Search results

Title: Sollers & Co, minstrels
Description: Racist trade card illustration depicting six well-dressed children sitting in chairs arranged on a stage in a semi-circle. Four of the children are white and two of them are African American. At the center of the image is a white boy who attired in a green suit jacket and cropped pants with a pink bowtie pointing and asking the children to his right,"Why do we all wear Sollers & Co's shoes?" The African American boy in the left of the image responds, "Cause dey save de soles ob de children!" The African American boy in the right of the image is depicted saying, "Gib it up!" The two African American boys are attired in blonde wigs, blue coats, yellow pants, and boots. The three white girls are attired in ruffled dresses and hold fans. The white boy is attired in a green jacket, white collared shirt, pink bowtie, green pants, and boots. Two medals earned by Sollers & Co. at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition and the 1878 Exposition Universelle (or World's Fair) in Paris are printed on the trade card's verso. S.D. Sollers & Co. was a Philadelphia manufacturer of women and children's clothing and shoes that operated during the 19th century., Title from item., Text printed on recto: Why do we all wear Soller's & Co's shoes? Cause dey save de soles ob de chil'ren! Gib it up!, Advertising text printed on verso: Sollers & Co's celebrated shoes & slippers for ladies, misses and children. Hand-made and Machine Sewed. Retailed only at our store, 636 Arch Street, Philadelphia. Buy our Protection Toe and Box Toe Tip Shoes for your Children. They are the Best to wear., Gift of David Doret.
Date: 1877
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Sollers [P.2017.95.162]

Title: Try Atmore's mince meat and genuine English plum pudding
Description: Trade card promoting Atmore & Son's mince meat and depicting a racist scene of an African American boy street peddler. He stands on a sidewalk and holds a disc-shaped pie in his hands in front of the door to a brick building. The rosy-cheeked boy smiles and looks at the viewer. He is barefoot and attired in a white, collared shirt with orange stripes; yellow suspenders; and blue pants with black stripes that are rolled up to below his knees. In the left, on the ground and behind the peddler, is a handled basket full of pies that is partially wrapped in a white cloth. In the right is a tree with green leaves. Atmore & Son, established in 1842, was located at 141 South Front Street, Philadelphia, Pa. They continued producing mince meat as late as 1948., Title from item., Date deduced from genre of print and visual content., Text printed on recto: Try Atmore's mince meat and genuine English plum pudding., Advertising text printed on verso: [A]tmore'[s] celebrated mince meat and genuine English plum pudding prepared with the most scrupulous care from the choicest materials. Average daily sales in the season, 12 tons! Economical! Rich! Reliable! A standing invitation is extended to all visiting Philadelphia, to inspect the manufacture of our goods in all its details. Come and see for yourself! Oldest house in the trade! Established--1842. More & []. [141 S]outh Fron[t] [Stre]et, [P]hiladelphia, PA., Gift of David Doret., Library Company holds a duplicate copy [1975.F.14].
Date: [ca. 1880]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Atmore [P.2017.95.8]

Title: See that hump? Something inside for you
Description: Racist trade card promoting De Long Hook and Eye Company and depicting a caricature of an African American boy cutting a watermelon. Shows the barefoot boy, portrayed with exaggerated features, and holding a saber-like knife in his right hand while he cuts into a large, green watermelon. Drops of juice drip from the slice in the melon. The boy smiles at the viewer. He is attired in blue shorts with yellow suspenders and a red sleeveless shirt. Brothers Charles F. and Frank E. Delong (1864-1939) established the firm Richardson & DeLong Bros. with Thomas D. Richardson in 1891. The brothers had patented the "Delong hump" fastener in 1889, which prevented the eye of a button hole from slipping out of the hook. "See that hump" became the firm's popular advertising slogan. Scovill Manufacturing Company acquired the company in 1955., Title from item., Place of publication from place of operation of the advertised business., Date deduced from history of the advertised business., Advertising text printed on verso: The De Long Hook and Ey[e], MF'D by Richardson an[d] De Long Bros. Philadelphia U.S.A., Gift of David Doret.
Date: [ca. 1891]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - De Long [P.2017.95.42]

