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Title: Greer's Hall. Positively the last night! Carncross and Dixey's Minstrels the star troupe of the world! In their great Ethiopian soirees Entire change of programme! New novelties, burlesques, &c. This Tuesday evening, June 30, 1863. ... Burlesque monster concert a la Germania. ... The vultures! ... The financiers ... The Peaked Family of bell ringers! ... Ten-pin Johnny! ... To conclude with the plantation walk-around, entitled The black brigade by the full company. Admission, twenty-five cents Doors open at quarter-past 7 o'clock. Performance commence at 8
Description: The performers include: Thomas à Becket, Charles Campbell, J.L. Carncross, J.S. Cox, E.F. Dixey, M.D. Edmonds, Charles Gibbons, James Lamont, Frank Moran, J.S. Paul, A.H. Rackett, J.H. Ross, R.F. Simpson, Charles Stevens, and Charles Villiers., Other playbills from this tour bear the imprint: U.S. Job Print, Ledger Buildings, Philadelphia., Printed area, including double-rule border, measures 55.3 x 19.8 cm., Portraits signed: Waitt sc., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: Carncross & Dixey's Minstrels
Date: [1863]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare PB 1863 Carncross (25)5761.F.85b (McAllister)

Title: Odd Fellows' Hall, Allentown one night only, Thursday evening, April 30, 1863 The far-famed Sanford Opera Troupe: oldest company in the world! Samuel S. Sanford, manager. Mr. Sanford will have the honor of presenting the best troupe of artists that has ever been concentrated into one body, embracing: operatic talent, tragic merit comic ability, delineations of men, manners & customs and the special acts, as given with unbounded applause at his opera houses, Philadelphia and Harrisburg. Sanford appearing each evening! with his star troupe ... Them Irishmen, ... The exempts, ... Sanford's black edition of Romeo and Juliet ... Strange scenes from the tragedy of The stranger. ... Our relations! ... The whole to conclude with the laughable burlesque of Old Josh and his family ... Admission, 25 cents. Children 15 cents Doors open at 7 o'clock. To commence at quarter of 8. Front seats invariably reserved for ladies. Tom W. Brown, ag't
Description: The company includes: Raffael Abecco, Mr. Batchelor, E. De Haven, G.L. Hall, E. Haven, A. Linwood, Fulton Myers, J.R. Myers, S.S. Sanford, E.J. Turner, and J. Williams., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: Sanford's Opera Troupe
Date: [1863]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare PB 1863 Sanford (25)5761.F.65a (McAllister)

Title: Boozer's Hall, Lambertville for one night only, Tuesday evening, May 5th, 1863 The far-famed Sanford Opera Troupe: oldest company in the world! Samuel S. Sanford, manager. Mr. Sanford will have the honor of presenting the best troupe of artists that has ever been concentrated into one body, embracing: operatic talent, tragic merit comic ability, delineations of men, manners & customs and the special acts, as given with unbounded applause at his opera houses, Philadelphia and Harrisburg. Sanford appearing each evening! with his star troupe ... Them Irishmen, ... The exempts, ... Sanford's black edition of Romeo and Juliet ... Strange scenes from the tragedy of The stranger. ... Our relations! ... The whole to conclude with the laughable burlesque of Old Josh and his family ... Admission, 25 cents. Children 15 cents Doors open at 7 o'clock. To commence at quarter of 8. Front seats invariably reserved for ladies. Tom W. Brown, ag't
Description: The company includes: Raffael Abecco, Mr. Batchelor, E. De Haven, G.L. Hall, E. Haven, A. Linwood, Fulton Myers, J.R. Myers, S.S. Sanford, E.J. Turner, and J. Williams., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: Sanford's Opera Troupe
Date: [1863]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare PB 1863 Sanford (25)5761.F.68a (McAllister)

