Minstrel Show Poster Golf Crazy Blackface Black Americana Print

The2FunAdGuyz offer a new, high-quality reproduction, print of an 1899 Minstrel golf group poster for William H. West's Big Minstrel Troupe, one of the largest blackface minstrel troupe's. In a genre that is racist by definition, this poster stands out as about the most racist we have ever seen because of both its offensive language and image. A group of male and female minstrels, dressed as golfers, dance across a golf course. Three small golf caddies carrying golf bags dance with them. What is particularly appalling is that all of them, and in particular the three caddies, are given monkey or ape-like appearances and poses. Then, there is the language of the text.

CAPTION: The Golf Crazy Coons. We're one up on the links of minstrelsy.

HEADLINE: William H. West's Big Minstrel Jubilee.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT: This poster and the information contained in this description are presented in historical context. They are meant to remind us of the way things were so we can better understand how things might be better. Minstrel shows were huge at the turn of the century. Audiences at these shows were mostly working class rowdies who would stop the show if it was bad or would demand multiple repeats if they like it. As a result, the acts and actors became increasingly outrageous in order to gain the audiences approval. The blackface minstrel show was begun in the 1830's and by the 1890's was a major phenomenon in the world of entertainment. Much of the music of the era was written for minstrel shows-including the songs of Stephen Foster. It was stereotyping of the worst kind. White actors, dressed as African-Americans acted and sang to audiences, many of who knew little about African-American culture. The characters evolved to the point where most of them were lazy, shiftless and dumb. This helped to create an image of African-Americans that has created immense problems right into the twenty first century. Some believe that the blackface minstrel show was a forerunner of what happened in the 1950's & 60's when white musicians co-opted the music of African-American blues musicians and in the process created rock-n-roll. For better or worse-it is important that this aspect of American pop culture be examined.

PAPER QUALITY: This new print is on a highest quality, acid-free, 100-pound glossy premium text paper that allows for maximum color brilliance and fidelity for older images.

Image Size: 14.5 inches wide by 10.5 inches high.

Paper Size: 17 inches wide by 11 inches high. This allows for a small border around the image for matting and framing. When matted, this format is perfect for a standard 16-inch x 20-inch frame, a manageable size for a wide variety of decorating purposes.

AVAILABILITY: In Stock! – Ships Within 1 Business Day of cleared payment.

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