PERRY, Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew, as "Stepin Fetchit"

Inquire · Offered by Peter Harrington

Promotional Post-card for personal appearances at the Zanzibar Club. From the collection of Rolling Stones drummer and jazz aficionado Charlie Watts, with his posthumous bookplate: signed, "Best, Stepin Fetchit", Perry (1902-1985) is shown in character in typically disreputable costume. His is a far from common signature and this is a nice example.Perry's screen persona became highly controversial, seen as representing a negative racial stereotype, and by the early 50s he was forced to adjust his performances, unsuccessfully, to the times. What is undeniable is that he had been hugely popular and had a long and extremely successful career, appearing in 54 films between 1925 and 1976. He was the first black actor to become a millionaire (although he filed for bankruptcy in 1947 with assets of just $146) and the first black actor to receive a screen credit. In 1976 he was the recipient of an NAACP Image Award, two years later being inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.The reverse advertises his show at the Zanzibar Club, and prints the words of "Laura Brown - theme song of the next picture." The song and any film to which it may relate are untraceable.

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