Satiric scene showing high society, i.e., "bon-ton" in a Philadelphia oyster cellar. A "gentleman" descends the stairwell to the swankly decorated cellar where a motley gathering of men drink, smoke, gossip, and suck oysters. An African American bartender serves drinks from decanters in the left of the image. The bar is adorned with a notice reading "City Privilege still without license." Another African American attends the oyster bar. Plates, crackers, salt, and vinegars line the edge. In the right of the image, a sick-faced patron wobbles and spills his drink next to a tall clock with a decorated face and the inscription "Music has charms." Possibly, the cellar at 806 Market Street operated by African American proprietor James Prosser from about 1830., Inscribed on verso: Said Wm Van [?] of the Walnut/ Chestnut? St. Theatre., Philadelphia on Stone, POS 598, Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Bb 38 O 97, LCP exhibit catalogue: Made in America #40., Jackson, Joseph, Encyclopedia of Philadelphia, p. 386-387
Amusing winter genre scene showing several individuals enjoying the frozen river as a place for recreation, travel, and as a place of observation for the February 12, 1831 solar eclipse. In the foreground, several ice skaters, predominately men, skate, perform tricks, and fall. One of the fallen includes an African American man, lying on his back, his hat on the ice near a dog playing with a ball. In the right of the image, a vendor serves beverages from a refreshment stand. In the background, several others skate, ride and pull sleds, or enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride., Philadelphia on Stone, POS 696, Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Bb 07 S 17, LCP exhibit catalogue: Made in America, entry #44, Smithsonian, Harry T. Peters Collection: DL*60.3655. Copy hand-colored., Trimmed.
Plate from children's moral instruction book showing an African American man and three passengers traveling in a horse-drawn cart down a dirt path towards the lumber yard. A residence facing the road is visible in the background., Published in Common sights in town & country. Delineated & described for young children (Philadelphia: American Sunday-School Union, No. 146 Chestnut Street, [ca. 1853])., Accompanied by text titled "The wood-cart" moralizing, through the tale of the diligent wood-carter, that good habits in this lifetime offer peace and comfort, and prepare us "for the better life which is to come"., Philadelphia on Stone, POS 865, Historical Society of Pennsylvania: Bd 61 K 8342.30, Free Library of Philadelphia:, Atwater Kent Museum: 46.57.1.3
Creator
Kollner, Augustus, b. 1813
Date
[ca. 1853]
Location
Historical Society of Pennsylvania HSP Bd 61 K 8342.30
