Here we have a set of antique photographs and photograph prints from the estate of Vaudeville performer Frank Mason (more below). Killer stuff. And now with the details.
Frank Mason, formerly Roger Johnson, was a Vaudeville performer in the early 1900s. In the 1920s, he retired from Vaudeville and invested in numerous businesses in the Chicago area. One of which was a lumber business. This endeavor lead him to Panama in the 1920s. He hired a photographer to come along for the trip. The Panama photographs come from his estate. See below for a review of his Vaudeville show.
Back to the vintage photographs...
That camera crew print is an interesting one. The photographer obviously wanted the right pose. I'm pretty sure this cameraman was hired by Frank Mason. I'm pretty sure this guy took the other photographs found in the lot. Very cool.
Check out the photo of some guys pausing their canoe building activities to pose for a picture. And that is one serious canoe. Check out the guy off to the right showing the proper way to ride in the canoe.
The photo with the huge tree is the only photograph from the estate where Mr. Mason appears. He's the gentleman with the tie. Personally, I think the old timer sitting in front of him steals the show. On the reverse it's noted that the tree is s Spanish Cedar.
And then the guy dressed up in a tie, standing in a middle of heard of bulls. A dicey endeavor indeed. Not sure what the point was, but I like it. The reverse it is stamped "C. Endara - Panama."
The three photographs measure 10" x 8". The photographs are curling heavily. There are pinholes in the corners and discoloring along the edges. A few of them have an occasional small tear along the margin. Graphite markings are found on the reverse as well.
The four photograph prints measure 8" x 6". Two of the prints have significant creases (camera crew and guy hauling wood). There is slight curling and uneven edges with these prints. There are pinholes in the corners. These photo prints were in an album at some point, as you see adhesive residue on the reverse.
The photographs are almost 100 years old and show their age. Please see all pics as they're part of the description.
Here’s a snippet of a Vaudeville review for one of his shows, courtesy of the Sacramento Union newspaper, July 31, 1919.
"Comedy rambled in and out through all the acts of the vaudeville portion of the program with Frank Mason and Doc Austin running high in the favor of the audience. Theirs is an unusually entertaining act. Both have good voices and the stout member of the trio has a merry gift of looking cheerful and communicating his fun to the other fellow."
Frank was the "stout" member.
I ship to the continental USA only. Free shipping on the lot.
These images are truly a glimpse into scenario rarely captured on film. Don't miss out.
