Search results

Title: Dey's de irons to make de angels' robes white and smooth in de colored folk's heaven
Description: Racist trade card illustration promoting Mrs. Potts' Cold Handle Sad Iron and depicting three African American winged angels. In the foreground is an African American woman attired in a white headwrap, along-sleeved white dress, and white flat shoes. She stands with her arms wide and holds irons in both hands. In the left is a smaller boy angel who stands with his hands on his hips and in the right is an identically posed girl angel. All three figures are depicted with exaggerated figures. A box of text is superimposed over the woman angel's torso. Three irons are depicted on verso along with a disembodied hand demonstrating the detachable handle., Title from item., Advertising text printed on verso: Mrs. Potts' Cold Handle Sad Iron. Advantages: A cold detachange walnut handle, are lined with nonconducting cement. Heat quicker than other irons. Retain the heat longer. Require no holder or cloth. Do not burn the hand. Are double pointed, iron both ways, the best in use, cheap., Distributor's imprint printed on verso: Smith, Seltzer & Co., Sixth & Market Sts, Philadelphia, PA., Gift of David Doret.
Date: [ca. 1880]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Mrs. Potts [P.2017.95.135]

Title: West Philadelphia Sadiron Works, M.L. Keen & Brother, Proprietors
Description: Advertisement for the small fenced factory complex with courtyard of the busy "M.L. Keen & Bror." sadiron works on Washington Avenue in West Philadelphia. Complex includes the single story "Iron foundry" and "Grinding Shop" to the right of the two-story warehouse adorned with signage reading "West Phila. Sad Iron Works." Laborers lead horse-drawn carts into and out of the complex. One entry is marked "No admittance." Within the complex, workers move large wheels by hand, push a handcart, and drive a cart. They also enter and exit doorways of the warehouse where men also hoist barrels. Also shows piles of wood planks and other material lined in front of the works around a worker being harrassed by a dog as he eats his lunch on a log., Not in Wainwright., Date from Poulson inscription on recto: Sept. 1848., Philadelphia on Stone, POS 827, Trimmed., Originally part of a Poulson scrapbook of illustrations of Philadelphia.
Creator: Rease, W. H., artist
Date: [September 1848]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department BW - Industry [2526.F.86a]

Title: When Alden wooed the fair Priscilla for his friend. In sixteen twenty six by Plymouth Rocks environs. The course of true love, rough at first, was at the end. As smooth as if they'd used the Enterprise sad irons
Description: Trade card issued during the Columbian Exposition of 1893 advertising Enterprise Mf'g Co. of Pa. "cold handle sad irons." Contains an anachronistic historical scene captioned "Why Don't You Speak For Yourself John" including the notable Pilgrim couple Priscilla and John Alden. Scene shows John Alden beside a chair on which a jacket rests and behind Priscilla, attired in 19th-century like Pilgrim's attire, ironing a shirt on a table with an Enterprise sad iron. Also contains a view of the Italian Renaissance-style Woman's Building designed by Sophie Hayden. The exposition held in Chicago May 1-October 30, 1898 celebrated the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492. Enterprise Manufacturing Co. of Pa. was established in 1866., Advertising text on verso: Enterprise Cold Handle Sad Irons. [Mrs. Potts' Patent.] These irons are so well and favorably known that we will refer but briefly to a few main points of superiority. They are ground by patented machinery, which makes every Iron true and the face of the Iron slightly convex, thus making ironing easier than with the old style flat irons. The detachable handles are walnut, excepting the lower part, which is a TINNED iron casting, called a stretcher; they do not become hot, need no holder of cloth, and fit naturally to the hand without straining the arm or wrist. Three irons (of different sizes), one handle and stand comprise a set. For prices and further information send for the Catalogue., Printed on verso of P.2008.36.52: For Sale by the Hardware Trade. Send for Catalogue. The Enterprise M'f'g Co. of Pa., Third & Dauphin Sts., Philadelphia, U.S.A., Printed on verso of P.2008.36.78: For Sale by the Hardware Trade. The Enterprise M'f'g Co. of Pa., Third & Dauphin Sts., Philadelphia, U.S.A., Typeface on the verso varies between the prints., Vignette illustration on verso. Depicts a hand holding the detached handle of one of three irons., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Gift of Michael Zinman.
Date: c1893
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Michael Zinman World's Fairs Collection - Trade cards [P.2008.36.52 & 78]

