Rare books, pamphlets, manuscripts, letters, correspondence, journals, archives, ephemera, etc. concerning: Playscripts, Prompt Books, Minstrels and Minstrelsy, Broadway, Burlesque, Pantomime, Opera, Ballet, Dance, Musical Theater, Circus, Carnivals, Wax Museums, Magic Shows, Wild West Shows, Rodeos, Parades, Amusement Parks and Popular Amusements, Etc.
Rare books, pamphlets, manuscripts, letters, correspondence, journals, archives, ephemera, etc. concerning: Playscripts, Prompt Books, Minstrels and Minstrelsy, Broadway, Burlesque, Pantomime, Opera, Ballet, Dance, Musical Theater, Circus, Carnivals, Wax Museums, Magic Shows, Wild West Shows, Rodeos, Parades, Amusement Parks and Popular Amusements, Etc.
![3735831] Catalogue of the Paintings, Marble and Plaster Statuary and Engravings Comprised in the...](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/images/noimage-req.png?auto=webp)
Scarce 1841 catalogue from the Boston Museum and Gallery of Fine Arts on Tremont Street, issued the same year the institution opened under the proprietorship..... Read More about Catalogue of the Paintings, Marble and Plaster Statuary and Engravings Comprised in the...
Scarce American libretto for a mid-19th-century English opera troupe’s rendition of Rossini’s Cinderella, performed at the Broadway Theatre in New York. While Rossini’s score is..... Read More about Cinderella; or, The Fairy and Little Glass Slipper. An Opera, in Three Acts. As Performed by the...
Arguably the first American edition, though another was issued in New York in 1793, of one of the most popular late eighteenth-century comedies. Irish playwright..... Read More about Wild Oats or, The strolling gentleman. A comedy, in five acts
![3735779] The Grecian Daughter: A Tragedy as performed with universal applause by the American...](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3735779.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1769800659)
First Philadelphia edition of Arthur Murphy’s neoclassical tragedy The Grecian Daughter, originally premiered in London in 1772. This American printing by Henry Taylor in 1791..... Read More about The Grecian Daughter: A Tragedy as performed with universal applause by the American Company....
![3735768] The Seven Year Itch (1952 first edition, thus—inscribed to the London producer of this...](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3735768.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1768689143)
George Axelrod’s the Seven Year Itch, Inscribed to London Producer Binkie Beaumont Firs edition, first printing, thus. Presentation copy of Axelrod’s mid-century stage comedy, inscribed..... Read More about The Seven Year Itch (1952 first edition, thus—inscribed to the London producer of this play
![3734393] Two programs for the Swarthmore Chautauqua held in Dover, Delaware in 1920 and 1922....](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3734393.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1729783891)
Programs for two week-long Chautauqua gatherings held in Dover, Delaware, part of the national adult education and cultural circuit organized by the Swarthmore Chautauqua. Highlights..... Read More about Two programs for the Swarthmore Chautauqua held in Dover, Delaware in 1920 and 1922
![3735334] Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines. Written & Sung By T. Maclagan [cover title]. T....](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3735334.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1753205063)
This postbellum American comic ballad was likely written and performed by Scottish entertainer Tom Maclagan, active since the mid-1860s. The piece gained fame in the..... Read More about Captain Jinks of the Horse Marines. Written & Sung By T. Maclagan [cover title
![3735237] Follow Thru. “I Want to Be Bad.” (Jazz Age golf musical sheet music, later filmed.)....](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3735237.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1750800582)
Copyrighted in 1928 at the height of the Jazz Age, this first edition sheet music for Follow Thru showcases the breakout number “I Want to..... Read More about Follow Thru. “I Want to Be Bad.” (Jazz Age golf musical sheet music, later filmed
![3734778] The Libby Prison Minstrel! ... Thursday eve’g, Dec. 24th, 1863. Programme. Adjt. R. C....](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3734778.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1756936637)
A circa 1890s facsimile of a rare 1863 handbill, advertising a Christmas Eve theatrical and musical performance organized by captured Union officers imprisoned at Libby..... Read More about The Libby Prison Minstrel! ... Thursday eve’g, Dec. 24th, 1863. Programme
![3735229] The Boston Belles Burlesquers. “Scenes in a Sanatorium”... [opening lines of ca....](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3735229.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1750800581)
An example of early 20th-century American burlesque ephemera: a promotional handbill for the Messenger Theatre’s revue, Scenes in a Sanatorium, starring the Boston Belles. The..... Read More about The Boston Belles Burlesquers. “Scenes in a Sanatorium”... [opening lines of ca. 1908 broadside
![3734820] Lovin’ Sam. The Sheik of Alabam’ Fox Trot. Ager and Yellen](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3734820.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1743441628)
Milton Ager and Jack Yellen became well-known for their Great Depression hit song “Happy Days Are Here Again” (they weren’t), and this fox trot number..... Read More about Lovin’ Sam. The Sheik of Alabam’ Fox Trot
![3734811] Circa 1880s–1890s admission ticket for Miscellaneous Recitations by Walter R....](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3734811.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1772650047)
A stiff card ticket for a miscellaneous recitation performance by Walter R. Jefferson, advertising “the very newest selections” from “the best authors.” Priced at 25..... Read More about Circa 1880s–1890s admission ticket for Miscellaneous Recitations by Walter R. Jefferson
