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- Title
- Chinese prisoner
- Description
- Full-length portrait of an unidentified Chinese man with his queue tied to a ladder. The man, wearing a queue hairstyle and attired in a blue robe, belt, and cloth slip-on shoes, stands facing to the left with his hands inside his sleeves at his waist and his right foot forward. His hair is tied to a ladder that leans against the wall in the right. The manuscript inscription labels the man as a "Chinese prisoner.", Title from manuscript note written on recto under the image: Chinese prisoner., Date inferred from content., Gift of S. Marguerite Brenner, 1984.
- Date
- [ca. 1865]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department cdv - unid. photographer - unid. men sitters [P.9057.71]
- Title
- B. Miller, segars, tobacco, stationery, toys &c., 1822 S. Seventh St., Phila
- Description
- Trade card promoting tobacco merchant B. Miller and showing two boys pulling the hair of a Chinese man depicted in racist caricature. In the right, the Chinese man, wearing an exaggeratedly long queue hairstyle and attired in a blue tunic, yellow pants, and black shoes, is pulled on his back onto a wooden box and grasps the sides with his hands. In the left, a white boy, attired in a white hat with a blue ribbon, a pink-striped shirt, blue pants, and black shoes, holds the man's hair and pulls back with his feet lifted off the ground. The white boy, attired in a yellow hat with an orange ribbon, a white shirt, yellow pants, and black shoes, stands facing left and pulls the man's hair over his shoulder with his feet lifted off the ground. Broadsides pasted on the fence in the background read,"Hoodlumism at discount education" and "Soiety [sic] for converting heathen." A building is visible in the right background., Title from text stamped on verso., Date inferred from content., Purchased 2015., See related: Berman Trade Card Collection - Weymann [P.2015.56.939]., RVCDC
- Date
- [ca. 1870]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Berman Trade Card Collection - Miller [P.2015.56.591]
- Title
- The Dancing Chinaman. An amusing cut-out
- Description
- Racist caricature of a Chinese man printed as a paper toy marionette. Depicts the man wearing a queue hairstyle, attired in a green tunic with yellow trim, red pants with green trim, yellow socks, and black cloth slip-on shoes, and with long fingernails. He smiles broadly and holds two fingers up on each hand. Printed in segments of head, torso, and separate arms and legs with instructions on how to cut the pieces out and attach them with strings to sticks to make a puppet. In the right, shows a diagram with the constructed toy and two white hands holding the sticks to make him dance., Title from item., Date from copyright statement: Copyright 1909, by the North American Company., Published in the September 12, 1909 Sunday supplement of the North American newspaper., Text printed on recto: Directions: Paste this sheet upon a sheet of heavy cardboard: let it dry thoroughly, and cut out pieces around heavy black lines. Join parts together by knotting a piece of string on either side, as in diagram. (A to A, B to B, C to C, D to D and E to E.) Then take two sticks about eight inches long (two pencils will do), cut two pieces of black thread about twenty-four inches long: fasten them at either side of figure’s head (1 and 2) and at each end of one stick, as in diagram. Cut two pieces of black thread about six inches long, make them fast at bottom of arm and knee (Nos. 3, 4, 5 and 6), as in diagram. Cut then at either end of other stick, as in diagram. Hold stick No. 1 in left hand and No. 2 in right hand, let feet of figure touch floor and tilt stick No. 2 up and down in a seesaw manner. With a little practice you will be able to work your marionette in first-class order., RVCDC, Larry Semon (1889-1928) worked as a cartoonist for Philadelphia and New York newspapers before becoming an actor, director, producer, and screenwriter during the silent film era.
- Creator
- Semon, Larry, 1889-1928
- Date
- 1909
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department *GC- Paper toys - Dancing [P.2024.71.1
- Title
- A joyous Christmas and a happy New Year Geo. Remsen Jr. & Co., Stationers & engravers, 815 Arch St. Phila
- Description
- Trade card promoting engraver and stationer Geo. Remsen Jr. & Co. and depicting racist caricatures of a Chinese woman and two Chinese men. In the right, a Chinese woman, wearing her hair up with decorative pins and a flower and attired in a blue, off-the-shoulder dress, sits in a red chair and holds a bouquet of pink flowers. In the center, the Chinese man, wearing a beard and a queue hairstyle and attired in a purple tunic and green pants, stands with his arms folded. In the left, the Chinese man, wearing a goatee and queue hairstyle and attired in a red tunic, pink-and-white striped pants, and black cloth slip-on shoes, stands in front of the woman with his hands out. Also in the scene are a small dog and a red dragon., Title from item., Date inferred from calendar printed on verso., Text printed on verso: "Geo. Remsen Jr. & Co., Stationers & engravers, 815 Arch St., Philadelphia" with a monthly calendar for 1880., RVCDC.
