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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B.F. Gilmore, trunks and traveling bags, 237 Westminster St., Prov., R.I. [graphic].
Racist, satiric trade card promoting B.F. Gilmore's luggage store in Providence, R.I. Depicts a genre scene of an African American woman speaking with an African American man who unknowingly squirts a white man with a hose. The figures are caricaturized and portrayed with exaggerated features. In the right, the African American woman domestic, attired in a red headkerchief and a yellow dress, stands at a waist-high green fence. She crosses her arms and carries a feather duster in her left hand as she speaks with an African American man on the other side of the fence. The man, attired in a white shirt, a blue jacket with gold buttons, and green pants, gestures with his left hand as he talks to the woman. In his right hand, he carries a hose, which he accidently sprays on a white man walking down the sidewalk. The brown-haired white man has a mustache and is attired in black shoes, green striped pants, a white collared shirt with a red tie, a green waistcoat, and a green jacket. He opens his mouth and throws both hands up in alarm as the water knocks the top hat off of his head. In the right background, trees and part of a white house are visible. Benjamin F. Gilmore (1833-1906) established a business manufacturing and selling luggage in Providence, Rhode Island. The business operated until circa 1902., Title from item., Place of publication inferred from place of operation of the advertised business., Date from copyright statement: Copyrighted 1877., Gift of David Doret.
Bissell & Underwood, wholesale and retail dealers in staple and fancy groceries, provisions, flour, fruit, canned goods, choice teas, spices, &c., &c., Turner's block, Church Street, Willimantic Conn. [graphic].
Trade card promoting grocers Bissell & Underwood and depicting a racist scene of barefooted, African American men knocked about from a kicking mule in the middle of a cottonfield. In the center, a mule equipped with a saddle and reins, kicks its back feet into the air, above a wooden board lying on the ground. In the right, a man attired in a blue shirt and white, checked pants, tumbles onto his back and with his legs in the air. Near him a man attired in blue and white striped pants and an orange, checked shirt, runs away. In the left, a man attired in blue pants and a white shirt falls to the ground, head first and upside down. In the lower left, the lower leg and bare foot of a person attired in blue and white striped pants and running away is visible. In the background, a man with a hat and checked shirt stands with both arms up in the air in alarm. Two figures gathering cotton are also visible in the distance. Bissell & Underwood's store was closed and sold for auction in 1881., Title from item., Name of publisher from copyright statement: Copyrighted Bufford, Boston., Date deduced from the history of the advertised business., Text printed on the recto: And he got!, Gift of David Doret.
Bissell & Underwood, wholesale and retail dealers in staple and fancy groceries, provisions, flour, fruit, canned goods, choice teas, spices, &c., &c., Turner's block, Church Street, Willimantic Conn. [graphic].
Trade card promoting grocers Bissell & Underwood and depicting a racist scene of barefooted, African American men trying to get a downed mule on its feet in a cotton field. The men are depicted with exaggerated features. In the center, the mule lies on its side on the ground. Its feet are pointed to the viewer. In the right, a man attired in blue and white checked pants rolled up to his knees and an orange checked shirt pulls the mule's head by the reins. To the left, two men, one attired in blue pants and orange shirt, and the other in blue pants and green shirt, push a wooden board as a wedge under the mule. In the left, a fourth man, attired in white pants and blue shirt pulls on the mule's tail. Behind him, in the background, a man attired in blue pants, an orange shirt, and brimmed hat holds a hoe and watches the scene. In the far right distance, laborers with baskets on their back pick cotton. Bissell & Underwood's store was closed and sold for auction in 1881., Title from item., Name of publisher from copyright statement: Copyrighted Bufford, Boston., Date deduced from the history of the advertised business., Text printed on recto: Oh git!, Gift of David Doret.
Bloch. Bros. West Virgina mail pouch tobacco. I tell you breddern, it pays you to read erbout W.V.A Mail Pouch terbacker on de oder side dis yer card [graphic].
Trade card promoting the Bloch Brothers' chewing tobacco. Depicts a racist caricature of an older African American man tobacco peddler portrayed with exaggerated features and selling his product in a clumsy manner on a stage. He looks flabbergasted, stands behind a small table with two leaves drawn open, and holds a green umbrella over his head with his right hand. He holds the top of the table with his other hand while a pitcher, cup of water, and a lit candle in a candlestick fall off of the table or fly in the air. An illustrated package of "Bloch Brothers' Mail Pouch Tobacco" falls toward the audience. On the stagefloor in front of the table is a brown bottle with a lit candle, a hurricane lantern, a candle in a candlestick, and a brimmed hat. Behind the salesman in the right is an open bag with a boot and clothes spilling out. A clock hangs on the back wall. In the foreground, the backs of four men’s heads in the audience are visible. The white-haired salesman is attired in a red, plaid suit; a red tie waving in the air; white collared shirt; black boots; and spectacles. Brothers Aaron and Samuel Bloch founded the Bloch Brothers Tobacco Company in Wheeling, West Virginia in 1879 by manufacturing cigars. They created Mail Pouch chewing tobacco by flavoring and packaging leftover cigar clippings. Bloch Brothers was sold in 1969 to the General Cigar and Tobacco Company, which became a division of Culbro in 1978. The Company was acquired by the Helme Tobacco Company in 1983 and later changed its name to Swisher International. Swisher continues to produce Mail Pouch tobacco into the 21st century., Title from item., Date inferred from the history of the advertised business and the attire of figures depicted., Distributor's imprint stamped on verso: Jacob G. Shirk, 886 N. Christian St., Lancaster, PA., Stamp partially visible on recto: Note: [?] Jacob Shirk, [308?] N. Christian Street., Advertising text printed on verso: To consumers of smoking and chewing tobacco: There has for years been a demand for a superior smoking tobacco, something cheap and meritorious, reverse from most brands, which are only manufactured for the profits derived by the manufacturer and the dealer, with no satisfaction to the consumer. It is a reform in Tobaccos, no stems to smoke nor mysterious compounds to chew. The qualities that recommend "Mail Pouch" Tobacco strongest as an article of merit, are:-- 1st. That it is a combination of Long Cut manipulated Virginia, Kentucky, Connecticut and Pennsylvania Leaf, by our own and original process, which makes it a cool smoke and a lasting chew. 2nd. In cheap tobaccos the smoker has been so long dosed with doctored, perfumed stuff, flattened stems mixed in with common Tobacco, to get something free from noxious flavorings and adulterations, is a result that must be appreciated. 3d. We claim that it is, without exception, the best and cheapest Tobacco ever offered to the consumer. The popularity of the W. Va. Mail Pouch Smoking and Chewing Tobacco is sufficient recommendation. It has attained its success and demand on its merits and sterling worth, it therefore has many imitators, but no equal. Bloch Bros., M'f'rs, Wheeling, W.Va., Gift of David Doret.
Boy's department. Commonwealth Clothing House, 680 & 684 Washington St., (cor. Beach) Geo. W. Warren, Manager [graphic].
Trade card promoting Commonwealth Clothing House and whimsically depicting an African American girl acrobat. Shows the girl standing on a bubble, looking down, and holding a straw in her hands with large bubbles at either end. She is barefoot and attired in ankle bracelets; a striped dress with shoulder cut-outs; hoop earrings; and a bow atop her head. Another bubble floats near her legs. Charles V. Whitten, Horatio S. Burdett, and Amos S. Young founded the Boston men's and boys' clothing manufactory Whitten, Burdett & Young in 1862. The firm opened the retail store, Commonwealth Clothing House, in December 1888. Store manager George W. Warren left the business in 1895., Title from item., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of advertised business., Date deduced from history of advertised business., Text printed on recto: $9., Series number on recto: 309., Gift of David Doret.
