Greg Brunk writes:

The Model Artists was an early "nude review". It was opened in the Franklin Museum Building at 127 Grand in 1856 by George Lea, who advertised extensively in the New York Herald. In fact, he had nineteen advertisements in a single issue! It is hard to describe his troupe of "female minstrels," both dressed and undressed. This description of the Franklin Museum appeared in T. Alliston Brown's History of the New York Stage (1903: 23) and he explains the term "model artists."

The Franklin Museum was situated at 127 Grand Street, upstairs, one door from Broadway. It was owned by James Mulligan, who kept a liquor store next door. He also carried on horseshoeing in the basement of 127 Grant Street, The first floor was tenanted by a Mr. Parmelee, who kept a concert saloon. The entire upper part of the building was occupied by Geo Lea, who leased the place at the close of his management of 53 Bowery (April, 1854), and named it the Franklin Museum.

The principal attractions were model artists. On Dec. 7, 1857, there were twenty-seven "ladies," under the direction of Mme. Wharton, who appeared afternoon and evening each day in the week (except Sunday) in fourteen living representations of statuary. The admission was: Orchestra seats, 50 cts,; boxes 25 cts. George Lea continued here until the close of the season of 1859-1860

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:WAYNE'S NUMISMATIC DIARY: MAY 19, 2013(www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v16n20a17.html)