Racist trade card promoting James S. Kirk & Co.’s Satinet soap and depicting a caricature of an African American boy carrying an oversized branch of cotton and a red cloth that trails behind him. Shows the African American boy attired in a torn straw hat, a white collared shirt, white overalls, and white shoes walking with his right leg lifted up. Over his shoulder he carries an oversized branch of cotton with his right hand. Under his left arm he carries a bolt of red cloth which has come unfurled in a train behind him. The cloth reads, “Satinet.” James S. Kirk (1818-1886) began his soap manufactory in 1839 in Utica, New York. He moved his company to Chicago in 1859, offering a variety of soaps including, White Ceylon, Satinet, Calendar, White Russian, and Coronet. The factory was demolished in 1929, and the Company was sold to Proctor & Gamble in 1930., Title from item., Place of publication inferred from place of operation of the advertised business., Date deduced from history of the advertised business., Gift of David Doret.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Jas. S. Kirk. [P.2017.95.92]
