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Harlan Tarbells Lithograph of a Minstrel Show

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Magician Harlan Tarbell's Lithograph of a Minstrel Show

c. 1920, Stone Color Lithograph of Blackfaced Minstrel Performers & Caricatures, by Harlan Tarbell, Choice Extremely Fine.
This striking, full-color lithograph depicts a full-chorus of blackfaced minstrel singers, with a white conductor seated in the center, while at the edges of the stage are four large cartoonish figures of black performers--known as Mr. Bones and Mr. Interlocutor--with clownish baggy pants, oversized shoes, large lips, huge eyes, white gloves, etc. The caricatures at the left hold pairs of white bones in their hands, which were used for clacking together in time to the music. Harlan Tarbell, a noted American stage magician and illustrator, signs his name in the print, which is vividly colored, green, yellow, blue, red, and orange, measures 20.25" x 27", and is matted to an overall size of 24" x 30". There is a small repaired tear along the bottom edge, near the middle, but this is barely noticeable. A most interesting lithograph by the man who popularized the teaching of magic!

Harlan Eugene Tarbell (1890-1960) was a noted American stage magician and illustrator ni the early 20th century, and authored the well-known "Tarbell Course in Magic." He also directed the 1930s film short, "Buck Rogers in the 25th Century." During World War I, Tarbell served in the 24th Air Company in France, working with the medical department. He found time during his service to illustrate a military atlas and study with French impressionist Claude Monet.

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