- Date
- [1879]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Berman Trade Card Collection - Geo. Remsen Jr. & Co. [P.2015.56.299]
- Title
- Tuesday, August 15, 1905. The Ladies clothing emporium. She and I[?] take an umbrella to [the?] and get our first look at the heathen Chinee
- Description
- Manuscript note with images from magazines of four women and a Chinese man pasted on the back of a Keystone Telephone Company order form. Handwritten note, presumably by a white woman, describes a trip to a women's clothing store and an encounter seeing a Chinese man. It reads, "Tuesday, August 15, 1905. The Ladies clothing emporium. She and I[?] take an umbrella to [the?] and get our first look at the heathen Chinee." Four fashion magazine prints depicting women attired in dresses have been cut out and pasted on each corner of the card. In the bottom center is a photomechanical print of a Chinese man, wearing a queue hairstyle and attired in a tunic, robe, a string of beads, and cloth slip-on shoes, standing with his hands at his waist and looking down. An arrow points from the word "Chinee" to the image. Robert H. Foerderer (1860-1903) founded the Keystone Telephone Company in 1900. Bell bought Keystone in 1944., Title and date from manuscript written on verso., Text printed on recto: Keystone Telephone Company, Equip. Dept., Detail Order Record. Detail order no.; File no.; Ordered; Supply order no.; Location and nature of work; [C]ompleted; Elapsed time; [?]st material; Cost labor; [T]otal cost; Acct. chgble; [?]reman; Men; Remarks., Library Company copy is torn on the left side., RVCDC
- Date
- [ca. 1905]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department ephemera - forms/documents [P.2025.42]
- Title
- Wanamaker’s ladies’ & gents’ dining rooms, 42 N. 8th St., bel. Arch, Geo. W. Wanamaker
- Description
- Trade card promoting Wanamaker's restaurant and depicting a Chinese man serving tea to a Chinese man and woman on a balcony. In the left, the man, wearing his hair in a queue and attired in a cap, long-sleeved tunic, pants, and black, slip-on shoes, hands a steaming cup and saucer of tea to a seated man. The man, wearing a mustache and attired in a cap and long-sleeved robe, sits holding a paper in his left hand and rests his feet on a footrest. In the right, the Chinese woman, wearing her hair up in a bun and with decorative pins and attired in a long-sleeved dress with a collar, sits and holds a fan in her left hand. A building is visible in the background., Title from item., Date inferred from active dates of the lithographer and advertised business., Advertising text printed on verso: Wanamaker’s ladies’ and gents’ dining rooms, 823 Market St., & 42 S. Second St., Philadelphia. Geo. W. Wanamaker, Prop’r. [Over.], RVCDC
- Creator
- Craig, Finley & Co.
