Victorian burlesque dancers
Cabinet cards from the musical theater of the exotic
Amanda Uren
c. 1890
Eliza Blasina wearing horse-head headdress, short costume with attached horsetail, rows of round beads or bells around ankles, wrists, neck and upper arm.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Burlesque originated in 17th century Italian theater as a type of comic interlude. The word derives from the Italian "burla," a joke, ridicule or mockery. Burlesque can be applied to literature, music and theater. It's often a form of humorous parodies or pastiches of serious dramatic or classical works. It was related and partly derived from the English tradition of pantomime, in which a musical theatre parodied a serious work such as a Shakespeare play, with the addition of music and songs and humorous verse. A certain level of literacy was assumed of audience members, as burlesque often made various high-brow references.
Ella Chapman in short metallic armor costume, including leggings, helmet with feather. Rice's surprise party.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
The dancers in these images are all associated with American musical theater, a popular form of which was burlesque. The collection contains a wide variety of materials related to striptease research and memorabilia, spanning from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day and exploring all aspects of striptease in performance, from early burlesque/vaudeville to modern strip clubs and the neo-burlesque movement.
Dolly Adams with fringe at the bottom of a short costume, tights, short-heeled boots topped with fringe, cross at neck, cap.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Burlesque was popular in London from the 1830s to the 1890s, and was the speciality of certain London theaters, including the Gaiety and Royal Strand Theatre. Often the performances were risqué in nature, with women wearing revealing costumes. Burlesque shows were introduced to the U.S. in the 1840s. Influenced by minstrel shows and "leg shows," American burlesque was closer in form to sketch performance. It contained quick-witted, sexually suggestive dialogue and skimpy costumes for female performers. American burlesque continued until the 1930s, but concentrated more on striptease elements. A moral crackdown led to its eventual demise, though the art form has experienced a recent resurgence in some cities.In England, the genre waned to be replaced by Edwardian musical comedy.
Rose Hamilton in a short costume, shoes with a strap over the instep.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Miss Darcey in short male Renaissance costume with over-the-knee leggings.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
These images are drawn from the Charles H. McCaghy Collection of Exotic Dance from Burlesque to Clubs. They come from the personal collection of Dr. Charles H. McCaghy, professor emeritus of the Department of Sociology at Bowling Green State University.
Minnie Marshall sitting on a stone fence, in a short dress and boots.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Alice Atherton in a short, feathery costume, tights, parasol, mid-forearm white gloves, mid-calf white heeled and laced boots, feathery hat.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Jessie Barlett-Davis' costume suggests 15th century.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Sylvia Gerrish with draped dress and pointed hat in the woods.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Gracie Wilson in costume with a cape.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Jennie Dickerson in a pseudo-military outfit.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Viola Clifton facing front in a sleeveless, short, fringed top and short, fringed trunks.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Jennie Lee sitting on a chair holding a headdress.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Nellie Page posing in a nightgown.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Adah Richmond leaning on a stone fence.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Leontine wearing ballet shoes.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Vernona Jabeau, in high boots, hat, holding a candle in a long holder.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Unidentified female performer [Camille?] in a short sailor-style costume, shoes with knee-high stockings.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Pauline Hall in a short, Greek style costume, flat shoes.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Miss Farrington in a short sleeveless costume, holding bow and arrow, with quiver and arrows on back, buttoned and heeled boots.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Louise Montague in a mini dress with fringe.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Ida Florence, "The California Prize Beauty," in body stocking covered with transparent fabric, posed as statue.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Josie Gregory in a short, Mexican style costume.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Elvira Viola, sitting in fur fringe.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Eliza Weathersby, as Gabriel, in Rice & Goodwin's opera bouffe, "Evangeline," probably during a performance at Boston Museum, 1877.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Clara Davenport in a short sleeveless costume fringed at legs and armholes.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Carrie McHenry as Jako in Bohemian Gy-url [sic], Colville Opera Company.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Gussie Crayton in hat with feather, short sleeveless costume with half-calf laced boots.
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
Credit: <a href="https://kb.osu.edu/dspace/handle/1811/47556/browse?type=title">Charles H. McCaghy Collection</a>
