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- Title
- Black and white beaux
- Description
- Portrays a black couple in New York; it appears within the context of Trollope's discussion of free blacks in the city, particularly their dress, taste, and comportment. "On one occassion," Trollope wrote, "we met in Broadway a young Negress in the extreme of fashion, and accompanied by a black beau, whose toilet was equally studied; eye-glass, guard-chin, nothing was omitted; he walked beside his sable goddess uncovered, and with an air of the most tender devotion. At the window of a handsome house which they were passing stood a very pretty white girl, with two gentlemen beside her; but alas! both of them had their hats on, and one was smoking!" (p. 279), Plate in Frances Trollope's Domestic Manners of the Americans (London: Printed for Whittaker, Treacher, & Co.; New York: Reprinted for the booksellers, 1832), p. 278., Fels Afro-Americana Image Project, Scenes from Daily Life.
- Creator
- Pendleton, lithographer
- Date
- [1832]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare Am 1832 Tro 8678.O p 278, https://digital.librarycompany.org/islandora/object/Islandora%3A2732
- 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
- Back to back
- Description
- Racist caricature ridiculing attendees of an African American dance ball. Depicts an African American man woman couple with their backs together as they learn a dance step of which the man has "cocht de figure now!" In the left, the woman looks to the left, holds a fan and handkerchief to her left side, and stands on her toes. She is attired in a headpiece consisting of feathers, ribbons, and pearls, and an off-the-shoulder, ankle-length ball gown with puff sleeves and a pleated skirt, as well as patterned stockings, slipper shoes, and jewelry, including earrings, necklace, and a bracelet. In the right, the man holds his arms to his sides, and his hands open, as he stands on his toes. He wears a mustache and is attired in a coat with a wide collar and tails, a patterned vest and shirt with turned up collar, pantaloons, patterned stockings, and black slipper shoes adorned with buckles. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features., Title from item., Date inferred from content and name of artist., Due to the similar content of this caraciature to the prints in the original "Life in Philadelphia" series, Murrell classifies this lithograph as a part of the series., Contains one line of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect above the image: I reckon I’ve cotch de figure now!, Imagery similar to earlier work by artist "African Fancy Ball" in Lessons in dancing, : exemplified by sketches from real life in the city of Philadelphia (Philadelphia: Published by R.H. Hobson, Chesnut Street, 1828). Copy in the holdings of the American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, MA and Rosenbach Library and Museum, Philadelphia, PA., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., Acquired in 1968.
- Creator
- Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857, artist
- Date
- [ca. 1829]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Set) [7688.F]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. The cut direct. or getting up in the world
- Description
- Racist caricature portraying nouveau riche African Americans as prejudiced against lower class African Americans. Depicts an African American bootblack greeting an elegantly dressed African American couple who feign ignorance of the man's acquaintance after their return from New York. The raggedly dressed bootblack, while holding his rod of boots in one hand, uses his other hand to grab the hand of "Casar." "Casar" dressed in a hat and overcoat looks suspiciously at their joined hands. He states that the bootblack has mistaken his identity as his wife, dressed in a large bonnet with feathers and a veil and a dark overcoat, confirms the mistake and adds, "we are Guinea People, you Imperdent Nigger.", Charles Ingrey was one of the premier London lithographic printers of the 1830s., Nancy Reynolds Davison's E.W. Clay: American Political Caricaturist of Jacksonian America (PhD. diss., The University of Michigan, 1980), p. 80-81. (LCP Print Room Uz, A423.O).
- Date
- [ca. 1832]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (London Set) [7893.F.2]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. The cut direct. or getting up in the world
- Description
- Racist caricature portraying nouveau riche African Americans as prejudiced against lower class African Americans. Depicts an African American bootblack greeting an elegantly dressed African American couple who feign ignorance of the man's acquaintance after their return from New York. The raggedly dressed bootblack, while holding his rod of boots in one hand, uses his other hand to grab the hand of "Casar." "Casar" dressed in a hat and overcoat looks suspiciously at their joined hands. He states that the bootblack has mistaken his identity as his wife, dressed in a large bonnet with feathers and a veil and a dark overcoat, confirms the mistake and adds, "we are Guinea People, you Imperdent Nigger.", Charles Ingrey was one of the premier London lithographic printers of the 1830s., Nancy Reynolds Davison's E.W. Clay: American Political Caricaturist of Jacksonian America (PhD. diss., The University of Michigan, 1980), p. 80-81. (LCP Print Room Uz, A423.O)
- Date
- [ca. 1832]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (London Set) (P.9718a)
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. The cut direct. or how to get up in the world
- Description
- Racist caricature portraying nouveau riche African Americans as prejudiced against lower class African Americans. Depicts an African American bootblack greeting an elegantly dressed African American couple who feign ignorance of the man's acquaintance after their return from New York. The raggedly dressed bootblack, while holding his rod of boots in one hand, uses his free hand to grab the hand of "Casar." "Casar" dressed in a hat and overcoat looks suspiciously at their joined hands. He states that the bootblack has mistaken his identity as his wife, dressed in a large bonnet with feathers and a veil and a dark overcoat, confirms the mistake and adds, "we are Guinea People, you Imperdent Nigger.", Charles Ingrey was one of the premier London lithographic printers of the 1830s., Nancy Davison's E.W. Clay: American Political Caricaturist of Jacksonian America (PhD. diss., The University of Michigan, 1980), p. 80-81. (LCP Uz, A423.O).
- Date
- [ca. 1833]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (London Set) [P.9718b]
- Title
- Life in New York
- Description
- Collection of social caricatures lampooning the pretensions of early 19th century middle-class African American New Yorkers. Influenced by an increased fascination with American culture and a growing racism pending the abolition of slavery in England, the black characters are depicted in outlandish dress with exaggerated manners, and speaking in patois and malapropisms in an inept attempt to mimic white high society. The caricatures focus on courtship and the merchant of a steam press laundry., English reprint of the Anthony Imbert series "Life in New York" originally published around 1830. Although the American series consisted of at least eight prints, the number of prints included in the London series is unknown. LCP holds two of the series. The English prints were published in London in the early 1830s by W.H. Isaacs, H. Isaacs, and G.S. Tregear., Nancy Reynolds Davison's E.W. Clay: American Political Caricaturist of Jacksonian America (PhD. diss., The University of Michigan, 1980), p. 93-97. (LCP Print Room Uz, A423.O)., 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. 1831]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in New York (London Set)
- Title
- The Rivals embrace
- Description
- Racist, satiric trade card promoting varnish manufacturer Clarence Brooks and Co. Depicts a genre scene with two African American men suitors courting an African American woman while trying to ice skate on a frozen river. The figures are caricaturized and portrayed with exaggerated features. Two men, their mouths open clutch onto one another, their legs twisted, as they try not to fall on the ice. The man to the left is attired in ice skates; blue pants; a red jacket; white collared shirt; and a top hat that has fallen off. The man to the right is attired in ice skates; yellow suit with red checks; and a top hat. The woman they court watches the scene from the shore. Her mouth is open and her hands are apart in alarm. She is attired in white shoes; red stockings; a blue dress; purple coat; and straw bonnet adorned with a pink feather. In the background are two more ice skaters and a building. Clarence Brooks established his varnish business in 1859 as Brooks and Fitzgerald, later Clarence Brooks & Co. In 1881, the firm issued a calendar illustrated with African American caricatures in genre scenes., 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., Gift of David Doret.
- Date
- [ca. 1880]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Clarence [P.2017.95.26]
- Title
- Clarence Brooks & Co., manufacturers of fine coach varnishes, cor. West & West 12th Sts., New York "ceticism my belobed bredren. It am something beautiful frinstance it am light and airy - like de bean."
- Description
- Trade card employing an African American Oscar Wilde caricature. Wilde toured the United States in 1882. The Wilde figure, wearing long hair and attired in blue knee breeches with red bows, a red jacket with tails, black socks, and gold slippers lectures to an audience of well-attired African American men and women. He stands at a table adorned with a piece of paper, a candle in a bottle, and a water glass containing a sunflower. To his left, an older frowning man sits with an umbrella between his knees on the stage, while in the first row, two women (one wearing a sunflower on her hat) swoon in front of a lanky man, standing, and looking moonfaced. Clarence Brooks established his varnish business in 1859 as Brooks and Fitzgerald, later Clarence Brooks & Co. In 1881 the firm issued a calendar illustrated with African American caricatures in genre scenes., Publication date inferred from image content., Purchased with the Davida T. Deutsch African American History Fund.
