Lot 238
Al Jolson: Rare, Early Oversized Photo in Black Face While with Dockstader's Minstrels, NYC (1909) (1886-1950) Russian born (Asa Yoelson) American singer, actor, comedian and for years America's most popular and highest paid entertainer. His style and enterpretation of music ushered in the modern musical; his recordings were in virtually every home. Obviously Jolson is known for his work as a minstrel singer at a time where it was a regular feature in theater and vaudeville since the mid-19th Century. But no one interpreted jazz recordings like Jolson, not only in energy but in sentimentality. Completely inappropriate today, it was a significant genre in entertainment at the time and a part of history. "If blackface has its shameful poster boy, it is Al Jolson" -- Ted Gioia. Nevertheless if any one individual embodied the complex nature of race in America at the time, and in bringing black music to white audiences through blackface, there is also no other like Jolson. Also, Jolsen starred in THE JAZZ SINGER which forever changed the history of movies with the thunderclap that was talking/singing in film. With that bit of history, offered is a very rare 11 x 14" sepia photo of Al Jolson around 23 years old in full minstrel makeup and costume. Signed in black fountain pen by Jolson: "Compliments of Al Jolson, To My Friend Neal Abel, May 28 1909." Photo has been mounted on card stock decades ago, but photo is in remarkable condition with just soft corners and a ding or two. An historic early 20th Century piece of American entertainment. Estimate Value $900 - UP
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| Realized $840 |