Brother Gardner addresses the lime kiln club on the virtues of Dixon's Stove Polish [graphic].
Racist, satiric trade card promoting Joseph Dixon Crucible Company's stove polish and depicting a caricature of an African American man presenting Dixon’s Stove Polish to the African American men members of the Lime Kiln Club. Shows Brother Gardner, the white-haired, African American man, in the left with spectacles on his forehead and attired in a white collared shirt with a red bowtie, an orange jacket with a sunflower on the lapel, red and white checked pants, and black shoes. He stands holding a blue box of Dixon’s in his left hand and a gavel in his right hand. In the left is a wooden table with a blue pitcher and a top hat on top of it and a sign that reads, “Dixon’s Carburet of Iron Stove Polish.” Brother Gardner addresses the men in the vernacular, who are identified by number with the key of their names on the verso of the card. In the right, the man, attired in a striped white collared shirt, a red tie, a white and blue striped jacket, yellow and red striped pants, and black shoes, sits on a wooden chair and examines a blue box of Dixon’s in his hands. Beside him another man, balding with tufts of white hair on the sides of his head and a white beard and attired in a red jacket and blue striped pants, kneels down and carries a brush in his right hand. Behind them two men sit on chairs and an additional nine men stand and listen to Brother Gardner. In the background, the wall reads, “Lime Kiln Club, Paradise Hall.” A horseshoe and framed prints that read “Beautify your homes” and “Rules of the Lime Kiln Club” hang on the wall. In the center is a large, black stove., The African American "Lime Kiln Club" caricatures originally were devised by Charles Bertrand Lewis (i.e., M. Quad) in the Detroit Free Press. The Joseph Dixon Crucible Company, established by Joseph Dixon in Salem, Mass. in 1827, produced graphite pencils, crucibles and stove polish, and relocated to Jersey City, N.J. in 1847. In 1868, the firm name changed from Joseph Dixon & Co. to the Jos. Dixon Crucible Co. In 1870 the firm won a trademark case against a Philadelphia competitor selling J.C. Dixon Stove Polish., Title from item., Date from copyright statment: Copyright 1886., Advertising text printed on verso: The Lime Kiln Club, Brother Gardner in the Chair. “Dis Club hab ebery reason to be proud of de Stove Committee. We has tried all de other stove polishes. We has been stunk out wid so-called peperahuns and seen de piping rust to pieces, till de stove-pipe wus a tumbled down disgrace to de good name of de Lime Kiln Club. De honah of dis occashun belongs to Brudder Shindig, who has made a name for hisself, by introducing Dixon’s Big cake of Stove Polish, and has covered hisself wid shine. Stand up, Brudder Shindig, and let us gaze upon your countenance. Now, my frens, let us draw a lesson from dis: Seek and find out for yerselves, and when you’s got a good ting stick to it, so dat, like DIXON’S STOVE POLISH, you may not only be a use to de community in which yer libes, but a shining example for de rest of mankind. “De club owes a vote of thanks to de Stove Committee, an’ to Brudder Shindig in particular, an’ extend de heartfelt thanks of de Lime Kiln Club to DIXONS for de valuable addition to de comfits of dis life through their CARBURET OF IRON STOVE POLISH. Wid one drawback, Brudder Shindig—you orer haf found dis outen befo’ for de DIXON’S STOVE POLISH has bin in de market SINCE 1827,--58 YEARS.” (Signed) No. 1. Bro. Gardner, 2. Old Man Jenkins, 3. Bro. Shindig, 4. Give-A-Dam Jones, 6. Sundown Davis, No. 7. Accordingly Davis, 8. Stepoff Johnson, 9. Trustee Pullback, 10. Sickles Smith, 11. Sir Isaac Walpole, 12. Layback Jones, Committee., Advertising text printed on verso: Fifty-Eights Years In Market! The Oldest, The Neatest, The Best, The Quickest. Ask your dealer for Dixon’s Stove Polish, Jos. Dixon Crucible Co., Jersey City, N.J. [Includes an depiction of a box of Dixon’s Prepared Carburet of Iron.], Gift of David Doret.
Buckley's 3950 Market Street, West Philad'a [graphic].
Racist trade card depicting an African American man attired in rumpled, ragged clothes, likely a caricature of a tramp. The tramp-like figure is attired in a white cap, an orange scarf wrapped around his head and tied at his neck; a brown coat with the elbow torn open; oversized beige pants; and gray shoes. He looks to the left with his eyes as he stretches his hand down into his coat pocket. Eli P. Buckley (1831-1899) worked as a stationer at 3950 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA as early as 1858. He operated his stationery store at the address until his death when his children continued to run the business as late as 1910., Title from item., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of advertised business., Date deduced from history of the advertised business and visual content., Advertising text printed on verso: The largest and most complete stock of blank books and general stationery to be found in West Philad'a is at the old established stationery store Buckley's 3950 Market Street, West Philad'a., Gift of David Doret.
Buy clothing for self & boys of Tefft & Boswell, the great Oak Hall clothiers, No. 70 E. Main-St. Amsterdam, N.Y. [graphic].
Racist trade card illustration depicting an African American woman walking past a white man. The woman is attired in a straw hat, a dot-patterned dress with a ruffled collar, and flat shoes. She holds a basket filled with flowers in her right arm. The white man is attired in a checker-patterned suit and a top hat. He holds an upturned cane in his right hand and tips the brim of his hat with his left hand. Tefft & Boswell was a clothing business in Amsterdam, New York owned by H.J. Boswell and founded in 1883., Title from item., Text printed on recto: "Lord a massa I done gone made a mash!", Series no. 414 printed in right corner on recto., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of advertised business., Gift of David Doret.
Buy the light running Domestic sewing machine [graphic].
Racist trade card illustration depicting an African American boy running on a beach. Visible behind and beneath the boy are five footsteps imprinted in the sand which bear the trade card's advertising text. Driftwood, is depicted near the edge of the shoreline. In the far background, sail boats, trees, and a lighthouse are visible. In the right of the image are a tree and grass. The boy is attired in striped pants with one suspender strap and carries a chicken by its legs in his left hand. Oren A. Peck opened his furniture store in 1869 in Fair Haven, Vermont., Title from item., Date inferred from dates of operation of business., Text printed on recto: Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime, and departing leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time., Advertising text on verso: Oren A. Peck, mammoth dealer in furniture, carpets, upholstery, sewing machines, &c. Also general undertaker. Large line of fine and medium caskets, robes, etc. Two fine hearses. Main Street, Fair Haven, Vt., Printed in light red ink., Gift of David Doret.
Buy the Universal plow. Made at Canton, Ohio. [graphic].
