**Originally Listed At $400**

Original lithograph poster depicting Neil O'Brien Minstrels and also advertising Frank Holton and Company Holtons Instruments, ca. 1913 to 1925 CE. Printed by the Otis Lithograph Company, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. Neil O'Brien oftentimes referred to himself as the creator of "progressive minstrelsy," and yet, surprisingly, this poster does not feature his troupe in blackface. With blackface minstrelsy on the decline, O’Brien made efforts at "whiting" black-face comedy acts. Apparently, he was also a shrewd businessman who arranged an endorsement deal with Holtons Band Instruments based in Elkhorn, Wisconsin - as this poster confirms. Size: 39.125" W x 25.25" H (99.4 cm x 64.1 cm)

Originating in the 1820s in the United States, the minstrel show was a blend of popular songs, dances, and comedy that were performed by Caucasian men in blackface - burnt cork facial makeup - while they sang and spoke in "Black" dialects. Despite how offensive this sounds to us today, blackface grew in popularity throughout America and England, becoming a mainstay of the music hall scene.

Provenance: private Lucille Lucas collection, Crested Butte, Colorado, USA

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#134010

Tears, losses, and creases to the edges as shown. This piece is wrapped in cellophane and set against a cardboard backing. The cellophane could easily be removed and there are some tears to the cellophane as shown.