Title: Van Stan's Stratena, the best cement in the world Great lecture on Van Stan's Stratena by Julius Augustus Cesar at Ethiopian Hall. Mends china, glass, wood, bone, metal, jet, coral, porcelain, leather, ivory, stone, &c. &c
Description: Racist trade card illustration depicting an African American man lecturing in front of an audience of well-dressed African American men on a stage. The lecturer leans on a wooden table and is attired in a brown jacket, a tan vest, a white shirt with gold cuff links, a white bowtie, blue pants, and black shoes. Rolls of paper stick out from the man's back pocket. The man's upturned top hat is visible underneath the table. A decorative object advertising Stratena and a cup sit on the table. All of the men are depicted with exaggerated features. Van Stan's Stratena was manufcatured in Philadelphia during the late 19th century., Title from item., Advertising text on recto: One drop of dis yere Stratena on de conscience of a politician will make him stick to his principles. One drop on de mariage certificate will prevent de divorce court from separating you from de wife of your bosom. Do you hear me! Gentlemen I am a talking., Gift of David Doret.
Date: [ca. 1880]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Van Stran [P.2017.95.182]

Title: Vickery's Aunt Sally baking powder
Description: Trade card illustration depicting a snowy scene. Two white boy, a woman, and a dog stand by a sled. They are under a large barren tree and near the steps of a house. Visible in the background are trees, a body of water and mountains. On the verso, there is a racist illustration of an African American woman holding a tray of biscuits. A speech bubble near her head reads, "Dar's no use talking, Missus' Vickery's Aunt Sally am de best fur biscuits and cakes." Vickery & Co. manufactured Aunt Sally's Baking Soda and was likely founded in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1875. The company's founder, George H. Vickery later moved to Philadelphia after a fire destroyed his business., Title from item., Partially visible advertising text printed on verso: Presented with each box. Vickery's Aunt Sally baking poser, trade mark patented. The secret told. [...] put a laundry gloss on your shirts [...] Buy a bottle of Aunt Sally Harsh Gloss and see how it is done. You [...] with it, it puts that shiny gloss., Gift of David Doret.
Date: [ca. 1890]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Vikery [P.2017.95.183]

Title: Colburn's Philadelphia mustard
Description: Trade card promoting A. Colburn & Co.'s mustard and depicting a racist caricature of an young African girl riding an ostrich in a tropical setting. Show the barefooted girl, attired in a short-sleeved, knee-length, red dress with yellow trim, holding on to the ostrich's neck with both hands. The grey ostrich takes a long stride with its legs as it runds on a dirt path. Plants with palm leaves, greenery, and a rock line the path. Arthur T. Colburn (1834-1901) founded the spice business A. Colburn & Co. in 1856 in Philadelphia. The business was one of the largest spice dealers in the city and operate into the 1920s., Title from item., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of advertised business., Date deduced from history of the advertised business and visual content., Advertising text printed on verso: Colburn's Philadelphia mustard 1/4, 1/2 & 1 lb. Tins, always full weight. Better and cheaper than imported. 14 cents a pound saved in duty alone. Flavor, pungency and quality unequalled. Best for table or medicinal purposes. Press opinions of Colburn's Philadelphia mustard: N.Y. World--"Many persons have found that Colburn's Philadelphia mustard is better than the imported for the table and sick room." N.Y. Sun--"Better goods at lower prices is welcome news to housekeepers. Colburn's Philadelphia mustard, better and cheaper than imported, pleases everybody." N.Y. Telegram-- "One of the best articles of its kind is Colburn's Philadelphia mustard. It is a table luxury and is especially good for medicinal purposes." N.Y. Com. Advertiser --"The celebrity of Colburn's Phila. mustard as a table luxury and medicinal purposes has won for it a deserved place in prominent competition." N.Y. Evening Post--"An advance made by American manufacturers is of benefit to the whole county. Colburn's Philadelphia mustard is taking the place largely of imported mustard." N.Y. Evening Express--"We call special attention to Colburn's Philadelphia mustard. Many who have had an idea that the imported [w]as the best have found that this 'brand' of home manufac[tu]re was better for the table and sick room, besides being at least 14 cents a pound cheaper, on account of saving in duty. Messrs. A. Colburn & Co., of Philadelphia, stand in the front rank of our manufacturers and none need be afraid of goods bearing [?]me or label. We cordially recommend Colburn's Philadelphia mustard." Sold by all grocers and druggists., Gift of David Doret.
Date: [ca. 1880]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Colburn [P.2017.95.34]