- Date
- [1875]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Berman Trade Card Collection - Wanamaker's [P.2015.56.919]
- Title
- Use the agate iron ware, as it never rusts or leaks, and loudly are its praises sung by every tongue that speaks
- Description
- Trade card promoting Weber & Bro. and depicting a caricaturized Chinese man sailing in a pot and a duck sailing in a kettle. In the left, the man, wearing his hair in a queue and attired in a red cap and long-sleeved, yellow tunic with red polka dots, holds an oar as he sails in an oversized handled pot with a shirt as the sail. The pot reads, "For China." In the right, a yellow duck, attired in a red cap and shirt, looks through a telescope as it sails in a kettle that reads, "For Europe, Asia, Africa." A ship is visible in the left background. George and William Weber founded Weber & Bro. in 1881. They sold hardware, cutlery, and tools at their store located at 2230 North Front Street., Title from item., Date inferred from active dates of the advertised business., Advertising text printed on verso: Weber & Bro., 2230 North Front Street, Philadelphia, PA., RVCDC
- Date
- [ca. 1885]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Berman Trade Card Collection - Weber & Bro. [P.2015.56.928]
- Title
- H.A. Weymann, dealer in watches, clocks and jewelry, 156 North Second St., Philadelphia
- Description
- Trade card promoting clock and jewelry dealer H.A. Weymann and showing two boys pulling the hair of a Chinese man depicted in racist caricature. In the right, the Chinese man, wearing an exaggeratedly long queue hairstyle and attired in a blue tunic, yellow pants, and black shoes, grabs his hair with his hands and pulls back sitting on top a wooden box. In the left, a white boy, attired in a yellow hat with an orange ribbon, a white shirt, yellow pants, and black shoes, stands on the corner of the box, holds the Chinese man's hair and pulls back. The boy, attired in a pink-striped shirt, blue pants, and black shoes, stands below the other boy, holds onto the man's hair, and pulls. His white hat with a blue ribbon falls off of his head. Broadsides pasted on the fence in the background read,"How beautiful are the ways of South" and "Do unto others what others [do un]to you" A building is visible in the right background., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Purchased 2015., See related: Berman Trade Card Collection - Miller [P.2015.56.591]., RVCDC
- Date
- [ca. 1870]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Berman Trade Card Collection - Weymann [P.2015.56.939]
- Title
- Just a little Chinaman laundry work fine, will cookie, washee, ironie if you'll be his valentine
- Description
- Racist caricature of a Chinese man laundry worker holding an iron and an ironing board and bending down towards a rat. In the right, the Chinese man wears a queue hairstyle with a red bow tied at the end of his braid and is attired in a blue tunic with gold trim, black pants, red socks, and green cloth slip-on shoes. He holds an iron in his right hand and an ironing board in his left hand. He bends over and looks down at a rat that runs away. In the left are red hearts and a clothespin. The text is written in pidgin English: Just a little Chinaman laundry work fine, will cookie, washee, ironie if you'll be his valentine., Title from item., Date inferred from medium and content., Series no. printed on verso: Series IV., Library Company copy has manuscript message and address written on verso and is postmarked, Blodgett Mills, N.Y., Feb. 12, P.M. 1906; Syracuse Feb. 13, A.M. 1906. Includes one-cent stamp depicting Benjamin Franklin., RVCDC
- Date
- [ca. 1906]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department LCP Postcards - Genre - Just [P.2024.11]
- Title
- The Inasmuch Mission
- Description
- Reproduction of a drawing of a busy street scene with the four-story "Inasmuch Mission Men's Hotel and Restaurant" at 1019 Locust Street, Philadelphia. Completed in 1913, the mission house, the exterior resembling a warehouse, rehabilitated "fallen" men through religious and social services. Scene includes views of the nearby markets adorned with awnings under which men and women shoppers peruse displays, converse, and stand idle. The African American man, attired in a bowler hat, a shirt, a jacket, pants, and shoes, stands leaning against the awning pole with his hands in his pockets. In the right, the Chinese man, wearing a queue and attired in a tunic, pants, and slip-on, cloth shoes, stands against a wall and looks down the street away from the viewer. A horse-drawn wagon and pedestrians traverse the street. In the left, a man organ grinder with a monkey entertains children standing on the sidewalk., Copyrighted., Drawn by artist in 1914., See accompanying pamphlet containing the artist's descriptions of the views, "Ever-Changing Philadelphia" (Philadelphia: Frank H. Taylor), p. 6., Accessioned circa 1916., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
- Creator
- Taylor, Frank H. (Frank Hamilton), 1846-1927, artist
- Date
- [drawn 1914, printed 1915]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Taylor - Case 11-6 [2717.F]
- Title
- The Inasmuch Mission
- Description
- Reproduction of a drawing of a busy street scene with the four-story "Inasmuch Mission Men's Hotel and Restaurant" at 1019 Locust Street, Philadelphia. Completed in 1913, the mission house, the exterior resembling a warehouse, rehabilitated "fallen" men through religious and social services. Scene includes views of the nearby markets adorned with awnings under which men and women shoppers peruse displays, converse, and stand idle. The African American man, attired in a bowler hat, a shirt, a jacket, pants, and shoes, stands leaning against the awning pole with his hands in his pockets. In the right, the Chinese man, wearing a queue and attired in a tunic, pants, and slip-on, cloth shoes, stands against a wall and looks down the street away from the viewer. A horse-drawn wagon and pedestrians traverse the street. In the left, a man organ grinder with a monkey entertains children standing on the sidewalk., Copyrighted., Drawn by artist in 1914., See accompanying pamphlet containing the artist's descriptions of the views, "Ever-Changing Philadelphia" (Philadelphia: Frank H. Taylor), p. 6., Accessioned circa 1916., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
