Early Star Female Impersonator Francis Renault Autographed Photo
Item History & Price
EARLY STAR FEMALE IMPERSONATOR FRANCIS RENAULT AUTOGRAPHED PHOTO
8" x 10" b/w glossy photo inscribed to Broadway set designer David Bines and dated 1950. Renault additionally writes "Palace Sept. 22, 1918 and again Sept. 14, 1950.A rare piece of early LGBTQ history. In fine conditionFrancis Renault (1893 – 1955) female mimic.Antonio Auriemma was born in Naples, and was raised in Providence, Rhode Island. In the early days of his career, he worked in Vaudeville as Francis Ren...ault. He got his break replacing Julian Eltinge in a touring version of his Broadway show.
++In 1913 he performed in Atlanta and contested local ordinance banning cross-dressing, to the consternation of the local police.
He made his reputation impersonating the famous actress Lillian Russell, and like her he wore expensive gowns. Renault’s show became famous for his costumes, and each Friday afternoon they would be displayed for ladies to come and see. He also had a great falsetto voice.
In 1924, after a European tour, he opened his own club in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Unlike Julian Eltinge he would wear his female costumes in the street in towns where he was touring. This created publicity for the show, but he was arrested several times, notably in Dallas where a policeman who had seen the show and recognized him, arrested him while he was on his way to Weil’s Department Store to exhibit his $5, 000 wardrobe.
Out of costume he was a strong and masculine man, with many male admirers, one of whom was the young Archie Leach before he changed his name to Cary Grant. In his last years, Francis sang at Carnegie Hall billing himself as ‘The Last of the Red Hot Poppas”.
In 1945 he was crippled with polio, and was paralyzed for two years. He overcame this and returned to performing at Carnegie Hall.
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS IN BUSINESS!!PLEASE DO NOT WASTE OUR TIME BY WINNING AN ITEM AND NOT PAYING FOR IT!! YOU WILL BE REPORTED TO EBAY AND BLOCKED FROM OUR AUCTIONS!!! ALSO WE WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY BIDS FROM 0 FEEDBACKS, THEY WILL BE CANCELLED!
NO RESERVEPLEASE READ!!Terms of Sale: 1. Payment is due within 5 days of the close of this auction. We are set automatically on Unpaid Bidder Assistant.2. Payment methods: All major credit cards accepted
we ship to confirmed addresses only! It will only delay shipment of your
item if you do not have a confirmed address!3. If you have any questions, please ask prior to bidding. 4. All items are guaranteed authentic. COAs issued upon request. (Only for signed items)
You can buy with complete confidence.5. Buyer pays for shipping. (combine shipping for multiple items) PLEASE NOTE IF BIDDING OUTSIDE OF THE U.S. - WE ONLY SHIP THROUGH EBAY'S GLOBAL SHIPPING PROGRAM SO PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND THEIR TERMS AND CONDITIONS!!Thanks for looking and Good Luck bidding!The Inkwell Autograph Gallery
00067
8" x 10" b/w glossy photo inscribed to Broadway set designer David Bines and dated 1950. Renault additionally writes "Palace Sept. 22, 1918 and again Sept. 14, 1950.A rare piece of early LGBTQ history. In fine conditionFrancis Renault (1893 – 1955) female mimic.Antonio Auriemma was born in Naples, and was raised in Providence, Rhode Island. In the early days of his career, he worked in Vaudeville as Francis Ren...ault. He got his break replacing Julian Eltinge in a touring version of his Broadway show.
++In 1913 he performed in Atlanta and contested local ordinance banning cross-dressing, to the consternation of the local police.
He made his reputation impersonating the famous actress Lillian Russell, and like her he wore expensive gowns. Renault’s show became famous for his costumes, and each Friday afternoon they would be displayed for ladies to come and see. He also had a great falsetto voice.
In 1924, after a European tour, he opened his own club in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Unlike Julian Eltinge he would wear his female costumes in the street in towns where he was touring. This created publicity for the show, but he was arrested several times, notably in Dallas where a policeman who had seen the show and recognized him, arrested him while he was on his way to Weil’s Department Store to exhibit his $5, 000 wardrobe.
Out of costume he was a strong and masculine man, with many male admirers, one of whom was the young Archie Leach before he changed his name to Cary Grant. In his last years, Francis sang at Carnegie Hall billing himself as ‘The Last of the Red Hot Poppas”.
In 1945 he was crippled with polio, and was paralyzed for two years. He overcame this and returned to performing at Carnegie Hall.
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS IN BUSINESS!!PLEASE DO NOT WASTE OUR TIME BY WINNING AN ITEM AND NOT PAYING FOR IT!! YOU WILL BE REPORTED TO EBAY AND BLOCKED FROM OUR AUCTIONS!!! ALSO WE WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY BIDS FROM 0 FEEDBACKS, THEY WILL BE CANCELLED!
NO RESERVEPLEASE READ!!Terms of Sale: 1. Payment is due within 5 days of the close of this auction. We are set automatically on Unpaid Bidder Assistant.2. Payment methods: All major credit cards accepted
we ship to confirmed addresses only! It will only delay shipment of your
item if you do not have a confirmed address!3. If you have any questions, please ask prior to bidding. 4. All items are guaranteed authentic. COAs issued upon request. (Only for signed items)
You can buy with complete confidence.5. Buyer pays for shipping. (combine shipping for multiple items) PLEASE NOTE IF BIDDING OUTSIDE OF THE U.S. - WE ONLY SHIP THROUGH EBAY'S GLOBAL SHIPPING PROGRAM SO PLEASE READ AND UNDERSTAND THEIR TERMS AND CONDITIONS!!Thanks for looking and Good Luck bidding!The Inkwell Autograph Gallery
00067
