Raynors HCA 2014-11
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/6/2014
This fabulous, exceedingly rare original photograph is of members of the Ford Family Minstrel Show, is labeled: "Ford Family Minstrels - Sales Department Banquet - Pontchartrain Hotel February 3, 1916," measures 14.25"x 8" framed to an overall size of 19.75" x 14". The 40 members shown in the photograph are all White men, most of them in "Blackface" paint. This photograph was almost certainly taken at the Pontchartrain Hotel in Detroit, Michigan, which was in existence as early as 1909. The Pontchartrain Hotel in New Orleans did not open until 1927. Fine condition. Although we could not find any reference to a Ford Family Minstrel group, and believe this is a Photograph of Employees of the Ford Motor Company who agreed to provide entertainment for a company banquet. The evidence for this is the man seated in the second row, near the center, without face paint. He is none other than Henry Ford himself! This photograph is in excellent condition, with no holes, tears, stains or foxing. The matte under which it is housed has browned with age, and the wooden frame in which it is held is scuffed (not examined out of the frame). An incredibly rare and historic Henry Ford photograph, involving American Business History and Black American History.
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