Date: 1927
Size: 3.5 x 5 inches
Artist: Paul Haase
This mini lithographic poster by Paul Haase showcases Otto Reutter (1870-1931), a German comedian, coupletist, and singer. It is the pared down version of a 1912 ad for a show he was headlining at the Apollo Theater. Particularly notable about Reutter was his ability to deliver original, amusing lyrics in a singsong manner, his persona full of irony and wit. After a successful appearance in the "Wintergarten Variety" of the Berlin Central Hotel, Reutter was hailed as a celebrity, and was considered in the following decades as one of the leading artists of the stage in Germany.
In the 1920s, Reutter wrote many of the songs for which he is still well known today, songs that have been sung by many well-known German artists. He wrote over a thousand Couplets, a German form of amusing cabaret song. His songs didn't just foresee societal changes, but also presented their listeners with comfort in times that required great sacrifice. His songs tended to follow the taste of the times, as well as current events.