- Creator
- Taylor, Frank H. (Frank Hamilton), 1846-1927, artist
- Date
- [drawn 1914, printed 1915]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Taylor - Case 11-6 [2717.F]
- Title
- Major E. Newell, with Genl. Tom Thumb's Museum. H.R. Jacobs, manager
- Description
- Die cut trade card in the shape of a painting palette. Promotes General Tom Thumb's Museum, a variety company tour, and depicts Edmund Newell, known as Major E. Newell, attired in four costumes. In the top, shows Newell in yellowface impersonating a Chinese man, wearing a queue hairstyle and attired in a blue tunic and pants and black cloth slip-on shoes. He lifts his left leg up; places his right hand on his hip; and holds a red fan in his left hand. Tom Thumb, born Charles Sherwood Stratton, and Edmund Newell, also known as Major E. Newell and General Grant Jr., were people with dwarfism who toured with P.T. Barnum. Newell married Minnie Warren, whose sister, Lavinia Warren, was married to Tom Thumb., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Advertising text printed on verso: General Tom Thumb and his charming little wife with entire troupe. Horticultural Hall positively two weeks only Sept. 25 to Oct. 7th. Every afternoon & evening. Skatorial champion. Major Newell, the impersonator; Zoe Meleke, and her performing canary birds; Whiston, humorist and great facial artist; marvelous midget; Bingham, ventriloquist & illusionist with a congress of brilliants., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Digitized., RVCDC
- Date
- [ca. 1882]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Horticultural [1975.F.651]
- Title
- Sharpless & Sons, Philadelphia
- Description
- Trade card promoting dry goods merchant Sharpless & Sons and depicting a Chinese boy sitting on an oversized fan. Shows the boy, wearing a queue hairstyle and attired in a blue robe with red trim and a green sash around the waist, green stockings, and slip-on shoes, sitting with his back to the viewer on a large fan. The gold hand fan is decorated with a bird and flowers. Chinese characters are written in the left. Sharpless & Sons were importers, jobbers, and retailers of dry goods that operated from 801, 803, 805, & 807 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Purchased 2015., RVCDC
- Date
- [ca. 1880]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Berman Trade Card Collection - Sharpless [P.2015.56.774]
- Title
- Superstitious Chinese children covering their faces to avoid being photographed
- Description
- Photograph depicting a Chinese man and four Chinese children on a platform at the entrance of the Chinese Pavilion at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis. Shows a boy standing with his back to the viewer, wearing a queue hairstyle and attired in a red cap, a blue shirt and pants, and blue cloth slip-on shoes. In the left, the boy, attired in a blue cap, a pink shirt and pants, and blue cloth slip-on shoes, sits on a chair and looks to the left. Beside him, a seated young girl, wearing a pink bow in her hair and attired in a pink shirt and pants, and blue cloth slip-on shoes, covers her face with both of her hands. In the right, a child, attired in a dark blue shirt, blue pants, and blue cloth slip-on shoes, sits and raises their arm and hands to cover their face. In the left behind the children, a Chinese man, attired in a conical hat, a dark blue shirt and pants, and cloth slip-on shoes, stands and holds possibly a torch. A white man, wearing a mustache and attired in a white collared shirt and a gray suit, stands and faces the viewer. A green dragon with its mouth open decorates the platform. A decorative wooden railing is visible along the background. The Louisiana Purchase Exposition, also known as the St. Louis World's Fair, was held from April 30 to December 1, 1904 in commemoration of the centennial of the Purchase. More than 60 countries and 43 of the American states displayed exhibits at the fair, which was attended by 19.7 million people. The Chinese Pavilion included a theater, a temple, a tea house, a bazaar, and a reproduction of the summer home of Prince Pu Lun, the Imperial Commissioner. In the Chinese Village were Chinese merchants, mechanics, painters, waiters, silk weavers, musicians, performers, and children. The children were set at the entrance of the concession to attract visitors., Green mount with rounded corners., Title printed on mount., Date inferred from content and date of event., Text printed on verso: In the Chinese Village there were nine little Chinese children who were shrewdly employed at the entrance to the concession as a drawing feature and who attracted great crowds of people. The youngest child was but three years old. Both parents lived in the village as merchants. The favorite with the visitors was Fanny Moy, the seven-year old daughter of the village druggist. She possessed a sweet voice and spoke English almost without any foreign accent. The largest boy, nine years old, was an accomplished musician and took also a prominent part in the theatrical performances. The children were under government inspection, and physicians detailed from the army service looked after their physical welfare, while a returned missionary instructed them in English. Each child was under a bond of $500 to secure their safe return to China after the exposition., Gift of Linda Kimiko August.
