Ca1905 BLACK AMERICANA / BLACK FACE MINSTREL SHOW ADVERTISING SIGN POSTER

Very rare and wonderful, original ca1905 Black Americana, Chromolithograph, Illustrated American Minstrel Troupe Advertising Poster for Al G. Field Minstrels featuring a fantastic image of the preeminent blackface performer Nick Hufford. This outstanding, early 20th century Blackface Minstrel Show Advertising Poster measures approx. 26 1/2" by 40 1/2" (one sheet size) and features full length portraits of Nick Hufford naturally and in blackface.

Besides the large portraits of Nick Hufford, there are bust portraits of the managers of the Minstrel Troupe - Edward Conrad and J. Text at the top of the Poster reads Al G. Field Minstrels / Edward Conrad Managing Director.

Text within the image reads "Nick Hufford / One loose Page From a Book of Fun". The Poster carries the mark of the lithographer - the Otis Lithograph Co.

The following is from a 1915 issue of the New York Clipper Newspaper: Al G. Fields Minstrels were organized in 1886, and gave their first performance at Marion, Ohio, October 6, 1886. It met with instant success and popularity and has been the leading troupe ever since. When the office of Klaw & Erlanger was called up and asked to name the best theatrical trade mark, the answer came, The Al G. Field Greater Minstrels, and there is a reason for this.

Field had presented a new show every season, full of novelties, special acts, costumes and new scenery. He never fails to present an entertaining and amusing performance and is ever concocting new episodes of fun to add to his grand show. Even while spending a vacation on his farm (Maple Villa Farm), fourteen miles from Columbus, Ohio, surrounded by everything to make the farmers heart glad, he is plotting and planning something out of the ordinary to place in his entertainment. That he succeeds is amply proved by the capacity business enjoyed everywhere by this great popular troupe, made so by his hard work and unremitting attention to all details. Field is the importer and owner of the great coach stallion, Epernay, from France. It is the finest one in America and, as the war will prevent importations, in will become valuable indeed. Here is a partial list of the graduates of the Al G.

Fields Minstrels, furnished by Mr. Field himself to the writer: Billy Van made his first appearance with my show and was here several seasons. Jimmy Wall did his first monologue with my company, also worked in a musical act, first as Howe and Wall, then as Howe, Wall and McLeod. Harry Shunk began his minstrel experience with this show. (Single) Clifford began his career with this show, first as a drummer in the band, then as a song and dance man, and then as a comedian.

Doc Quigley, one of the most versatile minstrel men of any age, began his career with this show. In fact, he was never with any other minstrels than the Al G. Field Minstrels, where he was a reigning favorite along the route for more than twenty years. Among his first minstrel engagements, Arthur Rigby was with the Al G.

Harry Bulger began his stage career with the Al G. Field Minstrels as a drummer in the band, and a song and dance man, afterwards a comedian.

The Diamond Brothers, Lawrence, Lew and Matt, began their minstrel careers with this company. John Russell was introduced to the minstrel stage by the Al G. West Bud Avey and Joe Coffman gained their minstrel experience here. Of the noted minstrel singers, Will L. Collins began his stage career with the Al G. Field Minstrels as tenor soloist. Collins is now Signor Toliona, of the Metropolitan Opera Company. Reese Prosser, another minstrel singer of note, began his career with this show, as did Jack Richards, Birch Logan and Harry Frillman. Charles Graham, the song writer, composer of The Picture That Was Turned Toward the Wall, Two Little Girls in Blue, etc. Composed his most successful songs while a member of the Al G. Graham was the first stage manager of the company. He made his first appearance in minstrelsy with this company, as did also Gus White, Charley Greer, Eddie Harley, Charles Wilbur, Ed Munger, Ed Brown and Mr. Nearly all of these singers have made their marks in opera since graduating from the minstrel stage. This exceptionally rare and wonderful, Black Americana Minstrel Troupe Advertising Poster is in very good condition. It is intact and complete and displays beautifully.

The colors are bright and vibrant and there is no soiling, staining, physical damage of any kind. The Poster has a single tear that has been repaired using archival, document repair tissue on the reverse. There are light vertical and horizontal folds as issued but overall this wonderful Blackface Minstrel Poster is exceptionally well preserved and displays beautifully.

Please note that this is the original, ca1905 American Minstrel Troupe Poster - published and printed ca1905 - it is not a reprint, reproduction or modern printing and is unconditionally guaranteed to be original and of the period. This very rare and wonderful, ca1905 Black Americana, Chromolithograph, Illustrated American Minstrel Troupe Advertising Poster for Al G. The item "Ca1905 BLACK AMERICANA / BLACK FACE MINSTREL SHOW ADVERTISING SIGN POSTER" is in sale since Friday, February 12, 2016. This item is in the category "Art\Art from Dealers & Resellers\Posters". The seller is "walnutts" and is located in Brewster, Massachusetts. This item can be shipped worldwide.