Ross Crane

              ROSS CRANE
THE CARTOONIST AND HIS COMPANY
(Canvases and Crayons, Modeling-Board and Clay, and the Piano, to Say Nothing of the Piano-Stool)

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The Greatest Completest Most Artistic One-Man Performance on the Platform
E Chicago-Mutual, Chica



PRESS COMMENTS

Philadelphia Bulletin
—A novel and delightful performance.  Every number was enthusiastically applauded.


Decatur Herald
—Perhaps the best entertainment of the Y. M. C. A. Course was given by Ross Crane, the cartoonist, at the Powers Grand last night.


Lincoln State Journal
—Ross Crane captivated a vast audience.  A humorist of high order and his cartoon work was the best ever seen here.


Bloomington Pantagraph
—Mr. Crane can and does do more things in an hour than most folks could do in a life-time.


Logansport Daily News
—Best of the series.  Ross Crane was billed as a humorist, and a humorist he is to the fullest extent.


Burlington Hawkeye
—Ross Crane delighted a great audience at the Y. M. C. A. last night.  This was the finest of its class of entertainment ever seen here.  Mr. Crane ably fits the words, artistic genius.


Minneapolis Tribune
—Ross Crane's artistic and finished performance fully merited the applause that was liberally bestowed by the enthusiastic audience.


Norfolk (Va.) Landmark
—A unique entertainment.  The audience was delighted beyond measure.


Aurora Daily News
—With his drawing-board and crayons, modeling-board and clay, and the piano, Ross Crane is a whole show in himself.  To see and hear him was to get the full value of the season ticket.


Columbus Citizen
—Over 3,000 people gathered at the auditorium Tuesday night to hear Ross Crane.  Not for many years has an entertainer delighted his audience as has Ross Crane.


Detroit Free Press
—The piano burlesques were especially amusing—the little girl practicing her lesson, the young man who signs bass, and the young lady who sings soprano—the last being the gem of the collection.


San Diego Sun
—A brighter or more novel entertainment has not been given in San Diego for years.  Ross Crane is an orator, artist, humorist and philosopher.


Cincinnati Enquirer
—Ross Crane kept the audience in an uproar by his comical sketches and sayings.


Joliet Republican
—Ross Crane was very funny, but he was a great deal more than that.  He showed his audience that the humorist must touch life on all sides and know its pain and sorrow as well as its laughter.  His entertainment was one of the most delightful numbers on the course.


Chicago Record-Herald
—A man of varied powers and an artist in each.  His work with the crayons and clay was a revelation to the audience.


Jefferson City, Mo.
—The strongest number on a strong course.  Ross Crane is a great entertainer.  The auditorium will not hold his audience when he returns.


Portland Oregonian
—An event long to be remembered by the large audience present.  The program was as delightful as it was unique.


Camden Courier
—Cartoonist Ross Crane made a great hit at the Central Y. M. C. A. last night.  He certainly knows how to make the chalk talk, and the clay and piano, as he demonstrated to the delight of the audience.


Omaha World-Herald
—Ross Crane!  Compound of wit and versatility—cartoonist, claymodeler, pianist, humorist, impersonator and philosopher—and a master in every field.


Indianapolis News
—Demonstrated why he has achieved a national reputation as an entertainer.


Albany Argus
—Ross Crane's performance at the R. R. Y. M. C. A. was of the most extraordinary character, impressing his audience as being the result of complete mastery of technic, and exhibiting the ease and mastery of conscious power.


Bloomington Pantagraph
—Ross Crane, within five minutes of his appearance, faced a crowd of laughing, shouting, joyous people.  He can and does do more things in an hour than most folks could attempt in a life-time.


St. Louis Globe-Democrat
—One of the best entertainments on the Y. M. C. A. Star Course was given last night by Ross Crane, the cartoonist.  His work, while varied, was clean-cut and artistic.  He is a master-hand with the crayons, a clever modeler in clay, and his musical take-offs were original and exceedingly funny.