Racist trade card illustration depicting two African American men operating a plow and struggling to control two agitated donkeys. One man is seated in the plow and holds reins in his left hand and a lever in his right. He is attired in a tan-colored hat and vest, a blue long-sleeved shirt, and blue and black striped pants. The other man stands in front of the donkeys and holds reins in both hands. He is attired in a white long-sleeved shirt and blue and black checkered pants. One of the donkeys kicks its hind legs up in the air and the other digs its hind legs into the ground. A person on a plow, trees, and a small house are visible in the field behind the scene. Universal Plow Company opreated throughout the 1880s and 1890s. The business was originally based in Canton, Ohio and eventually moved to Wooster, Ohio., Title from item., Series no. 468 printed in bottom right corner on recto., Distributor's imprint printed on verso: A.F. Newcomer, General Eastern and Southern Agent, Harrisburg, PA., Advertising text printed on verso: The Universal Plows, front and rear adjusting. The lightest, strongest and most perfect working plow made. The only practical rear-adjusting plow in the world. No wrench, no trouble, no lost time. All interchangeable in steel or chilled iron complete with all improved attachments. See catalogue., Gift of David Doret.
Carr & Murray, carpets, furniture & bedding, 61 & 63 Myrtle Avenue. Three doors from Jay Street, B[rooklyn] [graphic].
Racist trade card promoting Carr & Murray, dealers in household furnishings, and depicting trompe l'oeil image with an African American boy portrayed with exaggerated features and bust length. The boy is depicted by pulling down the left corner of the card. He points at a partially-visible rabbit who hops away in the lower right. The boy is attired in white hat and a blue shirt with a red and white striped collar. James J. Carr and Lindley H. Murray of Carr & Murray owned a store selling household furnishings at 61 & 63 Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn, N.Y. from circa 1879 to circa 1891., Title from item., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of advertised business., Date deduced from the history of the advertised business and visual content., Right edge of the card is trimmed., Gift of David Doret.
C.H. Smith's double mammoth Uncle Tom's Cabin. [graphic].
Trade card illustration of two white men seated on donkeys advertising a vaudeville production of Uncle Tom's Cabin. Both of the men are portraying the character Marks from the novel. They are attired in top hats and jackets with coattails. They both carry umbrellas under their arms. Palm trees are visible in the background of the scene., Title from item., Advertising text on recto: Two Marks & donkey "Jennie.", Advertising text on verso: Double in quantity, quality and [illegible]. [illegible] Smith's Boston Double Uncle Tom's Cabin Co., at the Ladies' and Children's Matinee and Evening Performances, at Union Hall, for two nights only. Friday & Saturday May 12 & 13, Grand Saturday Matinee. 30 famous performers. 10 comedians. 15 South Carolina Jubilee Singers. 2 Funny Topsys. 2 Marks, the Eccentric Lawyers. 2 Educated and Trick Donkeys. Pack of imported Bloodhounds. Topsy No. 1 - Miss Daisy Markoe, in her great songs, dances, banjo and xylophone solos. Topsy No. 2 - Miss Josie Sutherland, in her beautiful skip-rope and plantation dances. Grand Ice Scene - Eliza and child escape [illegible] blood hounds. They don't catch her but go for the two Marks, the two laywers. Exciting scenes between dogs and lawyers. Great Jubilee and Plantation Scenes, with old-time songs. The two Marks enter on Donkeys , and then there's lots of fun. Beautiful and Grand Closing. Eva in the [illegible], with tableau, "Gates Ajar. All to be seen with Smith's Double Uncle Tom's Cabin, thus eclipsing all other companies in the world. General Admission, 25, 35 & 50 cts. [illegible] & 35 Cts. Reserved seats on sale at Waldron & Curtis' Drug Store., Gift of David Doret.
The City Store, No. 4 Main Street, Spartanburg, S.C., A. Freisleben, proprietor [graphic].
Racist trade card promoting A. Freisleben's dry goods store and depicting a caricature of an African American man looking over a fence at a shoe filled with chicks. Shows the young man, attired in a red shirt with white stripes, a blue collared vest, and a wide-brimmed straw hat with two yellow chicks poking out of the top, behind a wooden fence. He grasps the top of the fence with his fingers as he smiles and looks in the left at the black men's dress shoe filled with four yellow chicks. In the background is a house and some trees. Abram Freisleben (1847-1925) emigrated from Germany to America in 1864. He opened a dry good store in Spartanburg, South Carolina ca. 1880. In 1887, he lost the store and his merchandise to creditors. He moved to Georgia in 1889 and continued in the dry goods business., Title from item., Publication information from copyright statement: Copyright 1883 by J.H. Bufford's Sons., Advertising text printed on verso: Why? Why we can offer you better Goods for less money than any other house in the trade. Because we are the only house which sells strictly for CASH: there are no bad debts to collect and the CASH CUSTOMER need not pay for such LOSSES: we can make "One Price To All," which one who does part cash and part credit business cannot do. 2. We have no partners to divide with -- and have entered with our cash customers into such partnership -- a small per cent. suffices us. 3. We carry a large line and receive New Goods continuously in our Special Lines of Dry Goods. Silks, Cashmeres, (Blacks and Colors.) Amer. Dress Goods, White Goods, House-Furnishing Goods and everything else usually found in a First-Class Establishment. Stamping done on short notice. Millinery. An experienced Milliner at all times to sell Trimmed and Untrimmed Hats-- all shapes and styles-- as they appear in season. A full assortment of Straw Goods, Tips, Plumes, Flowers, etc. on sale. Shoes and Slippers. For Ladies'. For Misses'. For Children's. For Infants'. For Men's. For Boys' WEAR. CUSTOM-MADE and WARRANTED. NO SHODDYS DEALT IN! Gents' Furnishing Goods. Laundried and Unlaundried Shirts. Our 50c. Unlaundried Shirt is a "Hummer." Novelties of neckwear and collar as they appear. Before buying, be sure to call., Gift of David Doret.
C.L. Jones & Co. tulip soap [graphic].
Trade card promoting soap manufacturers C.J. Jones & Co. and depicting a racist genre scene of an African American man being teasingly awoken by African American children. Figures are caricaturized and portrayed with exaggerated features. Shows a man, attired in a red, checkered shirt, blue pants, and one black boot, lying on his back, his right knee up, atop a large, white bundle. The boot on his left foot has fallen to the ground near his hat lying in front of the bundle. His left foot is bare. In the right, two mischievous boys peer around and over the bundle. The former, attired in a blue shirt, crouches to the ground from behind the bundle while the latter, attired in a yellow shirt with orange polka dots and orange pants, stretches out his right arm to poke the man’s face with a piece of straw. In the background is a steamboat on a river. Charles L. Jones founded the soap manufacturing firm C.L. Jones & Co. in 1845 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with meat packer Charles Valentine, who wanted a way to use tallow. Valentine died in 1850, and Jones took charge of the business until his death in 1879. His brothers, Henry E. and Frank H. Jones, carried on the company until 1903., Title from item., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of advertised business., Date deduced from the history of the advertised business and visual content., Gift of David Doret.
Clam bake at 12 m. 4-6:30 p.m. Melville Garden, Downer Landing...Boston Harbor, Open every day except Monday. One of the finest harbor resorts in New England. [graphic].
