This collection includes historical materials or references to or descriptions of historical materials that may be considered offensive or harmful. Historical records are evidence of the time in which they were created and often contain language and images that are racist, homophobic, sexist, ableist, or otherwise derogatory and insensitive. The Library Company takes responsibility for these materials and their importance for the study of the past seriously. The Library does not endorse the views expressed in these materials.

If you encounter language in this digitized collection, or elsewhere that you find offensive or harmful, or if you have questions about the statement above or about our work, we welcome your feedback. A full statement and feedback form where you can alert us of potentially harmful material is available here.

The Race and Visual Culture Digital Collection contains historical visual material and popular art works, often racist in content, that pertain to the visual culture of race and its social, cultural, and historical complexities and biases. The collection, in correlation with the African American History Graphics Digital Collection, includes over 1,600 images and descriptions of visual material that depict or reference the BIPOC community between the 18th and 20th centuries. The sub collections contained within are arranged by date spans based on the creation date of the item. The supplied titles, descriptions, and subject headings were reviewed, revised, and remediated to include anti-racist language as part of a 2021-2022 remediation cataloging project of our African American History Graphics Collection. Many records still include legacy Library of Congress Subject Headings, which conform to national and institutional cataloging standards that are under review for their continued public use in our catalogs. The collection was first published in 2023.

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50 new elegant embossed chromo cards with your name printed on them, for only 8 cents in stamps. This offer lasts only till October 30, after that our regular price will be charged. Address Star Card Co., East Boston, Mass. Box 38 [graphic].
Racist trade card illustration depicting an African American man peering over a fence and gazing downard. The man is attired in a cap and holds a cane in his left hand. His right hand grips the top of the fence. A sign on the fence bears the advertising text promoting personalized greeting cards. Below the sign is a notice that reads, "Post No Bills." The African American man is depicted with exggerated features., Title from item., Advertising text printed on verso: Read! Read! These cards are something new, Gold Floral, Rememberance, Sentimental, Hand Floral, etc. with Love Friendship and Holiday Mottoes. Besides this maginificent offer we give with every pack, 10 pieces New and Popular music, and with 6 packs we give a fine Nicle-Plated Pocket Fruit knife. Try us once. We want an agent in every city and town. We give fine premiums, or we will allow you to retain 25 cts. on eah Dollars worth of orders sent. Send stamp for Premium List, Circulars, and how to become an agent. It pays. Address Star Card Co., East Boston, Mass., Text is printed in red ink., Gift of David Doret.
An absorbing subject. [graphic].
Racist trade card specimen depicting a caricature an African American man lying on top of a barrel and drinking from it with a straw. Shows the barefooted man, portrayed with exaggerated features, and attired in a straw hat, a striped shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, and patched and torn pants. He lies straddling on top of a wooden barrel and rests his head in his hands. He closes his eyes as he drinks from a straw through a hole in the barrel. The barrel has a label pasted on it and is marked “XXX.” In the foreground, a painter’s palette leans against the front of the barrel., Title from item., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American attired in a cap] [graphic].
Scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man attired in a cap. Shows the bust-length portrait of the man portrayed with exaggerated featured facing left. He is attired in a yellow and orange cap with a black brim. An orange shirt collar is visible., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret and Linda G. Mitchell.
[African American boy and white girl on a candy stick seesaw] [graphic].
Racist, trade card specimen depicting a caricature an African American boy and a white girl on a candy stick seesaw. In the left, shows the white girl attired in a large, white bonnet; a yellow dress with red polka dots; a blue and white checked smock; orange stockings; and brown shoes, sitting on a red and white striped candy stick. In the right, the barefooted African American boy, attired in an orange shirt and gray pants, sits on the other side of the candy see saw. The fulcrum is a piece of chocolate., Title supplied by the cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American boy butler carrying a bouquet of flowers] [graphic].
Scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American boy butler. Shows the full-length portrait of the boy attired in a white shirt and bowtie, a yellow waistcoat, an orange jacket with tails, white gloves, blue pants, and white and black boots. He smiles as he carries a bouquet of flowers in front of him in his right hand. He holds a black top hat and a letter in his left hand., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Duplicate copy [P.2017.95.295]., Gift of David Doret.
[African American boy butler carrying a bouquet of flowers] [graphic].
Scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American boy butler. Shows the full-length portrait of the boy attired in a white shirt and bowtie, a yellow waistcoat, an orange jacket with tails, white gloves, blue pants, and white and black boots. He smiles as he carries a bouquet of flowers in front of him in his right hand. He holds a black top hat and a letter in his left hand., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Duplicate copy [P.2017.95.254]., Gift of David Doret.
[African American boy doorman carrying a bouquet of flowers] [graphic].
Scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American boy doorman or butler. Shows the full-length portrait of the boy attired in a white shirt and bowtie; long, blue coat with gold buttons and trim; white gloves; and white and black boots. He looks at the viewer and smiles as he carries a bouquet of flowers in his left hand. He holds a black top hat with a gold band and a letter in his right hand., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American boy in tree reaching for eggs in a bird’s nest] [graphic].
Racist trade card promoting Joshua Walker’s bone fertilizer and depicting a caricature of an African American boy in a tree trying to take bird eggs from a nest. The barefooted boy is attired in a straw hat that is torn at the top and on the brim and a white, long-sleeved shirt that covers to his thighs. The shirt has a large tear on the left shoulder exposing his chest and arm. With his mouth open, the boy stands on a branch in a tree full of pink flowers. He holds a branch with his right hand and reaches his left hand towards a bird’s nest with two eggs. A yellow and black birds flies away in the lower left. Joshua Walker was a fertilizer merchant who was active circa 1880s-1900 in Baltimore, Md., Title supplied by cataloger., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of the advertised business., Date inferred from the date supplied in the advertising text on the verso., Advertising text printed on verso: Sample No. 1747. Selected at McKnightsto[?]. Office Penn’a Board of Agriculture, Harrisburg, Pa., June 2, 1894. Analysis by Dr. Wm. Frear, Chemist, Pennsylvania State Board of Agr State College P.O., Centre Co., Penn’a. Manufactured by Jo[sh]ua Walker, Baltimore, Md. Name of Fertilizer, -Ec[onomical] [Amm]oniated Bone. Moisture….15.10 a/c 302 [?]g, Bagging, &c.,.. Souluble Phosphoric Acid, …6.68 a/c 134 lbs per ton,…Reverted “ 2.17 a/c 43 “” …Insoluble “” 1.28 a/c 26 “”… Potash…1/14 a/c 23 “” …Nitrogen…1.45 a/c 29 “”… Comparative Commercial value per ton, …, Gift of David Doret.
[African American boy shoe shine being kicked by a white boy clown] [graphic].
Racist, trade card specimen depicting a white boy clown kicking an African American shoe shine boy from behind. In the right, the white boy, attired white clown costume with a white cap decorated with a blue ball, a white shirt with ruffles at the neck and waist, white pants with a ruffle at the cuffs, white stockings, and blue shoes, carries a jump rope in both hands. He smiles at the viewer and kicks his left foot propelling the shoe shiner into the air. The shoe shiner is attired in a blue jacket with tails, white pants, black stockings, and brown shoes. His top hat, shoe shining stool, and open can of shoe polish fly away from him., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American child touching the hair of a crying white baby] [graphic].
Racist, trade card specimen depicting a caricature an African American child, portrayed with exaggerated features, touching the hair of a crying white baby. Shows the barefooted, smiling, African American child, attired in a long-sleeved white layette, seated behind a white child. Both of their hands touch the hair on top of the head of the white baby seated below, who cries with a look of alarm on their face., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American delivery man with a bag of coffee] [graphic].
