Kaaterskill Books

Rare Theatrical Poster by NY Painter and Lithographer

Thomas, Henry Atwell.

[Poster]. Alex. Caufman as Eugene Lazare in "Life's Mistake."

New York: H.A. Thomas Lith. Studio, 112 Fourth Ave. New York, [1882]. 1 sheet. 86 1/2 x 61 1/2 cm. (34 x 24 1/4 inches). A very good copy (about B+) with some tears, abrasions, creasing, and staining along right margin, light foxing in the image; a few pin holes in top corners; advertising banner affixed to bottom edge. Item #43100

Banner at bottom reads "Fulton Opera House! One night only" Wednesday April 19." Henry Atwell Thomas (1834-1904) was an American artist, portrait painter, and lithographer, his firm working until 1887 under the name "H.A. Thomas Lith. Studio" (at 865 Broadway, N.Y. until 1882, then at 112 Broadway) until 1887 when it became "H. A. Thomas & Wylie Lithography Co." Thomas was best known for his theatrical portraits, including a portrait of Edwin Booth. Alexander Caufman was the stage name for Alexander Kaufmann, an actor and dramatist in New York. He wrote "Lazare; A Life's Mistake." copywriting it in 1881 and taking it on the road: "The play abounds in striking situations and is at times very pathetic. Love, hate and jealousy are clearly depicted. Caufman as Eugene Lazare surprised and delighted the audience. He is an actor who is destined to make his mark in the profession. But the best of it all was that the principal character was well sustained by the excellent acting of the other players. The costumes were rich and beautiful and very much admired by the fair sex. The Comedy element was the source of much amusement and kept the audience in a roar," (Albany Journal). Of the original play, we could locate no copies. The Library of Congress has large holdings of Henry Atwell Thomas' work, but we could not locate this poster there nor in any other online library catalogues or theatrical poster collections.

Price: $750.00