Group portrait of the male and female attendees, ranging in age from child to adult, in front of a stage. Most are attired in Halloween costume, many in masks and hats, and including clowns, a soldier, a pirate, a chef, and possibly a mummer’s headdress. In the right, a boy wearing Black face and attired as a bell hop, stands and smiles. "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 verso., Photographer's blind stamp on recto., Photographer's imprint 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.
Creator
Photo Illustrators (Firm), photographer
Date
[ca. 1925]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Photo-Illustrators - 11x14 [P.8882.12]
