Sketches for the Washington Races in October 1840
Title
Sketches for the Washington Races in October 1840 British steeds of your speed I have not a doubt, but if Yankees an't stouter they are as stout, a black jock, in looks so much like a monkey, rides a good horse as an ape rides a donkey
Description
Portfolio containing three prints depicting African American men jockeys, portrayed in racist caricature, speaking in the vernacular, and attired in long underwear, during key moments from a two-mile heat at the Washington Race Course in Charleston, South Carolina. Pl. 1 shows the beginning of the race with three jockeys reigning in and spurring on their horses. Caption reads: At the tap of the drum they jump off from the stand, Be the track deep in mud or heavy with sand, At a pace which at once makes fast ones extend, An e'en the best winded cry bellows to mend. Pl. 2 shows two jockeys racing past a fence as one prepares to whip his mount that trails behind. Caption reads: And now they have reach'd the third mile, second heat, The mare is still going, the horse is dead beat; Say Sambo "Me know how Mass him do it, so me gib him de whip, and make him stick to it." Pl. 3 shows the horse previously in the lead winning the race in a stagger by the judge's stand filled with well-dressed gentlemen. The other jockey races in from behind. Caption reads: Now the Winner comes in decidely blown, Tho 'ere two miles were done the race was her own, but they go the whole hog in this western clime, When they've beaten the field they run against time. The Washington Race Course, also known as the Charleston Race Course, was developed by 1792 and served as the one-mile track for the South Carolina Jockey club annual one-week races in early February. The jockeys were usually enslaved men and the races were a series of two, three, and four mile heats run by the same jockeys and horses. The track closed circa 1900., "Eye witness" attributed as conservative British politician Charles Newdigate Newdegate., Inscribed on front cover: the Lord Brook. Sir Richard Henry Greville, 3rd Earl of Warwick was known as Lord Brook in his later years., Plates numbered in upper right corner: Pl. 1; Pl. 2; Pl. 3., Purchased with funds from the Albert M. Greenfield Foundation., 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 the Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Creator
Newdegate, Charles Newdigate, 1816-1887
Date
[ca. 1840]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department *albums (flat) [P.2010.8.1-3]
Smoke Day's standard Durham smoking tobacco
Title
Smoke Day's standard of the world Durham smoking tobacco
Description
Racist advertisement for J.R. Day and Brother smoking tobacco depicting a horse race between two African American men jockeys, portrayed in caricature. In the right, the jockey, attired in a blue and yellow cap and long-sleeved shirt, yellow pants, and riding boots, grimaces as he holds the reins to his white horse. The winning jockey, attired in a red and white striped cap and long-sleeved shirt, yellow pants, and riding boots, grasps the reins as his body lifts off of his brown horse. He screams, “Bound to win!” In the background, white men, all smoking pipes with "Day's Standard" tobacco, watch the race from a spectators' box behind a fence inscribed, "They all smoke it?" James R. Day left W.T. Blackwell & Co. in 1878 and applied for a patent for his smokeless tobacco in 1879., Title from item., Date inferred from operation of the advertised business., Text printed below image: Manufactured by Jas. R. Day, Late of the firm of W.T. Blackwell & Co. for J.R. Day & Bro, Durham, N.C., Gift of Carol Baldridge, 1997., 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 the Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department *GC - Advertisements [P.9525]