Item #WRCAM56965 BUTCHER'S HALL, BELLEVUE. SATURDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 21. LAST GRAND PERFORMANCE OF THE KICKAPOO INDIANS...[caption title]. Kickapoo Indians.

BUTCHER'S HALL, BELLEVUE. SATURDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 21. LAST GRAND PERFORMANCE OF THE KICKAPOO INDIANS...[caption title].

[N.p., likely Bellevue, Wa. Late 1800s]. Printed broadside, 10 x 4 inches. Old folds, moderate uneven toning, left edge a bit worn and chipped. Very good. Item #WRCAM56965

A curious broadside handbill advertising several performances at Butcher's Hall in Bellevue, the most interesting of which is the "Last Grand Performance of the Kickapoo Indians." It is not certain whether this performance involved actual Kickapoo Indians or was one of the numerous medicine shows put on by groups such as the Kickapoo Indian Medicine Company in the late-19th century and afterwards. Another performance of note involved "Theodore Pierce, as the Happy Hottentot Girl!" The term "hottentot" has historically referred to the population of native South Africans known as the Khoikhoi, though the term now carries negative racial connotations. Another listed entertainer is Charles King, who often performed in "blackface" and who touted himself as "the Master Banjoist of the Universe." On this broadside, it is announced that King will play banjo, sing songs, and entertain with "funny sayings." Also included is the musical act of "Dale & Buskirk," and a short skit entitled "Gambler's Fate and McGinty's Hotel." The location of the performance is not certain. There are several American states containing a city called Bellevue; Butcher's Hall of Bellevue could also have been located in England. However, we are inclined to assign a location of Bellevue, Washington. An interesting theatrical broadside for which we can find no other examples.

Price: $175.00

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