Racist trade card depicting a genre scene showing an African American delivery man making a delivery to a residence. Shows the man standing on the front steps of a townhouse, looking at the door, and smoking a cigarette. He carries a basket full of packages over his left arm and holds in his right hand, a package of coffee, which is torn. Beans spill out of the package. The man is attired in a black bowler hat, a white collared shirt, a brown jacket, blue pants, a white apron, and black shoes. Image also includes an iron gate in the right., Title supplied by cataloger., Publication information from copyright statement: Copyright R. Hoyt 1882., Gift of David Doret.
[African American domestics holding a white sheet] [graphic].
Racist, trade card specimen depicting caricatures of two smiling African American domestics portrayed with exaggerated features and holding a white sheet. In the left, shows an African American man, attired in hoop earrings; a blue and white striped collared shirt; a red vest; purple pants; yellow striped socks; and black shoes with buckles, holding two corners of a white sheet in his hands. A red and green feather duster lies on the ground at his feet. In the right, an African American woman, attired in a yellow head kerchief with red dots; hoop earrings; a white, beaded necklace; a white, short-sleeved shirt; a pink vest; a blue skirt; white socks; and yellow shoes with red bows, holds the opposite two corners of the sheet. A broom rests against her right shoulder., Title devised by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American girl frightened by a spider] [graphic].
Racist, trade card specimen depicting a caricature an African American girl scared of a spider, which has come down in front of her. Shows the African American girl portrayed with exaggerated features and attired in a white lace dress with a red belt, red stockings, and black shoes. She sits on a wooden bench surrounded by plants and flowers. She has a frightened expression on her face as a spider on a thread has come down right in front of her., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Oversize. Housed with *Trade Cards - Misc., Gift of David Doret and Linda G. Mitchell.
[African American girl laughing with an infant on her lap] [graphic].
Racist, trade card specimen depicting a caricature of an African American girl laughing with an infant on her lap. In the right, shows the African American girl, attired in a red and white checked dress, sitting on the floor. She tilts her head back in laughter as she holds a white infant, attired in a white layette and a triangular paper hat. In the left, a blond-haired white girl, attired in a white dress and red shoes, looks on., Title devised by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American infant sitting on a blanket] [graphic].
Racist, trade card specimen depicting a caricature of an African American infant girl sitting on a blanket. Shows the African American infant, attired in a white dress with pink checks, sitting on top of a pink and yellow blanket. She looks and smiles at the viewer and holds the skirt of her dress in her hands. She sits in a field with sunflowers behind her., Title devised by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man at the window with a white cloth] [graphic].
Racist, trade card specimen depicting a caricature of an African American man holding a white cloth out of the window. Shows the African American man portrayed with exaggerated features and attired in a white collared shirt with red stripes and a blue vest. He stands at an open window with his head and upper torso outside of the building and holds a white cloth in both hands, which hangs out of the window. The exterior of the building is yellow brick., Title devised by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man attired in a black top hat decorated with a gold band and blue flower, a white collared shirt, a gold jacket with epaulettes, and gold hoop earrings] [graphic].
Die-cut scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man attired in a black top hat decorated with a gold band and blue flower, a white collared shirt, a gold jacket with epaulettes, and gold hoop earrings. Shows the bust-length portrait of the man facing to the left., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Duplicate copy of [P.2017.95.276]., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man attired in a black top hat decorated with a gold band and blue flower, a white collared shirt, a gold jacket with epaulettes, and gold hoop earrings] [graphic].
Die-cut scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man attired in a black top hat decorated with a gold band and blue flower, a white collared shirt, a gold jacket with epaulettes, and gold hoop earrings. Shows the bust-length portrait of the man facing to the left., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Duplicate copy of [P.2017.95.293]., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man attired in a brown hat and smoking a cigar] [graphic].
Die-cut scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man attired in a brown hat, a white collared shirt, a red and white striped tie, a brown jacket, and a gold earring. The bust-length portrait of the man faces right as he smokes a cigar., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man attired in a gray hat and smoking a cigar] [graphic].
