Bloomer Girl (Souvenir Program/Playbill Cover)
Graphic design on paper, likely a souvenir program or theater playbill • Cover illustration likely by Ken Whitmore or a staff artist for Gene Mann's Greek Theatre productions; 'Gene Mann Presents' is the credited producer.
Style & Movement
Mid-century American Illustration / Musical Theater Memorabilia with an emphasis on 19th-century revivalist style.
Medium & Technique
Lithographic or offset printing on paper; uses limited color palette (black, white, and orange) with screen-tone textures for shading.
Creation Period
Circa 1946-1949 (based on Gene Mann's production era at the Greek Theatre)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 9 x 12 inches; Portrait orientation.
Subject Description
A central female figure in a Victorian hoop skirt lifting her hem to reveal 'bloomers,' a reference to the feminist Amelia Bloomer. The background includes sketched dancers in 19th-century attire for the musical comedy 'Bloomer Girl.'
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good. The paper shows slight edge wear and minor surface scuffing characteristic of vintage ephemera.
Estimated Market Value
$40 - $85 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $60 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles during a 1940s production; typical of theater souvenir collections.
Art Historical Significance
Documents the Golden Age of Broadway musicals and their regional productions in the post-WWII era; 'Bloomer Girl' was significant for its themes of women's rights and abolitionism.
Notable Features
Includes the imprint for Gene Mann, the producer who revitalized the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles; features 'The Civil War Musical' stylized typography.
Condition Issues
Minor corner bumping, slight oxidation (yellowing) of the paper edge, and faint surface scratches on the orange ink field.
Conservation Recommendations
Store in an acid-free archival sleeve with a backing board; keep out of direct UV light to prevent fading of the orange pigment.