Rescuing, Preserving, Documenting and Exhibiting the
Courage of African Americans over the Past Four Centuries.

The Mark E. Mitchell Collection of African American History spans four centuries, consisting of well over
5,000 individual pieces -- defying description both in scope and content. Here is one of the highlights...

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IRA FREDERICK ALDRIDGE -- the first great African-American Shakespearean actor.
Exceedingly rare 1856 poster announcing Aldridge will play the role of Shylock in "The Merchant of Venice."
 

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© 2005 Black History Matters™

"Ira Frederick Baldridge -- african american -- antiques -- antiquarian -- mark mitchell -- black history -- rare documents -- museum -- gallery"