Title: Third entertainment of the Geary Thespian Corps, of the 28th Regiment, Penn, Vol's, (Col. John W. Geary,) at Camp Goodman, Point of Rocks, Md. on the evening of January 21st, 1862, at six o'clock. ... The drama, in two acts, of The last man, or The miser of Eltham Green. ... To conclude with The Toodles
Description: The 28th Infantry Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers was organized in June 1861 and mustered out July 18, 1865. Cf. S.P. Bates. History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, v. 1, p. 418, and F.H. Taylor, Philadelphia in the Civil War 1861-1865, p. 57., Printed area, including ornamental border, measures 23.8 x 10.6 cm., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: Geary Thespian Corps
Date: [1862]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare sm # Am 1862 Geary (2)5786.F.144b (McAllister)

Title: [Finale of an unidentified theatrical production]
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.", 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.
Creator: Photo Illustrators (Firm), photographer
Date: [ca. 1925]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Photo-Illustrators-11x14 [P.8882.20]

Title: The fourth entertainment of the Geary Thespian Corps, of the 28th Regiment, Penn'a Vol's, (Col. John W. Geary,) will be given in commemoration of Washington's birth-day, at Camp Goodman, Point of Rocks, Md. on Saturday evening, February 22, 1862, (or if inclement, on the first fair evening) at six o'clock. ... The drama, in three acts, of Don Caesar de Bazan. ... The farce of Turning the tables. ... Ethiopian melange. ... Concluding with a grand national tableau vivante, by members of the corps. Introducing Vive l'America, by the band. The principal dresses used in Don Caesar de Bazan, have been kindly loaned the regiment by S. Samuels Sanford, Esq., of Sanford's Opera House, Philadelphia, to whom the corps is much indebted
Description: The 28th Infantry Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers was organized in June 1861 and mustered out July 18, 1865. Cf. S.P. Bates. History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, v. 1, p. 418, and F.H. Taylor, Philadelphia in the Civil War 1861-1865, p. 57., Printed area, including ornamental border, measures 31.6 x 11.6 cm., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: Geary Thespian Corps
Date: [1862]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare sm # Am 1862 Geary (2)5786.F.144a (McAllister)

Title: [Academy of Music trade cards]
Description: Series of illustrated trade cards promoting performances and events at the Academy of Music. Illustrations depict men and women dressed in costumes and dancing and celebrating Carnival, including a joker disembarking from a gondola; a little girl sitting in a lily pad; fairies; angels; jokers; butterflies; flowers; bust portraits of unknown actors in the Humpty-Dumpty show surrounding a vignette of a horse-drawn cart carrying "humpty-dumpty"; portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Jay Rial flanked by dogs; and L.H. Stockwell as lawyer Marks and his trained donkey Jerry. The Academy of Music was designed by architects Napoleon LeBrun and Gustav Runge. Building constructed 1855-1857 at the southwest corner of Broad and Locust Streets. Served as home of Philadelphia Orchestra from 1900-2000., Title supplied by cataloger., Printers and engravers include Bailey, Banks & Biddle, The Courier Lith. Co., Reen Lith. Co., H.A. Thomas, and Maerz Lith. Co., One of prints [1975.F.1] die cut in shape of keystone., Several of the prints contain promotional text printed on the recto and/or verso. Performances and events promoted include the Reception of the Bi-Centennial Mystic Tableau Association; Grand Cannstatter Carneval; Cannstatter Bal Masque; Maennerchor Carneval Mardi Gras; the Fairy Juvenile Troupe's Little Red Riding Hood; German Comic Opera starring Mme. Marie Geistinger.; Humpty-Dumpty (performance); and The Jay Rial Uncle Tom's Cabin Co., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., One print [P.2011.45.24] gift of David Doret., Digitized.
Date: 1879-1882
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Academy of Music [1975.F.1; 1975.F.5; 1975.F.7; 1975.F.11; 1975.F.17; 1975.F.20; 1975.F.23-24; 1975.F.26; 1975.F.738; P.2011.45.24]

Title: Jim Crow, the American mountebank performing at the Grand Theatre
Description: Full-length, caricatured portrait depicting Thomas D. Rice, known as the "father of American minstrelsy." Depicts Rice in Blackface as his African American racist shyster character of "Jim Crow" during his first performance in London. He is portrayed with exaggerated features and mannerisms. He dances and sings a version of the minstrel standard, "Jim Crow," in front of an audience of white British men, including the King. The song, which pokes fun at Americans, refers to William Blackstone and William Pitt Chatham, two influential English jurists, who wrote about early American law and politics. 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. Jim Crow (mid to late 19th century) was a Minstrel character representing enslaved/rural Black manhood as foolish, lazy, interested in shirking labor., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Text printed on the recto: I come from America a long time ago, Since which I larn to wheel about & jump Jim Crow, Him used to study Blackstone ebry morn & arter noon, Me charm de House where Chatham died & dance inde saloon. Wheel about & turn about & do jis so. Ebry time I wheel about I jumpt Jim Crow., Description of Blackface minstrelsy and minstrel characters from Dorothy Berry, Descriptive Equity and Clarity around Blackface Minstrelsy in H(arvard) T(heater) C(ollection) Collections, 2021., Accessioned 1982., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., 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 the Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Date: [1836]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Political Cartoons - 1836 Jim [P.8738]

Title: American Celebrities Albums
Description: Two volume set of albums containing predominately cartes-de-visite photographic portraits of prominent American 19th-century figures in politics, education, and the arts, ca. 1870.
Date: 1869

Title: American celebrities album
Description: Two volume set of albums containing predominately cartes de visite photographic portraits of prominent American 19th-century figures in politics, education, and the arts. Portraits depict actors, artists, authors, Congressmen, educators, governors, military leaders, physicians, publishers, religious leaders, social reformers, scientists, and U.S. presidents and their spouses. Includes mostly vignette and bust-length portraits and a small number of full length portraits. Also contains a small number of trimmed portrait engravings, tintypes, and a photo-collage depicting evangelist D. L. Moody with the under photograph copyrighted 1877. Small number of sitters are unidentified., Men sitters include P. T. Barnum; Henry Ward Beecher; John Brown; Ned Buntline; Samuel Clemens; Jefferson Davis; O. S. Fowler; Oliver Wendell Holmes; Abraham Lincoln; Samuel Morse; Thomas Nast; Hiram Powers; Winfield Scott; Gerrit Smith; Cornelius Vanderbilt; John Wanamaker; Brigham Young; Native American chiefs Ouray, Spotted Tail, and Sitting Bull; and African Americans Frederick Douglass and performer "Blind" Tom. Women sitters include presidential spouses Frances Cleveland and Lucretia Garfield; reformers Susan B. Anthony and Victoria Woodhull; authors Louisa May Alcott, Helen Hunt (Jackson), Harriet Beecher Stowe; sculptors Harriet Hosmer and Vinnie Ream; and performers Maria Albani, Charlotte Cushman, and Kate Field., Title from item's cover., Photographers include Mathew Brady, E. & H. T. Anthony; Jeremiah Gurney; and George Kendall Warren., Majority of sitters identified by a manuscript note on the album page or on portrait or an inscribed label., Brown leather bindings with gilt, stamped in gilt on front boards: Volume I: American Celebrities. Vol. I.; Volume II: American Celebrities. Vol. II. Stamped in gilt on spines: Album., Purchase 1985., Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., See "American Celebrities Album" item-level records for digital images of all identified individual sitters.
Date: [ca. 1870-ca. 1890]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department albums [P.9100.1 & 2]

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