2-835-286 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

The Lincoln Motion Picture Company, founded in 1916, is considered the first all-black film production company. It made 'race movies' (films produced for black audiences, featuring black casts) which showcased African-American talent in the film industry. The black ink on white paper article says that the company '....is to be congratulated that it has gone into the business of making Negro moving pictures which are elevating, instructive and uplifting instead of the cheap burlesque type, which at the best, portrays the Negro either as a clown, thief or rogue'. Also listed are some of the films that the company has produced as well as some of the associated actors.