- Date
- [ca. 1882]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Brooks [P.2014.35]
- Title
- Is yo' sho' lady when I wears dese stockings I won' fin' ma laigs all black
- Description
- Racist caricature reminiscent of the plate "Have you any flesh coloured silk stockings...?" from E.W. Clay's racist satiric series, Life in Philadelphia, originally published in the late 1820s and early 1830s. Depicts an African American man dressed as a woman attired in a brimmed hat, a long-sleeved dress tied with a bow at the back, a fur shawl, shoes, and with a closed umbrella and a basket at her feet. She sits in front of the counter of a dry goods store and inquires in the vernacular about a pair of dark stockings which she holds. A young white woman sales clerk smiles with her elbows on the counter and displays to the customer a second pair of dark-colored stockings. Bolts of fabric rest on shelves behind the clerk, and socks and hosiery hang above. A white woman customer shops at the other end of the counter, in the right., Title from item., Date from copyright statement: Copyright 1902 by Underwood & Underwood., Printed on mount: Works and Studios. Arlington, N.J. Westwood, N.J. Washington, D.C., Sun sculpture trademark printed on mount., Title printed on verso in six different languages, including French, German, and Spanish., Grey mount with rounded corners., See Life in Philadelphia. "Have you any flesh coloured silk stockings...?" [LCP Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia) P.9701.9], Purchase 2002., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022., Digitization funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012.
- Creator
- Underwood & Underwood
- Date
- 1902
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department stereos - Underwood & Underwood - Genre [P.2002.31]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. An unfair reflection
- Description
- Racist caricature depicting an African American man dandy, in his bedroom, grooming himself in front of a full-length mirror adorned with a candle holder and lit candle. He holds a brush up with his right hand to the top of his head of hair which is in a pompadour style. He holds a comb in his left hand that rests on his hip. He stands with his legs apart. He is attired in a blue waistcoat with tails, a white shirt, vest, and cravat, black pants, and black shoes. A handkerchief hangs out of the back pocket of his jacket. He ponders Miss Carolina's "unfair reflection" about the "paleness" of his complexion. Scene also includes a pitcher and towel rest, a partial view of a bed with a canopy next to a bedside table on which a straightening iron rests beside a candle stick. Also shows a full-length rug on the floor. The man is depicted with oversize and exaggerated features. His skin tone is depicted with black hand coloring., Title from image., Date inferred from content and name of publisher., Contains one bubble of dialogue in the vernacular within image: It was Bery unfair of Miss Carolina to Reflect on Paleness ob my Complexion. I consider dat I hab got a bery Good Color., Charles Hunt was a respected 19th-century London engraver and etcher known mostly for his prints of sporting subjects., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
- Creator
- Summers, William, artist
- Date
- [ca. 1833]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (London Set) [P.9710.2]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. An unfair reflection
- Description
- Racist caricature depicting an African American man dandy, in his bedroom, grooming himself in front of a full-length mirror adorned with a candle holder and lit candle. He holds a brush up with his right hand to the top of his head of hair which is in a pompadour style. He holds a comb in his left hand that rests on his hip. He stands with his legs apart. He is attired in a green waistcoat with tails, a white shirt and cravat, yellow vest, black pants, and black shoes. A handkerchief hangs out of the back pocket of his jacket. He ponders Miss Carolina's "unfair reflection" about the "paleness" of his complexion. Scene also includes a pitcher and towel rest, a partial view of a bed with a canopy next to a bedside table on which a straightening iron rests beside a candle stick. Also shows a full-length rug on the floor. The man is depicted with oversize and exaggerated features. His skin tone is depicted with black hand coloring., Title from item., Date inferred from content and name of publisher., Contains one bubble of dialogue in the vernacular within image: It was Bery unfair of Miss Carolina to Reflect on Paleness ob my Complexion. I consider dat I hab got a bery Good Color., Charles Hunt was a respected 19th-century London engraver and etcher known mostly for his prints of sporting subjects., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
- Creator
- Summers, William, artist
- Date
- [ca. 1860]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (London Set) [P.9713.1]
- Title
- No. 5 The duel
- Description
- Fifth scene in a racist series of African American caricatures originally created for Harper's Weekly in 1878 by Sol Eytinge that satirized the courtship and marriage of and the start of families by "The Twins." The African American figures are depicted with exaggerated features and mannerisms. Scene shows two African American men (i.e., the suitors of the twins), attired in suits, at the start of a duel in a pasture between two trees. The suitor with a squat figure is in the right and the tall suitor in the left. They point guns at each other and look aghast. An African American man (witness), attired in a ruffled suit and hat, stands behind the tree in the foreground and another, in shirtsleeves, kneels behind the tree in the background. “Dr. Black M.D.,” an older African American man, sits behind the standing observer with his medical bag, labeled “Dr. Black M.D.,” in one hand and a medicine bottle in the other. Figures representing the twins are visible in the distant left background near their log cabin., Title from item., Publication information from copyright statement in other reproduced drawings in series: Copyrighted 1881 John McGreer, Chicago, Ill., Name of publisher from other reproduced drawings in series: Cartoon Printing Co., Name of artist stamped on verso: McGreer Chicago., Purchased with the Davida T. Deutsch African American History Fund., Lib. Company. Annual Report, 2017, p. 52., RVCDC, Desciption revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
- Creator
- McGreer, John, 1839-1908
- Date
- 1881
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - 5 x 7 - Unid. - Events [P.2017.26.5]
- Title
- No. 9 Coming events
- Description
- Ninth scene in a racist series of African American caricatures originally created for Harper's Weekly in 1878 by Sol Eytinge that satirized the courtship and marriage of and the start of families by "The Twins." The African American figures are depicted with exaggerated features and mannerisms. Shows "Dr. Black MD" on his donkey racing with the twins' husbands on their donkeys down a dirt road along a river. A raft sails on the river past a log cabin and a dwelling with smoke-spewing chimneys is visible in the background., Title from item., Name of publisher inscribed in original drawing., Date from copyright statement inscribed in original drawing: Copyrighted 1881 John McGreer, Chicago, Ill., Name of artist from stamp on verso: McGreer Chicago., Purchased with the Davida T. Deutsch African American History Fund., Lib. Company. Annual Report, 2017, p. 52., RVCDC, Desciption revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
- Creator
- McGreer, John, 1839-1908
- Date
- 1881
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - 5 x 7 - Unid. - Events [P.2017.26.8]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "How you like de new fashion shirt...?"
- Description
- Racist caricature ridiculing the 1829 male fashion fad of striped shirts depicting an African American man-woman couple discussing the "new fashion shirt" that he is wearing. In the right, the man stands slightly turned and hands on hips. He is attired in a brown waistcoat with tails, a red vest, a blue-striped shirt, black cravat, tan pants, yellow gloves, black shoes, and a neck fob. He holds a black top hat in his left hand. In the left, "Miss Florinda," stands, forward facing, and holding a fan near the right side of her face. She wears a red and yellow headpiece over her hair that is in a top knot. She is attired in a yellow calf-length, cap sleeved dress with floral details, red and white trim, and décolleté neckline; white opera gloves; ankle-laced slippers; flower-detailed stockings; and jewelry, including earrings, necklace, and bracelets. She holds a handkerchief in her left hand and states that she finds the fashion elegant and how his wearing it within the "Abolition siety" will make him look like "Pluto de God of War!" They stand on a patch of grass. In classical mythology, Pluto is also the god of the underworld and wealth. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with brown hand coloring., Title from item., Date inferred from content., After the work of Edward W. Clay., Plate 9 of the original series published in Philadelphia., Contains seven lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect above the image: How you like de new fashion shirt, Miss Florinda? I tink dey mighty elegum_ I see you on New year day when you carry de colour in de Abolition ‘siety -You look just like Pluto de God of War!, LCP exhibit catalogue: Made in America p. 29., Nancy Reynolds Davison's E.W. Clay: American Political Caricaturist in Jacksonian America (PhD. diss., The University of Michigan, 1980), p. 88-89. (LCP Print Room Uz, A423.O)., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Imbert, Anthony, 1794 or 5-1834
- Date
- [ca. 1830]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (New York Set) [P.2004.39.2]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "Dat is bery fine, Mr. Mortimer..."
- Description
- Racist caricature of an African American couple singing and playing guitar in a parlor. In the right, "Mr Mortimer," stands with his right hand over his heart and with his other holding a sheet of music. He wears mutton chops and is attired in a green coat with tails, red collar, blue bow tie, yellow pants, stockings, black slipper shoes, and yellow gloves. His eyes look up and his mouth is open. He sings a love song while the woman seated in the left plays a guitar decorated with pink ribbons. Her head is turned toward the man and she sits on a bench with a pink cushion. She wears a large yellow bonnet adorned with bows and with ribbons tied into a bow under her chin. She is also attired in a blue dress with long puff sleeves, trim, and a laced bodice, ankle-tied slipper shoes, as well as rings on her fingers. She comments that he sings "con a moor as de Italians say!!" The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with black hand coloring. Setting also includes a carpet with a decorative pattern., Title from item., Date inferred from content and name of publisher., Contains eight lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect above the image: Dat is bery fine, Mr. Mortimer, _ you sing quite con a moor, as de Italians say!! “Take away, take away dos rosy lips, “Rich, rich in balmy treasure!_”Turn away, turn away dose eyes o blub, “Less I die wid pleasure!!!”, Inscribed: Plate 12., Inscribed: Copy right secured., Sarah Hart was a Jewish Philadelphia stationer who with her son, Abraham Hart, a future eminent Philadelphia publisher, assumed the publishing of the "Life in Philadelphia" series in 1829. She, alone, reprinted the entire series of 14 prints in 1830., First edition of print described in Daily Chronicle, December 10, 1829, p. 2., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857, etcher
- Date
- [1830]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Set) [P.9701.4]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "What you tink of my new poke bonnet...?"
