Peeping Todd
Select Treasures from the Burlesque Hall of Fame

Original Burlesque performer’s touring posters and costumes from the collection of the Burlesque hall of Fame.

As performers would travel from city to city and theatre to theatre, large format posters were created for the passerby to see just who was performing at the theatre.  These posters were generally black and white photographs of the performers that were enlarged and accented with a colorizing process.  These posters were hard back and flat shippable.  These were not rolled posters.  The moral codes of cities differed at the time and you can see from the posters that the performers would watercolor or paint more clothing onto the images of their body and then remove it at a later time when in a more accepting city.  Some of the posters also have highlights and accessories painted or attached to the poster to attract attention over the years.  These posters are a wonderful personal piece of each of the performers legacy and the history of burlesque.

Many costumes are also on display that have not been seen in public for many years and possibly not since they were actually worn by the performers.