Details
Creator McGreer, John, 1839-1908.
Contributor Eytinge, Solomon, 1833-1905, artist.
Printer Cartoon Printing Co., publisher.
Title No. 8 Return from the honeymoon tour [graphic] / McGreer.
Publisher Chicago, Ill.: Cartoon Printing Co., [1881]
Publisher ILL. Chicago. 1881
Physical Description 1 photograph on card mount: albumen ; mount 11 x 17 cm (4.5 x 6.5 in.)
Description Eighth scene in a racist series of African American caricatures originally created for Harper's Weekly in 1878 by Sol Eytinge that satirized the courtship and marriage of and the start of families by "The Twins." The African American figures are depicted with exaggerated features and mannerisms. Shows the twins and their husbands in fashion-forward attire promenading down the street of their small town. In the right, an older man in the stance of the minstrel character of Jim Crow, and an older woman attired in a bonnet, polka dot dress, and apron, and leaning on a tree laugh at the couples as they approach them. From a distance, "Dr. Black" watches them from astride his donkey. Townscape, including a storefront with signage reading “Groceries” and “Watchin Dun Hyar,” as well as a “Eatin House” and saloon is visible in the background. Figures are visible in the windows of the grocery store.
Blackface minstrelsy is a popular entertainment form, originating in the United States in the mid-19th century and remaining in American life through the 20th century. The form is based around stereotypical and racist portrayals of African Americans, including mocking dialect, parodic lyrics, and the application of Black face paint; all designed to portray African Americans as othered subjects of humor and disrespect. Blackface was a dominant form for theatrical and musical performances for decades, both on stage and in private homes. Jim Crow (mid to late 19th century) was a Minstrel character representing enslaved/rural Black manhood as foolish, lazy, interested in shirking labor.
Notes Title from item.
Inscribed on original drawing: Reproduced from sketch in Harpers Weekly by the Cartoon Printing Co. Chicago.
Date from copyright statement in other photographs in series: Copyrighted 1881 John McGreer, Chicago, Ill.
Name of artist from stamp on verso: McGreer Chicago.
Description of Blackface minstrelsy and minstrel character from Dorothy Berry, Descriptive Equity and Clarity around Blackface Minstrelsy in H(arvard) T(heater) C(ollection) Collections, 2021.
Purchased with the Davida T. Deutsch African American History Fund.
Lib. Company. Annual Report, 2017, p. 52.
RVCDC
Desciption revised 2022.
Access points revised 2022.
Subject African Americans -- Clothing & dress.
African Americans -- Social life and customs.
African American couples -- Caricatures and cartoons.
African American physicans -- Caricatures and cartoons.
African American women -- Caricatures and cartoons.
City & town life.
Crow, Jim (Fictitious character).
Etiquette.
Race relations.
Racism in popular culture.
Spectators.
Twins.
Walking.
Genre Albumen prints -- 1880-1890.
Genre photographs -- 1880-1890.
Reproductions -- 1880-1890.
Satires (Visual works) -- 1880-1890.
Associated name Printer Cartoon Printing Co., publisher.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| photo - 5 x 7 - Unid. - Events [P.2017.26.7]
Accession number P.2017.26.7