Contributor |
Brown, Irving J., distributor. |
|
Charles Shields' Son, printer. |
Title |
James Boyd's fine shoes. Presented by Irving J. Brown [graphic]. |
Publisher |
New York : Chas. Shields' Sons, 20 & 22 Gold St |
Publisher |
N.Y. New York. 1880 |
Date |
[ca. 1880] |
Physical Description |
1 print : chromolithograph ; sheet 12 x 8 cm (4.5 x 3 in.) |
Description |
Trade card promoting James Boyd's shoes and depicting a racist caricature of an African American man, possibly a peddler,
making a presentation on a stage. The man, portrayed with exaggerated features and manners, stands onstage behind a table
leaning forward with his knuckles pressed onto the surface. He is attired in a brown suit jacket with tails; waistcoat; white
shirt with a white bow tie; gold cuff links; blue pants; and black boots. In his back pocket are rolled up papers. There is
a glass on the table. Beneath it is a top hat. In the foreground, four African American men in the audience listen, interact
with each other, and gesture. They are attired in jackets (brown, yellow plaid, or green) and white collared shirts. The far
left spectator also wears spectacles. The far right spectator raises his hand as if to ask a question. In the background,
some brick is exposed through the painted wall, and a white sign is hung advertising "James Boyd's Fine Shoes." James Boyd
started manufacturing shoes as Barrow & Boyd in New York in 1866. Barrow retired in 1877. James Boyd continued the business,
and in 1884, he added his sons George and William to the firm becoming James Boyd & Sons. Irving J. Brown began selling shoes
in 1877. He had stores at 461 and 944 Congress Street, Portland, Maine until at least 1891.
|
Notes |
Title from item. |
|
Date deduced from the history of the advertised business. |
|
Advertising text printed on verso: [I]r[vin]g J. Brown. ([?] of the gold boot.) Dealer [i]n boots and shoes, is the special
agent for the sale of my goods in Portland. James Boyd, New York City. Highest medals awarded 1873, 1874, 1876, 1877. (Extract
from the judges report.) Forty-second exhibition American Institute. "Case no. 49, made by James Boyd, are perfectly put together.
We have seen all the shoes made in New York for the past twenty years, and this is the Best [?] in our judgment. The uppers
are beautifully [?], and deserve great credit and reward." Elisha Hanshew, E.W. Eaton, C.J. Murray } Judges. [New Yo]rk, Nov.
1873.
|
|
Gift of David Doret. |
Subject |
Boyd, James. |
|
African American men -- Caricatures and cartoons. |
|
Audiences. |
|
Peddlers. |
|
Public speaking. |
|
Racism in popular culture. |
|
Shoe industry -- New York (State) -- New York. |
|
Stages (Platforms). |
Genre |
Chromolithographs -- 1870-1880. |
|
Trade cards -- 1870-1880. |
Associated name |
Brown, Irving J., distributor. |
Printer |
Charles Shields' Son, printer. |
Location |
Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| Goldman Trade Card Collection - Boyd [P.2017.95.16] |
Accession number |
P.2017.95.16 |