The George M. Cohan Room
From the early 1900’s through the late 1930’s, George M. Cohan wrote more than 50 shows and published more than 300 songs. George had remarkable theatrical longevity, appearing in film through the 1930’s and was a headline artist until 1940. This Irish Catholic wrote, composed, produced, and appeared in more than 3 dozen Broadway musicals. Truly he was “The Man Who Owned Broadway. Cathy and Richard Burke would now like to share with you some original memorabilia of this Broadway legend.
This was a turn of the century poster of a local New York City, NY show poking fun at Tammany Hall, which was the political machine of the city Democratic Party.
The Tammany Hall organization was founded in 1786 to help immigrants, mostly Irish, rise in politics.
This assistance was needed to counter the cultural bias extended to immigrant families, especially the Irish, as they worked their way into American Society.
Famous officials connected to Tammany Hall were United States Senator Robert F. Wagner, New York City Mayor Jimmy Walker and 4 term New York State Governor and 1928 US Presidential nominee Al Smith.
This is a beautiful turn of the century poster showing a beautiful Victorian Belle dancing with a Clown.
The Victorian Age was named after United Kingdom Queen Victoria (1819-1901) and was known, amongst other things, for its flourish and beauty, especially in the Arts.
The attention to detail is obvious as is the fun-loving aspect of frivolity.
Lincoln J. Carter’s great Comedy Drama. Circa 1901 Poster of the orginal stage play.
Lincoln J. Carter was one of the wealthiest playwrights of his time. In 1901 “The Eleventh Hour” was a huge hit and was staged all over the country.
The plot was that an evil prince planned to use a super explosive to take over the world, but a mysterious Irishman foils his plans and wins the girl in the end.
In 1923 it was made into a feature motion picture by the Fox Corporation.
The “Flapper Girl” was a vibrant sub-culture of Western Women in the 1920’s. They sported short skirts, bobbed hair, drank alcohol, smoked cigarettes in public, listened to jazz music and showed their disdain for the socially acceptable behavior of the times.
The “girls just wanted to have fun” – a 60-year precursor of the 1983 song of the same name, by Cyndi Lauper.
This 1908 burlesque musical starred Joe Weber and played at the Weber Musical Hall, located on Broadway between 29th and 30th Street in New York City, NY.
It had 156 performances between January 2, 1908, and May 16, 1908.
The Music was by Franz Lehar, the Book and Lyrics by George V Hobart and it was Staged by Julian Mitchell.
This poster comes from The Wilson family, one of the oldest “Fairground Families” in Great Britain.
“Fairground Families” were showmen who provided live entertainment in circus shows that travelled all over the country.
The first of this family was Lorenzo “Frank” Wilson who was known as “The Lion Tamer” when he began his career in the late 1800’s.
Posters just like this one was the main form of Circus advertisement at the time.
This poster advertised a live French 1911 music dance hall show that featured women singing, dancing, and playing mandolins.
It was printed in Marseille, France.
The Famous Brothers Byrne was a turn of the century Vaudeville act which featured five Brothers showing off their skills in pantomime, juggling, tumbling and acrobatics among others.
Founded in 1891, they toured America with the act for which they became famous, “The Eight Bells.”
This a circa 1915 poster that advertises the Neil O’Brien Minstrel Show and endorses Holton’s Band Instruments.
O’Brien’s career began in 1889 and he is reported to have received one of the highest salaries paid to a minstrel at that time.
This is a theatre poster of the Hans and Nix burlesque chorus girl show featuring “The Drummer Girls”. Circa 1908 poster.
1920’s Vintage actress photo representing the youth, grace, style and clothing of females of the period.