Racist trade card depicting a whimsical scene with a young African American man serving a tray of food to a white couple seated at a table inside of a large clam shell. In the left, the wide-eyed man holds the large tray at his hips and is attired ina coat, vest, apron, bow tie, and dark-colored pants. The man and woman hold menus in their hands and are dressed in formal wear. The scene is set near a harbor and forst on a rocky shore. Trees and a steamboat in the harbor are visible in the background. Industrialist Samuel Downer opened Melville Garden in Hingham, Massachusetts in 1871. The park was razed in 1897., Title from item., Publication information from copyright statement: Copyright 1880 by J.D. Scudder., Advertising text printed on verso: The Garden contains First-Class Restaurant, Bowling and Shooting Alleys, Billiard Tables,Patent Swings, Flying Horses, Camera Obscura, Menagerie, Bear Pit, &c. Row Boats and Yachts to let. Rhode Island Clam Bake at 12, 4 and 6.30 o'clock. Dinner Tickets, 50c. Edmands' Band, Day and Evening. The Garden will be Illuminated Every Evening with 20 Electric Lights. Grand Concert by Edmands' Band Every Sunday Afternoon and Evening. Hingham Steamers Leave Rowe's Wharf at 5.45, 9.15, 10.30, 11.30, 12.30, 2.30, 3.30, 5.30, 6.30, 7.45 and *9.30. Returning, Leave Downer Landing at 7, 7.35, 9.45, 10.35, 12.15, 1.15, 4, 5.15, 6.45, †8.30. †9.30. Cross Trips to and from Nantasket Beach. Leave Downer Landing at 11.20, 12.20, 1.20 and 4.20. Leave Nantasket Beach at 9.30, 12, 1, and 4.50. Sundays. Boston to Downer Landing at 10.15, 2.15, 4.45, and 7.15. Downer Landing to Boston at 12, 3.30, 6, 9.30. †Monday's excepted. *Saturdays excepted. Buy The Excursion Ticket at Rowe's Wharf, 60 Cents., Gift of David Doret.
Clark's mile-end 60 spool cotton [graphic].
Racist trade card promoting Clark Thread Company and depicting a genre scene of an African American man and woman in conversation on a country road. The man and woman are portrayed with exaggerated features and speaking in the vernacular. Shows, in the left, the man standing on a dirt road and holding a piece of thread attached to a giant spool labeled "Clark's mile-end 60 spool thread." He is attired in black boots; yellow striped pants with patches on the knees and rolled to his calves; a white shirt; a red vest; and a green jacket. His straw hat is upturned on the ground beside him. In the right, an African American woman sits in a horse-drawn wagon holding the reins to a white horse. She tells the man "luck I got a spool to mend yer clos' with." She is attired in a yellow head kerchief and a red dress with yellow trim at the neck. The George A. Clark & Brother Company, manufactory of embroidery and sewing thread, was founded in 1863 in Newark, N.J. The firm was renamed Clark & Co. in 1879, and in the 1880s created a six-cord, soft finished thread called "Our New Thread" or "O.N.T." The business merged with J. & P. Coats in 1896, which lead to a series of mergers with fourteen other companies. Into the 21st century, the company continues to manufacture thread under the name Coats & Clark., Title from item., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of advertised business., Date deduced from history of the advertised business., Text on recto: Ef dat mile end thread don't hold, dere ain't anything- lucky I got a spool to mend yer old clos' with., Advertising text printed on verso: Clark's Mile-End Spool Cotton is the best for hand and machine sewing. Clark's Mile-End Colors are made expressly to match the leading shades of dress goods, and are unsurpassed both in quality and color. Clark's Mile-End Spool Cotton is six-cord in all numbers to 100 inclusive., Gift of David Doret.
Clark's trade mark 36 Mile-End spool cotton [graphic].
Trade card promoting Clark Thread Company and depicting a racist 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. The drum is a giant spool of thread labeled "Clark's Mile-End spool cotton." He is attired in black shoes; blue pants with a yellow stripe; a white jacket with pink flowers and long tails, with large buttons; a white ruffled shirt with a high collar; and a white top hat with a black band. The George A. Clark & Brother Company, manufactory of embroidery and sewing thread, was founded in 1863 in Newark, N.J. The firm was renamed Clark & Co. in 1879, and in the 1880s created a six-cord, soft finished thread called "Our New Thread" or "O.N.T." The business merged with J. & P. Coats in 1896, which lead to a series of mergers with fourteen other companies. Into the 21st century, the company continues to manufacture thread under the name Coats & Clark., Title from item., Date deduced from history of the advertised business., Advertising text printed on verso: Clark's trademark Mile-End spool thread. Best six cord. All numbers from no. 8 to 100. The colors are especially dyed to match. All shades of dress goods and can be used instead of silk by dress makers and families. The black is strong and smooth, and of the purest dye. It will retain its very deep black hue as long as silk fabrics. The white, black and colored is the standard for use upon all sewing machines., Gift of David Doret.
Clark's trademark O.N.T. spool cotton [graphic].
Trade card promoting Clark Thread Company and depicting a racist caricature of an African American boy fishing with Clark thread. The boy is portrayed with exaggerated facial features and expressions. Shows the boy seated and with his legs straddling a giant spool of thread labeled, "Clark's trademark O.N.T. spool cotton" at the edge of a river. The boy holds a fishing rod across his chest and attempts to break the cotton thread, which he is using as fishing line. He looks at the viewer and says in the vernacular "I reckon dis yere's strong 'nuff suah." He is barefoot and attired in blue pants with red patches at the knees; an orange shirt with ragged sleeves; a green vest; and a brown cap. In the right on the ground at his feet is an orange-labeled canister from which worms escape. In the background is tall grass and the multi-colored horizon. In the foreground, the edge of the spool, the canister, and end of the rod are reflected in the water. The George A. Clark & Brother Company, manufactory of embroidery and sewing thread, was founded in 1863 in Newark, N.J. The firm was renamed Clark & Co. in 1879, and in the 1880s created a six-cord, soft finished thread called "Our New Thread" or "O.N.T." The business merged with J. & P. Coats in 1896, which lead to a series of mergers with fourteen other companies. Into the 21st century, the company continues to manufacture thread under the name Coats & Clark., Title from item., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of advertised business., Date deduced from history of advertised business., Text printed on recto: "I reckon dis yere's strong 'nuff suah.", Advertising text printed on verso: Clark's O.N.T. spool cotton. In white, fast black, and bright colors. Sold everywhere., Distributor's imprint printed on verso: George A. Clark, sole agent., Gift of David Doret.
Colburn's Philadelphia mustard [graphic].
Trade card promoting A. Colburn & Co.'s mustard and depicting a racist caricature of an young African girl riding an ostrich in a tropical setting. Show the barefooted girl, attired in a short-sleeved, knee-length, red dress with yellow trim, holding on to the ostrich's neck with both hands. The grey ostrich takes a long stride with its legs as it runds on a dirt path. Plants with palm leaves, greenery, and a rock line the path. Arthur T. Colburn (1834-1901) founded the spice business A. Colburn & Co. in 1856 in Philadelphia. The business was one of the largest spice dealers in the city and operate into the 1920s., Title from item., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of advertised business., Date deduced from history of the advertised business and visual content., Advertising text printed on verso: Colburn's Philadelphia mustard 1/4, 1/2 & 1 lb. Tins, always full weight. Better and cheaper than imported. 14 cents a pound saved in duty alone. Flavor, pungency and quality unequalled. Best for table or medicinal purposes. Press opinions of Colburn's Philadelphia mustard: N.Y. World--"Many persons have found that Colburn's Philadelphia mustard is better than the imported for the table and sick room." N.Y. Sun--"Better goods at lower prices is welcome news to housekeepers. Colburn's Philadelphia mustard, better and cheaper than imported, pleases everybody." N.Y. Telegram-- "One of the best articles of its kind is Colburn's Philadelphia mustard. It is a table luxury and is especially good for medicinal purposes." N.Y. Com. Advertiser --"The celebrity of Colburn's Phila. mustard as a table luxury and medicinal purposes has won for it a deserved place in prominent competition." N.Y. Evening Post--"An advance made by American manufacturers is of benefit to the whole county. Colburn's Philadelphia mustard is taking the place largely of imported mustard." N.Y. Evening Express--"We call special attention to Colburn's Philadelphia mustard. Many who have had an idea that the imported [w]as the best have found that this 'brand' of home manufac[tu]re was better for the table and sick room, besides being at least 14 cents a pound cheaper, on account of saving in duty. Messrs. A. Colburn & Co., of Philadelphia, stand in the front rank of our manufacturers and none need be afraid of goods bearing [?]me or label. We cordially recommend Colburn's Philadelphia mustard." Sold by all grocers and druggists., Gift of David Doret.
