Details
Creator Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857, artist.
Title Philadelphia fashions, 1837. [graphic] / C.
Publisher New York : Printed and publ'd by H.R. Robinson, 52 Courtlandt Strt
Date 1837
Physical Description 1 print : lithograph ; sheet 47 x 33 cm (18.5 x 12.75 in.)
Description Racist cartoon depicting middle class African American Philadelphians used to arouse Northern anti-Black fears that well-to-do African Americans threatened the racial status quo. Depicts a physically attractive and elegantly dressed African American man and woman couple who have stopped during a stroll. The woman, attired in a large bonnet, elegant gown, and holding a parasol asks in the vernacular, "What you look at Mr. Frederick Augustus?" The man, attired in a suit, a top hat, and holding a walking cane in one hand and a monocle to his eye with the other answers, "I look at dat White loafer wot looks at me. I guess he from New York." The man and woman also each wear broaches depicting portraits. The couple are possibly prominent African American Philadelphians Frederick Augustus Hinton and Elizabeth Willson Hinton.
Notes Title from item.
Date from copyright statement: Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1837, by H.R. Robinson in the Clerk's Office of the Dist Court of the U.S. of the Southern District of N. York.
Due to the similar content of this caricature to the prints from the series, "Life in Philadelphia," the lithograph has been catalogued as a part of the series.
Purchase 1958.
RVCDC
Description revised 2021.
Access points revised 2021.
Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Biographical / historical note E.W. Clay (1799-1857), born in Philadelphia, was a prominent caricaturist, engraver, and lithographer who created the "Life in Philadelphia" series which racially lampooned middle-class African American Philadelphians of the late 1820s and early 1830s.
Subject African American men -- Caricatures and cartoons.
African American women -- Caricatures and cartoons.
African Americans -- Caricatures and cartoons.
African Americans -- Clothing and dress -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Race relations -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia.
Racism in popular culture.
Women.
Genre Lithographs -- 1830-1840.
Political cartoons -- 1830-1840.
Printer Robinson, Henry R., -1850, publisher.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| Political Cartoons - 1837 - Phi [6281.F]
Accession number 6281.F