Postcard, Gilbert "Broncho Billy" Anderson
Object number2012.244.01
Dateunknown
MediumPaper, Ink
Dimensions5 9/16 x 3 9/16 in. (14.1 x 9 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection
DescriptionPostcard featuring Gilbert "Broncho Billy" Anderson for his production company Essanay Studios. Anderson is recognized as the first star of the Western film genre. He was born in Little Rock.Broncho Billy Anderson was born Maxwell Henry Aronson in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1880. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Pine Bluff and four years later to St. Louise where he studied acting. At the age of 22, Max moved to New York and changed his name to Gilbert M. Anderson. In 1903, he signed on as an actor with the Edison Film company who made the first feature film, “The Great Train Robbery.” Anderson played three characters in the movie and earned 50 cents an hour. In 1906, he moved to Chicago where he founded Essanay (S&A) Film Company with George Spoor. He was a producer, director, writer, and editor. He produced and starred in his first western in 1909. He introduced the world to the cowboy character “Broncho Billy Anderson” in 1910. In 1912, Anderson opened Essanay’s western branch in Niles, California. While there he made over 350 films including 140 Broncho Billy Anderson movies. He turned out a minimum of two movies a week. It was here that he signed Charlie Chaplin and filmed “The Little Tramp” in 1915. Anderson sold his share of Essanay in 1916. During the next few years, he purchased theaters and continued directing movies until 1921 when he formed the Amalgamated Producing Company and made the first film with Oliver Hardy and Stan Laurel. In 1923, he retired from the film business. In 1958, he received an honorary Oscar for his contributions to movies. He died in 1971.
Postcard of Gilbert "Broncho Billy" Anderson. The postcard features a black and white portrait of Anderson wearing a studded black leather jacket and a gun holster while holding a hat in his left hand. Beneath the image, a small profile portrait of a Native American is situated to the left of black text:
"G. M. Anderson (Broncho Billy)
Essanay Film Manufacturing Company
521 First National Bank BLDG
Chicago. Ill., U.S.A."
The reverse side of the postcard is white with "Post Card" and "You may write Your Message Here" in black text. There is an area designated for an address and stamp.
Status
Not on view
