Details
Title U. S. B. M. Dockstaders. US BM black mail. Charles and Lewis Dockstader, Carncross' Minstrels, Eleventh St. Opera House, Philadelphia, Pa. [graphic].
Publisher [Philadelphia] : [publisher not identified]
Publisher PA. Philadelphia. 1880
Date [ca. 1880]
Physical Description 1 print : relief ; sheet 9 x 12 cm (3.5 x 4.75 in.)
Description Racist advertisement designed as a postcard to promote Carncross' Minstrels performers the Dockstaders, and the A. Vogeler & Co. patent medicine St. Jacobs Oil. Includes graphic details and vignettes depicting caricatured African Americans in a cancellation mark, stamp, and as postal workers. The cancellation mark (upper left) depicts the right, bust profile of a black man, possibly an allusion to a man in black face. The stamp (upper right) depicts the left, bust profile of a black man, possibly an allusion to a man in black face. In the lower left corner, an African American mail carrier, a mail bag around his shoulder, empties a "U.S.B.M." mailbox attached to a post. His back is to the viewer. In the lower right, an African American mail carrier, a mail bag filled with mail around his shoulder, and holding letters in his hand is depicted in mid stride. The unrelated Charles Dockstader and Lewis, i.e., Lew Dockstader (George Alfred Clapp) partnered in 1878. They joined John L Carncross' Minstrels in Philadelphia in 1880. The Dockstaders continued to perform with Carncross' until 1883 and the illness of Charles ending the partnership. In 1882, the men also performed with George Thatcher's Minstrel's (Philadelphia)and Haverly's Minstrels (St. Louis, Mo.). Lew remained with Carncross until 1886 and the creation of Dockstader's Minstrels.
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.
Notes Title from item.
Date inferred from content.
Printed on verso: Miss Information:-- Most worthy of estimation: After long and serious consideration on the reputation that you have in the nation. I have taken a serious inclination to remove my habitation, to a close situation, in order that I may pay a visitation for the sake of conversation. If this should meet with your approbation, I remain ever yours, without simulation. Ado Ration. P. S.---I thus give affirmation without qualifications that St. Jacobs Oil is the best application in the wide creation.
Description of Blackface minstrelsy from Dorothy Berry, Descriptive Equity and Clarity around Blackface Minstrelsy in H(arvard) T(heater) C(ollection) Collections, 2021.
Housed with the Ellen Phillips Advertising Card Collection.
Purchased with funds for the Visual Culture Program (Junto 2015).
RVCDC
Access points revised 2022.
Description revised 2022.
Subject Carncross, J. L. (John L.) 1834?-
Dockstader, Lew.
Dockstader, C. R. (Charles R.) 1849-1907.
A. Vogeler & Co.
African Americans -- Caricatures and cartoons.
African Americans -- Performances & portrayals.
African American men -- Caricatures and cartoons.
Letter carriers.
Medicine, Popular.
Minstrels.
Racism in popular culture.
Genre Trade cards -- 1870-1880.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| trade cards - Dockstader [P.2017.6]
Accession number P.2017.6