Title: Mercer Hall, Princeton for one night only, Monday evening, June 1st, 1863 The far-famed Sanford Opera Troupe: oldest company in the world! Samuel S. Sanford, manager. Mr. Sanford will have the honor of presenting the best troupe of artists that has ever been concentrated into one body, embracing: operatic talent, tragic merit comic ability, delineations of men, manners & customs and the special acts, as given with unbounded applause at his opera houses, Philadelphia and Harrisburg. Sanford appearing each evening! with his star troupe ... Them Irishmen, ... The exempts, ... Sanford's black edition of Romeo and Juliet ... Strange scenes from the tragedy of The stranger. ... Our relations! ... The whole to conclude with the laughable burlesque of Old Josh and his family ... Admission, 25 cents. Children 15 cents Doors open at 7 o'clock. To commence at quarter of 8. Front seats invariably reserved for ladies. Tom W. Brown, ag't
Description: The company includes: Raffael Abecco, Mr. Batchelor, E. De Haven, G.L. Hall, E. Haven, A. Linwood, Fulton Myers, J.R. Myers, S.S. Sanford, E.J. Turner, and J. Williams., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: Sanford's Opera Troupe
Date: [1863]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare PB 1863 Sanford (25)5761.F.75a (McAllister)

Title: Sanford's new Opera House Race Street, between Second & Third Thanksgiving bill! Afternoon & evening Afternoon, doors open quarter to 2. Commence quarter past 2. Evening, doors open half-past 6. Commencing half-past 7. Sanford's Opera Troupe in burlesque pantomome on the Ravels! The four lovers! Programme. ... Strange scenes from the stranger ... Lawyer outdone! ... To conclude with the pantomime of The four lovers ... Cards of admission, 25 cents Orchestra seats, 50 cts Private boxes, dress circle, $5 Private boxes, family circle, $4 & $3 Office will be open from 9 to 2 o'clock, for the sale of secured seats and boxes, without extra charge. On Monday, The shoemaker and tailor of Kensington
Description: The company includes: Dan Gardner, J.M. Mortimer, H.J. Raynor, J.P. Reese, Julia Sanford, S.S. Sanford, Frank Schaeffer, Larry Tooley, Jake Wallace, and J. Williams., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: Sanford's Opera House (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Date: [1864]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare PB Phi Sanford 1864 (27)5761.F.120 (McAllister)

Title: Manayunk: one night only, Monday evening, April 27th, 1863 The far-famed Sanford Opera Troupe: oldest company in the world! Samuel S. Sanford, manager. Mr. Sanford will have the honor of presenting the best troupe of artists that has ever been concentrated into one body, embracing: operatic talent, tragic merit comic ability, delineations of men, manners & customs and the special acts, as given with unbounded applause at his opera houses, Philadelphia and Harrisburg. Sanford appearing each evening! with his star troupe ... Them Irishmen, ... The exempts, ... Sanford's black edition of Romeo and Juliet ... Strange scenes from the tragedy of The stranger. ... Our relations! ... The whole to conclude with the laughable burlesque of Old Josh and his family ... Admission, 25 cents. Children 15 cents Doors open at 7 o'clock. To commence at quarter of 8. Front seats invariably reserved for ladies. Tom W. Brown, ag't
Description: The company includes: Raffael Abecco, Mr. Batchelor, E. De Haven, G.L. Hall, E. Haven, A. Linwood, Fulton Myers, J.R. Myers, S.S. Sanford, E.J. Turner, and J. Williams., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: Sanford's Opera Troupe
Date: [1863]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare PB 1863 Sanford (25)5761.F.63a (McAllister)

Title: Odd Fellows' Hall: Reading, Tuesday evening, April 28th, 1863 The far-famed Sanford Opera Troupe: oldest company in the world! Samuel S. Sanford, manager. Mr. Sanford will have the honor of presenting the best troupe of artists that has ever been concentrated into one body, embracing: operatic talent, tragic merit comic ability, delineations of men, manners & customs and the special acts, as given with unbounded applause at his opera houses, Philadelphia and Harrisburg. Sanford appearing each evening! with his star troupe ... Them Irishmen, ... The exempts, ... Sanford's black edition of Romeo and Juliet ... Strange scenes from the tragedy of The stranger. ... Our relations! ... The whole to conclude with the laughable burlesque of Old Josh and his family ... Admission, 25 cents. Children 15 cents Doors open at 7 o'clock. To commence at quarter of 8. Front seats invariably reserved for ladies. Tom W. Brown, ag't
Description: The company includes: Raffael Abecco, Mr. Batchelor, E. De Haven, G.L. Hall, E. Haven, A. Linwood, Fulton Myers, J.R. Myers, S.S. Sanford, E.J. Turner, and J. Williams., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: Sanford's Opera Troupe
Date: [1863]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare PB 1863 Sanford (25)5761.F.64a (McAllister)

