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Title: David Paul Brown
Description: Full-length portrait of the Philadelphia lawyer, orator, dramatist, and a president of the Philadelphia Anti-Slavery Society. Brown, attired in a white collared shirt, a black bowtie, jacket, pants, and shoes, stands facing slight left near a drape, urn, and balustrade., Title and date from manuscript note on verso: David Paul Brown. Taken 1861; Wm Rawle Brown., Purchased 1994., Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Date: 1861
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department cdv portraits-sitter-Brown [P.9459.1]

Title: Girard slave pens
Description: Exterior view of the entranceway to stone pens for the purpose of incarcerating enslaved persons of Philadelphia banker, financier, and Louisiana plantation owner, Stephen Girard. Shows a wooden ladder leading to an open door. In the right are two windows covered in bars. Below are two covered basements windows with a wooden crate leaning against the one in the left. The dilapidated walls show exposed brick., Title from negative sleeve., Photographer's imprint inscribed on negative., Negative cracked., Purchase 1981., Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Creator: Jennings, William Nicholson, 1860-1946, photographer
Date: [1894]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Jennings - glass negatives [P.9480.50]

Title: Mason's challenge blacking Philadelphia
Description: Photographic reproduction of a racist and whimsically absurd advertisement, including an African American shoe shiner, to promote the premier manufactory of blacking established in 1832 by James S. Mason. Depicts the shoe-shiner "blacking" a boot near a white shoe-shine boy with a puppet and a dog. The shoe-shiner, portrayed with grotesque features, holds a brush overhead in his right hand and a boot over the hand of his other arm. He wears a button-down shirt with an open collar, suspenders, and breeches. To his right, is an oversize boot on which the boy has a propped a puppet. The puppet is an African American dandy-like character. The puppet attired in a jacket and high collar shirt holds an umbrella above his head. A dog, as he looks behind, flees from the puppet. The dog's face is reflected in the foot of the boot. The young shoe-shiner, attired in a cap, jacket, and breeches, smiles and points toward the dog. Scene also includes an oversize opened tin of blacking in the foreground. Following the death of Mason in 1888, his son Richard assumed the business which was in operation into the 20th century., Date inferred from address of engraving firm., Advertising text printed on verso: July 15th, Reduced prices Mason's Challenge Blacking. Net prices, ornamental cases, adapted for display in retail stores, or shipping, without re-packing, holding three dozen each. No. 1, or Small Size, per doz. 25 cts. " 2, or N. Medium Size, " 30 ." " 4, or Large Size, "50." To obtain this Blacking in the original Show Cases, not less than three dozen of a kind should be ordered. The American News Company, New York.
Date: [ca. 1877]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department cdv - unid. photo. - Advertisements - M [P.2016.65]

Title: [Unidentified African American man in militia uniform]
Description: Full-length portrait photograph by African American photographer Gallo W. Cheston depicting an African American man in a light-colored militia uniform. The man stands, turned slightly toward the right. He holds a long rifle in front of himself with his gloved hands. His left foot is slightly in front of his right. His uniform includes a Shako cap; jacket with epaulettes, buttons, and service stripes; shoulder strap marked "4"; belt; and pants with a dark vertical stripe down the leg. The tip of a rifle and holster is seen below his back. Portrait also includes, to the man's left, a pulled-back drape propped up on a pedestal. Following the Civil War and during Reconstruction (1865-1877), several African American militia units formed, particularly in the South., Title supplied by cataloger., Name of photographer from photographer's label pasted on verso: Cheston's 227 Lombard St., between 2d and 3d, Philadelphia. All the various styles of pictures known to the art, made in a manner as near perfection as possible; and all Improvements or additions introduced as soon as made and perfected. Your patronage is solicited. N. B. Old pictures copied to any size, in an artistic manner., Date inferred from tenancy of the photographer at the address listed on his label pasted on verso., Photograph mounted on board, rounded at the corners, and with a printed oval-shaped, frame-like border surrounding the image. Border adorned with ornaments and filigree., Photograph altered with ink and watercolor details highlighting parts of the sitter's uniform, including his cap, epaulettes, service stripes, shoulder strap, belt, and buttons, as well as his eyes, eyebrows, and sideburns. The pull of a drape included in the studio setting is also hand colored., Purchased in part with the Davida T. Deutsch African American History Fund., Description reviewed 2022., Access points revised 2022., Gallo W. Cheston (ca. 1846-1882) served as a private of the Pennsylvania National Guard 1871-1873.
Creator: Cheston, Gallo W., approximately 1846-1882, photographer
Date: [ca. 1870]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department portrait photographs - photographer - Cheston [P.2018.3]