- Creator
- Ingersoll, T. W. (Truman Ward), 1862-1922
- Date
- 1904
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereos – misc. – Ingersoll [P.2023.43.6]
- Title
- A Chinese laundry in Philadelphia
- Description
- Interior view of a Chinese owned and operated laundry in Philadelphia. In the center, shows the owner of the business attired in a top hat, white collared shirt, bowtie, suit jacket, waistcoat, and pants. He sits in a wooden chair with his legs crossed and smoking a cigarette as he supervises the workers. The four Chinese men laundry workers wear queue hairstyles and are attired in tunics, pants, and slip-on, cloth shoes. In the left, two men stand behind the counter and iron, one of whom spits water from his mouth onto the laundry. In the right, the man stands facing the viewer with his hand on top of his head while a man irons from another countertop. Steam rises up from the irons. There is a storage closet with the door partially open revealing shelves with folded laundry. More stacks of folded laundry sit on the countertops. In the right foreground, there are five irons warming on a heater and two baskets of laundry. A clock hangs on the wall., Title from item., Date and publication information from original source., Published in the June 3, 1876 issue of the Graphic, a British weekly illustrated newspaper., Text description of the engraving from the Graphic, p. 542: A Chinese Laundry in Philadelphia. Though not nearly so numerous as in California, where their presence has recently excited extreme hostility among the white working classes, the Chinese are to be found, though few and far between, in the Eastern States. There are several Chinese laundries in Philadelphia, and as they have only been recently introduced from California, they are almost as much objects of interest to Philadelphians as to foreigners. Our artist came across the laundry shown in our engraving unexpectedly. As soon as the Chinamen perceived him sketching it through the window, they rushed out and shouted after him, whereupon he made off, thinking it prudent to avoid a scene. The Celestial in European dress is the "boss," or master, who owns several laundries, and who attends to the customers and business arrangements. The manner of damping the clothes preparatory to ironing is peculiar, the operator fills his mouth with water, and squirts it over the linen., Gift of Linda Kimiko August., RVCDC
- Date
- June 3, 1876
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Ph Pr - 8x10 - Businesses - Chinese Laundry [P.2023.27.1]
- Title
- Day's soap does it Washee, washee, see him rub on his washboard in the tub; see him wash and smile with glee for he's from hard labor free; with Day's soap his work is done when his rivals just begun
- Description
- Title from item., Date from copyright statement: Copyrighted 1887 by Day & Frick., Racist metamorphic trade card showing a caricaturized Chinese man laundry worker washing a sheet on a wash board in a washtub. Includes a tab that when pulled lifts the washer's arms up and down to reveal the text "Day Soap" on the wash board. The man wears his hair in a queue and is attired in a long-sleeved, blue collared shirt with buttons down the front, blue pants, and slip-on, cloth shoes. He smiles and looks to the right. The tub rests on a table beside a bar of soap, labeled “Day’s Soap.” On the ground behind the table is a basket of laundry. Sheets hang on a drying line. In the background, the wall has Chinese-stylized decorations including a gold wallpaper depicting birds and fish and a purple and gold wall hanging that reads, “Day’s Soap.” Peter Day founded the Day & Frick soap manufactory firm in 1886. He retired as president of the firm in 1917., Purchased with funds from the Walter J. Miller Trust for the Visual Culture Program., RVCDC, John D. Avil founded the Avil Printing Company (also known as John D. Avil & Co.) in West Philadelphia and managed it from the early 1860s until his death in 1918.