Title: Sanford's new Opera House Race Street, between Second & Third The public is respectfully informed that neither Coriolanus, nor that other sensation, East Lynne will be performed this evening, Friday, November 25 but an opportunity will be afforded to witness Sanford's Opera Troupe in burlesque pantomome on the Ravels! The four lovers! Programme. ... Strange scenes from the stranger ... Lawyer outdone! ... To conclude with the pantomime of The four lovers ... Cards of admission, 25 cents Orchestra seats, 50 cts Private boxes, dress circle, $5 Private boxes, family circle, $4 & $3 Office will be open from 9 to 2 o'clock, for the sale of secured seats and boxes, without extra charge. On Monday, The shoemaker and tailor of Kensington
Description: The company includes: Dan Gardner, J.M. Mortimer, H.J. Raynor, J.P. Reese, Julia Sanford, S.S. Sanford, Frank Schaeffer, Larry Tooley, Jake Wallace, and J. Williams., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War.
Creator: Sanford's Opera House (Philadelphia, Pa.)
Date: [1864]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare PB Phi Sanford 1864 (27)5761.F.115a (McAllister)

Title: Maryland Institute. A few nights only Carncross and Dixey's Minstrels the star troupe of the world! In their great Ethiopian soirees ... This Monday evening, May 25th, 1863 ... Burlesque monster concert a la Germania. ... Poor old maids! ... Babes in the wood ... Exempt shaking Quakers ... Deaf as a post ... To conclude with the plantation walk-around, entitled High Daddy! by the full company. Admission, twenty-five cents Doors open at quarter past 7. Performance commence at 8 o'clock
Description: The performers include: Thomas à Becket, Charles Campbell, J.L. Carncross, J.S. Cox, E.F. Dixey, M.D. Edmonds, Charles Gibbons, James Lamont, Frank Moran, J.S. Paul, A.H. Rackett, J.H. Ross, R.F. Simpson, Charles Stevens, and Charles Villiers., Printed area, including ornamental border, measures 55.3 x 20.4 cm., Portraits signed: Waitt sc., Not listed in Lib. Company. Afro-Americana., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook.
Creator: Carncross & Dixey's Minstrels
Date: [1863]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare PB 1863 Carncross (25)5761.F.74 (McAllister)

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: Philharmonic T[h]eatre, Islington. Every evening at eight. [Sa]turday at three and eight. Sam Hague's Ori[gi]nal Slave Troupe at St. James's Hall, Li[me] Street, Liverpool. Every evening at 8, Saturdays at 3 & 8, all the year round. Positively for four weeks on[ly] commencing Monday, Feb. 14th. Terminat[ing] [on] March 11 [ ] been re-built since the fire), St. James Hall, Liverpool, March 13th, 1876
Description: Advertising print depicting a racist scene to promote Sam Hague's Original Slave Troupe after their dislocation from their permanent home theatre, St. James Hall, following a fire in 1875. Shows a rhinoceros, a bell on his tail, pulling a cart on which members of the minstrel troupe, portrayed as Black men and women caricartures, perform. On the head of the animal, a man sits, his legs straight out while he holds the pole of a banner designed as an American flag and that is marked with advertising text for the troupe. On the animal's back, men and a woman stand, play hand instruments, and dance on a raised plank. On the cart, men play string and wind instruments, including a bass and trombone, as well as one man, bare-chested and in boxing pants, holds up an open umbrella, on which another man sits and plays the drum. The men figures are attired in suits and/or shirt sleeves and pants. The woman figure wears a kerchief, long-sleeved shirt, with the sleeves pulled up and apron-like, checkered skirt. Scene also includes blades of grass and a flowering plant in the foreground. Sam Hague's Original Slave Troupe evolved from the Georgia Slave Troupe Minstrels for which Samuel Hague assumed part management in 1866. Within the year, the troupe of formerly enslaved individuals, including singers, comedians, and minstrels, traveled to Great Britain to tour the country. In 1869, Hague acquired St. James Hall in Liverpool as a permanent home for the company, as well as a site to organize touring companies. In 1875, the hall was razed by fire and for the next year, the Troupe performed from other theatres such as Philharmonic Theatre, Islington. By this time, the Troupe was mainly comprised of white performers who performed in Blackface and Hague had managed the Troupe with a few different partners., 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 item., Date inferred from promotional text on item., RVCDC, Description of Blackface minstrelsy from Dorothy Berry, Descriptive Equity and Clarity around Blackface Minstrelsy in H(arvard) T(heater) C(ollection) Collections, 2021., Print torn in half and with sections missing.
Date: [1876]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department **GC - Advertisements - Samuel Hague [P.2022.57.1]

