Details
Title Frank Miller's crown dressing. [graphic] : Yes missus dat am de Crown of Dressing shua!
Publisher [New York] : [publisher not identified]
Publisher N.Y. New York. 1870
Date [ca. 1870]
Physical Description 1 print : lithograph ; sheet 8 x 11 cm (3 x 4 in.)
Description Racist trade card depicting an African American maid shining a white woman's boots. The African American woman is depicted in profile and holds a bottle of Frank Miller's Crown Dressing in her left hand. The white woman holds up the skirt of her dress to reveal her left boot. The maid is attired in a head wrap, a dress with the sleeves rolled, an apron, and flat shoes. The white woman is attired in a ruffled, dark-colored dress, flowers in her hair, and leather boots. A bottle of Frank Miller's Crown Dressing sits atop an ornamented table. A bottle of Frank Miller's Crown dressing is also printed on the verso. A tassel is visible above the bottle and a curtain is visible behind it. Frank Miller & Co. was a New York manufacturer of shoe polish based in Manhattan. The company was founded in the 1860s and continued operating throughout the late 19th century.
Notes Title from item.
Printed in red ink.
Advertising text printed on verso: Frank Miller's Crown Dressing in 4-oz. bottles, with wire, sponge, and cork. Gives a rich gloss, with a deep and durable color. While most dressings crack the leather, the Crown does not injure it in the least, and for ladies' and children's boots and shoes is rapidly displacing all others.
Gift of David Doret.
Subject Frank Miller & Co.
African American household employees.
African American women -- Caricatures and cartoons.
Polishes industry -- New York -- New York.
Racism in popular culture.
Shoe shining.
Women domestics.
Genre Lithographs. -- 1860-1870
Trade cards. -- 1860-1870.
Location Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| Goldman Trade Card Collection - Miller [P.2017.95.127]
Accession number P.2017.95.127

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