LEWIS MORRISON BLACK JEWISH ACTOR and FORMER CONFEDERATE SOLDIER - COLOR FOLDING CARD ADVERTISING HIS PRODUCTION of FAUST

Item Details

NEW YORK, c. 1900

This two-sided four panel folding trade card advertises actor Lewis Morrison's production of Faust and his role as Mephistopheles.  

Lewis Morrison (1844–1906) was a Jamaican-born American stage actor and theatrical manager, born Moritz (or Morris) W. Morris. He was best known for his portrayal of Mephistopheles in his own production of Faust, which he performed from 1885 to 1906.  He was also the first Black Jewish officer to serve in both the Confederate and Union armies.

Morris left Jamaica for the United States as a youth. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he enlisted in the 1st Louisiana Native Guard, the first official Black military regiment in the Confederacy, with other free Blacks. The unit was originally raised by the Confederates from the sizable free black population of New Orleans who volunteered their services. It was disbanded and reconstituted a few times as the Confederate government did not know what to do with the troops. He soon rose to the rank of lieutenant, becoming the first Black Jewish officer to serve in the Confederate Army. When the Louisiana State Legislature banned people of color from serving in the Confederate Army in February 1862, the regiment was disbanded. After the fall of New Orleans, some of the Confederate Louisiana Guard promptly switched allegiances to the Union, and its officers became the first black officers in the Union Army. Morris and about 10% of the other former 1st Louisiana Native Guard joined the Union Army in September 1862. 

After the Civil War, he became a stage actor using the name Lewis Morrison. He first performed in New Orleans beginning in minor roles with Edwin Booth and Charlotte Cushman until he was featured in larger parts. He became a well-known actor in New Orleans and moved on to the stage in New York, where he gained greater fame in Faust. He founded his own traveling theater troupe and traveled the world playing the role of Mephistopheles.

Printed by the Springer Lith. Co. of New York and in very good condition.