| Title |
No more Chinese cheap labor. Celluloid cuffs, collars & bosoms. [graphic]. |
| Publisher |
[United States] : [publisher not identified] |
| Publisher |
UNITED STATES. 1882 |
| Date |
[ca. 1882] |
| Physical Description |
1 print : chromolithograph ; sheet 14 x 8 cm (5.5 x 3.75 in.) |
| Description |
Trade card containing an illustration depicting a racist scene with the figures of Uncle Sam and America, and a Chinese man
laundry worker. In the left, the laundry worker, wearing his hair in a queue and attired in a long-sleeved, orange tunic;
long, wide-legged, white pants; and orange slip-on, cloth shoes; sits on an over-turned wooden wash tub. His eyes are closed,
and he holds his head down in his left hand. His left leg is crossed over his right, and his right hand is on his left ankle.
To his left, the white woman figure of Columbia/America, looks down at the laundry worker and points up with her right hand.
In her left hand, she holds up a shield with the pattern of the American flag and marked "Invention." She wears her dark hair
pulled back to the nape of her neck and is attired in a gown with the pattern of the American flag, a red and blue cap adorned
with a white star, and sandals. An open box of spilled starch lies between her feet and those of the laundry worker. Behind
the laundry worker, is a laundry iron on a shelf, Chinese characters written on a wall, and Uncle Sam resting his arms on
the ledge of an opening in the wall. Uncle Sam has red hair and a beard and is attired in a top hat, a blue jacket with a
white star pattern, a red neck tie, and white shirt with the collar turned up. He looks at America. Above his head is the
sign "Gon Up Chinese Laundry." Patented during the 1860s and 70s, separable celluloid collars, unlike separable paper collars,
were waterproof and longer lasting, as well as fashionable and affordable. Following the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the
celluloid collar industry leveraged the racist legislation to promote the use of celluloid collars as patriotic and as a means
to make Chinese launderers obsolete and to facilitate the end of Chinese immigration.
|
| Notes |
Title from item. |
|
Date inferred from content. |
|
Includes advertising text printed on verso: A New Improvement-Patented. Waterproof Linen. Waterproof-Elastic-Durable. Ladies'
& Gents' Cuffs Collars, [Bossa]ms, Made From Celluloid. In Introducing this new invention [italicized], we beg to call the
attention of the public to some of the remarkable features of this "new departure," [italicized], which will commend the use
of these goods to all who study economy, neatness, and beauty [italicized]. 1st. The Interior is Fine Linen. 2d. The Exterior
is Celluloid. 3d. The Union of Above, Combines the Strength of Linen With The Waterproof Qualities of Celluloid. 4th. The
Expense of Washing Is Saved. If The Goods Are Soiled Simply Wipe Them Off With Soap And Water. 5th. The Goods Never Wilt Or
Fray On Edges. 6th. They Are Perspiration Proof. For Sale by All Gents' Furnishing & Fancy Goods Houses throughout the Country.
|
|
Image caption: "Othello's occupation gone." The Hand Writing on the Wall. |
|
Purchased with funds for the Visual Culture Program. |
|
RVCDC |
| Subject |
Allegories. |
|
Chinese. |
|
Chinese -- Caricatures and cartoons. |
|
Collars. |
|
Columbia (Symbolic character) |
|
Cleaning establishments -- United States. |
|
Ethnic stereotypes. |
|
Flags -- American. |
|
Irons (Pressing) |
|
Laundries -- United States. |
|
Laundries (Rooms & spaces) -- United States |
|
Laundry -- United States. |
|
Laundry workers. |
|
Men -- Chinese. |
|
Plastics industry. |
|
Racism in popular culture. |
|
Uncle Sam (Symbolic character) |
|
Xenophobia. |
|
Queue (Hairstyle) |
|
AAPI. |
| Genre |
Chromolithographs -- 1880-1890. |
|
Trade cards -- 1880-1890. |
| Location |
Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| trade card - Celluloid [P.2021.20.1] |
| Accession number |
P.2021.20.1 |
