Bledsoe, Jules. (1898-1943) Original photograph from the 1927 "Show Boat" premiereA magnificent original 8X10 inch photograph of the American baritone in the role of Joe in Kern's "Show Boat," a role he created and later sang in the first film version of 1929. With the raised stamp of the NYC photographer "Pinchot" in the bottom right corner. Bledsoe was one of the first African American singers to appear in operas in the US and was also one of the first to appear regularly on Broadway in leading roles.