Die-cut scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man smoking a cigar. Shows the bust-length portrait of the man, attired in a gray top hat with a red band, gold hoop earrings, a white collared shirt, a green and blue bowtie, and a red jacket. He has a cigar in his mouth and looks to the left., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man attired in a gray hat with a blue striped band, a pink collared shirt with blue polka dots, and a green striped tie] [graphic].
Die-cut scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man attired a gray hat with a blue striped band, a pink collared shirt with blue polka dots, and a green striped tie. Shows the bust-length portrait of the man smiling and looking to the left., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man attired in a white collared shirt and beige bowtie] [graphic].
Die-cut scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man attired a white collared shirt and beige bowtie. Shows the bust-length portrait of the man facing left with his mouth open. He is portrayed with exaggerated features and attired in a white collared shirt and beige bowtie., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret and Linda G. Mitchell.
[African American man attired in spectacles, a black top hat, a white shirt with an oversized collar, a red bowtie, and a plaid, beige jacket] [graphic].
Die-cut scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man attired in spectacles, a black top hat, a white shirt with an oversized collar, a red bowtie, and a plaid, beige jacket. Shows the bust-length portrait of the man smiling as he looks down., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret and Linda G. Mitchell.
[African American man holding a cigar] [graphic].
Scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man holding a cigar. Shows the bust-length portrait of the man attired in a white top hat with a blue band, a white shirt with an oversized collar, a white bowtie with red dots, and a blue jacket. He looks at the viewer and smiles as he holds a cigar in his left hand. Red, pink, and white flowers are in the left foreground., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man holding on to a bucking donkey] [graphic].
Die-cut scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man holding on to a bucking donkey. Shows the man, attired in a black top hat, a white jacket, blue pants, red socks, and black shoes, grasping on to a bucking donkey. He wraps his arms around the donkey’s neck and his legs press against the donkey’s back as he tries to hold on. His eyes and mouth are opened wide. The gray donkey sinks his head down and kicks his back legs up., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man jockey] [graphic].
Die-cut scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man jockey. Shows the bust-length portrait of the man smiling and facing left. He is attired in a red and yellow jockey cap and a red and yellow jockey shirt, which has a yellow tie., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man jockey] [graphic].
Die-cut scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man jockey attired in a red jockey cap with yellow stripes and a blue band, a white collared shirt and bowtie, a red jacket, and a gold earring. Shows the bust-length portrait of the man smiling and facing to the right., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man looking through a hand lense] [graphic].
Die-cut scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man looking through a hand lense or magnifying glass. Shows the man attired in a red top hat with a black band, a white collared shirt, a white bowtie with a gold pin, a yellow waistcoat, a blue jacket with gold buttons, off-white gloves, and red and white striped pants. He stands facing to the left and looks through a hand lense or magnifying glass, which he holds in his right hand., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret and Linda G. Mitchell.
[African American man ministrel playing the bones and dancing] [graphic].
Scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man minstrel playing the bones and dancing. Shows the full-length portrait of the man attired in a white collared shirt and bowtie, a white waistcoat with blue polka dots, a green and orange jacket with tails, red and white striped pants, and brown shoes. He jumps up in a dance step with his right leg up. He plays the bones in his left hand., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man minstrel] [graphic].
Racist, trade card specimen depicting a caricature of an African American man minstrel dancing. Shows the African American man, portrayed with exaggerated features and spindly arms and legs, attired in a black top hat with a peacock feather, yellow gloves, a white shirt with an oversized collar, a yellow and black striped bowtie, a green jacket with tails, pink leggings, and black shoes. He smiles at the viewer with both hands out to his sides and his left foot forward in a dance step., Title devised by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man minstrel bowing holding a banjo] [graphic].
Racist, trade card specimen depicting a caricature of an African American man minstrel holding a banjo. Shows the African American man minstrel portrayed with exaggerated features and attired in a brown top hat, a blue and white striped shirt with an oversized collar, a yellow bowtie, an orange jacket with tails, a rose boutonniere, green pants, and black buckled shoes. He stands facing to the right slightly bend over as though taking a bow, with his left hand out at his side. He holds a white banjo by the neck in his right hand., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man minstrel dancing] [graphic].