Boston Transcript
—He is not only an artist of ability, but also a clever entertainer.


San Francisco Examiner
—A charming and novel blending of art, wit and philosophy.


Decatur
—Extremely versatile and clever and gave an evening of fun well worth while.


Reading Times
—Mr. Crane possesses a high degree of artistic ability and a rich quality of humorous perception.


Columbus Journal
—He has a decided personality and his keen satirical humor catches his audience from the first.


Dayton Journal
—Ross Crane held the audience in his hand from the beginning to the end.  His witty comments on his handiwork kept the audience in an uproar.  The versatility of this lightning artist is something wonderful.  Crayons, clay or music seem to be a natural part of himself.  He can twist, throw or slam it around anywhere, or in any old way, and the result is a marvel of accuracy.


Danville Register
—Ross Crane fairly astounded his hearers and see-ers by his marvelous mastery of the crayons.  His modeling in the clay, also, in which he fashioned likenesses to famous characters, was a source of wonder and delight.  The most amusing feature was his unique and laughable skits at the piano.


Roanoke Times
—To say that the audience was delighted with Ross Crane would express their appreciation but mildly.  In the first place, the rapidity with which he makes his wonderful drawings is a source of amazement to the spectators.  Then, all of the sketches and the clay models and piano burlesques serve to illustrate a lecture brimful of humor and pathos.


Owensboro (Ky.) Messenger
—The acme of delight for audience at the Chautauqua was reached last night when Ross Crane, the celebrated cartoonist, gave his marvelous entertainment.



SUBJECTS

Looking Human Nature in the Face
Ourselves as Others See Us
The Biggest Fool in the World

(Sundays)



The Soul of AN ARTIST
Showed itself in the Work of ROSS CRANE last night


ROSS CRANE was here last night.  He was advertised as a cartoonist and a modeler in clay.  The program promised an Art-Recital, and the prospect of a good entertainment filled the auditorium.  What is he?  He made pictures with a few strokes of the crayon that caused roars of laughter.  Is that being a cartoonist?  He mixed clay with his hands and threw it with a reckless abandon upon an easel, and lo!  the form of a man, the types of nationalities and the features of well-known characters appeared.  Is that being a modeler in clay?  He sat at the piano and ranged at will between the ridiculous and the sublime, between the hilarious and the pathetic.  Did that entitle him to take part in an Art-Recital?
His handiwork could not be improved upon, for it was the stroke of a master hand.  Like magic chaos gave way and the lines carelessly drawn assumed definite form and shape, and in turn appealed to the laughing, the tender and the impressive side of humanity.  And why?  Because the soul of the true artist was back of it all.—

Wausau (Wis.) Daily.

Stage should be at least sixteen feet wide and eight feet deep.  A piano is required.  And the brighter the lights, the better the effect.



Management CHAUTAUQUA MANAGERS ASSOCIATION Orchestra Bidg. CHICAGO Winter Business, Chicago—Columlian—Coit—Co-operative Bureaus.



BROWN & WHITAKER PRINTERS HAMILTON OHIO




A Splendid Lyeeum Attraction
Ross Crane, the Incomparable!

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And the title is well deserved; for artistic finish, rare versatility, and universal favor with his audiences, he stands at the top.  As an entertainer he is a GREAT Artist.  And an artist from a surprising number of standpoints.  He handles the crayon with vigor and effectiveness.  With a few chunks of mud he molds with the swift magic of his hands the faces of men whom nations love.  He paints word pictures as impressive as his drawings.  He plays the piano with rare expression, and besides all this he is a finished mimic and impersonator.  His work is unique—assembling as it does the sister arts of Music, Painting, Sculpture and Oratory.  We present his programs to our committees as being beyond question the greatest, completest and most artistic one-man entertainments in the Lyceum.

