aFull-length itinerant studio portrait of an African American man, holding a derby hat in one hand, and standing in front of a plain portable back drop. He rests is other hand on a posing stand partially visble behind him. He is attired in a jacket with a pocket handkerchief, shirt with cravat tie, vest with a watch fob in the pocket, straight-leg pants, and round-tipped shoes. In the left of the portrait is a plush ottoman with feet. In the right of the image is a portable plain canvas screen/backdrop attached to a frame., Title supplied by cataloger., Date inferred from photographic medium and attire of the sitter., Purhased with the Davida Tenenbaum Deutsch African American History Fund., RVCDC
Date
[ca. 1875]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department tintypes - unid sitter [P.2025.34.2]
Full-length studio portrait of an African American man, likely a Prince Hall Freemason, wearing a masonic sash and apron. He stands and rests his right hand on the corner of a wooden chair. Sitter has a mustache and is attired in a white collared shirt, cravat-like bowtie, vest, and loose fitting jacket and pants. A gilt-colored ring adorns his hand that rests on the chair. The base of of a posing standing is also visible behind the mason's feet. Prince Hall Freemasonry is the oldest African American masonic organization in the United States. A branch of North American Freemasonry, it was founded by Prince Hall in 1784. Prince Hall Masons not only practiced the secret rituals and moral teachings of Freemasons worldwide, but also a commitment to racial uplift, mutual aid, and social justice., Title supplied by cataloger., Date inferred from photographic medium and attire of the sitter., Pad: Red velvet with scrollwork design in center within ornamented rectangle border., Mat: Oval., Case: Leather. Center medallion within nonpareil-like border surrounded by curving scrolls. Same design on verso., RVCDC
Date
[ca. 1870]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Cased photos - – unid photo – unid sitter – tintype [P.2025.5]