"Come, birdie, come, oh! Come with me." [graphic].
Racist trade card specimen depicting a caricature of an African American boy carrying a chicken and a duck. Shows the boy, attired in a straw hat, a long-sleeved shirt, pants with patches at the knees, and black shoes, smiling and looking at the viewer. He says, “come, birdie, come, oh! Come with me” as he carries a chicken under his right arm. In his left hand he holds a duck by the neck., Title from item., Date deduced from the visual content., Gift of David Doret.
Compliments of Bechler's notion and variety store, 44 Irving Street, Rahway, N.J. [graphic]
Trade card promoting the notion and variety store in Rahway, New Jersey of possible George Bechler and depicting a racist caricature of an African American nanny. The woman smiles and is attired in a short-sleeved, orange dress with red stripes, blue and white checked apron, and red head kerchief. She stands with one hand on her hip while the other holds a screaming white baby attired in a white layette to her other hip. In the foreground is a picket fence with a sheet draped in front with words advertising Bechler's store. Green foliage comprises the background., Title from item., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of advertised business., Date inferred from the attire of the figures depicted., Advertising text printed on recto: Compliments of Bechler's notion and variety store, 44 Irving street, Rahway, N.J. Just opened!, Gift of David Doret.
Compliments of Malven, Gordon & Co., Port Jervis, N.Y. 1891 [graphic].
Racist trade card promoting the William Rogers Manufacturing Company’s silver plated ware and depicting a caricature of an African American man sitting before an easel painting. Shows the man, attired in a yellow, brimmed hat, a white collared shirt with blue polka dots, a yellow jacket with tails, white pants with a blue stripe, and black shoes, sitting on a wooden stool before an easel. He holds a palette in his left hand and lifts a paint brush up to the canvas with his right hand. He paints blue flourishes as he tilts his head back blowing smoke up into the air. William Rogers founded the William Rogers Manufacturing Company in 1865 in Hartford, Connecticut. The firm became part of the International Silver Company in 1898., Title from item., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of the advertised business., Date inferred from title., Advertising text printed on verso: Buy the celebrated Rogers brand of Silver Plated Ware. Best in the World. Manufactured by the Wm. Rogers MFG. Co., Hartford, Conn., Gift of David Doret.
Compliments of Malven, Gordon & Co., Port Jervis, N.Y. 1891. [graphic].
Racist trade card promoting the William Rogers Manufacturing Company’s silver plated ware and depicting a caricature of an African American man combing his hair and looking into a mirror. Shows the man attired in a white-collared shirt with pink stripes, a yellow bowtie, a blue jacket with tails, a yellow and pink flower boutonniere, a yellow waistcoat, white pants with pink stripes, and black shoes. He bends forward at the waist and smiles as he looks into a mirror to comb his hair. He holds the comb with his right hand and holds a brush in his left hand. The mirror is on a small table that is covered with a white tablecloth. An upside down, black top hat sits on the table. William Rogers founded the William Rogers Manufacturing Company in 1865 in Hartford, Connecticut. The firm became part of the International Silver Company in 1898., Title from item., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of the advertised business., Date inferred from title., Advertising text printed on verso: Buy the celebrated Rogers brand of Silver Plated Ware. Best in the World. Manufactured by the Wm. Rogers MFG. Co., Hartford, Conn., Gift of David Doret.
Compliments of McGeoch & Pierce. [graphic].
Racist trade card depicting African American man minstrel musician to promote laundry soap. Shows the man, in profile, smiling, holding a large tambourine in his right hand, and raising his left leg in the air in a skipping motion. The man is attired in a blue jacket with long tails, a white shirt with ruffles and the collar up, and orange and white striped pants. McGeoch & Pierce was a clothing firm partly owned by M.L. Pierce in Greenwich, New York. Pierce joined the firm in 1881., Title from stamp on item., Date inferred from operation dates of advertised business as referenced in biographical entry for M.L. Pierce in "Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Adams, Clay, Hall and Hamilton Counties, Nebraska, Comprising a Condensed History of the State" (Chicago, 1890), p. 784., Advertising text on verso: Temple of Fashion, 83 Main St., Greenwich, N.Y. McGeoch & Pierce, Carry The Best Selected Stock of Clothing in Washington County. Mens' and Boy's Suits & Overcoats In all the New and desirable goods and styles. Fine Goods and Perfect Fit A Specialty. For your next suit call on McGeoch & Pierce, The Leaders in Low Prices., Gift of David Doret.
Compliments of the Domestic Sewing Machine Co. [graphic].
Racist trade card promoting the Domestic Sewing Machine Company and depicting a comic genre scene of an older African American man peddler mistaken as a suitor. In the center, the older, balding peddler speaks to an African American family at the door of their cottage house. The man is portrayed with exaggerated features, wears spectacles, and is attired in a purple coat; a white shirt; yellow pants; and brown shoes. A goat eats red cloth pulled out from underneath his coat. On the ground in front of him is his top hat turned upside-down. Papers are placed inside of it. He leans forward to speak with the African American woman in the doorway. His hands are out like he is displaying an object. The woman wears mammy-like attire of a beige head kerchief; a yellow shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows; a blue shirt; and a white apron. She holds a broom. Behind her is another woman attired in a green dress and head kerchief. In the left are a young woman and a girl. The young woman is attired in a pink dress with a green ruffle at the bottom and cut-out shoulders, matching pink stockings, and a bow in her hair. She coquettishly holds a fan ornately decorated with pink flowers to the side of her face. The girl to her left is barefoot and attired in a white dress. In the right background are sunflowers behind a fence and the peddler's horse-drawn wagon loaded with boxes out of view of the family. William S. Mack & Co. and N.S. Perkins founded the Domestic Sewing Machine Company in 1864 in Norwalk, Ohio. The White Sewing Machine Company bought the company in 1924., Title from item., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of advertised business., Date inferred from history of advertised business., Gift of David Doret., Library Company holds duplicate copies [P.2017.95.46 & P.2017.95.47].
Compliments of the Domestic Sewing Machine Co. [graphic].