- Date
- [1887]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Day's [P.2012.62.8]
- Title
- The tables turned You sabe him! Kealney must go!
- Description
- Political cartoon depicting racist caricatures of Chinese workers heckling Workingmen's Party of California leader Denis Kearney, who is in prison. In the right, shows Kearney, attired in a black-and-white-striped prison uniform with a ball and chain on his ankle, standing and grasping the bars of his cell, which is labeled, “House of Correction, 181.” In the left, a group of Chinese men workers, wearing queue hairstyles and attired in caps and hats, tunics, pants, and cloth slip-on shoes, sit and stand amongst baskets, including two filled with fish. They hold out to Kearney products associated with their employment, including a laundry worker carrying a washboard and offering socks with holes; a fishmonger holding crabs and a fish labeled, “Black Friday,” on a stick; and a man with a cigar in his mouth holding out a bundle of cigars. They mock him in pidgin English, “you sabe him? Kealney must go!” in reference to Kearney’s slogan that he ended every speech with: “The Chinese must go.” In the top left pinned to the wall is a depiction of a donkey and a cart, possibly alluding to Kearney’s draying business. Denis Kearney (1847-1907) was an Irish immigrant who lead the Workingmen’s Party of California on a platform of anti-Chinese hate, blaming the Chinese immigrants for low wages and job scarcity. He was imprisoned in 1877 for inciting a riot., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Text printed on recto: Copyright secured., RVCDC
- Date
- [ [ca. 1877]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department political cartoons - 1877 - Tables [P.2025.44]
- Title
- The Smile that was childlike
- Description
- Print depicting characters from Bret Harte’s 1870 poem “Plain Language from Truthful James” later reprinted as “The Heathen Chinee.” The narrative of the poem focuses on two white men, Bill Nye and “Truthful James,” and a Chinese man named Ah Sin playing the card game Euchre. Bill and James believe Ah Sin is “childlike” and does not comprehend how to play the game. The print shows Bill and James standing in the left on a dirt road and showing playing cards to Ah Sin, who looks on with his hands in his pockets. Ah Sin is depicted in racist caricature and wears a queue hairstyle, a conical hat, gold hoop earrings, a blue tunic and pants, and cloth, slip-on shoes. In the background are mountains and a partial view of a cabin. Later in the poem’s narrative, Bill cheats playing the game by having cards up his sleeve. When Ah Sin plays a card that James already has, it is discovered that Ah Sin is also cheating with decks of cards hidden in his sleeves. Bill proceeds to fight Ah Sin. Bret Harte’s poem “Plain Language from Truthful James,” satirizing anti-Chinese sentiment, was originally published in the Overland Monthly Magazine in September, 1870. It became widely popular and was reprinted and republished as “The Heathen Chinee” in several illustrated series in pamphlet and loose print form., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Print contains registrations marks., See related: GC-Genre [P.2007.39.24]., Gift of David Doret.
- Date
- [ca. 1870]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department GC-Genre [P.2007.39.23]
- Title
- The Smile that was childlike
- Description
- Print depicting characters from Bret Harte’s 1870 poem “Plain Language from Truthful James” later reprinted as “The Heathen Chinee.” The narrative of the poem focuses on two white men, Bill Nye and “Truthful James,” and a Chinese man named Ah Sin playing the card game Euchre. Bill and James believe Ah Sin is “childlike” and does not comprehend how to play the game. The print shows Bill and James standing in the left on a dirt road and showing playing cards to Ah Sin, who looks on with his hands in his pockets. Ah Sin is depicted in racist caricature and wears a queue hairstyle, a conical hat, gold hoop earrings, a blue tunic and pants, and cloth, slip-on shoes. In the background are mountains and a partial view of a cabin. Later in the poem’s narrative, Bill cheats playing the game by having cards up his sleeve. When Ah Sin plays a card that James already has, it is discovered that Ah Sin is also cheating with decks of cards hidden in his sleeves. Bill proceeds to fight Ah Sin. Bret Harte’s poem “Plain Language from Truthful James,” satirizing anti-Chinese sentiment, was originally published in the Overland Monthly Magazine in September, 1870. It became widely popular and was reprinted and republished as “The Heathen Chinee” in several illustrated series in pamphlet and loose print form., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Print contains registrations marks., See related: GC-Genre [P.2007.39.24]., Gift of David Doret.