Hedding College— An evening with Ross Crane should popularize the lecture course in any community.  Good, wholesome fun, carefully intermingled with truth, not only gave enjoyment while listening, but left many good things for future thought.—R. H. ESTERBROOK, Vice-President.


Did you ever see the cake walk with a cane?
Did you ever hear the snow bawl in the rain?
Did you ever, being late,
See the clock and paper weight
To hear the chalk talk nonsense with Ross Crane?

Chicago (Central) Y. M. C. A.— We were greatly pleased with the program you gave us on our regular entertainment course.  It was not only highly artistic and instructive but also proved most entertaining and amusing throughout.  Best wishes for your continued success.—W. B. Millar, Social Work Director.

St. Louis (Central) Y. M. C. A.— The entertainment given in our hall by Ross Crane was one of the most delightful of the season.  The audience felt well repaid for braving the vatery night.  We should certainly like to have him again.—E. C. Brownell, Gen'l Sec'y.


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Philadelphia (Germantown) Branch— Gave unqualified satisfaction.  He is a versatile artist, possessing a rich degree of humor, and is unsurpassed in his line of work.  We cordially recommend him.—W. A. Smalley, Secretary.



Ross Crane, the Cartoonist
He deserves the title, as he was formerly cartoonist on a metropolitan newspaper; and his drawings have the bigness, swiftness and vitality which characterize the newspaper cartoons.  He draws a multitude of pictures—in colors—on immense sheets of tinted paper—portraits, caricatures, illustrations of character, landscapes beautiful in the extreme, and marvelous transformation scenes—all drawn with surpassing speed, vigor and accuracy.


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The Lyceumite—Ross Crane is a polished gentlemen, doing many things well and making his points without trying.  That is why he is one of the successes of the Lyceum.—Central Y. M. C. A., Chicago.

Talent—The strong point of Ross Crane's entertainment is the charming personality of the artist.  His manner is that of a cultured gentleman who has something pleasing to say for his friends across the footlights, and takes a joy in doing it.  His cartoons are catchy, the landscapes beautiful, the clay-modeling attractive and pleasing and his vocal and piano burlesques diverting and funny.

Dayton Y. M. C. A.—Ross Crane gave us splendid service and we would be glad to book him for another season.

Oberlin College—It would be difficult for me to express the pleasure your entertainment gave me.  I was as much impressed by the refinement which characterized your fun-making as by your rare ability as an artist.—John Henry Barrows, President.

Sam Jones—Ross Crane is a genius and an artist, and he'll go far, for he mixes brains and heart with his pictures and fun.




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Ross Crane, the Clay-Modeler
Mud-throwing, but no hard feelings.  Perhaps the most fascinating of all the delightful features of the multifold program.  Herein is seen Ross Crane's sure mastery of technic, gained through the artist's years of study from life.  In the space of twenty minutes he produces under the swift magic of his hands six or eight great heads—portraits of historical characters and also of national types and humorous creations, all illustrating the various points of his lecture.




A Supreme Chautauqua Attraction
The Artistic and the Novel

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That is the rare combination most desired by Chautauqua Superintendents.  Something that appeals not only to the most cultured and exacting, but also to that larger class in every community that wants simply to be amused.  Something to draw the crowds.  Ross Crane's work excites curiosity—draws large audiences and delights ALL classes.  His pictures with both crayon and clay are drawn LARGE.  His voice penetrates to the limits of every auditorium and his enunciation is perfect.  He furnishes BIG advertising matter—from circulars and window hangers to three-sheet posters in three colors.

Dr. W. L. Davidson—I have used Ross Crane at eight of my Chautauquas, and both myself and my people were so thoroughly satisfied that I shall repeat him at all of them.  He is absolutely the King of Crayon Artists and a great artist as an entertainer.  There is a high purpose in his work.  His lectures are instructive as well as entertaining.  Humor?—any amount of it.  Always clean, original and spontaneous.  His crayon work is swift and faultless.  His musical skits are unique.  His clay modeling is matchless and gives delightful variety.  His voice is splendid and penetrating.  He is a benediction to any Chautauqua he visits.