- Description
- Racist caricature depicting an African American woman trying on a bonnet in the company of her African American companion, "Frederick Augustus." Depicts the woman in profile, in front of a standing mirror tilted toward her, trying on a yellow Dunstable bonnet so large that the side of her face is obscured. Her hand rests on the side of the hat adorned with a pink ribbon. Her reflection is not visible in the mirror. She wears a yellow calico dress with a white collar that covers her shoulders, black gloves, patterned stockings, and blue slipper shoes. She asks "Frederick Augustus" what he thinks. He stands behind her with his arms crossed and looks toward the mirror. He holds a walking stick under his left upper arm. A dog with a muzzle sits behind him. He responds that he does not like the style. He wears a beard and is attired in a top hat, long green overcoat with collar, red-striped pants, white gloves, and black slipper shoes. A white woman sales clerk, wearing a large top-knot hairstyle, watches the woman from behind a counter on which another Dunstable bonnet is displayed. Pink bunting is visible above the clerk’s head. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with black hand coloring., Title from item., Date from item., Inscribed: Plate 14., Inscribed: Copy right secured., Contains seven lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect above the image: What you tink of my new poke bonnet Frederick Augustus? I don’t like him no how, case dey hide you lubly face, so you can’t tell one she nigger from anoder., Sarah Hart was a Jewish Philadelphia stationer who with her son, Abraham Hart, a future eminent Philadelphia publisher, assumed the publishing of the "Life in Philadelphia" series in 1829. She, alone, reprinted the entire series of 14 prints in 1830., Described in Pennsylvania Inquirer, 17 June 1830, p. 2 and ‘Life in Philadelphia, No. 14. The Dunstable Bonnet’, Pennsylvania Inquirer, 17 June 1830, p. 3., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857, etcher
- Date
- 1830
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Set) [P.9701.5]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "Is Miss Dinah at home?"
- Description
- Racist caricature depicting a well-dressed, middle-class African American dandy, his right side toward the viewer, calling upon "Miss Dinah" on the outside of her basement apartment. He wears a black top hat, bright green waistcoat, tan pants, yellow gloves, and black slipper shoes adorned with bows. He holds a walking stick perpendicular to his thigh and a fob hangs away from his coat. An African American woman servant, wearing short-cropped hair and earrings, and attired in a red, short-sleeved dress and blue apron, stands at the open cellar doors and informs the suitor that Miss Dinah "is bery pertickly engaged in washing de dishes." She holds out a silver tray to collect the dandy's calling card. The dandy states that he is sorry that he "cant have the honour to pay [his] devours to her" and slightly crouches to place his card on the tray. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Scene also shows an adjacent basement cellar with open doors and views of shuttered windows on the first floor to "Dinah's" residence and those adjoining, Title from item., Date inferred from content., Inscribed: No. 5., After the work of Edward W. Clay., Probably printed and published by Anthony Imbert of New York., Contains three lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect below the image: "Is Miss Dinah at home?""Yes sir but she bery pertickly engaged in washing de dishes.""Ah! I'm sorry I can't have the honour to pay my devours to her. Give her my card.", Shane White and Graham White's Stylin': African American Expressive Culture (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1998), p. 108. (LCP Ii 4, A2880.O)., Nancy Reynolds Davison's E.W. Clay: American Political Caricaturist of the Jacksonian Era (PhD. diss., the University of Michigan, 1980), p. 88. (LCP Print Room Uz, A423.O), Purchase 1968., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Date
- [ca. 1830]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (New York Set) [7770.F.2]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "How you find yourself dis hot weader Miss Chloe?"
- Description
- Racist caricature mocking the ambitions of free Blacks depicting, "Mr. Cesar," an African American dandy asking an African American belle how she finds herself in "dis hot weader?" "Miss Chloe," responds that she is doing well, but "aspires too much!" In the left, the man stands and faces the woman, in the right, and whose back is to the viewer. The man is attired in a blue waistcoat with a black collar, a white vest, pink cravat, white pants, gloves, and black slipper shoes. He holds a walking stick perpendicular to the ground in his right hand. The woman is attired in a yellow, puff-sleeved, ankle-length dress and with a pink neckerchief, wide-brimmed yellow hat with a long veil and adorned with several pink flowers and blue ribbon, gloves, and white slipper shoes. She also wears a necklace and earrings. She holds a purse and fan in her left hand and a parasol in her right hand. The man and woman stand on a grassy knoll. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with black hand coloring., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Inscribed: P. 4., After the work of Edward W. Clay., Probably published by Anthony Imbert., Contains three lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect below the image: “How you find yourself dis hot weader Miss Chloe?” “Pretty well I tank you Mr. Cesar only I aspire too much!”, RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., Acquired in 1968.
- Date
- [ca. 1830]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (New York Set) [7770.F.1]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "Shall I hab de honour to dance de next quadrille...?"
- Description
- Racist caricature ridiculing the etiquette of attendees of an African American dance ball. Depicts, in the right and in profile, "Mr. Cato," an African American man dressed in a blue coat with tails and a black collar, white pantaloons and stockings, ruffled white shirt, yellow gloves, a gold neck fob, and black slipper shoes bowing with his hat in his hand to invite "Miss Minta" to dance. In the left, "Miss Minta," a curvaceous African American woman, forward facing, her head turned to the right, and dressed in a pink, cap-sleeved gown with an apron detail, a large pink headpiece, white opera gloves, and several pieces of jewelry, including a neck fob, bracelets, armlets, and earrings, declines his invitation because she is already "engaged for de nine next set." She also slightly holds up the lower right corner of her apron with her right hand. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with black hand coloring. Scene also includes background imagery depicting other African American men and women ball attendees., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Inscribed: No. 6., Plate 5 of the original series published in Philadelphia., Probably published by Anthony Imbert of New York., Shane White and Graham White's Stylin': African American Expressive Culture... (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1998), p. 98. (LCP Ii4, A2880.O)., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Date
- [ca. 1830]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (New York Set) [7770.F.3]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "Well brudder what 'fect you tink Morgan's deduction...?"
- Description
- Racist caricature depicting two African American masons in regalia, shaking hands, and discussing the abduction of William Morgan, a white New York mason who threatened to expose the organization's secrets. In the right, the one mason, a short, rotund man is attired in a long, blue waistcoat, black pants, a masonic apron, a red sash, yellow gloves and black slip on shoes. He holds a top hat in his left hand and shakes with his right. In the left, the other mason, a tall, thin man is attired in a long, brown waistcoat, a red cravat, brown stirrup pants over black shoes, and a masonic apron. He holds a top hat in his left hand and shakes with his right. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with brown hand coloring. The men are shown standing on a patch of ground with greenery delineated by brown and green hand-coloring., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Plate 6 of the original series published in Philadelphia., After the work of Edward W. Clay., Probably published by Anthony Imbert., Contains four lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect below the image: “Well brudder what ‘fect you tink Morgan’s deduction gwang to hab on our siety of free masons?” “Pon honour I tink he look radder black, fraid we lose de ‘lection in New York!”, Nancy Reynolds Davison's E.W. Clay: American Political Caricaturist of the Jacksonian Era. (PhD. diss., The University of Michigan, 1980), p. 97. (LCP Print Room Uz, A423.O)., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., Acquired in 1968.
- Date
- [ca. 1830]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (New York Set) [7770.F.4]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "What de debil you hurrah for General Jackson for?"
- Description
- Racist caricature of an African American "’ministration man" (supporter of incumbent John Quincy Adams) aggressively chastising an African American boy for his cheers of support for the new President, Andrew Jackson. Depicts, in the left, a man attired in a blue waistcoat, white vest, white cravat, tan pants, and tan slip on shoes holding a switch in his right hand and angrily grabbing the boy who has a frightened look on his face and is barefoot. The boy is dressed in patched tan pants, a tan jacket with an elbow patch, a white vest and a hat made from the pro-Jackson paper "The Mercury." A sword lays beside the boy and a copy of the anti-Jackson paper "Democratic Press" lays in front of the man. In the background, cityscape is visible and a large crowd is seen celebrating Jackson’s election around a flag pole. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with black hand coloring., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Inscribed: Plate 7., The symbol of a key is used in place of the name Clay., Place of publication inferred from location of artist., Contains seven lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect below the image: Hurrah! Hurrah for General Jackson!! What de debil you hurrah for General Jackson for ? _ You black nigger!_ I’ll larn you better_I’m a ministration man!!”, Nancy Reynolds Davison's E.W. Clay: American Political Caricaturist of the Jacksonian Era (PhD. diss., The University of Michigan, 1980), p. 97. (LCP Print Room Uz, A423.O)., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857, etcher
- Date
- [ca. 1830]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Set) [P.9701.7]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "What de debil you hurrah for General Jackson for?"