- Date
- [ca. 1870]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department GC-Genre [P.2007.39.23]
- Title
- No more Chinese cheap labor. Celluloid cuffs, collars & bosoms
- Description
- Trade card containing an illustration depicting a racist scene with the figures of Uncle Sam and America, and a Chinese man laundry worker. In the left, the laundry worker, wearing his hair in a queue and attired in a long-sleeved, orange tunic; long, wide-legged, white pants; and orange slip-on, cloth shoes; sits on an over-turned wooden wash tub. His eyes are closed, and he holds his head down in his left hand. His left leg is crossed over his right, and his right hand is on his left ankle. To his left, the white woman figure of Columbia/America, looks down at the laundry worker and points up with her right hand. In her left hand, she holds up a shield with the pattern of the American flag and marked "Invention." She wears her dark hair pulled back to the nape of her neck and is attired in a gown with the pattern of the American flag, a red and blue cap adorned with a white star, and sandals. An open box of spilled starch lies between her feet and those of the laundry worker. Behind the laundry worker, is a laundry iron on a shelf, Chinese characters written on a wall, and Uncle Sam resting his arms on the ledge of an opening in the wall. Uncle Sam has red hair and a beard and is attired in a top hat, a blue jacket with a white star pattern, a red neck tie, and white shirt with the collar turned up. He looks at America. Above his head is the sign "Gon Up Chinese Laundry." Patented during the 1860s and 70s, separable celluloid collars, unlike separable paper collars, were waterproof and longer lasting, as well as fashionable and affordable. Following the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the celluloid collar industry leveraged the racist legislation to promote the use of celluloid collars as patriotic and as a means to make Chinese launderers obsolete and to facilitate the end of Chinese immigration., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Includes advertising text printed on verso: A New Improvement-Patented. Waterproof Linen. Waterproof-Elastic-Durable. Ladies' & Gents' Cuffs Collars, [Bossa]ms, Made From Celluloid. In Introducing this new invention [italicized], we beg to call the attention of the public to some of the remarkable features of this "new departure," [italicized], which will commend the use of these goods to all who study economy, neatness, and beauty [italicized]. 1st. The Interior is Fine Linen. 2d. The Exterior is Celluloid. 3d. The Union of Above, Combines the Strength of Linen With The Waterproof Qualities of Celluloid. 4th. The Expense of Washing Is Saved. If The Goods Are Soiled Simply Wipe Them Off With Soap And Water. 5th. The Goods Never Wilt Or Fray On Edges. 6th. They Are Perspiration Proof. For Sale by All Gents' Furnishing & Fancy Goods Houses throughout the Country., Image caption: "Othello's occupation gone." The Hand Writing on the Wall., Purchased with funds for the Visual Culture Program., RVCDC
- Date
- [ca. 1882]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Celluloid [P.2021.20.1]
- Title
- “Universal family” Soapine, Kendall Mfg. Co., Providence, R.I
- Description
- Racist trade card promoting Kendall Manufacturing Co.’s Soapine and depicting caricatures and ethnic stereotypes of people helping Liberty wash laundry. Shows Liberty in the center personified as a white woman with blonde hair tied up in a bun attired in a blue cap with a white star and a white sleeveless dress with a red belt that has an American flag crest. She stands behind a wooden wash tub labeled “Kendall MFG Co.” that sits on top of six boxes labeled with the letter K. She spreads both of her arms out to the seven people around her. In the left, a white man with blond hair and mustache (possibly German,) holds a pipe in his mouth and is attired in a blue tunic, brown pants, and black shoes. He bends over as he carries a large box labeled “universal soap” on his back. A white Scottish man with blonde hair, attired in a blue cap with a yellow feather, a green shirt with a red sash, and a red kilt, helps a white man with black hair and mustache (possibly French) attired in a blue uniform with gold epaulettes and black shoes, carry a large straw basket filled with white laundry to the wash tub. In the right, caricatures of an African American man in a white sleeveless top, a Native American man attired with a feather headdress and blue pants with a bundle of arrows on his back, and a Chinese man with his hair styled in a queue attired in a blue tunic, brown pants, and blue, slip-on, cloth shoes, carry an oversize wash board labeled “French Laundry Soap.” In the center foreground, a white man with blonde hair and attired in a blue shirt, brown pants, blue socks, and black shoes, has fallen down on the ground. Beside him is a broken white pipe, and a small black cat runs away. Henry L. Kendall (1805-1883) founded a soap manufactory in Providence, R.I. in 1827. The Kendall Manufacturing Co. was incorporated in 1860. The Company continued to manufacture soap into the mid-20th century., Title from item., Place of publication inferred from place of operation of the advertised business., Date deduced from history of the advertised business., Gift of David Doret.
