| Creator |
Schell, Francis H., 1834-1909, artist. |
| Contributor |
Probasco, Edwin A., engraver. |
|
Rea & Sharp, engraver. |
|
Inquirer Job Print (Philadelphia, Pa.), printer. |
| Title |
Mason's challenge blacking. James S. Mason & Co., nos. 138 & 140 North Front Street, Philadelphia. [graphic] / Schell, del.;
Probasco - Rea & Sharp [illegible]
|
| Publisher |
Philadelphia : Inquirer Job Print, 304 Chestnut Street |
| Publisher |
PA. Philadelphia. 1863 |
| Date |
[ca. 1863] |
| Physical Description |
1 print : color wood engraving ; sheet 28 x 36 cm (11 x 14 in.) |
| Description |
Advertisement depicting a "shoe blacking" competition between two African American shoe shiners to promote the manufactory
of blacking established in 1832 by James S. Mason. Shows two African American men, portrayed in racist caricature, holding
a brush, a canister of "Mason's" blacking, and a boot, while they dance on a table. An African American man fiddler sits on
a stool and plays. In the foreground, a white man holds an oversized boot. A white shoe shine boy, his pack on his back, stands
behind an older man holding his arm as he points at his reflection in the boot. In the left background, a troop of white Union
soldiers marches in behind a parade marshal adorned in "M" insignias. The men carry a banner reading "Mason's (Original) Challenge
Blacking (Philadelphia)," as well as boots, and signs spelling "M-A-S-O-N." In the right background, a crowd of spectators,
including figures likely representing Germany, the Ottoman Empire, Britain, and possibly France, stand and watch the competition
attentively. Scene also includes boxes of Mason's Challenge Blacking. Following the death of Mason in 1888, his son Richard
assumed the business which was in operation into the 20th century.
|
| Notes |
Title from item. |
|
Date inferred from directory listings for the artist and engravers. |
|
Attributed by cataloger to Francis H. Schell, but possibly by Frederick B. Schell. |
|
RVCDC |
|
Description revised 2021. |
|
Access points revised 2021. |
|
Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the
Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom
Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
|
| Subject |
James S. Mason & Co. |
|
African American men -- Caricatures and cartoons. |
|
African American musicians. |
|
Boots. |
|
Dance -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia. |
|
Fiddlers -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia. |
|
Polishes industry -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia. |
|
Racism in popular culture. |
|
Shoe polishes. |
|
Shoe shiners -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia. |
|
Shoe shining -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia. |
|
Spectators -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia. |
|
African American shoe shiners -- Pennsylvania -- Philadelphia. |
| Geographic subject |
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Military personnel. |
| Genre |
Advertisements -- 1860-1870. |
|
Wood engravings -- Color -- 1860-1870. |
| Printer |
Inquirer Job Print (Philadelphia, Pa.), printer. |
| Location |
Library Company of Philadelphia| Print Department| Ph Pr - 11x14 - Advertisements - M [P.2013.51] |
| Accession number |
P.2013.51 |