- Description
- Racist caricature of an African American "’ministration man" (supporter of incumbent John Quincy Adams) aggressively chastising an African American boy for his cheers of support for the new President, Andrew Jackson. Depicts, in the left, a man attired in a blue waistcoat, white vest, red cravat, tan pants, and black slip on shoes holding a switch in his right hand and angrily grabbing the boy who has a frightened look on his face and is barefoot. The boy is dressed in patched blue pants, a green jacket with an elbow patch, a red vest and a hat made from the pro-Jackson paper "The Mercury." A sword lays beside the boy and a copy of the anti-Jackson paper "Democratic Press" lays in front of the man. In the background, cityscape is visible and a large crowd is seen celebrating Jackson’s election around a flag pole. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with black hand coloring., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Plate 7 of the original series published in Philadelphia., After the work of Edward W. Clay., Probably published by Anthony Imbert of New York., Contains seven lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect below the image: Hurrah! Hurrah for General Jackson!! What de debil you hurrah for General Jackson for ? _ You black nigger!_ I’ll larn you better_I’m a ministration man!!”, Nancy Reynolds Davison's E.W. Clay: American Political Caricaturist of the Jacksonian Era (PhD. diss., The University of Michigan, 1980), p. 97. (LCP Print Room Uz, A423.O)., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., Purchase 1968.
- Date
- [ca. 1830]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (New York Set) [7770.F.5]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "How you like de new fashion shirt...?"
- Description
- Racist caricature ridiculing the 1829 male fashion fad of striped shirts depicting an African American man-woman couple discussing the "new fashion shirt" that he is wearing. In the right, the man stands slightly turned and hands on hips. He is attired in a green waistcoat with tails, a red vest, a blue-striped shirt, black cravat, blue pants, yellow gloves, black shoes, and a neck fob. He holds a black top hat in his left hand. In the left, "Miss Florinda," stands, forward facing, and holding a fan near the right side of her face. She wears a red and green headpiece over her hair that is in a top knot. She is attired in a yellow calf-length, cap sleeved dress with floral details, red trim, and décolleté neckline; white opera gloves; ankle-laced slippers; and jewelry, including earrings, necklace, and bracelets. She holds a handkerchief in her left hand and states that she finds the fashion elegant and how his wearing it within the "Abolition siety" will make him look like "Pluto de God of War!" They stand on a patch of dirt. In classical mythology, Pluto is also the god of the underworld and wealth. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with black hand coloring., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Plate 9 of the series., The symbol of a key is used in place of the name Clay., Name of the artist, faint lower right corner., Contains seven lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect above the image: How you like de new fashion shirt, Miss Florinda? I tink dey mighty elegum_ I see you on New year day when you carry de colour in de Abolition ‘siety -You look just like Pluto de God of War!, LCP exhibit catalogue: Made in America p. 29., Nancy Reynolds Davison's E.W. Clay: American Political Caricaturist in Jacksonian America (PhD. diss., The University of Michigan, 1980), p. 88-89. (LCP Print Room Uz, A423.O)., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857, etcher
- Date
- [ca. 1830]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Set) [P.9701.8]
- Title
- A dead cut
- Description
- Racist caricature portraying a middle-class African American man-woman couple as snobs who slight a working-class African American man shoeshiner and former acquaintance. Depicts the African American shoeshiner greeting the African American couple who feign ignorance of the man's acquaintance after their return from "de Springs." The laborer, attired in a rumpled top hat, torn overcoat with tails, and patched pants holds his rod of boots in his left hand, and uses his right one to grab the hand of "Cesa." "Cesa," dressed in a flat-top cap, and heavy, long overcoat with handkerchief in the pocket, and plaid pants, looks suspiciously at their joined hands. He holds a walking stick and his companion's parasol in his other hand. He states that the shoeshiner has mistaken his identity (You must be mistaking in de person black man!). His companion, her hand around his elbow, and dressed in a Dunstable bonnet, dark-colored overcoat, and button-down shirtwaist with a collar, agrees. With her hand placed on her hip and holding a purse, she declares, "What does the imperdent nigger mean?" Figures are depicted with oversize and exaggerated features., Title from item., Publication information from duplicate in collection and advertisement in the Philadelphia Inquirer, December 30, 1829, p. 3. Advertised as entitled "A Dead Cut, or an attempt to slight old Acquaintance.", Nancy Reynolds Davison's E.W. Clay: American political caricaturist of the Jacksonian Era (PhD. diss., The University of Michigan, 1980), p. 80-81. (LCP Print Room Uz, A423.O)., Sarah Hart was a Jewish Philadelphia fancy goods store owner and printseller who with her son future Philadelphia publisher Abraham Hart, assumed publication of the "Life in Philadelphia" series in 1829. Sarah Hart solely reprinted the entire series of 14 prints in 1830. She also published complementary in subject lithographs after the work of Clay during the same period., Described in the Daily Chronicle, December 26, 1829, p. 2., Accessioned 1893., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857, etcher
- Date
- [1829]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | PRINT. Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Set) [5656.F.39]
- Title
- A dead cut
- Description
- Racist caricature portraying a middle-class African American man-woman couple as snobs who slight a working-class African American man shoeshiner and former acquaintance. Depicts the African American shoeshiner greeting the African American couple who feign ignorance of the man's acquaintance after their return from "de Springs." The laborer, attired in a rumpled top hat, torn overcoat with tails, and patched pants holds his rod of boots in his left hand, and uses his right one to grab the hand of "Cesa." "Cesa," dressed in a flat-top cap, and heavy, long overcoat with handkerchief in the pocket, and plaid pants, looks suspiciously at their joined hands. He holds a walking stick and his companion's parasol in his other hand. He states that the shoeshiner has mistaken his identity (You must be mistaking in de person black man!). His companion, her hand around his elbow, and dressed in a Dunstable bonnet, dark-colored overcoat, and button-down shirtwaist with a collar, agrees. With her hand placed on her hip and holding a purse, she declares, "What does the imperdent nigger mean?" Figures are depicted with oversize and exaggerated features., Title from item., Publication information from duplicate in collection and advertisement in the Philadelphia Inquirer, December 30, 1829, p. 3. Advertised as entitled "A Dead Cut, or an attempt to slight old Acquaintance.", Nancy Reynolds Davison's E.W. Clay: American political caricaturist of the Jacksonian Era (PhD. diss., The University of Michigan, 1980), p. 80-81. (LCP Print Room Uz, A423.O)., Sarah Hart was a Jewish Philadelphia fancy goods store owner and printseller who with her son future Philadelphia publisher Abraham Hart, assumed publication of the "Life in Philadelphia" series in 1829. Sarah Hart solely reprinted the entire series of 14 prints in 1830. She also published complementary in subject lithographs after the work of Clay during the same period., Described in the Daily Chronicle, December 26, 1829, p. 2., Accessioned 1893., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857, etcher
- Date
- [1829]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | PRINT. Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Set) [5656.F.39]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "What de debil you hurrah for General Jackson for?"
- Description
- Racist caricature of an African American "’ministration man" (supporter of incumbent John Quincy Adams) aggressively chastising an African American boy for his cheers of support for the new President, Andrew Jackson. Depicts, in the left, a man attired in a blue waistcoat, green vest, red cravat, tan pants, and black slip on shoes holding a switch in his right hand and angrily grabbing the boy who has a frightened look on his face and is barefoot. The boy is dressed in patched blue pants, a blue jacket with an elbow patch, a red vest and a hat made from the pro-Jackson paper "The Mercury." A sword lays beside the boy and a copy of the anti-Jackson paper "Democratic Press" lays in front of the man. In the background, cityscape is visible and a large crowd is seen celebrating Jackson’s election around a flag pole. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with brown hand coloring., Title from item., Date from item., Inscribed: Plate 7., Symbol of a key is used in place of the name Clay., Contains seven lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect below the image: Hurrah! Hurrah for General Jackson!! What de debil you hurrah for General Jackson for ? _ You black nigger!_ I’ll larn you better_I’m a ministration man!!”, William Simpson was a Philadelphia "fancy store" proprietor who published the first 11 prints of the "Life in Philadelphia" series. He also marketed the series as part of his "Artists' Repository.", Nancy Reynolds Davison's E.W. Clay: American Political Caricaturist of the Jacksonian Era (Phd. diss., the University of Michigan, 1980), p. 97. (LCP Print Room Uz, A423.O)., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857, etcher
- Date
- 1828
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Set) [P.8471.3]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "How you like de Waltz, Mr. Lorenzo?"
