Mar 10, 2011 - Sale 2239

Sale 2239 - Lot 424

Unsold
Estimate: $ 600 - $ 800
(MUSIC.) MINSTRELSY. Kelly and Leon's Minstrels, and Burlesque Opera Troupe. Theatre poster, printed in red and black; 28x9-3/4 inches, large woodcut, and various type fonts; missing portions along the right side, with some loss to the woodcut and heading text. sold as is New York, ca 1869-1872
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Additional Details

A rare early poster for a noted minstrel troupe, whose star was J.W. McAndrew, creator of the famous "Watermelon Man." McAndrew played this character "for three decades with astonishing success" according to Edward L. Rice in his definitive history "Monarchs of Minstrels." (New York, 1911). Kelly and Leon's was one of the most successful of the many minstrel troupes that toured America after the Civil War. Together with jazz, minstrelsy is considered to be a uniquely American art form.