Engraving accompanies Chapter VII ("A Variety of Incidents") in Thorpe's fictional narrative. It shows the protagonist, Mildmay, leading his slaves on a journey from North Carolina to Louisiana, where he had purchased a new plantation. Following Mildmay's example, the slaves discarded most of their possessions and took only what they could carry. According to the text, the procession included five large wagons, "which were filled with camp equipage, cooking utensils, sick or delicate women, and infant children." (p. 72), Illustration in Thomas Bangs Thorpe's The master's house; or, scenes descriptive of southern life (New York: J.C. Derby, 119 Nassau Street, 1855), p. 70., Fels Afro-Americana Image Project, Scenes from Slave Life.
Creator
Whitney, Jocelyn & Annin, engraver
Date
[1855]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Books & Other Texts | Rare 2 Wright 2496a 71095.D p 70, https://digital.librarycompany.org/islandora/object/Islandora%3A2657
Racist trade card illustration depicting an African American family riding a donkey and leaving their small cabin, which is likely located on or near a plantation. The family consists of a father, son, mother, and baby. Surrounding the family are two small dogs, two children waving goodbye on a wooden fence, a child who tugs the donkey's tail, a woman bidding the group farewell with her arms outstrethced, and a man who sits on the steps of the cabin in the background. A second cabin is visible in the background of the image behind the wooden fence. The father is attired in a yellow coat, a white and black top hat, and shoes. The son is attired in a white dotted shirt, a hat, plaid yellow pants, and shoes. The mother is attired in a yellow shirt, a white bonnet, a blue dotted shirt and shoes. She holds the baby in a wrapped blanket and gestures toward the onlookers behind her. A sign shaped like an arm with a hand pointing its index finger is situated beside the wood fence and reads "New home." In the upper right corner is a circular image of a New Home sewing machine. Daniel S. Ewing was a Philadelphia merchant who sold sewing machines at his eponymous store. The store was located in Philadelphia on Chestnut Street., Title from item., Text on recto: We's gwine to get a new home we is!, Gift of David Doret.
Date
[ca. 1885]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - New Home [P.2017.95.140]