- Description
- Racist caricature ridiculing the social pretentions of attendees of an African American dance ball depicting "Mr. Lorenzo" and his woman dance partner hand in hand as they waltz. In the left, Mr. Lorenzo’s woman partner wears a pink, large, oval-shaped headpiece with several feathers, an ankle-length blue and yellow dress with pink trim, puff sleeves and a pink rope belt with tasseled ends, white gloves, white ankle-tied slipper shoes, and jewelry, including earrings and a necklace. She looks toward her dance partner and points her left foot and has her right perpendicular to it. She asks how he likes the waltz. "Mr. Lorenzo," looks down toward her and responds that he believes the waltz is "for de common people." He is attired in white pantaloons, a green coat with tails, white vest, white shirt with turned up collar, white bow tie, white gloves, white stockings, and black slipper shoes. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with brown hand coloring., Title from item., Date from item., Inscribed: Plate 13., Copy right secured., Contains five lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect above the image: How you like de waltz, Mr. Lorenzo? ‘Pon de honour ob a gentleman I tink it vastly indelicate, _ Only fit for de common people!!, S. Hart and Son was a partnership between Sarah and Abraham Hart, Jewish owners of a Philadelphia stationery store who assumed the publishing of the "Life in Philadelphia" series in 1829. She alone reprinted the entire series of 14 prints in 1830., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857, etcher
- Date
- [1829]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Set) [P.9697]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "How you find yourself dis hot weader Miss Chloe?"
- Description
- Racist caricature mocking the ambitions of free Blacks depicting, "Mr. Cesar," an African American dandy asking an African American belle how she finds herself in "dis hot weader?" "Miss Chloe," responds that she is doing well, but "aspires too much!" In the left, the man stands and faces the woman, in the right, and whose back is to the viewer. The man is attired in a blue waistcoat with a yellow collar, a white vest, red cravat, red pants, gloves, and black slipper shoes. He holds a walking stick perpendicular to the ground in his right hand and a hat in his left hand. The woman is attired in a yellow, puff-sleeved, ankle-length dress, wide-brimmed green hat with a long veil and adorned with several yellow flowers and red ribbon, gloves, and red slipper shoes. She also wears a hair adornment, earrings, and necklace. She holds a purse and fan in her left hand and a parasol in her right hand. The man and woman stand on a grassy knoll. Clouds are visible in the background. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with black hand coloring., Title from item., Date inferred from name of publisher., Inscribed: Plate 4., Contains three lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect below the image: “How you find yourself dis hot weader Miss Chloe?” “Pretty well I tank you Mr. Cesar only I aspire too much!”, Sarah Hart was a Jewish Philadelphia stationer who with her son, future eminent Philadelphia publisher, Abraham Hart assumed publication of the "Life in Philadelphia" series in 1829. She, alone, reprinted the entire series of 14 prints in 1830., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857, etcher
- Date
- [1830]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Set) [P.9698]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "Shall I hab de honour to dance de next quadrille...?"
- Description
- Racist caricature ridiculing the etiquette of attendees of an African American dance ball. Depicts, in the right and in profile, "Mr. Cato," an African American man dressed in a blue coat with tails, white pantaloons and stockings, ruffled white shirt, white gloves, a neck fob, and black slipper shoes bowing with his hat in his hand to invite "Miss Minta" to dance. In the left, "Miss Minta," a curvaceous African American woman, forward facing, her head turned to the right, and dressed in a red, cap-sleeved gown with an apron detail, a large white headpiece, white opera gloves, and several pieces of jewelry, including a neck fob, bracelets, armlets, and earrings, declines his invitation because she is already "engaged for de nine next set." She also slightly holds up the lower right corner of her apron with her right hand. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with black hand coloring. Scene also includes background imagery hand-colored yellow and depicting other African American men and women ball attendees., Title from item., Date inferred from content and name of publisher., Contains four lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect below the image: “Shall I hab de honour to dance de next quadrille wid you, Miss Minta?” “Tank you Mr. Cato, _ wid much pleasure, _ only I am engaged for de nine next set!_”, Inscribed: Plate 5., The symbol of a key is used in place of the name Clay., Sarah Hart was a Jewish Philadelphia stationer who with her son, Abraham Hart, a future eminent Philadelphia publisher, assumed publishing of the "Life in Philadelphia" series in 1829. She reprinted the entire series of 14 prints in 1830., Shane White and Graham White's Stylin': African American Expressive Culture (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1998), p. 98. (LCP Ii 4,A2880.O)., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857, etcher
- Date
- [1830]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Set) [P.9699]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "Well brudder what 'fect you tink Morgan's deduction...?"
- Description
- Racist caricature depicting two African American masons in regalia, shaking hands, and discussing the abduction of William Morgan, a white New York mason who threatened to expose the organization's secrets. In the right, the one mason, a short, rotund man is attired in a long, green waistcoat, blue pants, a masonic apron, a red sash, yellow gloves and black slip on shoes. He holds a top hat in his left hand and shakes with his right. In the left, the other mason, a tall, thin man is attired in a long, green waistcoat with a blue collar, a tan cravat, blue stirrup pants over black shoes, and a masonic apron. He holds a top hat in his left hand and shakes with his right. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with black hand coloring. The men are shown standing on a patch of ground hand-colored in blue watercolor., Inscribed: Plate 6., Title from item., Date inferred from content and name of publisher., Contains four lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect below the image: “Well brudder what ‘fect you tink Morgan’s deduction gwang to hab on our siety of free masons?” “Pon honour I tink he look radder black, fraid we lose de ‘lection in New York!”, Sarah Hart was a Jewish Philadelphia stationer who with her son, Abraham Hart, a future eminent Philadelphia publisher, assumed publication of the "Life in Philadelphia" series in 1829. She alone reissued the entire series of 14 prints in 1830., Nancy Reynolds Davison's E.W. Clay: American Political Caricaturist of the Jacksonian Era (PhD. diss., The University of Michigan, 1980), p. 97. (LCP Print Room Uz, A423.O)., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857, etcher
- Date
- [1830]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Set) [P.9700]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "What de debil you hurrah for General Jackson for?"
- Description
- Racist caricature of an African American "’ministration man" (supporter of incumbent John Quincy Adams) aggressively chastising an African American boy for his cheers of support for the new President, Andrew Jackson. Depicts, in the left, a man attired in a blue waistcoat, yellow vest, white cravat, blue pants, and black slip on shoes holding a switch in his right hand and angrily grabbing the boy who has a frightened look on his face and is barefoot. The boy is dressed in patched tan pants, a tan jacket with an elbow patch, a blue vest and a hat made from the pro-Jackson paper "The Mercury." A sword lays beside the boy and a copy of the anti-Jackson paper "Democratic Press" lays in front of the man. In the background, cityscape is visible and a large crowd is seen celebrating Jackson’s election around a flag pole. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with black hand coloring, Title from item., Date inferred from content and from name of publisher., Inscribed: Plate 7., The symbol of a key is used in place of the name Clay., Contains seven lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect below the image: Hurrah! Hurrah for General Jackson!! What de debil you hurrah for General Jackson for ? _ You black nigger!_ I’ll larn you better_I’m a ministration man!!”, Sarah Hart was a Jewish Philadelphia stationer who with her son, Abraham Hart, a future eminent Philadelphia publisher, assumed publishing of the "Life in Philadelphia" series in 1829. She, alone, reprinted the entire series of 14 prints in 1830., Nancy Reynolds Davison's E.W. Clay: American Political Caricaturist of the Jacksonian Era (PhD. diss., The University of Michigan, 1980), p. 97. (LCP Print Room Uz A423.O), RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857, etcher
- Date
- [1830]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Set) [P.9701.1]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "How you like de new fashion shirt...?"
- Description
- Racist caricature ridiculing the 1829 male fashion fad of striped shirts depicting an African American man-woman couple discussing the "new fashion shirt" that he is wearing. In the right, the man stands slightly turned and hands on hips. He is attired in a green waistcoat with tails, a red vest, a blue-striped shirt, black cravat, blue pants, yellow gloves, black shoes, and a neck fob. He holds a black top hat in his left hand. In the left, "Miss Florinda," stands, forward facing, and holding a fan near the right side of her face. She wears a red and green headpiece over her hair that is in a top knot. She is attired in a yellow calf-length, cap sleeved dress with floral details, red trim, and décolleté neckline; white opera gloves; ankle-laced slippers; and jewelry, including earrings, necklace, and bracelets. She holds a handkerchief in her left hand and states that she finds the fashion elegant and how his wearing it within the "Abolition siety" will make him look like "Pluto de God of War!" They stand on a patch of dirt. In classical mythology, Pluto is also the god of the underworld and wealth. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with black hand coloring., Title from item., Date inferred from content and name of publisher., Plate 9 of the series., The symbol of a key is used in place of the name Clay., Contains seven lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect above the image: How you like de new fashion shirt, Miss Florinda? I tink dey mighty elegum_ I see you on New year day when you carry de colour in de Abolition ‘siety -You look just like Pluto de God of War!, Sarah Hart was a Jewish Philadelphia stationer who with her son, Abraham Hart, a future eminent Philadelphia publisher, assumed publication of the "Life in Philadelphia" series in 1829. She alone reprinted the entire series of 14 prints in 1830., LCP exhibit catalogue: Made in America p. 29., Nancy Reynolds Davison's E.W. Clay: American Political Caricaturist in Jacksonian America (PhD. diss., The University of Michigan, 1980), p. 88-89. (LCP Print Room UZ, A423.O)., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857, etcher
- Date
- [1830]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Set) [P.9701.3]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "Is Miss Dinah at home?"