Racist trade card promoting the Domestic Sewing Machine Company and depicting a comic genre scene of an older African American man peddler mistaken as a suitor. In the center, the older, balding peddler speaks to an African American family at the door of their cottage house. The man is portrayed with exaggerated features, wears spectacles, and is attired in a purple coat; a white shirt; yellow pants; and brown shoes. A goat eats red cloth pulled out from underneath his coat. On the ground in front of him is his top hat turned upside-down. Papers are placed inside of it. He leans forward to speak with the African American woman in the doorway. His hands are out like he is displaying an object. The woman wears mammy-like attire of a beige head kerchief; a yellow shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows; a blue shirt; and a white apron. She holds a broom. Behind her is another woman attired in a green dress and head kerchief. In the left are a young woman and a girl. The young woman is attired in a pink dress with a green ruffle at the bottom and cut-out shoulders, matching pink stockings, and a bow in her hair. She coquettishly holds a fan ornately decorated with pink flowers to the side of her face. The girl to her left is barefoot and attired in a white dress. In the right background are sunflowers behind a fence and the peddler's horse-drawn wagon loaded with boxes out of view of the family. William S. Mack & Co. and N.S. Perkins founded the Domestic Sewing Machine Company in 1864 in Norwalk, Ohio. The White Sewing Machine Company bought the company in 1924., Title from item., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of advertised business., Date inferred from history of the advertised business., Distributor's imprint printed on verso: M.E. Hartzler's "Domestic" & "Royal St John" sewing machine office. In Odd Fellows Hall cor. Geo. & King Sts, (opposite Reevers tavern,) York, PA. Anything pertaining to sewing machines of every kind and make, furnished at this office. Repairing of all kinds of sewing machines a specialty., Gift of David Doret., Library Company holds duplicate copy [P.2017.95.48] and another with variant distributor [P.2017.95.47].
Compliments of the Domestic Sewing Machine Co. [graphic].
Racist trade card promoting the Domestic Sewing Machine Company and depicting a comic genre scene of an older African American man peddler mistaken as a suitor. In the center, the older, balding peddler speaks to an African American family at the door of their cottage house. The man is portrayed with exaggerated features, wears spectacles, and is attired in a purple coat; a white shirt; yellow pants; and brown shoes. A goat eats red cloth pulled out from underneath his coat. On the ground in front of him is his top hat turned upside-down. Papers are placed inside of it. He leans forward to speak with the African American woman in the doorway. His hands are out like he is displaying an object. The woman wears mammy-like attire of a beige head kerchief; a yellow shirt with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows; a blue shirt; and a white apron. She holds a broom. Behind her is another woman attired in a green dress and head kerchief. In the left are a young woman and a girl. The young woman is attired in a pink dress with a green ruffle at the bottom and cut-out shoulders, matching pink stockings, and a bow in her hair. She coquettishly holds a fan ornately decorated with pink flowers to the side of her face. The girl to her left is barefoot and attired in a white dress. In the right background are sunflowers behind a fence and the peddler's horse-drawn wagon loaded with boxes out of view of the family. William S. Mack & Co. and N.S. Perkins founded the Domestic Sewing Machine Company in 1864 in Norwalk, Ohio. The White Sewing Machine Company bought the company in 1924., Title from item., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of advertised business., Date inferred from history of the advertised business., Distributor's imprint printed on verso: D.S. Andrus & Co. pianos, organs & sewing machines, 17 West Third Street, Williamsport, PA., Gift of David Doret., Library Company holds duplicate copy [P.2017.95.48] and another with variant distributor [P.2017.95.46].
Compliments of Villa Park Improvement Co. [graphic].
Racist trade card illustration depicting two African American girls and one boy standing near a fence and fending off two wild turkeys. The boy stands behind the two girls and is attired in a cap, a long brown coat, tan gloves, and black shoes. The older girl is attired in a red hat with a dark-colored ribbon, a yellow jacket, red gloves, red stockings, and black boots. She wields a stick in her right hand and holds the younger girl with her left. The younger girl is attired in a blue and white cap and a blue jacket. All of the children are depicted with exaggerated features. The Villa Park Improvement Company was based in New Jersey and James Moses, a Trenton businessman, was the organization's president during the 1890s., Title from item., Advertising text on recto: Compliments of Villa Park Improvement Co. Be sure to read the circular. It is interesting. Especially about the free life insurance and free car far. An ideal location for a home. Great value as an investment. No interest, no taxes, two trolley lines. Public school on the plot. Main office, 39 Muirhead Street. Branch office, Corner Hamilton and Quintin Avenues., Gift of David Doret.
Corn Picking. Population 1,542,180. Area in sq. miles 59,475 [graphic].
Racist trade card promoting Arbuckle Bros. coffee and depicting African Americans in a field harvesting corn. Shows an African American woman, attired in a straw hat, a green, long-sleeved shirt, a yellow shawl, and a red skirt, smiling as she picks corn off of a stalk in the foreground. In the left, an African American man, attired in a straw hat, a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbows, brown pants, and brown shoes, looks at the viewer as he carries corn in his arms. In the background, two more farm laborers are visible. Brothers John and Charlie Arbuckle, Arbuckle Bros., established their factory and warehouse in Brooklyn in 1881 after they invented a machine that roasted, ground, and packaged coffee into bags. Their first national brand was patented under the name Arbuckle’s Ariosa. The company succeeded into the 20th century. Following John’s death in 1912 the company declined and was broken up by the Arbuckle family in the late 1930s., Title from item., Publication information and date from the copyright statement: Copyright 1889 Arbuckle Bros. N.Y., Print trimmed., Description of Colorado printed on verso. Sections of text missing. "[Colo]rado. east and west of 380 miles, a breadth o[?] square miles, or 66,512,000 acres, divided [?] are still unsurveyed 40,657,679 acres; i[?] mountain range, the foot hills, and the [?] [nor]th and south through the centre of the [?] [ra]nges, with many peaks over 13,000 fee[t] [?] immense mountains, are the “Parks,” [?] natural feature of Colorado. These co[?] [?] tion of 9,000 to 10,000 feet above the se[a]. [T]he principal ones being the North and [?] White and Green rivers, most of which[?] navigable. The South Platte has a fa[?] [?] Denver, and one of the canons of th[e] [?] [?] a rule, severe, with heavy falls of snow [?] plains and in the valleys, the mildness [?] as to render Colorado the paradise [?] and are glad to find that “Arbuckles” [?] 65,196 females, of whom 154,537 were [?] [?]rth, white, 191,126; colored, 3,201.", Gift of David Doret.
Correos. America del Sur [graphic].
Trade card promoting South American postal services and containing a montage of images representing South American culture. Includes a genre scene depicting a Black boy attired in earrings, a wide-brimmed hat, a white, blousy, long-sleeved shirt with open collar, red sash belt, and blue-striped pants and holding sheets of mail with stamps (left); depiction of a group of postage stamps of Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru (upper right); and a vignette of laborers harvesting sugar cane (lower right). Also includes, on the lower edge, pictorial details of the coats of arms of Peru and of Chile., Title from item., Gift of David Doret.
[Correos. America del Sur] [graphic].
Trade card specimen promoting South American postal services and containing a montage of images representing South American culture. Includes a genre scene depicting a Black boy attired earrings, a wide-brimmed hat, a white, blousy, long-sleeved shirt with open collar, red sash belt, and blue-striped pants and holding sheets of mail with stamps (left); a map of the countries of South America (upper right); and a vignette of laborers harvesting sugar cane (lower right). Also includes, on the lower edge, pictorial details of the coats of arms of Peru and of Chile., Tiitle and place of publication from variant of print within collection. See P.2017.95.200., Date inferred from genre of print., Gift of David Doret.
Cottolene [graphic].
