Hi Paul,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

Amos ’n’ Andy was one of the most influential—and controversial—comedies in U.S. entertainment history. They were created by Freeman Gosden and Charles Correll in 1928. It began as a radio sitcom about two Black characters, Amos Jones and Andrew “Andy” Brown. At its peak, the radio show drew tens of millions of listeners—comparable to a Super Bowl-sized audience every night. The show helped define the sitcom format: recurring characters, catchphrases, and serialized humor.

Gosden and Correll, who were two white performers, voiced all the roles on radio; it was later adapted in a TV series for CBS but had an all-Black cast; for many performers, it provided rare network-level employment in the early 1950s.

The show influenced later radio/TV comedy writing and production models. However, it was also a textbook example of harmful stereotyping in which characters leaned on caricatured speech and tropes that many viewers, especially in the Black community, found demeaning. Led to sustained protests by civil-rights groups; CBS eventually pulled the TV series from syndication in the 1960s. Today it’s widely cited in media-studies courses as an example of how popular entertainment can both break barriers and reinforce prejudice.

George Maillard Kesslere (1894-1979) was an art photographer working primarily in New York City, in the 1920s and 30s.

This Amos & Andy photo is modestly rare and other signed photos that have sold at auction have brought prices ranging from $150-450, with those selling most recently bringing $150-250; the fact that this has an inscription to your family member adds a bit of sentimental but nominal market value.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

George Maillard Kesslere (1894-1979)
"Amos 'n Andy"
With presentation inscription "To Ms. Hermione Collingwood Sincerely Amos n Andy
10 by 8 inches
CONDITION: This appears to be in good condition.
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$150-300*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto. And, if you celebrate Thanksgiving, happy holiday!
~ Delia