- Description
- Racist caricature depicting a well-dressed, middle-class African American dandy, his right side toward the viewer, calling upon "Miss Dinah" on the outside of her basement apartment. He wears a tan top hat, bright green waistcoat, a yellow cravat with polka dots, tan pants, yellow gloves, and black slipper shoes adorned with bows. He holds a walking stick perpendicular to his thigh and a fob hangs away from his coat. An African American woman servant, wearing short-cropped hair and earrings, and attired in a red, short-sleeved dress and blue apron, stands at the open cellar doors and informs the suitor that Miss Dinah "is bery pertickly engaged in washing de dishes." She holds out a silver tray to collect the dandy's calling card. The dandy states that he is sorry that he "cant have the honour to pay [his] devours to her" and slightly crouches to place his card on the tray. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Scene also shows an adjacent basement cellar with open doors and views of shuttered windows on the first floor to "Dinah's" residence and those adjoining., Inscribed: Plate 3., Title and date from item., William Simpson was a Philadelphia "fancy store" proprietor who published the first 11 prints of the "Life in Philadelphia" series. He also marketed the series as part of his "Artists' Repository" and possibly helped finance the cost of production., Shane White and Graham White's Stylin': African American expressive culture ... (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1998), p. 108. (LCP Ii 4, A2880.O)., Nancy Reynolds Davison's E.W. Clay: American political caricaturist of the Jacksonian Era. (Phd. diss., The University of Michigan, 1980), p.88. (Print Room Uz, A423.O)., Accessioned 1999., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857, etcher
- Date
- 1828
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Set) [P.9689]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "Shall I hab de honour to dance de next quadrille...?"
- Description
- Racist caricature ridiculing the etiquette of attendees of an African American dance ball. Depicts, in the right and in profile, "Mr. Cato," an African American man dressed in a blue coat with tails and a black collar, white pantaloons and stockings, ruffled white shirt, yellow gloves, a gold neck fob, and black slipper shoes bowing with his hat in his hand to invite "Miss Minta" to dance. In the left, "Miss Minta," a curvaceous African American woman, forward facing, her head turned to the right, and dressed in a pink, cap-sleeved gown with an apron detail, a large pink headpiece, white opera gloves, and several pieces of jewelry, including a neck fob, bracelets, armlets, and earrings, declines his invitation because she is already "engaged for de nine next set." She also slightly holds up the lower right corner of her apron with her right hand. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with brown hand coloring. Scene also includes background imagery depicting other African American men and women ball attendees., Title from item., Date printed on item., Inscribed: Plate 5., The symbol of a key is used in place of the name Clay., Contains four lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect below the image: “Shall I hab de honour to dance de next quadrille wid you, Miss Minta?” “Tank you Mr. Cato, _ wid much pleasure, _ only I am engaged for de nine next set!_”, William Simpson was a Philadelphia "fancy store" proprietor who published the first 11 prints of the "Life in Philadelphia" series. He also marketed the series as part of his "Artists' Repository.", Shane White and Graham White's Stylin': African American Expressive Culture (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1998), p. 98. (LCP Ii 4, A2880.O)., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857, etcher
- Date
- 1828
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Set) [P.8471.1]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "Well brudder what 'fect you tink Morgan's deduction...?"
- Description
- Racist caricature depicting two African American masons in regalia, shaking hands, and discussing the abduction of William Morgan, a white New York mason who threatened to expose the organization's secrets. In the right, the one mason, a short, rotund man is attired in a long, blue waistcoat, blue pants, a masonic apron, a red sash, yellow gloves and black slip on shoes. He holds a top hat in his left hand and shakes with his right. In the left, the other mason, a tall, thin man is attired in a long, brown waistcoat, a tan cravat, brown stirrup pants over black shoes, and a masonic apron. He holds a top hat in his left hand and shakes with his right. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with brown hand coloring. The men are shown standing on a patch of ground and blue sky delineated in blue watercolor is visible behind them., Title from item., Date from item., Inscribed: Plate 6., Contains four lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect below the image: “Well brudder what ‘fect you tink Morgan’s deduction gwang to hab on our siety of free masons?” “Pon honour I tink he look radder black, fraid we lose de ‘lection in New York!”, William Simpson was a Philadelphia "fancy store" proprietor who published the first 11 prints of the "Life in Philadelphia" series. He also marketed the series as part of his "Artists' Repository.", Nancy Reynolds Davison's E.W. Clay: American Political Caricaturist of the Jacksonian Era (Ph.D diss., The University of Michigan, 1980), p. 97. (LCP Print Room Uz A423.O)., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Clay, Edward Williams, 1799-1857, etcher
- Date
- 1828
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (Philadelphia Set) [P.9691]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. The lub letter
- Description
- Racist caricature depicting an African American woman reading a love letter. Depicts "Angelica” seated on a couch across from an end table on which a stationery box, ribbon, and a jar of ink rest as she reads her "billet-doux" addressed to “Miss Lillywhite, Snow Blackfriars." The couch has a wood frame and blue cushions. “Angelica” is attired in a pink cap-sleeved dress with lace details at the bust-line, blue, ankle-laced, slip-on shoes, and jewelry, including a heart-shaped pendant choker necklace, gold drop earrings, and rings. She wears her hair in a top knot and with a hair adornment. In the letter, “Augustus Octavio Whiteman” proclaims he cannot think of anything but her "classic features" and he would be "de Blackest ob villains" if he could see such "lubliness without feeling its influence." Figure of “Angelica” is portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features and her skin tone is depicted in black hand coloring., Title from item., Date inferred from content and name of publisher., Contains several lines of dialogue in the vernacular in the image: Ah! A billet-doux from my Charming Augustus/ My Fairest Angelica/Dy Slender form and Classic Features hab made sich an impression on my poor heart dat I cannot tink ob anything else. Indeed I must be de Blackest of Villains if I could see sich lubliness widout feeling its Influence as de Song says_”Eye ob fire lips ob Dew” “Cheeks dat shame the roses hue”/Tremain your Adorable Lubber Augustus Octavio Whiteman., Inscribed: No. 4., Charles Hunt was a respected 19th century London engraver and etcher known mostly for his prints of sporting subjects., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
- Creator
- Summers, William, artist
- Date
- [ca. 1833]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (London Set) [P.9710.4]
- Title
- Life in Philadephia [sic]. The valentine
- Description
- Racist caricature depicting an African American man reading a comic valentine in his bedroom as he prepares for bed. Shows the bearded man, beside a bed with a pink canopy, holding the back of a tilted chair (his waistcoat on it) with his left hand and holding up the valentine illustrated with a picture of the devil in his right hand. The man is portrayed with an angry expression and standing with his feet far apart. He wears a night cap, a blue-striped shirt, a black neck tie, brown pantaloons from which a watch fob hangs, white stockings and one red slipper. A water pitcher and boots lie near his feet. In the left, an African American woman, smiles, and stands behind the ajar bedroom door. She wears a night bonnet, neckerchief, short-sleeved shirt, blue skirt, and black slippers. A stairwell is seen behind her. Figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features and their skin tone is depicted in black hand coloring., Title from item,, Date inferred from content and name of publisher., Contains one bubble of dialogue in the vernacular within the image: Holl’a! What’s all dis about_. “De rose is Red de Violets blue” De Debils Black and so are You. Well dat’s bery Fair indeed., Inscribed: No. 6., Charles Hunt was a respected 19th-century London engraver and etcher known mostly for his prints of sporting subjects., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
- Creator
- Summers, William, artist
- Date
- [ca. 1833]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (London Set) [P.9710.6]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. A black tea party
- Description
- Racist caricature satirizing the African American guests and the hosts, "Mr. Ludovico" and "Miss Rosabella," of a tea party. To the far right of the table, "Miss Rosabella," attired in a pink cap sleeve dress, pours steaming hot tea into a cup which tips over and spills onto a startled black cat on the floor. To her right, "Mr. Ludovico," attired in a blue waistcoat, passes a plate of sandwiches to "Miss Araminta,” attired in a pink, puff sleeved dress and who protests his taking the trouble. Next to them, a frowning, woman guest, attired in a pink puff sleeved dress asks “Miss Rosabella” for "anoder cup" of tea after she helps the other guests. An African American man servant (in the right) and the other guests (in the left), a mother holding her baby and resting her feet on an ottoman and her young son seated on a small chair, observe and comment about the spilled tea on the cat and the flirtatious behavior of "Mr. Ludovico." The man servant wears a jacket with epaulets. He holds a cloth. The mother wears a yellow dress with puffed sleeves. The boy wears a blue smock shirt and striped pants. He drinks a cup of tea. The scene is set in a parlor decorated with a carpet with an ornate pattern. Figures are depicted with oversize and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with black hand coloring. The women figures wear their hair in top knots, except the mother who wears a round, soft brimmed hat adorned with bows., Title from item., Date inferred by content and name of publisher., Inscribed: No. 7., Contains six dialogue bubbles above the image: I bery glad I ain’t the cat./I begin to see which way de cat jumps/When you have helped all de company Miss Rosabella, I’ll tank you for anoder cup/No trouble Miss Araminta none but de brave deserve de Fair/You take too mush trouble Mr. Ludovico./Mass cat tink him tea to hot., Charles Hunt was a respected London engraver who was most well known for his aquatints of sporting subjects., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