Racist trade card illustration depicting a three-quarter length portrait of a smiling African American girl. The girl holds an overflowing bale of cotton in her arms. A picturesque countryside and field of cotton is visible in the background. The girl is attired in a pink and blue striped short sleeved dress and her hair is tied into a braid with a yellow ribbon. She is depicted with exaggerated features. Cottolene shortening was was manufactured by N.K. Fairbank & Co., which was based in Chicago during the late 19th century and purchased by American Cotton Oil in 1875. The manufacturing plant in Chicago was closed in 1921., Title from item., Advertising text on verso: Directions for using Fairbank's Cottolene. Health! Purity! Economy!!! Cottolene, the new and popular Health Food is rapidly superseding lard and butter as a cooking fat being healthier, cleaner and more economical. Use in every place and in the same manner that lard and butter is used in cooking, taking only two-thirds (2/3) of the amount that would be required of the above mentioned articles. If more is used it is wasted. For cake making treat in the same manner as butter, i.e., creaming it with sugar, adding a little salt, for Cottolene contains none. For frying put the Cottolene in a cold pan or kettle allowing the fat to gradually come to a cooking point. This will prevent burning. Cottolene reaches a cooking point without any sputtering or smoking, and quicker than lard with the same heat, and therefore care should be taken that it does not become too hot. Beware of imitations. N.K. Fairbank & Co., Chicago. St. Louis. New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Montreal. Recipe for New England Doughnuts. 1 cup of sugar. 2 eggs beaten light and mixed with the sugar. 2 teaspoonfuls of melted Cottolene. 1/2 cup milk. 2 teaspoonfuls of baking bowder. 1/2 teaspoonful salt. 1 salt-spoonful cinnamon. Flour enough to roll. Add the milk alternately with the flour. Have the kettle three-quarters (3/4) full of Cottolene, hot enough to brown a piece of bread in half a minute, or while you count sixty. Drop in the doughnuts and fry till brown., Gift of David Doret.
A cotton ball [graphic].
Racist trade card depicting a view personifying cotton as a young African American woman. Shows the woman dancing with a large ball of cotton atop her head worn in the manner of a head dress. The woman leans to her left and kicks her right leg up as she pulls up the bottom of the skirt of her dress. The edge of her underskirt is visible. She is attired in a yellow dress patterned with black dots, a white kerchief tied around her neck, a red and white striped underskirt, and black shoes. Forestry is visible in the background. C. Meyer Jr. was a New York based fertilizer manufacturer who operated in the late 19th century., Title from item., Publication information from copyright statement: Copyright 1886. L.P. Griffith & Co. Baltimore., Advertising text printed on verso: The "Acme" Fertilizers Are Strictly Complete Manures of the Highest Grade, Guaranteed Bone Basis. Positively No Rock or Kainite Used. Guaranteed Analyses. Manufactured by C. Meyer, Jr., P.O. Box 26, Maspeth, L.I. Pure Ground Bone. Sulphate of Potash. Muriate of Potash. Dissolved Bone Black. Sulfate of Ammonia. Text surrounds table listing suitable grade (No. 1 and No. 2) of manure for specific crops, including potatoes, peas, cabbage, and corn, and the percentages of ammonia, available phosphorous acid, and actual potash of the grade of fertilizer., Gift of David Doret.
Cuba. Sugar plantation. Havana City and Harbor. Morro Castle. Santiago Cuba [graphic].
Trade card specimen depicting vignettes of a black man in a hat smiling, a sugar plantation, Havana City’s harbor, Morro Castle, and Santiago. In the top left is a circular vignette of a black man, attired in a brimmed straw hat and a white-collared shirt, who looks to the right and smiles. In the top right is a sugar plantation with a man in horse-drawn cart hauling sugar cane. Tall stalks of cane line the road. Beneath is a scene of the harbor in Havana City, with ships coming in and out. Mountains are visible in the background. In the left are palm trees. A vignette of Morro Castle, the fortress guarding Havana Bay, is depicted with a ship passing in front of it. In the bottom of the card is a depiction of Santiago, showing a wall with an American flag flying on a pole with mountains in the background and water winding around the land below. In the foreground are products from Cuba, including fruits, such as a pineapple, a pouch labeled “tobacco,” and a box of cigars., Title from item., Date deduced from the content., Text printed on verso: Cuba. The area of Cuba is 41,655 square miles. The island is long and narrow and follows a curved line through its centre; is 720 miles long and its average breadth is 80 miles. The highest part of the island is the range extending in the southwest from the Punto de Maysi to Cape Cruz. There are mountains immediately above the harbor of Trinidad de Cuba in the south, the highest of which is 2,990 feet above the sea level. The climate is hot on the coast and temperate on the higher levels. Ten per cent of the area is, or was, cultivated. There are large tracts of the island still unexplored. A census taken in 1887 reported the population to be 1,631, 687. Of this, 528,998 were negroes and mulattoes. The present population is uncertain. Probably, as the results of devastating war, it has been cut down at least a fourth. Principal cities are Havana (the capital), Santiago de Cuba, Puerto Principe, Holguin, Sancti Spiritus, Matanzas. Before the insurrection, there were over 1,000 miles of railroad in operation on the island. The chief produce is sugar and tobacco. There is also production of mahogany, fruits, honey and wax. Gold and silver have been found in paying quantities. The iron mines of Cuba, all of which are located near Santiago, overshadow in importance all the other industries on the eastern end of the island. The ore of these mines is among the richest in the world, yielding from 62 to 67 per cent of pure iron. The principal imports are flour, rice and jerked beef. The chief exports are sugar and tobacco., Stamped on verso: 3259 12., Gift of David Doret.
Dey's de irons to make de angels' robes white and smooth in de colored folk's heaven. [graphic].
Racist trade card illustration promoting Mrs. Potts' Cold Handle Sad Iron and depicting three African American winged angels. In the foreground is an African American woman attired in a white headwrap, along-sleeved white dress, and white flat shoes. She stands with her arms wide and holds irons in both hands. In the left is a smaller boy angel who stands with his hands on his hips and in the right is an identically posed girl angel. All three figures are depicted with exaggerated figures. A box of text is superimposed over the woman angel's torso. Three irons are depicted on verso along with a disembodied hand demonstrating the detachable handle., Title from item., Advertising text printed on verso: Mrs. Potts' Cold Handle Sad Iron. Advantages: A cold detachange walnut handle, are lined with nonconducting cement. Heat quicker than other irons. Retain the heat longer. Require no holder or cloth. Do not burn the hand. Are double pointed, iron both ways, the best in use, cheap., Distributor's imprint printed on verso: Smith, Seltzer & Co., Sixth & Market Sts, Philadelphia, PA., Gift of David Doret.
Dis Union. Union. John E. Kaughran & Co., 763 Broadway, Bet. 8th and 9th Streets [graphic].
Racist, satiric trade card promoting John E. Kaughran & Co.’s dry goods store. Depicts in two panels an African American man knocking down two African American children eating a candy stick by opening the cellar doors they were sitting on. In the left panel, an African American man has come up from inside the cellar and stands holding both doors open in his hands. He is attired in a white shirt, a striped vest, striped pants, and a cap, and holds a pipe in his mouth. The African American boy has been thrown off of the door and lies in the right on the ground with the candy stick in his mouth. The African American girl has also been flung from the top of the door and lies on the ground beside the cellar with only her feet and left hand visible, as the caption reads, “dis union.” In the right panel, shows the two barefooted children sitting on top of slanted cellar doors. In the right, the boy, attired in a hat, a long-sleeved shirt, and pants, holds a striped candy stick in his mouth. In the left, the girl, attired in a bonnet and a dress, shares the same candy stick and sucks the opposite end in her mouth above the caption, “union.” John E. Kaughran (1849-1899) founded his dry goods business in 1877 in New York City and opened a store on Broadway. He retired in 1886., Title from item., Date deduced from history of the advertised business., Text printed on recto: (Over.), Advertising text printed on verso: John E. Kaughran & Co., 763 Broadway, Bet. 8th and 9th Sts., will remove on or about May 1st to 767 and 769 Broadway, Cor. 9th Street. Immense Bargains in all our Departments, Call early in the day and avoid the great rush in the Afternoon., Gift of David Doret.
