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1889 CONTORTIONIST SIDE SHOW 3 SHEET POSTER Beach

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:2,400.00 - 2,600.00 USD
1889 CONTORTIONIST SIDE SHOW 3 SHEET POSTER Beach
<B>Beach and Bowers (Donaldson Brothers Litho Co.,1898)</B></I> Theater Poster (41" X 81") . Rare example of a carnival side show poster. While circus posters from the 19th century are relatively plentiful, large format three sheets for a specific act (especially a contortionist) are rare. Added to all that is the quality of the printing, which shouldn't come as a surprise since it was created at Donaldson Brothers Litho Co., perhaps the premiere stone litho theatrical poster shop at the time. The naive, but technically correct, design of the poster, moves it into the world of folk art. A reference to the traveling troupe appeared in the Beloit (Wisc.) Daily News on May 23, 1902: "The Beach And Bowers Minstrel Show will be staged under a tent following a big street parade; admission is 35 cents; a quarter for children." One most likely could have gotten the poster for free, just by asking. Fine condition on Linen.