Browse Items (23 total)

Al Jolson in blackface., Unknown (film still), Richard Carlin, c. 1927

Al Jolson in a characteristic pose on his knees performing in vaudeville.

Private interview recording by Blesh and Lipskin., Eubie Blake Interview on Blackface, Richard Carlin, 1967

Eubie is interviewed by Rudi Blesh and Mike Lipskin in 1967 and discusses his first appearances on vaudeville.

Banjo players in black face, Unknown, Richard Carlin, c. 1910s

A couple (probably amateur musicians) playing banjos in blackface

Josephine Baker and unidentified banjo player in Chocolate Dandies, White Studios, NYPL digital collection, c. 1924

Photograph from Sissle and Blake's musical production, Chocolate Dandies

"My Own Manilla Sue" sheet music, Witmark and Sons, NYPL Digital Collections, 1899

Sheet music from 1889 showing blackface minstrel Earl Way in both his off-stage and blackface personas.

Bert WIlliams Sheet Music Cover, 1905, Unknown photographer, Bob White Music Publishers, 1905

1905 sheet music featuring a photo of Bert Williams in his stage costume and wearing Blackface

Jim Crow as pictured on a 19th century sheet music cover, Unknown, Library of Congress, c. 1840

Jim Crow depicted in ragged clothes performing a shuffling dance.

Weber and Fields on stage, Unknown photographer, c. 1910

Joe Weber and Lew Fields in their characteristic roles as German comedians.

Shuffle Along, 2016, Playbill magazine

Cover of a playbill

Bert Williams, c. 1920., Samuel Lumiere, photographer., c. 1920.

A formal studio portrait of actor/comedian Bert Williams.