Contributor |
National Bureau of Engraving, engraver. |
Title |
Mason's challenge blacking Philadelphia [graphic] / National Bureau of Engrav[ing] Philada., 435 Chestnut Street. |
Publisher |
Philadelphia |
Publisher |
PA. Philadelphia. 1877 |
Date |
[ca. 1877] |
Physical Description |
1 print : albumen on card mount ; mount 11 x 7 cm (4.25 x 2.5 in.) (carte-de-visite format) |
Description |
Photographic reproduction of a racist and whimsically absurd advertisement, including an African American shoe shiner, to
promote the premier manufactory of blacking established in 1832 by James S. Mason. Depicts the shoe-shiner "blacking" a boot
near a white shoe-shine boy with a puppet and a dog. The shoe-shiner, portrayed with grotesque features, holds a brush overhead
in his right hand and a boot over the hand of his other arm. He wears a button-down shirt with an open collar, suspenders,
and breeches. To his right, is an oversize boot on which the boy has a propped a puppet. The puppet is an African American
dandy-like character. The puppet attired in a jacket and high collar shirt holds an umbrella above his head. A dog, as he
looks behind, flees from the puppet. The dog's face is reflected in the foot of the boot. The young shoe-shiner, attired in
a cap, jacket, and breeches, smiles and points toward the dog. Scene also includes an oversize opened tin of blacking in the
foreground. Following the death of Mason in 1888, his son Richard assumed the business which was in operation into the 20th
century.
|
Notes |
Date inferred from address of engraving firm. |
|
Advertising text printed on verso: July 15th, Reduced prices Mason's Challenge Blacking. Net prices, ornamental cases, adapted
for display in retail stores, or shipping, without re-packing, holding three dozen each. No. 1, or Small Size, per doz. 25
cts. " 2, or N. Medium Size, " 30 ." " 4, or Large Size, "50." To obtain this Blacking in the original Show Cases, not less
than three dozen of a kind should be ordered. The American News Company, New York.
|
Subject |
James S. Mason & Co. |
|
Polishes industry -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia. |
|
Puppets. |
|
Shoe shiners. |
|
Shoe shining. |
|
African American shoe shiners. |
Genre |
Albumen prints -- 1870-1880. |
|
Advertisements -- 1870-1880. |
Location |
Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| cdv - unid. photo. - Advertisements - M [P.2016.65] |
Accession number |
P.2016.65 |