The valentine shows a racist image of an African American man playing a banjo. The valentine praises his music, but mocks his appearance and racial background., Text: Your notes of instrument and voice / Are the sweetest I've e'er heard, / And with your shape would make me judge / In truth, you were a black-bird., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The valentine depicts a well-dressed white man gesturing to a seated African American man whose head, feet, and buttocks are disproportionately large. The "burs" suggest the seated man does field work, and his trousers are ragged., Text: O, massa Abolitionist! you're mighty fond of jokes, / And play em on de darkey as well as on white folks / But all your mighty promises dey neber come to pass, / And every we take your chair de burs stick in / our ---- trouserloons., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