James Speed—Chautauqua managers realize that in the selection of talent great ability is not the sole essential.  Chautauqua flavor and temperament are even more essential.  Ross Crane has both in a remarkable degree.  The summer of 1905 I used him for two numbers in my Chautauquas; this past summer for eight full numbers and six morning numbers.  That is the best thing any manager can say of talent he has used.

W. G. Archer—Ross Crane is unsurpassed as a platform cartoonist and as an entertainer.  He was one of the supreme attractions at the Owensboro and Evansville Chautauquas in 1906 and we want him again soon and often.  He is an ideal Chautauqua man in every way.



The Piano Burlesques
People laugh until their sides ache over these imitations—because of their truthfulness.  Little Ada May and her practicing is in almost every household.  The Young Man who Sings Bass—and slides off the key, and the Young Lady and her vocal torture—she who chews gum and dabs it under the piano—these and more are in Ross Crane's collection.



The Illustrated Poems
Here the voice of the poet speaks.  The artist portrays on the canvas a picture of striking beauty, illustrating some masterpiece of literature, while interpreting its motive.  And then seating himself at the piano, softly touches the keys while impressively reciting the poem.  Thus is the crowning touch of beauty placed upon a program filled with light and beauty.




Burlington Hawkeye
—The closing number, an illustration of Tennyson's Crossing the Bar, was exceedingly beautiful, the effect being intensified by the artist's own sympathetic accompaniment on the piano, to his reading of the poem.

Philadelphia (Kensington Branch)—Accept our most hearty thanks for your splendid entertainment.  It was one of the most pleasant features we have ever had, and exceeded my highest expectations.  We shall want you next year.—H. Heebner, Gen'l Sec'y.

Brookfield (Mo.) Y. M. C. A.—A surprise, a delight.  Ross Crane is a true man and a great artist.  His audience lived a delightful hour and a half with him in an ideal world of truth and beauty.—Geo. W. Chapman, Pres. Board of Directors.

Logansport Y. M. C. A.—Our people are still sounding your praises and we hope to have you with us again in the very near future.—N. W. Benning, Gen'l Sec'y.


The St. Louis Globe-Democrat
—The piano Burlesques are so irresistibly funny, simply because they are so true to life.  Transcripts from real life—as Mr. Crane said,—life in a boarding house.


Columbus Citizen
—His piano monologues were uproariously applauded.

Racine, Wis.—The musical monologues convulsed his audience with laughter.

Portland, Ore.—He amused, entertained, delighted and instructed his audience.  His versatility is remarkable.—W. H. Stone, Gen'l Sec'y.


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Ballington Booth—I am delighted with your work.  It is wonderful.  It is more than entertainment.  There is a moral uplift in it that commends it to me.


Newport News, Va.
—Ross Crane has come and gone, leaving with us memories of a most delightful evening—one of the most satisfactory we have ever presented.—C. C. Kent, Jr., Gen'l Sec'y.


Joliet Republican
—Mr. Crane then returned to the crayons, and the poet's voice spoke in him as he interpreted Long-fellow's poem, I Stood on the Bridge at Midnight.
The early sorrow was told, the sorrow of the man for himself.  Time passed, and as the young man grew older he grew wiser, and growing wiser he grew kinder to his fellows.  He saw the human race stooping under its burdens and bearing sorrow and loss and pain.  And at last he rose to the perception that the only way to lighten his own burden was to bear the burdens of others.
And only the sorrows of others Cast a shadow over me.
And sitting down to the piano, the artist interpreted the poet's conception, accompanying the reading with the tender music of the song.
The cartoonist, the humorist, the laugh-maker, left his audience so quiet, so thoughtful, so full of this beautiful thought, that they forgot for a moment to cheer him.  But they did not forget it long.