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Museum object · Racist and Stereotypical Objects

Poster of the character Old Bob playing a banjo with his mule Calamity Jane

ca. 1900

Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, North and Central America

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Source catalog description

This description refers to material held by Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Visual details below describe the original material.

A chromolithographic print poster with linen backing for [JAMES H. WALLICK'S BANDIT KING CO.] featuring Fred Lyons as the character "Old Bob" with his mule, Calamity Jane. The poster illustration depicts Lyons, "Old Bob," seated on a chair playing a banjo and singing with the mule, Calamity Jane, braying at his side. Lyons is dressed in a minstrel style, wearing a tan jacket, red and white striped shirt, green and tan striped pansts, and a tan top hat. He is seated in what appears to be a living room. At the top of the poster, green text in an Art Nouveau style with floral illustrations reads, [JAMES H. WALLICK'S / BANDIT KING CO.]. Small black text in the lower left corner of the image reads, [Great Western Saint Louis].

Sources & collection details

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — original record ↗

Source collection ↗

Catalog metadata · CC0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Catalog reference: 2014.63.86

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