Trade card promoting grocers Bissell & Underwood and depicting a racist scene of barefooted, African American men knocked about from a kicking mule in the middle of a cottonfield. In the center, a mule equipped with a saddle and reins, kicks its back feet into the air, above a wooden board lying on the ground. In the right, a man attired in a blue shirt and white, checked pants, tumbles onto his back and with his legs in the air. Near him a man attired in blue and white striped pants and an orange, checked shirt, runs away. In the left, a man attired in blue pants and a white shirt falls to the ground, head first and upside down. In the lower left, the lower leg and bare foot of a person attired in blue and white striped pants and running away is visible. In the background, a man with a hat and checked shirt stands with both arms up in the air in alarm. Two figures gathering cotton are also visible in the distance. Bissell & Underwood's store was closed and sold for auction in 1881., Title from item., Name of publisher from copyright statement: Copyrighted Bufford, Boston., Date deduced from the history of the advertised business., Text printed on the recto: And he got!, Gift of David Doret.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Bissell [P.2017.95.13]
Trade card promoting grocers Bissell & Underwood and depicting a racist scene of barefooted, African American men trying to get a downed mule on its feet in a cotton field. The men are depicted with exaggerated features. In the center, the mule lies on its side on the ground. Its feet are pointed to the viewer. In the right, a man attired in blue and white checked pants rolled up to his knees and an orange checked shirt pulls the mule's head by the reins. To the left, two men, one attired in blue pants and orange shirt, and the other in blue pants and green shirt, push a wooden board as a wedge under the mule. In the left, a fourth man, attired in white pants and blue shirt pulls on the mule's tail. Behind him, in the background, a man attired in blue pants, an orange shirt, and brimmed hat holds a hoe and watches the scene. In the far right distance, laborers with baskets on their back pick cotton. Bissell & Underwood's store was closed and sold for auction in 1881., Title from item., Name of publisher from copyright statement: Copyrighted Bufford, Boston., Date deduced from the history of the advertised business., Text printed on recto: Oh git!, Gift of David Doret.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Bissell [P.2017.95.14]