2-832-481 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

The Cotton Club in New York City initially refused entry to black patrons, even though the venue featured many of the most popular black entertainers of the era, including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Fats Waller, Cab Calloway and Bessie Smith. On the front is a color illustration of a woman's portrait. The woman looks at the viewer and her hair is swept up around her neck to fall over her shoulder. Only the top of shoulders, her neck and head are seen. On her ear is a round earring. The illustration is on a yellow background. On the reverse of the fan is a black and white silhouette of a jungle with a band playing music. The jungle scene takes up the majority of the back with the band only along the bottom portion. At the top of the back, in white letter is the club name "The/ COTTON CLUB." The wood handle is attached to the back in the middle. On either side of the handle is black text; on the left "Lenox Avenue/ at 142nd St./ Br 2-7767-1687" and on the right "The Aristocrat/ of Harlem."