![3734419] Clarence “Chic” Bell - Maestro. House of David Band. [caption title]. House of David...](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3734419.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1729783895)
Real photo postcard with half-length portrait of Clarence “Chic” Bell, director of the House of David Band at Eden Springs Park, the communal society’s amusement..... Read More about Clarence “Chic” Bell - Maestro. House of David Band. [caption title
![3734159] Major Gordon W. Lille, “Pawnee Bill”. [Circa 1909 postcard]. Gordon William Lillie](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3734159.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1716405309)
“Pawnee Bill,” started his Wild West career with Buffalo Bill Cody in 1883. He later created “Pawnee Bill’s Wild West” with his wife May Manning..... Read More about Major Gordon W. Lille, “Pawnee Bill”. [Circa 1909 postcard
![3733573] Frank I. Frayne Free Songster ... The Great Western Dramas. American Songster](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3733573.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1709150863)
Frank I. Frayne described himself as the “Pioneer of the Melodrama.” This giveaway “Free Songster,” in broadside format, advertises a week of his performances beginning..... Read More about Frank I. Frayne Free Songster ... The Great Western Dramas
![3733316] Ca. 1880s cabinet card photograph of Steve Brodie, theater performer and Brooklyn Bridge...](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3733316.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1678742391)
A publicity photograph captioned in the mount, thus: “Steve Brodie. — On the Bowery. Thos. H. Davis & Wm. T. Keough.” In late 19th century..... Read More about Ca. 1880s cabinet card photograph of Steve Brodie, theater performer and Brooklyn Bridge jumper
![3733222] Ca. 1950s Photograph of the soundstage of an experimental television production of...](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3733222.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1679338236)
Photograph of the soundstage and set of an experimental, early television production of Helen Glaspell’s one-act play Trifles. The 1916 play, based on a real-life..... Read More about Ca. 1950s Photograph of the soundstage of an experimental television production of “Trifles,”...
![3733204] Grand Opera House, Brooklyn. [1903 Program]. Hyde, Behman Amusement Co](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3733204.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1706667105)
Program for the biographical play Robert Emmet, The Days of 1803 about that Irish patriot and rebel leader executed for leading a rebellion in Dublin..... Read More about Grand Opera House, Brooklyn. [1903 Program
![3732009] 1872–1873 promotional ephemera for Cassie and Victoria Foster, The Fairy Sisters....](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3732009.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1559076278)
A record of the brief, exploited lives of the Fairy Sisters, diminutive performers touted as the world’s smallest persons, who toured New England in 1872..... Read More about 1872–1873 promotional ephemera for Cassie and Victoria Foster, The Fairy Sisters
![3731997] Kwamina. The New Musical. Afred de Liagre Jr](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3731997.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1658773283)
This 54th Street Theatre Broadway flop was set in a Western African nation as it was about the gain independence from Britain. While the dances..... Read More about Kwamina. The New Musical
![3731920] The Book of Job Arranged and Produced by Stuart Walker. Stuart Walker – Bryn Mawr](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3731920.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1653768937)
Ephemera for a special Bryn Mawr Alumnae benefit performance of Stuart Walker’s stage production of The Book of Job, the first English-language dramatization of the..... Read More about The Book of Job Arranged and Produced by Stuart Walker
![3731388] Behind a Watteau Picture. A Fantasy in Verse, in One Act. Robert Emmons Rogers](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3731388.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1644016386)
Robert Emmons Rogers, the playwright, was graduated by Harvard College and his play debuted in St. Louis and was later performed at the Greenwich Village..... Read More about Behind a Watteau Picture. A Fantasy in Verse, in One Act
![3730089] When Johnny Comes Marching Home. As Presented by the Whitney Opera Company. [cover...](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3730089.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1612813786)
From cover to cover, a chromolithographically illustrated program for this “glittering military comic opera” set in the South during the American Civil War. The three-act..... Read More about When Johnny Comes Marching Home. As Presented by the Whitney Opera Company. [cover title
![3729892] Circa 1880s–1890s Tintype Photograph of a Western Woman in Japanese Costume. Unk](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3729892.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1642967363)
Medium-format tintype studio portrait of a Western woman wearing a kimono and holding a large folding Japanese fan behind her head. Studio props in the..... Read More about Circa 1880s–1890s Tintype Photograph of a Western Woman in Japanese Costume
![3729263] The Four Snow-White Albino Boys. Born of Negro Parents! As they appear in their...](https://rareamericana.cdn.bibliopolis.com/pictures/3729263.jpg?width=320&height=480&fit=bounds&auto=webp&v=1590178591)
Rare broadside advertising this African-American albino quartet, shown performing in a minstrel array, playing the bones, the fiddle, the banjo and the tambourine. The quartet..... Read More about The Four Snow-White Albino Boys. Born of Negro Parents! As they appear in their unrivaled musical...