Title: Look back gentlemen, into the future
Description: Racist trade card promoting Frederick A. Rex & Company's Peerless Coffee and depicting a caricature of an African American man peddler standing on a stage. The man, attired in a blue plaid suit with gold buttons, a white shirt with an enormous collar around the neck, and black shoes, is portrayed with an oversized head and exaggerated features. He stands behind a small table on a stage, places his left hand on the table, raises his right hand in the air, and winks his left eye. In the right on the stage is top hat turned upside down with an orange cloth coming of out it. In the left leaning against the table is a green umbrella with a black handle. Frederick A. Rex (1850-1916) founded the Frederick A. Rex Company in the 1880s which manufactured coffee and tea. The firm had an office in Philadelphia and a mill in Camden, N.J., Title from item., Place of publication from place of operation of advertised business., Date deduced from history of advertised business., Advertising text printed on verso: The Peerless Coffee, finest coffee sold. Always ask your Grocer for this Popular Brand, and you will be sure to have the best. Roasted and packed by Fred'k A. Rex & Co. 39 North Front St. Philadelphia. Mills, Camden, N.J. Illustration of a square package labeled, "The Peerless Coffee.", Gift of David Doret., Library copy has manuscript inscription on the verso: Emma J. Hottle.
Date: [1890]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Fredrick [P.2017.95.65]

Title: Noix de coco for puddings, pies, and pastry. Manufactured by Warner & Merritt. Philadelphia
Description: Racist trade card promoting Warner & Merritt’s Noix de Coco and depicting a white woman in a hammock being fanned by a caricature of an African man. In the center, shows the blond-haired, white woman attired in a red headband, a blue dress, and yellow shoes, lying in a hammock. In the left, an African woman, attired in a red head kerchief, a necklace, a white shirt, and a red skirt, serves a tray of food to the woman. The white woman leans over and grabs a piece of food from the tray with her right hand and has a butterfly on her left hand. In the right, an African man, attired in hoop earrings and a red and white sarong, fans the woman with a feathered fan on a long pole. In the right foreground, another African man attired in a blue sarong, sits on steps leading to the hammock and fills a basket with coconuts. In the left are a parrot, several stacked boxes with pineapples on top, and two potted plants. In the right, a monkey sits holding a coconut. In the background is a water fountain, a statue of a woman carrying a vase on a pedestal, and palm and coconut trees. Behind the hammock is the roof of a building with a yellow curtain hanging down. The Philadelphia firm Warner & Merritt imported fruit from the West Indies and Central America from 1878 until 1884. They used 20,000 to 25,000 coconuts weekly to manufacture their desiccated coconut product, Noix de Coco., Title from item., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of the advertised business., Date deduced from the history of the advertised business., Distributor's imprint stamped on verso: Levi I. Schreffler, Dealer In Produce, Tobacco, Sugars, Fresh Fish & Truck, New Depot, Tamaqua, PA., Gift of David Doret.
Date: [ca. 1880]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Warner [P.2017.95.188]

Title: Laird, Schober & Mitchell's shoes. Too fine to blacken!
Description: Racist trade card depicting a white boy kicking an African American shoe shine boy from behind. The white boy wears a white clown outfit with blue details, jumps rope, and kicks his left foot in the air. The shoe shiner, his back to the viewer, is propelled into the air. His top hat, shoe shining stool, and open can of shoe polish flies away from him. Laird, Schober & Mitchell's Shoes began operating in 1870. The partners included Samuel S. Laird, George P. Schober and George A. Mitchell., Title from item., Advertising text on verso: A Request, [Before] purchasing Shoes Examine Ours. Prices are now reduced and goods finest manufactured. Laird, Schober & Mitchell, 1133 Arch [Street], Philad., Gift of David Doret.
Date: [ca. 1880]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Laird [P.2017.95.101]

Title: The light-running New Home sewing machine, D.S. Ewing, general agent, 1127 Chestnut St. Phila, PA
Description: Racist trade card illustration depicting an African American family riding a donkey and leaving their small cabin, which is likely located on or near a plantation. The family consists of a father, son, mother, and baby. Surrounding the family are two small dogs, two children waving goodbye on a wooden fence, a child who tugs the donkey's tail, a woman bidding the group farewell with her arms outstrethced, and a man who sits on the steps of the cabin in the background. A second cabin is visible in the background of the image behind the wooden fence. The father is attired in a yellow coat, a white and black top hat, and shoes. The son is attired in a white dotted shirt, a hat, plaid yellow pants, and shoes. The mother is attired in a yellow shirt, a white bonnet, a blue dotted shirt and shoes. She holds the baby in a wrapped blanket and gestures toward the onlookers behind her. A sign shaped like an arm with a hand pointing its index finger is situated beside the wood fence and reads "New home." In the upper right corner is a circular image of a New Home sewing machine. Daniel S. Ewing was a Philadelphia merchant who sold sewing machines at his eponymous store. The store was located in Philadelphia on Chestnut Street., Title from item., Text on recto: We's gwine to get a new home we is!, Gift of David Doret.
Date: [ca. 1885]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - New Home [P.2017.95.140]

