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- Title
- Try Lavine for washing
- Description
- Racist trade card promoting Hartford Chemical Works, manufacturers of Lavine Soap, and depicting a scene showing African men in a three-way race. In the center, a man with a white beard, attired in a red-striped turban and robe, smokes a pipe while riding an elephant in full stride and strapped with two large boxes labeled, "Lavine Soap Washing Hartford." To the right front of the elephant, another man, bare chested and attired in a red loincloth, runs slightly ahead of the animal. In the distant right of the image, a third man attired in a red turban, cloak, and yellow shorts races on horseback near a temple. Palm trees are also visible in the background. In the lower right are two, stacked boxes labeled, "Lavine, Hartford Chemical Works 30 Union Place. Try Lavine for Washing." Hartford Chemical Works, located in Hartford, Connecticut, was established in 1879 by Albert B. Gillett. Gillett patented Lavine Soap in 1882. The company operated until at least 1889., Title from item., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of advertised business., Advertising text printed on verso: Lavine for washing. The best and cheapest article ever offered to the housekeeper. Ask your grocer for it and take no other. It has taken the highest awards at the American Institute Fairs, in October, 1880 and 1881 as well as the first premium at every state and county fair where exhibited. Do not pay 15 cents a pound for a washing compound, when you can buy a better one for 13 cents. Make sure that your grocer gives you Lavine. It makes the hardest water soft and will not injure the finest clothes. It does not burn the hands nor chap them in winter. Try it for washing your marble steps, floors, sinks milk pans or anything which may need washing., Distributor’s name on verso: Geo. S. Adams, Manufacturer's Agent, No. 117 North Second Street, Philadelphia., Gift of David Doret.
- Date
- [ca. 1880]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Adams [P.2017.95.2]
- Title
- The guessing. Smith, Stevenson & Co., Byxbee house block, Meriden
- Description
- Racist trade card illustration advertising a competition to guess the weight of a horse. Image depicts a smiling African American child peering out from beneath a folded blanket with fringe. The upper left corner of the blanket is folded and bears advertising text and the word "Honey." Underneath the folded flap of the blanket is a branch with two roses. The child is depicted with exaggerated features. Smith, Stevenson & Co. was a clothing store in Meriden, Connecticut., Title from item., Advertising text on recto: I's gwine to guess de weight ob Meriden Girl, shuah!, Advertising text on recto: The Guessing on the weight of the bay mare Meriden Girl, will close Thursday, December 21st. We make this announcement that all may have a chance to guess before the box is closed. The mare will be weighed Christmas morning as before stated., Gift of David Doret.
- Date
- [ca. 1880]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Smith [P.2017.95.158]
- Title
- 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
- Description
- 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.
- Date
- [ca. 1880]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Bissell [P.2017.95.13]
- Title
- Compliments of Malven, Gordon & Co., Port Jervis, N.Y. 1891
- Description
- 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.
- Date
- [1891]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Wm. Rogers [P.2017.95.192]
- Title
- 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
- Description
- 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.
- Date
- [ca. 1880]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Bissell [P.2017.95.14]
- Title
- Compliments of Malven, Gordon & Co., Port Jervis, N.Y. 1891
- Description
- 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.
- Date
- [1891]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Wm. Rogers [P.2017.95.191]
- Title
- J.H. Short, dealer in music and musical merchandise, 94 Town Hall, Stamford, Conn. Piano and organ music 1/3 off
- Description
- Racist trade card illustration promoting Connecticut music dealer J.H. Short and depicting an African American male dandy, with a sheepish expresion, and posed with one hand to his lips and his other hand holding a top hat at his shoulder. He wears a ruffled white shirt, white vest adorned with a wa4tch fob, gold waist coat with tails, and bright blue and white striped pants. He stands in front of a background of fauna details., Title from item., Text printed on recto: I'se a Dude!, Gift of David Doret.
- Date
- [ca. 1890]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Short [P.2017.95.157]

