Racist trade card illustration depicting a group of African American men and women observing an African American man posing while a cow and donkey pull an -Oliver Chilled Plow in a field. A white dog in the foreground walks into a hollow and fallen tree trunk. The women in the crowd are attired in yellow and blue dresses, a red coat, and white and red headwraps. The men in the crowd are attired in blue, red, green, and yellow vests, jackets, shirts and pants. A white-haired older man in the crowd kneels forward with his hands in his knees. His top hat is visible on the ground in front of him. The man near the plow stands with his right leg crossed in front of his left and his left arm bent toward his chest. He raises his hat with his right hand and bends his head back. He is attired in a white collared shirt, green checkered pants, and black shoes. Visible in the background are two men chasing a goat. Houses, trees, fences, and a steamboat on a body of water are also depicted in the background. On the verso of the trade card is an illustration of an aerial view of the Oliver Chilled Plow Works. The Oliver Chilled Plow Works was founded in Mishawaka, Indiana in 1836 by James Oliver. Shortly after, Oliver began operating from a foundry in South Bend, Indiana where he began manufacturing chilled plows. In 1929, the company merged with the American Seeding Machine Company, Hart-Parr Tractor Company, and Nichols and Shepard Company to form the Oliver Farm Equipment Company., Title from item., Advertising text printed on left panel of verso: Oliver Chilled Plow, 750.000 now in use and more than 90.000 sold for the trade of 1883, a record that cannot be equaled. The Casaday Sulky Plow in spite of the determined opposition of our competitors has taken the very front place in the list of labor saving implements. 20.000 sold for the season of 1883 being more than the combined sales of any three of our competitors. Send for circulars., Advertising text printed on right panel of verso: Oliver Chilled Plow Works. South Bend, Ind., Housed with *Trade cards [*Trade cards - Oliver (P.2017.95.142)], Gift of David Doret.
Date
[1883]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Oliver [P.2017.95.142]
The "country pumbkin" is shown from the waist up. He carries a green pumpkin (or other squash) and wears a green top hat, blue jacket, and red vest. His mouth is open, either yawning or yelling. "Pumpkin" is a derogatory term for an important person., Text: Oh you poor corn-fed country Elf, / Behold the picture of thyself. / Hither come to make love's vows, / Better stay at home and feed your cows. / A city life will never do / For a stupid Hound like you, / Go hoe your corn and feed your swine / And keep your pumpkin for a Valentine., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A short and stout country bumpkin smiles and carries a pitchfork. The sender rejects the recipient's romantic advances because of his occupation., Text: My country chuck, go turn your hay, / And do not put me in a splutter, / By asking me to go away / With you, to make your cheese and butter., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
A farmer gives grain to a small bird. He has moles and errant facial hairs. The valentine puns on the meanings of green and implies that the recipient is inexperienced and a bad farmer., Text: A farmer's life's the life for me, / A farmer's lad I mean to be; / So sweet to go, at early morn, / And give the little chicks their corn; / To milk the pigs, and shear the cows, / And see the 'punkins' on the boughs; / To gaze on all the lovely scene, / And be, just like the landscape, green., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
The country clown holds a rake and stands on grass. He smiles widely and wears a wide-brimmed hat, trousers, shirt, and vest. The text suggests that he speaks a provincial dialect, saying "ye" for "you.", Text: Devoid of breeding, arts, and graces, / Among the greens I'm sure your place is; / To come to town would be a pity, / For I am sure some horse would eat ye., Provenance: McAllister, John A. (John Allister), 1822-1896, collector.