Dis yer misery makes dis chile done gone mournin orful! orful! No. 18 cured this gempleman thanks to massa Hartshorn. [graphic].
Racist, fold-out circular advertisement for Dr. Hartshorn's No. 18 Liniment depicting a before and after caricature of an older African American man in two separate panels. In the first panel, shows the balding man with white hair, hunched over, standing in profile, and using a cane. He is attired in a blue tailcoat, a white shirt with upturned collar, a red necktie, a yellow vest, red and white plaid pants, and red and black shoes. In the background, a log cabin and wooden fence is visible. In the second panel, shows the man facing the viewer, standing upright without the cane, and holding a red package labelled "No. 18." He kicks his left leg up and reveals the bottom of his shoe, which is also labelled "No. 18." The man is depicted with exaggerated features. Dr. Edward Hartshorn was a Massachusetts physician who began selling medicines in the 1850s in the town of Berlin, and later Boston. Hartshorn passed the business on to his sons Edward Howe and William Henry before his death in 1887., Title from item., Date inferred from dates of operation of business advertised., Advertising text printed in circular fashion around company logo on inside: Wonderful! Wonderful Liniment!!! What has been the most popular [?] Family Liniment for 30 Years? Dr. Hartshorn. 2,000,000 Bottles have been [?] one is always warrented, yet not one was ever returned, or the [?] The Rapid Healer of Injuries. What Heals Bruises, Cuts, Stings, Bites, Poisons, Chilblains, Sore Skin, Croup, Ague, Numbness &c. immediately? Dr. Hartshorn's No. 18. The Instantaneous [?] Sudden Illness. What has relieved the worst case [?] Diptheria, Colic, Chills, Colds, Headaches, and numberless [?] Hartshorn's No. 18. It is a general panacea for man, [?] wonderful relief externally or internally for Horse and Cattle. E. Hartshorn, Boston, Mass. The Balm for Every Pain. What is the quickest relief for Rheumatic, Neuralgia or Nervous Pain of the Face, Teeth, Ears, Side, Back, Chest, Limbs, &c.? Dr. Hartshorn's No. 18. Company logo illustrated on verso. Logo composed of a geometrically-shaped ornament marked "N 8." Logo surrounded by captions reading "Sold Every Warranted. Large Sizes Cheapest. Three Sizes [?] Cts. And $1.00. Ask Any One About It.", Gift of David Doret., The front and back of the card are separated.
Dixon's carburet of iron stove polish [graphic]
Trade card promoting Joseph Dixon Crucible Company's stove polish and depicting a racist caricature of an African American woman nanny at work. Shows the nanny smiling, holding, and scrubbing an unclothed white girl, who is coated in black stove polish along her right side. The long, brown haired girl wears a red headband and is partially covered by a white cloth draped around by the nanny. The nanny uses a scrub brush under the right arm of the girl. The girl stands, her right leg raised, upon a table covered with a yellow tablecloth and stained by the polish. She looks down and touches the nanny's face with her right hand. She places her left hand over the woman's hand on her left side. The nanny is attired in a white head kerchief with red polka dots; a yellow short-sleeved shirt with red stripes; and a blue skirt. On the table is a plate; a brush; and boxes labeled Dixon's Stove Polish. Image also includes, in the left background, a stove with a steaming copper kettle and a partial view of a stove pipe and checkered flooring. The Joseph Dixon Crucible Company, established by Joseph Dixon in Salem, Mass. in 1827, produced graphite pencils, crucibles and stove polish, and relocated to Jersey City, N.J. in 1847. In 1868, the firm name changed from Joseph Dixon & Co. to the Jos. Dixon Crucible Co. In 1870 the firm won a trademark case against a Philadelphia competitor selling J.C. Dixon Stove Polish., Title from item., Date deduced from history of the advertised business., Advertising text printed on verso: Established 1827. Dixon's stove polish; over fifty years in the market. Neat; quick; brilliant, and lasting. No dust. No odor. Nothing will make a stovd (sic) so bright and cheerful for so long a time as the Dixon stove polish. It is by far the cheapest in use, in the long run. Buy it. Try it. Take no other. Pressed into a neat quarter-pound packet, absolutely free of adulteration. Six millions sold in 1881. Jos. Dixon Crucible Co., Jersey City, N.J., Gift of David Doret., Library Company holds duplicate copies [1975.F.235; P.9577.14; P.9599].
Dixon's carburet of iron stove polish [graphic]
Trade card promoting Joseph Dixon Crucible Company's stove polish and depicting a racist caricature of an African American woman nanny at work. Shows the nanny smiling, holding, and scrubbing an unclothed white girl, who is coated in black stove polish along her right side. The long, brown haired girl wears a red headband and is partially covered by a white cloth draped around by the nanny. The nanny uses a scrub brush under the right arm of the girl. The girl stands, her right leg raised, upon a table covered with a yellow tablecloth and stained by the polish. She looks down and touches the nanny's face with her right hand. She places her left hand over the woman's hand on her left side. The nanny is attired in a white head kerchief with red polka dots; a yellow short-sleeved shirt with red stripes; and a blue skirt. On the table is a plate; a brush; and boxes labeled Dixon's Stove Polish. Image also includes, in the left background, a stove with a steaming kettle and a partial view of a stove pipe and checkered flooring. The Joseph Dixon Crucible Company, established by Joseph Dixon in Salem, Mass. in 1827, produced graphite pencils, crucibles and stove polish, and relocated to Jersey City, N.J. in 1847. In 1868, the firm name changed from Joseph Dixon & Co. to the Jos. Dixon Crucible Co. In 1870 the firm won a trademark case against a Philadelphia competitor selling J.C. Dixon Stove Polish., Title from item., Date deduced from history of the advertised business., Advertising text printed on verso: 57 years in market Dixon's pure carburet of iron. Stove polish. The oldest. The best. The quickest. The neatest. Ask your grocer for it., Gift of David Doret.
Do they miss me at home? [graphic].
Racist trade card specimen depicting a caricature of a young African American girl, possibly a satirical personification of the popular mid-19th century song of the same title. Shows the barefooted girl, attired in a baby doll dress, her hair in short coils, and the fingers of one hand in her mouth as, in the other, she holds the string of a rolling pull toy horse visible behind her. Published in 1852 and composed by S. M. Grannis with lyrics by Caroline Atherton Mason, "Do they Miss Me at Home" was written in the voice of a homesick girl away at school. The song remained popular through the Civil War when translated to the voice of soldiers. Bufford, later J. H. Bufford's Sons, issued trade cards 1870-1875 containing images portraying racial and ethnic stereotypes, as well as personfications of popular 19th-century songs, ballads, and poems., Title from item., Date inferred from style of copyright statement: Copyrighted, Bufford, Boston., Gift of David Doret.

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