Description:

1920S MINSTREL SHOW POSTER
Patently insulting 1920s minstrel show poster, 14 x 42 in. and mounted to linen, the poster bearing a caricature of a black man ogling a chicken as the rain pours upon him through large holes in his umbrella. At the top of the poster is the name of the advertiser, 'Messett's Musical Entertainers'. Printing credit at bottom by 'Quigley Litho Co.', Kansas City, Mo. Fine condition. In reality, the character portrayed was a white man identified as Henrique Vivian Messetti, a member of a vaudeville-circus family. He first appeared on stage at the age of four. He produced and toured in shows including 'Messetti's Great Road Show' and 'Messett's Musical Entertainers', which were performed in blackface. Messetti acted in several early motion pictures as well. In his later years, he dropped his first name and performed as a female impersonator.

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November 14, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $999,999 $10,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $50,000
$2,000,000 + $100,000