Title: [Stevens-Cogdell and Sanders-Venning and Chew families miscellaneous portraits collection]
Description: Collection of photographs, several unidentified, of members of the African American middle-class Steven-Cogdell and Sanders-Venning and Chew family of Philadelphia, as well as their extended families and friends. Includes predominantly studio portraiture, including a portrait of William H. Chew (P.2013.14.10), in addition to two miniatures (possibly members of the Cogdell family) and a casual group photograph. Also includes a small number of photographs representing the African American expatriate entertainers' community in Paris in the 1930s; a group portrait of the “Soap Box Minstrels, Musical Fund Hall, December 7, 1909”; and a group portrait with possibly George Washington Musgrave. Minstrel show photograph depicts performers in black face and African American musicians on a stage in front of which a row of African American performers, some in costume and some in tuxedoes, is seated. George Venning and his brother-in-law William Holden were founders of the Soap Box Social in 1908. The Soap Box Social performed an annual minstrel show in the aughts as a fundraiser for the Citizens Republican Club, a social and political club of African American elite men started in 1884. The club’s mission focused on the election of African Americans into public 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., Identified sitters include Ivan H. Browning, William H. Chew, Edward W. Venning, Sallie Venning (Holden), Turner Layton, Clarence Johnstone, Thomas "Fats" Waller, and Ada "Bricktop" Smith., Title supplied by cataloger., Date from content., Various photographers, including L. Blaul, African American photographer G. W. Cheston, Flett, J. E. Forbert, O. B. De Morat, S. Georges Ltd, Studio di Art, Sol Young Studios, and Suddards & Fennemore., P.2013.14.12 contains manuscript note on verso: My Honey, My Wife, My All., P.2013.14.15 contains manuscript note on recto: To two regular fellows “Bill & Agnes” Ivan Browning, Paris, France, 1932., P.2013.14.16 contains manuscript note on recto: To The Agnes, Bill, Gene Upshur, With Warmest Wishes, Turner Layton. C.T. Johnstone., P.2013.14.17 contains manuscript note on recto: To Mr. & Mrs. Chew. With Tons of Good Wishes for Every Joy & Oceans of Happiness. Layton & Johnstone., P.2013.14.19 contains manuscript note on recto identifying the sitters: Unknown; [Us.?] Browning; Snow; Unknown; Fats Waller; Unknown; Bricktop., P.2013.14.20 contains manuscript note in ink on recto identifying the sitters: Unknown; Fats; [Mau?]; [Mask?]; Bricktop; Uncle John; Unknown; Ms. Chew; Susan Williams; Unknown; Maureen Browning; Mr. Anson; Ms. Hinkson; Dr. Hinkson; Mr. Chew; Mr. Browning; Unknown. Also contains manuscript note on recto: To Uncle John-Don’t get your derby knocked off. Thomas “Fats” Waller; Uncle John, I think your great & how. Bricktop., See Lib. Company Annual Report, 1991, p. 26-31., Gift of descendants Cordelia H. Brown, Lillie V. Dickerson, Mary Hinkson Jackson, and Georgine E. Willis in honor of Phil Lapsansky., See LCP exhibit catalogue: African American Miscellany p. 45., Genealogical charts available at repository., Description of blackface mintrelsy from Dorothy Berry, Descriptive Equity and Clarity around Blackface Minstrelsy in H(arvard) T(heater) C(ollection) Collections, 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., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
Date: [ca. 1800-1932]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Stevens-Cogdell/Sanders-Venning Collection [P.2013.14]

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