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George H. Chirgwin know as the White-Eyed Kaffir

George H. Chirgwin know as the White-Eyed Kaffir


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George H. Chirgwin know as the White-Eyed Kaffir

George H. Chirgwin (14 December 1854 17 November 1922) was a popular British music hall star billed as " the White-Eyed Kaffir", a black face minstrel act. He adopted the white diamond on his blacked up face as a trade mark after it came about by accident. Chirgwin appeared in the first Royal Variety Command Performance in 1912. This striking image is one by Alick P.F. Ritchie (1868-1938) in a series of music hall personalities. Date: 1800s, 1900s?

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Media ID 14411402

© The Michael Diamond Collection / Mary Evans Picture Library

Alick Blacked Cello Diamond Eyed Faced Fiddle Instrument Kaffir Minstrel Ritchie Stringed Tall Violin Musical


EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph, taken by renowned British photographer Alick P.F. Ritchie in the early 1900s, features George H. Chirgwin, a prominent music hall star billed as 'the White-Eyed Kaffir.' Born on December 14, 1854, Chirgwin was known for his blackface minstrel act, which included the distinctive white diamond on his darkened face as a trademark. The diamond came about by accident during a performance, but it became a defining element of his act. Chirgwin's popularity soared, and he was a regular performer at the Royal Variety Command Performances, including the very first one in 1912. In this image, Chirgwin is shown holding a fiddle, a common stringed musical instrument used in minstrel shows. The violin and cello, also popular stringed instruments, can be seen in the background. Chirgwin's intense focus and skillful posture as he bows suggest the depth of his musical talent and the passion he brought to his performances. This photograph is a fascinating glimpse into the history of music hall entertainment and the complex cultural context of blackface minstrelsy during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Despite the controversy surrounding the use of blackface, Chirgwin's talent and charisma shone through, making him a beloved figure in British music hall history.

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