Black History
Colorful Black History Related Lithograph Theatre Poster
c. 1890, Colorful Black History related Lithograph Theatre Poster "Teal & Baker", by Enterprise Litho. Cleveland, Very Fine.
This turn-of-the-century period Poster measures about 19.5" x 27.5" (by sight), framed to 22.5" x 30.5", no glass in frame. Images of Teal and Baker in upper left corner, central image of the two men in full costume and Blackface make-up shown standing in a field. Text at bottom reads, "With Hi Henry's Big Minstrels". Not removed from the frame, having some small water stains at bottom, some central creases and horizontal and vertical center folds.
Hi Henry's full name was Hiram F. Henry. He was born in Buffalo, NY in 1844, the son of a merchant. In later years he sometimes used the honorific "Colonel" to acknowledge his Civil War service, which consisted of joining the regimental band of the 64th New York Volunteers at the age of 17. This service lasted just 12 months until 1862 when in the interest of economy his band like many others was mustered out of the Union army.
After the war he worked as a cornet soloist with several of the new minstrel shows, before striking off with his own troupe in 1879.
Hi Henry was the bandleader and solo cornet player of this minstrel troupe. His company included even more artists, advertising 50 star performers. They traveled together in two specially equipped luxury rail coaches. Hi Henry's Minstrel Co. was one of the most successful entertainment shows that showbiz could offer Americans at the turn of the 19th century. By 1899 the musical variety programs presented by traveling minstrel shows like Hi Henry's had become an accepted artform of American culture. It was popular not only in San Francisco but in London, Paris, and Berlin as well.
It epitomized the brash energy of 19th century American with a cheeky mixture of ostentatious stagecraft and outrageous humor.