Racist, trade card specimen depicting a caricature of an African American man minstrel dancing. Shows the African American man, portrayed with exaggerated features and spindly arms and legs, attired in a white shirt with an oversized collar, a blue tie, a green jacket with tails, green pants, and white shoes. He smiles broadly with his arms pointed down and out to the sides and his left foot back in a dance step., Title devised by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man minstrel dancing with a cigar] [graphic].
Racist, trade card specimen depicting a caricature of an African American man minstrel dancing. Shows the African American man, portrayed with exaggerated features and spindly arms and legs, attired in a black top hat, white gloves, a white collared shirt, a red tie, a brown jacket, orange pants, and black shoes. He sways to the left and places his left hand on his hip. He crosses his right arm across his body and holds a lit cigar between his fingers. His right foot comes forward in a dance step., Title devised by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man minstrel playing a drum] [graphic].
Racist, trade card specimen depicting a caricature of an African American man minstrel drummer. Shows the man, in near profile, smiling and beating drumsticks on a drum strapped to his chest. He is attired in black shoes; pants with a stripe; a white jacket with flowers and long tails, with large buttons; a white ruffled shirt with a high collar; and a white top hat with a black band., Title devised by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Printed in blue ink., Text stamped on recto: [No.] 478, 4 designs, price $1.55 per 1000., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man minstrel playing the accordion] [graphic].
Scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man minstrel playing an accordion. Shows the man, portrayed with exaggerated features, attired in a white collared shirt, a blue tie, a brown jacket, blue and white checked pants, pink socks, and brown shoes. He smiles at the viewer as he plays the accordion, holding it in both hands in front of him., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man minstrel playing the accordion] [graphic].
Scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man minstrel playing the accordion. Shows the man attired in a white top hat with a black band, a white shirt with an oversized collar, a yellow jacket with red polka dots and tails, and red and white striped pants. He opens his mouth as he plays the accordion, which he pulls apart in both of his hands. A plant with long, green leaves is visible in the background., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret and Linda G. Mitchell.
[African American man minstrel playing the banjo] [graphic].
Scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man minstrel playing the banjo. Shows the full-length portrait of the man attired in a white collared shirt, a blue bowtie with white polka dots, a white waistcoat, a white jacket with red polka dots and tails, yellow pants with blue stripes, and black shoes. He looks at the viewer and strums a banjo as he lifts his left leg up in a dance step., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual material., Gift of David Doret and Linda G. Mitchell.
[African American man minstrel playing the bones] [graphic].
Die-cut scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man minstrel playing the bones and dancing. Shows the full-length portrait of the man portrayed with an oversized head and attired in gold hoop earrings, a blue jacket with yellow trim and tails, a white waistcoat, and green bowtie with red polka dots, yellow and red striped pants, and black shoes. He looks at the viewer and smiles as he holds bones in both of his hands. His legs are bent and his heels are off the ground as he dances on the grass., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man minstrel playing the clarinet] [graphic].
Racist, trade card specimen depicting a caricature an African American man minstrel playing the clarinet. Shows the African American man minstrel portrayed with exaggerated features and attired in a red cap, a white shirt with an oversized collar, a green bowtie, a brown jacket, blue and white striped pants, and brown shoes. He walks forward and carries a clarinet in both of his hands, which he holds up to his lips., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
[African American man minstrel playing the drums] [graphic].
Die-cut scrap depicting a racist caricature of an African American man minstrel playing the drum. Shows the full-length portrait of the man, attired in a white hat with a blue band, a white collared shirt, a white bowtie, a blue jacket with tails, white pants, and black shoes. A gold strap is slung around his shoulders, which carries the red and gold drum. He smiles as he beats the drum with a drumstick with a ball on the end that he holds in his right hand., Title supplied by cataloger., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.

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