Title: Cars loaded with cotton bales on levee near cotton growing district, Texas
Description: Scene showing a group of African American men using hand trucks to move large bales of cotton into or out of freight cars. In the left are stacks of baled cotton with two men standing on top of the bales. In the center, lines of men hold hand trucks of cotton, some turn and look at the viewer. In the right are open freight cars. A bridge and buildings are visible in the background., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Copyrighted by Underwood & Underwood., View is numbered P-V22091, the V indicating it was originally part of stereograph publisher and distributor, Underwood & Underwood's stock. An additional number- P215 indicates what position the stereograph had within a set. Pedagogical text printed on the verso reads "Freight cars loaded with cotton bales on the levee near cotton growing district, Texas...", Purchase 1998., Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of the Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014., Keystone View Company was founded in 1892 by B.L. Singley, an amateur photographer from Meadville, Pennsylvania. Keystone View Company was the leader in promoting stereographs for educational purposes. In 1912, the company purchased rights to some Underwood & Underwood negatives for use in educational sets, and in 1922 purchased the remaining stock of Underwood materials. The company remained in business until 1970.
Creator: Keystone View Company, publisher
Date: [ca. 1920]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereo - Keystone - Work [P.9600.12]

Title: [All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors in West Fairmount Park, Philadelphia]
Description: Detail of the back of the memorial, sculpted by J. Otto Schweizer, erected in 1934 by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in memory of all African American military men who have served in war time. Depicts three of the four female allegorical bronze figures representing War, Liberty, Peace, and Plenty. They flank a commemorative plate embellished with Pennsylvania's seal and listing the monument's commissioners. Erected after much controversy on Lansdowne Avenue in West Fairmount Park, the memorial was moved in 1994 to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway opposite the Franklin Institute., Title supplied by cataloger., Date inferred from content., Schweizer was a European-trained Philadelphia sculptor who specialized in monumental works including several commissions for sites in Pennsylvania., Gift of Joseph Kelly, 1982., Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Creator: Photo Illustrators (Firm)
Date: [ca. 1934]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Photo-Illustrators [P.8810.6]

Title: [All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors in West Fairmount Park, Philadelphia]
Description: View of the back of the memorial, sculpted by J. Otto Schweizer, erected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1934 in memory of all African American military men who have served in wartime. The top of the monument is a sculpted eternal flame, the "Torch of Life," surrounded by four American eagles. Below the flame, four female allegorical figures representing War, Liberty, Peace, and Plenty, flank a commemorative plaque. Trees are visible in the background. Erected after much controversy on Lansdowne Avenue, the memorial was moved in 1994 to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway opposite the Franklin Institute., Title supplied by cataloger., Date inferred from content., Photographer's imprint stamped on verso., Manuscript note on verso: Phila. West Fairmount Park. Memorial to colored soldiers erected by the Commonwealth of Penna. June 30, 1934. No. 786., Schweizer was a European-trained Philadelphia sculptor who specialized in monumental works including several commissions for sites in Pennsylvania., Gift of Joseph Kelly, 1982., Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Creator: Photo Illustrators (Firm)
Date: [ca. 1934]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Photo-Illustrators [P.8810.7]

Title: [All Wars Memorial to Colored Soldiers and Sailors in West Fairmount Park, Philadelphia]
Description: View depicting the front of the memorial, sculpted by J. Otto Schweizer, erected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1934 in memory of all African American military men who have served in wartime. The top of the monument is a sculpted eternal flame, the "Torch of Life," surrounded by four American eagles. Below the torch, a female allegorical figure of justice stands holding wreaths symbolic of honor and reward. She is flanked by five figures of African American military personnel from each branch of the armed service. A dedication is inscribed into the memorial's granite pedestal which is adorned with a wreath. Erected after much controversy on Lansdowne Avenue, the memorial was moved in 1994 to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway opposite the Franklin Institute., Title supplied by cataloger., Date inferred from content., Photographer's imprint stamped on verso., Manuscript note on verso: Phila. West Fairmount Park. Memorial to colored soldiers erected by the Commonwealth of Penna., Inscribed in negative: 786A., Gift of Joseph Kelly, 1982., Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022., Schweizer was a European-trained Philadelphia sculptor who specialized in monumental works including several commissions for sites in Pennsylvania., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Creator: Photo Illustrators (Firm)
Date: [ca. 1934]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Photo-Illustrators [P.8810.8]