- Creator
- Summers, William, delineator
- Date
- [ca. 1833]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | PRINT. Life in Philadelphia (London Set) [P.9710.7]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. A black ball. La pastorelle
- Description
- Racist caricature ridiculing the manners and dress displayed at an African American dance ball by depicting attendees making malapropisms as they flirt with one another. A male attendee promenades with "Miss Zephyrina," on his left, dressed in a pink gown with white pantalettes and another woman dressed in a multi-colored gown on his right. He is impressed with Miss Zephyrina's "Rotations" from the poet "Joe Miller" who from which she quotes, "Grace in all he teps ... in all him action, dignity, and lub." In front of them, in the right, "Brudder Brutus" gestures toward Miss Zephyrina and states that he feels the same "Ting." Brutus, who is "cutting him capers by himself" has impressed the lady in the multi-colored dress who looks with rounded eyes upon his pointed toe. To the far right, a man depicted with bow-legs and attired in a large blue tie, and accompanied by a short-statured lady in a pink and yellow gown, is shown with his eyes looking to the left toward the "elegum Wenus in de trousers," Miss Zephrina. She makes his "heart tump about." Several other men and women attendees are seen in the background. Figures are depicted with oversize and exaggerated features. The men are depicted attired in coats with tails, pantaloons, stockings, and slipper shoes adorned with bows., Title from item., Date inferred from content and name of publisher., Contains five dialogue bubbles above the image: What a figure Broder Brutus look cutting him capers dare by himself./ What fine Rotations Miss Zephyrina make from de poets./ Grace in all he teps – heaben in he eye in all him action dignity and lub as de poet Joe Miller say/ If I didn’t feel jist de Ting how bery frit I should be afore such quizzes./ How dat elegum Wenus in de trousers make my heart tump about., Charles Hunt was a respected London engraver who was most well known for his aquatints of sporting subjects., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Summers, William, delineator
- Date
- [ca. 1833]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (London Set) [P.9710.10]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. "Is Miss Dinah at home?"
- Description
- Racist caricature depicting a well-dressed, middle-class African American dandy, his right side toward the viewer, calling upon "Miss Dinah" on the outside of her basement apartment. He wears a top hat, blue waistcoat, a pink cravat with polka dots, white pants, yellow gloves, and black slipper shoes adorned with bows. He holds a walking stick perpendicular to his thigh and a fob hangs away from his coat. An African American woman servant, wearing short-cropped hair and earrings, and attired in a pink, short-sleeved dress and apron, stands at the open cellar doors and informs the suitor that Miss Dinah "is bery pertickly engaged in washing de dishes." She holds out a silver tray to collect the dandy’s calling card. The dandy states that he is sorry that he "cant have the honour to pay [his] devours to her" and slightly crouches to place his card on the tray. The figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features. Scene also shows an adjacent basement cellar with open doors and views of shuttered windows on the first floor to "Dinah’s" residence and those adjoining., Title from item., Date inferred from content and publisher., Inscribed: No. 17., Contains three lines of dialogue in the vernacular and dialect below the image: "Is Miss Dinah at home?""Yes sir but she bery pertickly engaged in washing de dishes.""Ah! I'm sorry I can't have the honour to pay my devours to her. Give her my card.", Shane White and Graham White's Stylin': African American Expressive Culture.... (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1998), p. 108. (LCP Ii 4, A2880.O)., Nancy Reynolds Davison's E.W. Clay: American Political Caricaturist of the Jacksonian Era (PhD. diss., The University of Michigan, 1980), p. 88. (LCP Print Room Uz, A423.O)., LCP AR (Annual Report) 1966, p. 20., Charles Hunt was a respected London engraver who was most well known for his aquatints of sporting subjects., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., Purchase 1966.
- Creator
- Summers, William, artist
- Date
- [ca. 1833]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (London Set) [P.9710.14]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. Romeo and Juliet
- Description
- Racist caricature depicting an African American man-woman couple in the characters of Romeo and Juliet during the balcony scene from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." In the right, "Romeo" wearing an Elizabethan costume including a plumed white hat, red cape, and white sash, holds his right, gloved hand over his heart and his left, ungloved hand out and holding the edge of his cape. He recites, "How silver sweet sounds Lubbers Tongues by Night, like sorpest Music to attending Ears." In the left, from the balcony, "Juliet" responds with the self-derogatory remark that as her complexion is "de mark of night" it is impossible to see that "a maiden blush bepaint" on her cheek. She is attired in a pink puffed sleeve, décolleté dress, earrings, a necklace, and hair adornment. She holds a glove and fan in her right gloved hand at her side and her left hand rests on the balustrade of the balcony. A rose vine climbs up the balcony and the tops of trees and a balustrade are visible behind “Romeo.” Figures are portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features and their skin tone is depicted in black hand coloring., Title from item., Date inferred from content and name of publisher., Contains two lines of dialogue in the vernacular below image: Romeo: How silber sweet, sounds Lubbers Tongues by Night; like sorptest Music to attending Ears./Juliet: Dou know’st de mask ob night is on my face, else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek., Signed W.S. for William Summers in lower right corner., Charles Hunt was a respected 19th century London engraver and etcher known mostly for his prints of sporting subjects., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
- Creator
- Summers, William, artist
- Date
- [ca. 1860]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (London Set) [P.9713.4]
- Title
- Tregears black jokes. The Lady Patroness of Alblacks
- Description
- Racist caricature depicting a middle-class African American woman looking at herself in a full-length mirror in her well- decorated bedroom. Shows the woman, attired in a white, low décolleté underdress with puffed, cap sleeves, slightly lifting up the skirt of her dress in her left hand and her raised right hand holding a comb near her hair that is styled in a top knot. She looks at her reflection. She is portrayed with a wrinkled brow and bags under her eyes. Her reflection does not have these features. In the right, a bed with a canopy on which a wide-brimmed hat rests on a post; a table on which a pin pad, hair comb, pearl necklace, and earrings rest; and a black cat with its back raised are visible. In the left, on either side of the mirror, a pink dress rests on a clothing rack and white ankle-lace shoes lie on the carpeted floor. Scene also includes three framed picture on the wall in the background. Two are partially visible and the one fully visible shows a genre scene outside of a stone dwelling where an African American man is on his knee and holding the hand of an African American woman who stands in front of him. Figure is portrayed with oversized and exaggerated features and her skin tone is depicted in black hand coloring., Title from item., Date inferred from content and name of publisher., Inscribed: No. 2., This caricature is similar in content to the prints from the series, "Life in Philadelphia" (London Set), and has been catalogued as a part of the series., Charles Hunt was a respected 19th century London engraver and etcher known mostly for his prints of sporting subjects., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
- Creator
- Summers, William, delineator
- Date
- [ca. 1834]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia PRINT | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (London Set) [P.9719]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. A black ball. La pastorelle
- Description
- Racist caricature ridiculing the manners and dress displayed at an African American dance ball by depicting attendees making malapropisms as they flirt with one another. A male attendee promenades with "Miss Zephyrina," on his left, dressed in a yellow gown with green pantalettes and another woman dressed in a pink gown on his right. He is impressed with Miss Zephyrina's "Rotations" from the poet "Joe Miller" who from which she quotes, "Grace in all he teps...in all him action, dignity, and lub." In front of them, in the right, "Brudder Brutus" gestures toward Miss Zephyrina and states that he feels the same "Ting." Brutus, who is "cutting him capers by himself" has impressed the lady in the pink dress who looks with rounded eyes upon his pointed toe. To the far right, a man depicted with bow-legs and attired in a large yellow tie, and accompanied by a short-statured lady in a green gown, is shown with his eyes looking to the left toward the "elegum Wenus in de trousers," Miss Zephrina. She makes his "heart tump about." Several other men and women attendees are seen in the background. Figures are depicted with oversize and exaggerated features. The men are depicted attired in coats with tails, pantaloons, stockings, and slipper shoes adorned with bows., Title from item., Date inferred from content and name of publisher., Contains five dialogue bubbles above the image: What a figure Broder Brutus look cutting him capers dare by himself./ What fine Rotations Miss Zephyrina make from de poets./ Grace in all he teps – heaben in he eye in all him action dignity and lub as de poet Joe Miller say/ If I didn’t feel jist de Ting how bery frit I should be afore such quizzes./ How dat elegum Wenus in de trousers make my heart tump about., Charles Hunt was a respected London engraver who was most well known for his aquatints of sporting subjects., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021.