Title: The "Gem" freezer
Description: Racist trade card illustration depicting an African American woman maid serving two bowls of freshly churned ice cream on a tray to two white children sitting at a table with a white tablecloth. The girl is attired in a yellow dress with a white and purple ruffled collar and a white ribbon in her hair. She sits with her hands folded. The boy is attired in a long sleeved purple shirt and a white bib. He holds a spoon in his right hand and reaches his left hand out toward the maid. The maid is attired in a red headwrap, gold hoop earrings, a white collared shirt with a bowtie, a blue long sleeved dress, and a white apron. On the verso of the trade card is a black and white illustration depicting a "Gem" freezer. The "Gem" freezer was manufactured by the North Brothers Manufacturing Company, which was based in Philadelphia and owned by Selden Gladwin North, Ralph H. North, and Frank H. North. The company was founded in 1878 and became a major manufacturer of various kitchen appliances., Title from item., Date inferred from dates of operation of business., Note written in manuscript on verso., Advertising text printed on verso: The "Gem" freezer. The best in practical use, because convenient, compact in size, use for smallest amount of ice and salt, run easily, freeze quickly, produce smoothly frozen creams or desserts with little bother and less work. The Pails have electric-welded wire hoops, guaranteed not to break or fall off; the cans are made of heavy tinplate with drawn steel bottoms that are guaranteed not to fall out or break and do not leak, the strongest and most durable freezer can made; the automatic twin scrapers by their positive action insure perfect scraping of frozen particles from side of can as rapidly as formed without injury to can or scrapers. All inside parts are heavily coated with pure block tin, and outside parts all thoroughly galvanized. A recipe book with complete directions for making over 100 ice creams, water ices, sherbets and other desserts packed in each freezer. W.E. Sturges, Phoenixville, PA., Gift of David Doret.
Date: [ca. 1890]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - North Bros. [P.2017.95.141]

Title: Finnerty's, the champion of all root beer extracts, 15c. per bottle. 106 Market Street
Description: Racist trade card promoting E.J. Finnerty Jr. & Co.'s patent medicines and depicting a crying African American baby that is suspended from a tree branch. In the center of the image is a baby, attired in a white onesie, that has a white cloth wrapped around their midsection and tied to a blooming cherry tree branch. The baby's eyes are tightly closed, their mouth is open wide, and they grasp a branch of cherry blossoms with their left hand. A straw hat also is on the tree branch. E.J. Finnerty (1863-1901) was a druggist in Philadelphia. He created the firm Finnerty, McClure & Co. in 1891 and continued in the trade until his death., Title from item., Advertising text printed on verso: Go to the old reliable drug store, 106 Market St. Philadelphia, for pure drugs and medicine at the lowest prices. We make a specialty of compounding Physicians' Prescriptions, with great care and promptness. A full line of Perfumes and Toilet Articles always on hand. We will also continue the manufacture and sale of the following well-known and highly recommended remedies: Finnerty's W.C.&H. Expectorant, . Per bottle. Price, 25c. The best remedy for coughs, colds, etc. Finnerty's Beef, Iron and Wine, ... " 50c. The great nutritive tonic. Finnerty's Sarsaparilla, ..." 50c. The best blood purifier. Penn's White Linament, ... 25c. The great rheumatic remedy. Finnerty's Essence Ginger, ... " 25c. The reliable remedy for colic, nausea and debility. Finnerty's Cramp and Diarrhoea Mixture, ... " 25c. A sure cure for cholera morbus and stomach troubles. Finnerty's Liver Granules, ... " 25c. No better in the markey. Finnerty's Catarrh Remedy, ... Per Box 25c. Will cure catarrh, cold in the head and hay fever. Michner's German Dyspepsia Lozenges, ... " 50c. The greatest remedy known for the cure of dyspepsia. E.J. Finnerty, Jr. & Co. Druggists and Manufacturing Chemists., Gift of David Doret.
Date: [1890]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Finnerty [P.2017.95.63]

Main menu