COVE

Retrieved from: https://www.loc.gov/item/2014635634/

Full title: Bon Ton Burlesquers 365 days ahead of them all.

Published: 1898

Formats: Illustration, Theatrical Poster 

Creator: H.C. Miner Litho Company of New York 

Copyright: © H.C. Miner Litho Company of New York 

Held by: H.C. Miner Litho Company of New York 

This image was retrieved from the Library of Congress. The original poster image was created by H.C. Miner Litho Company of New York in 1898.  The H.C. Miner Litho Company was started in 1869 and primarily produced work for United Artists. 

This image, entitled "Bon-Ton Burlesquers 365 days ahead of them all." portrays several women dressed in typical costumes of 19th Century Burlesque Theater. This specific troupe, the Bon-Ton Burlesquers, began performing several years after Lydia Thompson and her troupe began performing. This poster was used as advertisement for the troupe's performances. Unlike Lydia Thompson's troupe that focused primarily on the right for women to perform as they pleased on stage, the Bon-Ton Burlesquers focused more on the profitable side of theater. Their shows were much more theatrical and sexually suggestive compared to Lydia's troupe. The Bon-Ton Burlesquers used sex appeal to draw in audiences and earn a significant profit. In the poster seen above, several burlesque performers are interacting with several men who have come to a burlesque performance. This poster contains several symbolic elements that hint at societal standards of this time. For example, in the middle of the poster a burlesque performer is seen holding a string of sorts around a man's neck. The Bon-Ton Burlesquers often captioned their posters with "On a String," indicating that the men are puppets, controlled by the women's sexuality and overall beauty. The women in these burlesque shows purposefully depicted themselves as "puppeteers" in order to showcase that they will no longer be controlled by the "strings" of men in society. Additionally, the caption to this poster states, "365 days ahead of them all." This was another method to attract audience members as the women were hinting that they are always ahead of their competition, or other burlesque troupes. This tactic was used to increase ticket sales and promote their shows. These methods proved quite successful for the troupe as their shows gained in popularity as time pressed on. 

Works Cited:

H.C. Miner Litho. Co, and Bon Ton Burlesquers. Bon Ton Burlesquers 365 days ahead of them all. N.Y.: H.C. Miner Litho. Co. Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, <www.loc.gov/item/2014635634/>.

Allen, R. (n.d.). Horrible Prettiness: Burlesque and American Culture (Cultural Studies of the United States).