Title: Anna Dickinson
Description: Bust-length portrait of the Philadelphia Quaker orator, lecturer, author, abolitionist, and women's rights activist. Dickinson, wearing her hair tied back with curls around her face and attired in a patterned dress with a white lace collar, a brooch, and drop earrings, faces slightly left., Title from manuscript note on verso., Probably by Philadelphia photographer Peregrine Cooper., Gift of Richard P. Morgan, 1996., Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Date: [ca. 1880]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department cabinet card portraits - sitter - Dickinson [P.9516.3]

Title: Rev. Albert Barnes
Description: Three-quarter length portrait of the Philadelphia minister of the First Presbyterian Church. Barnes, attired in a white collared shirt, a black waistcoat, jacket, and pants, holds a book in his right hand and sits facing slightly left. Barnes, an author of several antislavery tracts and a former member of the American Colonization Society, was an advocate of the 14th Amendment., Title from manuscript note on verso., Date inferred from photographic medium., Possibly by Philadelphia photographer Broadbent & Co., Accessioned 2001., Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
Date: [between 1855 and 1880]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department portrait photographs-Barnes [P.9916]

Title: St. Johns Episcopal Church's minstral club - graphic of minstral show April 12 and 13, 1901
Description: Negative blocked with marking tape depicting a bust-length portrait of an African American man, portrayed in racist caricature wearing a beard and attired in a bowler hat. Contains name of minstrel club and performance dates. Along the top are small photographs including several portraits of white women, a large group portrait of white men and women, and a seated white man playing the guitar., Title from negative sleeve., Duplicate: St. John's club minstrels, Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13 1901 (cartoon). [P.9645.743], Gift of Matthew Schultz, 1998., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Creator: Levis, Seth Pancoast, photographer
Date: [1901]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department 4x5 Glass Negatives - Levis [P.9645.1038]

Title: Sawnee The wonderful musical contraband known as the "Human Organ."
Description: Full-length portrait of the formerly enslaved African American performer, attired in a Union uniform. He stands facing the viewer, holding his cap in his left hand and with his right hand tucked inside his sack coat. Found homeless in 1862 in Chambersburg, Pa. by promoter Robert Criswell, the "Human Organ" imitated the organ, any sound, and sang plantation songs during exhibitions in the North, including New York City and Philadelphia., Article about Sawnee published in Franklin repository, January 27, 1864 (Chambersburg, Pa.), p. 5., Accessioned 1982., Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Date: [ca. 1863]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department cdv portraits - sitter - Sawnee [P.8925.2]

Title: Sawnee The wonderful musical contraband known as the "Human Organ."
Description: Full-length portrait of the formerly enslaved African American performer, attired in a Union uniform. He holds his hat with his left hand and tucks his right hand into his sack coat while leaning against a chair. Found homeless in 1862 in Chambersburg, Pa. by promoter Robert Criswell, the "Human Organ" imitated the organ, any sound, and sang plantation songs during exhibitions in the North, including New York City and Philadelphia., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Unmounted carte-de-visite., Article about Sawnee published in Franklin repository, January 27, 1864 (Chambersburg, Pa.), p. 5., Accessioned 1982., Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Date: [ca. 1863]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department cdv portraits - sitter - Sawnee [P.8925.3]