- Creator
- Summers, William, delineator
- Date
- [ca. 1833]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (London Set) [6253.F]
- Title
- Life in Philadelphia. A black tea party
- Description
- Racist caricature satirizing the African American guests and hosts, "Mr. Ludovico" and "Miss Rosabella," of a tea party. To the far right of the table, "Miss Rosabella," attired in a blue cap sleeve dress, pours steaming hot tea into a cup which tips over and spills onto a startled black cat on the floor. To her right, "Mr. Ludovico," attired in a blue waistcoat, passes a plate of sandwiches to "Miss Araminta,” attired in a pink, puff sleeved dress and who protests his taking the trouble. Next to them, a frowning, woman guest, attired in an orange puff sleeved dress asks “Miss Rosabella” for "anoder cup" of tea after she helps the other guests. An African American man servant (in the right) and the other guests (in the left), a mother holding her baby and resting her feet on an ottoman and her young son seated on a small chair, observe and comment about the spilled tea on the cat and the flirtatious behavior of "Mr. Ludovico." The man servant wears a jacket with epaulets. He holds a cloth. The mother wears a green dress with puffed sleeves. The boy wears a red smock shirt and striped pants. He drinks a cup of tea. The scene is set in a parlor decorated with a carpet with an ornate pattern. Figures are depicted with oversize and exaggerated features. Their skin tone is depicted with black hand coloring. The women figures wear their hair in top knots, except the mother who wears a round, soft brimmed hat adorned with bows., Title from item., Date inferred by content and name of publisher., Contains six dialogue bubbles above the image: I bery glad I ain’t the cat./I begin to see which way de cat jumps/When you have helped all de company Miss Rosabella, I’ll tank you for anoder cup/No trouble Miss Araminta none but de brave deserve de Fair/You take too mush trouble Mr. Ludovico./Mass cat tink him tea to hot., Charles Hunt was a respected London engraver who was most well known for his aquatints of sporting subjects., RVCDC, Description revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
- Creator
- Summers, William, delineator
- Date
- [ca. 1833]
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Life in Philadelphia (London Set) [P.9709.2]
- Title
- No. 1. The flirtation
- Description
- First scene based on a racist series of African American caricatures originally created for Harper's Weekly in 1878 by Sol Eytinge that satirized the courtship and marriage of and the start of families by "The Twins." The African American figures are depicted with exaggerated features and mannerisms. Scene shows the African American twins greeting two African American men. They depart from the gate of their log cabin home, attired in polka dot dresses, aprons, and turned-up brimmed hats. They smile at the two African American men as they begin their walk. One twin lifts her handkerchief. One of the men is tall and thin and he tips his hat. The other is shorter and squat and has a hand on his chest. The men are attired in suits with striped pants that are hemmed high. The twins' log cabin home with their parent's seeing them off is visible in the left background. Background also includes the log cabin with "Dr. Black’s Office"; the town church; a "Dry Goods and Clothing” store; a "Saloon"; and a "Hotel.”, Title from item., Name of publisher from other photographs in series., Date from copyright statement on original drawing: Copyrighted 1881 John McGreer, Chicago, Ill., Name of artist stamped on verso: McGreer Chicago., Purchased with the Davida T. Deutsch African American History Fund., Lib. Company. Annual Report, 2017, p. 52., RVCDC, Desciption revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
- Creator
- McGreer, John, 1839-1908
- Date
- 1881
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - 5 x 7 - Unid. - Events [P.2017.26.1]
- Title
- No. 2 The introduction
- Description
- Second scene based on a racist series of African American caricatures originally created for Harper's Weekly in 1878 by Sol Eytinge that satirized the courtship and marriage of and the start of families by "The Twins." The African American figures are depicted with exaggerated features and mannerisms. Scene shows the “twins,” side-by-side, curtseying to their two male suitors (one tall and one squat) who stand across the parlor. The tall one bows with his hat in hand. The suitors’ mother, portrayed with a face with many wrinkles and attired in a polka dot dress, stands between the pairs. The room is adorned with a table that holds a vase of flowers, an album, and a glass. Framed pictures, including a portrait, as well as a cuckoo clock adorn the walls near a window with a partially rolled-up window shade. The twins are attired in polka dot dresses and the men in suits., Title from item., Inscribed on original drawing: Remodeled from sketch in Harpers Weekly., Date from copyright statement in other photographs in series: Copyrighted 1881 John McGreer, Chicago, Ill., Name of artist stamped on verso: McGreer Chicago., Name of publisher from other photographs in series., Purchased with the Davida T. Deutsch African American History Fund., Lib. Company. Annual Report, 2017, p. 52., RVCDC, Desciption revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
- Creator
- McGreer, John, 1839-1908
- Date
- 1881
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - 5 x 7 - Unid. - Events [P.2017.26.2]
- Title
- No. 3 The courting
- Description
- Third scene in a racist series of African American caricatures originally created for Harper's Weekly in 1878 by Sol Eytinge that satirized the courtship and marriage of and the start of families by "The Twins." The African American figures are depicted with exaggerated features and mannerisms. Scene shows the twins and their suitors, seated in an open room with a stove by a mantle. In the left, one twin sits face to face with her tall suitor. She looks down and raises her hand to her mouth. In the right, the other twin sits next to her suitor and smiles. The twin holds a fan to her face. A hat and coat hang on the wall above them. The twins' parents watch from a doorway in the left background. The twins are attired in polka dot dresses and the men in suits., Title from item., Inscribed on original drawing: Reproduced from sketch by Sol Eytinge from Harpers Weekly., Date from copyright statement in other photographs in series: Copyrighted 1881 John McGreer, Chicago, Ill., Name of artist stamped on verso: McGreer Chicago., Name of publisher inscribed on original drawing., Purchased with the Davida T. Deutsch African American History Fund., Lib. Company. Annual Report, 2017, p. 52., RVCDC, Desciption revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
- Creator
- McGreer, John, 1839-1908
- Date
- 1881
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - 5 x 7 - Unid. - Events [P.2017.26.3]
- Title
- No. 4 The proposal
- Description
- Fourth scene in a racist series of African American caricatures originally created for Harper's Weekly in 1878 by Sol Eytinge that satirized the courtship and marriage of and the start of families by "The Twins." The African American figures are depicted with exaggerated features and mannerisms. Scene shows the twins and their suitors, seated in an open room with a stove by a mantle. The tall suitor of the twin in the left kneels on the floor, his chair fallen behind him, and proposes to her as he holds her right hand. She covers her mouth with the other. The twin of the couple in the right sits on her suitor’s lap as he holds her. Her foot rests on his hat on the floor, and she holds a fan down on her legs. The parents of the twins, an older couple, stand, their mouths ajar, in an open entryway in the left background. Keepsakes and knick knacks adorn the mantle behind the stove. A coat and hat hang above the couple in the right. The twins are attired in polka dot dresses and the men in suits., Title from item., Date from copyright statement inscribed on original drawing: Copyrighted 1881 John McGreer, Chicago, Ill., Name of artist stamped on verso: McGreer Chicago., Name of publisher from other photographs in series., Purchased with the Davida T. Deutsch African American History Fund., Lib. Company. Annual Report, 2017, p. 52., RVCDC, Desciption revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
- Creator
- McGreer, John, 1839-1908
- Date
- 1881
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - 5 x 7 - Unid. - Events [P.2017.26.4]
- Title
- No. 6 The wedding
- Description
- Sixth scene in a racist series of African American caricatures originally created for Harper's Weekly in 1878 by Sol Eytinge that satirized the courtship and marriage of and the start of families by "The Twins." The African American figures are depicted with exaggerated features and mannerisms. Shows the twins getting married in the parlor in which they were introduced to their fiancés (see No. 2 The Introduction). The twins are attired in white wedding dresses and veils and their betrothed in formal suits. An older African American reverend stands in front of them and officiates. Their relatives, including an older woman, attired in a bonnet, and seated in a rocker and holding in her lap a boy, attired in a striped suit with ruffled collar, watch the nuptials from behind them. "Dr. Black" and other acquaintances watch from through a doorway. Framed pictures adorn the wall. A table with a cake and a decanter with glasses is visible behind the reverend., Title from item., Name of publisher inscribed on original drawing: Cartoon Printing Co. Chicago., Date from copyright statement in other photographs in series: Copyrighted 1881 John McGreer, Chicago, Ill., Name of artist stamped on verso: McGreer Chicago., Purchased with the Davida T. Deutsch African American History Fund., Lib. Company. Annual Report, 2017, p. 52., RVCDC, Desciption revised 2022., Access points revised 2022.
- Creator
- McGreer, John, 1839-1908
- Date
- 1881
- Location
- Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department photo - 5 x 7 - Unid. - Events [P.2017.26.6]