Details
Creator Summers, William artist.
Contributor Hunt, Charles engraver.
Hunt, Charles, engraver.
T. C. Lewis & Co., publisher.
Title Life in Philadelphia. An unfair reflection. [graphic] / Designd & drawn by W. Summers; Hunt sculpt.
Publisher London: Lewis & Co. 79 Leadenhall St
Publisher ENG. London. 1860
Date [ca. 1860]
Physical Description 1 print: hand-colored aquatint; sheet 38 x 29 cm (15 x 11.5 in.)
Inscribed: No. 2.
Description Racist caricature depicting an African American man dandy, in his bedroom, grooming himself in front of a full-length mirror adorned with a candle holder and lit candle. He holds a brush up with his right hand to the top of his head of hair which is in a pompadour style. He holds a comb in his left hand that rests on his hip. He stands with his legs apart. He is attired in a green waistcoat with tails, a white shirt and cravat, yellow vest, black pants, and black shoes. A handkerchief hangs out of the back pocket of his jacket. He ponders Miss Carolina's "unfair reflection" about the "paleness" of his complexion. Scene also includes a pitcher and towel rest, a partial view of a bed with a canopy next to a bedside table on which a straightening iron rests beside a candle stick. Also shows a full-length rug on the floor. The man is depicted with oversize and exaggerated features. His skin tone is depicted with black hand coloring.
Notes Title from item.
Date inferred from content and name of publisher.
Contains one bubble of dialogue in the vernacular within image: It was Bery unfair of Miss Carolina to Reflect on Paleness ob my Complexion. I consider dat I hab got a bery Good Color.
Charles Hunt was a respected 19th-century London engraver and etcher known mostly for his prints of sporting subjects.
RVCDC
Description revised 2022.
Access points revised 2022.
Subject African Americans -- Caricatures and cartoons.
African American men -- Caricatures and cartoons.
African Americans -- Clothing & dress -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
African American men -- Clothing & dress -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Bedrooms -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Grooming
Middle class -- Clothing & dress -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Racism in popular culture.
Genre Caricatures -- 1860-1870.
Aquatints -- Hand-colored -- 1860-1870.
Illustrator Hunt, Charles, engraver.
Printer T. C. Lewis & Co., publisher.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| Life in Philadelphia (London Set) [P.9713.1]
Accession number P.9713.1