- Date
- [ca. 1880]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Kendall [P.2017.95.96]
- Title
- The Hunters three and O.N.T
- Description
- Circular promoting Clark Thread Company and depicting racist caricatures of African, Asian, and indigenous men. Volume also contains several lines of narrative, promotional text written as a children’s story. The front cover is a color illustration of three white "merry gentlemen" in Cololonial attire and riding on horseback as "they hunt and hunt." The men are attired in tri-corn hats; red jackets; white breeches with riding boots; and white wigs. They ride on a road towards the viewer. The figures are bordered with pictorial details of the Clark’s O.N.T trademark. The rider in the middle raised his hat with his hand. Image is reproduced in black and white on p. [2]. P. [3] shows the horsemen observe three white children standing before them whom they believe "...must be princes. They sew their clothes with O.N.T." P. [4] show the "gentlemen" observe from a distance three African Zulu men. The men drive a lion into a net made of O.N.T. thread. One man is nude except for a feather on his head and bangs a large drum labeled "Clark's O.N.T. spool thread." Another man is attired in a skirt made of palm leaves and carries a shield and arrows. A third man carries arrows and wears a feather on his head. P [5] shows the "hunters" "spy" "three happy Hottentots" who roll down a hill on large spools of Clark's thread in a "chariot race." The three African men have their hair in buns atop their heads and are attired in white shorts and hoop earrings. One man is also attired in a shell necklace, and two men hold spears. P. [6] shows the three men find a Chinese man flying a kite strung with O.N.T. thread thread and to which a Chinese boy is attached. He is seated on a rug with his back to the viewer. To his right is a pipe. His hair is styled in a queue, and he is attired in a white shirt with a vest decorated in a print of dragons and slip-on, cloth shoes., P. [7] shows the white men finding an Inuit man on a sled made from a Clark's spool and pulled over the ice by a team of dogs. The sled driver is attired in a hooded parka and boots. P. [8] the three riders encounter a Native American man reigning in a buffalo with O.N.T. thread. He is attired in knee-high boots; a patterned blanket draped around his chest; hoop earrings; and a feather headdress. P. [9] shows a view of the back of the three riders bordered by pictorial details of the Clark’s O.N.T trademark. The back cover is a color illustration of a white girl with long blonde hair attired in black boots; red stocking; a green dress; and a blue striped apron. She is seated on an oversize spool of O.N.T. thread and playing cat's cradle with a white boy. The boy is attired in a red fez; a green coat; blue stockings; and black boots. The George A. Clark & Brother Company, manufactory of embroidery and sewing thread, was founded in 1863 in Newark, N.J. The firm was renamed Clark & Co. in 1879, and in the 1880s created a six-cord, soft finished thread called "Our New Thread" or "O.N.T." The business merged with J. & P. Coats in 1896, which lead to a series of mergers with fourteen other companies. Into the 21st century, the company continues to manufacture thread under the name Coats & Clark., Title from item., Advertising text printed on verso of front cover: Use Clark's trade mark O.N.T. spool cotton on white spools! It is superior to all others for hand and machine use. Garments sewed with O.N.T. fast black will never show white on the seams after being worn or washed., Advertising text printed on verso of back cover: Use Marshall's linen thread on 200 yard spools. Guaranteed full length. Made from the bext flax, and Milward's Helix Needles in patent wrappers. For sale everywhere., Place of publication deduced from place of operation of advertised business., Date deduced from history of advertised business., Distributor's name printed on p. [1]: George A. Cole, sole agent., Gift of David Doret.
- Date
- [ca. 1880]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Clark [P.2017.95.31]

