Racist trade card illustration depicting an African American boy running on a beach. Visible behind and beneath the boy are five footsteps imprinted in the sand which bear the trade card's advertising text. Driftwood, is depicted near the edge of the shoreline. In the far background, sail boats, trees, and a lighthouse are visible. In the right of the image are a tree and grass. The boy is attired in striped pants with one suspender strap and carries a chicken by its legs in his left hand. Oren A. Peck opened his furniture store in 1869 in Fair Haven, Vermont., Title from item., Date inferred from dates of operation of business., Text printed on recto: Lives of great men all remind us, we can make our lives sublime, and departing leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time., Advertising text on verso: Oren A. Peck, mammoth dealer in furniture, carpets, upholstery, sewing machines, &c. Also general undertaker. Large line of fine and medium caskets, robes, etc. Two fine hearses. Main Street, Fair Haven, Vt., Printed in light red ink., Gift of David Doret.
Date
[ca. 1870]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Oren [P.2017.95.143]
Racist trade card promoting Carr & Murray, dealers in household furnishings, and depicting trompe l'oeil image with an African American boy portrayed with exaggerated features and bust length. The boy is depicted by pulling down the left corner of the card. He points at a partially-visible rabbit who hops away in the lower right. The boy is attired in white hat and a blue shirt with a red and white striped collar. James J. Carr and Lindley H. Murray of Carr & Murray owned a store selling household furnishings at 61 & 63 Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn, N.Y. from circa 1879 to circa 1891., Title from item., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of advertised business., Date deduced from the history of the advertised business and visual content., Right edge of the card is trimmed., Gift of David Doret.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Carr & Murray [P.2017.95.23]
