Trade card promoting soap manufacturer Chas. F. Bates & Co. and depicting a racist scene of an African American man stealing a chicken in the countryside. He hangs suspended on a wooden fence, snagged by the seat of his pants. He is attired in blue pants, a blue and white plaid shirt, and black boots. He holds two squawking chickens by the legs in his right hand as another squawking chicken runs away in the left. The man is portrayed with exaggerated features and a look of fear. His mouth is open and the corners turned down. His wide eyes look to the right. In the background in the right, a white man, holding a rifle, runs with a dog towards the fence. A house is visible in the center background. Charles F. Bates (1842-1925) founded the soap manufacturing company Chas. F. Bates & Co., which operated from the 1870s to the 1920s., Title from item., Date deduced from history of the advertised business., Name of the publisher from copyright statement: Copyrighted Bufford, Boston., Advertising text printed on verso: Notice. To Mechanics, laborers, workingmen, clerks, book-keepers, and others, who are engaged in using ink, this soap is of the greatest benefit. [For] removing ink, pitch, cement, varnish, paint, wheel grease, and all impurities and stains, from the hands, it is excellent and unequalled. It is the best that can be used in the counting-house, office, workshop, or kitchen. Try it, and you will be satisfied that it is the "Ne Plus Extra" for washing hands, and no one should be without it. Any quantity of references and recommendations can be given by persons who have used it, but as all will wish to try it, we now offer it to the public on its merits. Every house-keeper should be certain to use it, as it is of great benefit for all kitchen purposes. Beware of imitations which may be offered. For sale by all grocers. Chas. F. Bates & Co. Proprietors and [Ma]nufacturers, 44 Broad Street, Boston, Mass. Factory at Wollaston, Mass., Gift of David Doret.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Chas F. Bates [P.2017.95.24]
