They had to exist: clubs where African-American women were performing. But since so much of Burlesque happened before desegregation, and even though there were always the exceptions which allowed a brilliant chanteuse to cross the color line (at least on stage), for the most part women of color are the most undocumented, and hardest-to-find, segment of the world of vintage adult entertainment. I viewed literally a thousand images, but was able to locate only one performer I am sure is both black AND a genuine burlesque performer. She went by the stage name "Miss Topsy."
Here is her publicity card, a typical souvenir that strippers sold to fans.
Miss Topsy on stage.
I'm sure there are many more black burlesque stars because I found this old matchbook cover from a Chicago nightclub.
But where are the photos? I just had no luck finding any. Obviously, Europe, and particularly France, was much friendlier to black performers. Josephine Baker was the perfect example of an African-American woman too hot for white America to handle.
Like her, many a caberet singer, jazz musician, and sexy lady fled overseas in search of artistic freedom. This perpetual calendar is an intriguing part of that period in black history.
Although I have no idea of any of the beauties below appeared on Burlesque or strip stage, they all seem to be professional models, and I will guess they didn't limit their lingerie work to photo studios only. All of these photos date from the 1940s to 1960s. I'd like to think they are representative of the women of color who helped shape America's sexual aesthetic, on stage and in magazines. If you know of any black Burlesque performers, or if you know the names of any of these lovely ladies, please drop me a line. I wouldn't mind doing another feature on this seldom-mentioned niche of America's adult entertainment history.
Thank you so much for this, Gloria! It's amazing the dearth of brown-skinned beauties in erotica pictures then or now. Josephine Baker has been one of my life-long heroines! And quite honestly, she is STILL too hot for white America to handle. If you get a chance to read "Seductress" by Betsy Prioleau, I think you would REALLY like that book. Josephine is one of the women highlighted.
I asked my mom about Club DeLisa that was here in Chicago. Apparently my grandparents, when they were married, favored the establishment as well as Chez Paris. I'm not sure what is in the space Club DeLisa used to inhabit, but it is a few blocks away from my old elementary school.
Posted by: Aspasia | Jul 13, 2009 at 08:31 PM