Title: Marriage certificate. This certifies that [Washington C. Young/of Philadelphia/state of Pennsylvania] [Amanda L. West/of Goshen/state of New Jersey] were by me united in marriage according to the ordinance of God and the laws of the state of [Pennsylvania] at [Philadelphia] on the 24 day of [May] 188[3]. [Philip L. Sanborn?]/ [Sarah A. Ross]/ [Rev. W.H. Ross officiating minister]
Description: Marriage certificate with gold touches and containing the bust-length, carte-de-visite studio portrait photographs of Washington C. Young and Amanda L. West, who are African American, surrounded by text, pictorial details, and an ornate border. Young's portrait depicts the young man, looking to the left, and attired in a jacket with a notch lapel, a dark-colored tie, and white, straight shirt collar. He also has a mustache and wears his hair short and with a side part. West's portrait depicts the young woman, looking to the right, and attired in a garment with small puffs at the shoulder and a high-collar neckline adorned with a fabric flower. She wears her wavy hair pulled back, parted in the middle and with side bangs. She also wears earrings. Between the portraits are ornaments with text reading, "It Is Not Good That Man Should Be Alone, Gen 2.18" and "I Will Make Him An Help Meet For Him Gen 2.18." The certificate also contains pictorial details of flowers and vinery, a bell, doves, and a banner. The border is composed of scrollwork, floral shapes, and cornice ornaments. At the time of their marriage, Washington C. Young was a clerk. He would continue in this profession throughout his life. Amanda (West) Young worked as a dressmaker by 1910 and was later listed as a housekeeper in census records. The couple had four children, including a daughter who worked as a dressmaker., Title from item., Date of printing inferred from printed and manuscript date., Completed in manuscript to Washington C. Young and Amanda L. West on May 24, 1883. Signed Philip L. [Sanborn?], Sarah A. Ross, and Rev. W.H. Ross, Officiating Minister., RVCDC
Date: [completed 1883, printed ca. 1880]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Philadelphia Certificates - Marriage [P.2023.59]

Title: Cartes de visite reproductions of Civil War era sketches by H.C. Bispham
Description: Collection of fifteen cartes de visite of sentimental, satiric, and racist Civil War era scenes, predominately depicting white men soldiers, by Philadelphia artist Henry Collins Bispham. Includes scenes of soldiers flushing out a sharpshooter, engaged in battle, wielding a knife, being thwarted from stealing a chicken and honey, dozing on watch, and confronted on horseback by a growling dog, as well as contrasting views of a Union and Confederate amputee soldier returning home. Racist caricatures show an ape walking with a cane, Lincoln spoon feeding a white man soldier the "Black Draft," and a downtrodden Southern white woman on the defense with an enslaved African American man on crutches and an African American boy. Other images show Abraham Lincoln as a dog confronting opossum Jefferson Davis on a tree and an itinerant white man musician with a monkey and dog. One scene includes a zouave., Two of the images signed by artist., Thirteen of the images attributed to Bispham., Created postfreeze., Originally part of a McAllister scrapbook of humorous caricatures and photographs. McAllister Collection, gift, 1886., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., Digitized by Alexander Street Press for Images of the American Civil War., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Date: [ca. 1863]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department cdv - miscellaneous - Civil War - Caricatures & cartoons - Bispham [5780.F.51 a, d, & h; 52a, l, p & q, u & v; 53 a,c, l&m, o&p]

Title: Outing of Philadelphia politicians at Ed Vare's Fort Pierce, Fla. place
Description: Group portrait of the politicians, including state senator James McNichol, Pennsylvania Judge Thomas Knight Finletter, and state senator Edwin Vare, posed outside with members of the estate's staff, including African American men. A row of nine white men stand behind a seated a row of men, including two African American men attired in white collared shirts, black bow ties, white jackets, and dark-colored pants, and three men, attired in chef’s uniforms and aprons, consisting of one white man and two African American men. The group is in a fenced in area with palm trees in the background., Title from manuscript note on verso., Photographer's blindstamp on mount., Inscribed in negative: 2281., Purchase 1993., Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Creator: Florida Photographic Concern, photographer
Date: [ca. 1910]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department group portrait photographs - men [P.9410.30]

Title: [Charles J. Webb Company float during a parade along a Philadelphia street]
Description: View of the float for Charles J. Webb Co., Philadelphia woolen and cotton yarn dealer. Bordered by a log fence and adorned with cotton plants and two small American flags, the float carries four live sheep and several costumed passengers including: three African American men attired as cotton pickers; a white man attired as a colonial lady near her spinning wheel; and a white boy attired as a colonial sheepherder holding his crook. Partial view of preceding float is visible with a white man attired in colonial garb. A large, stone building lines the street., Title supplied by cataloger., Date inferred from content., Purchase 1989., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022., Part of digital collections catalog through a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services as administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education through the Office of the Commonwealth Libraries, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Tom Corbett, Governor, 2013-2014.
Date: [ca. 1920]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photos - unidentified - processions [P.9260.638]

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