Title: [Enterprise Manufacturing Company of Pennsylvania trade cards]
Description: Series of illustrated trade cards depicting three sad irons in a wooden box; a caricature of Abraham Lincoln holding a document in his left hand as he uses his right to operate an Enterprise faucet to fill up a container with molasses; and an exterior view of the Forestry Building on the grounds of Jackson Park, Chicago, Illinois for the 1893 world fair to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the voyage of Columbus to the New World. The following text separates the caricature of Lincoln from the view of the Forestry building: "I found, when a grocer's boy," Honest Abe said "Prosperity's line, if you'd cross it, give always good measure, save labor and use the self measuring, Enterprise faucet.", One print [P.9577.13] copyrighted 1893 by Donaldson Brothers, lith. N.Y., Printers and engravers include Maryland Lith. Co. (Baltimore) and Donaldson Brothers (New York)., Includes advertising text for Enterprise's "sad iron outfit" and "measuring faucet" printed on versos. Enterprise's "sad iron outfit" sold by C.Y. Schelly & Bro., Allentown, Pa., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., One print [P.9162] gift of George Allen., Digitized.
Date: ca. 1893
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Enterprise [P.9162 and P.9577.13]

Title: Muzzy's sun gloss starch. Elkhart Starch Co
Description: Racist trade card promoting Elkhart Starch Company and depicting a domestic, genre scene of a white family and an African American woman domestic on wash day. The woman is portrayed as a caricaturized figure. Shows in the right, the women domestic, attired in a red and yellow head kerchief; gold earrings; and a blue and white dress with gold buttons and the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, standing behind a wooden table with an iron on it. She holds up a stiffly starched and unwrinkled white collared shirt in front of the well-dressed mother and her three children. The reflection of the mother is seen on the shirt. In front of the mother, her brown-haired older son , attired in a white collared shirt and a yellow jacket, points his finger at the shirt. To his right, his younger, brown-haired sister, attired in a yellow dress with white ruffles at the neck and sleeves, reaches both arms toward the shirt. Beside her, a cat sits up at the table and looks at the shirt. Between her and her brother, the older blond- haired sister, attired in a blue dress with white ruffles at the neck and sleeves, a yellow bowtie, and a red sash tied around her waist, hands a box labeled "sun gloss starch" to her mother. In the left, the young mother with long brown hair and attired in earrings; a necklace with a red pendant; and a red dress with white ruffles down the middle and at the sleeves; reaches her right hand out to the box of starch. She cluthches an ornate fan to her chest in her left hand. In the far left, through a doorway, the young father attired in a black jacket with tails; a white collared shirt; and white pants with blue stripes, holds a top hat, stands in a hallway, and looks into the room. A.L. Muzzy built the Muzzy & Sage Mill in Elkhart, Indiana in 1870. Albert R. Beardsley (1847-1924) purchased the mill in 1878 and founded the Elkhart Starch Company. The Company was bought by the National Starch in 1893., Title from item., Advertising text printed on verso: "Elkhart Starch Co. Elkhart, Ind. Manufacture Muzzy's Sun Gloss refined & corn starch. Of superior quality, by a new process. A thorough test makes it a household necessity. Muzzys corn starch is the purest & best made. Capacity ten tons of starch per day." Includes an illustration of a train running past the Elkhart starch works manufactory., Gift of David Doret.
Date: [ca. 1890]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Elkhart [P.2017.95.56]

Title: Tuesday. Yes my heart is light, for de close iron white, and dat is jist what tickles me, for without Higgins' soap, you have'nt any hope, so please to take pattern by me
Description: Racist trade card promoting Higgins’ soap and depicting a caricature of an African American woman domestic ironing a white sheet. The woman is portrayed with exaggerated features and speaks in the vernacular. Shows the African American woman with her hair in pigtail braids tied at the ends in white bows, attired in an orange and yellow striped head kerchief, a red and white shawl, a blue dress with black stripes, a white apron with red stripes, orange and white striped stockings, and black shoes. She stands behind an ironing board and holds a white sheet in her left hand and an iron in her right hand. The ironing board sits on top of a wooden stool and a red and yellow box labeled “Higgins’ German Laundry Soap.” The woman smiles at the viewer and says, “Yes my heart is light, for de close iron white, and dat is jist what tickles me, for without Higgins' soap, you have'nt any hope, so please to take pattern by me.” In the background is a white sheet hanging over a wooden board. The Charles S. Higgins Company, established by Higgins’s father W. B. Higgins in Brooklyn in 1846, manufactured "German Laundry soap" beginning around 1860, when Charles assumed the business. The laundry soap was packaged in a wrapper illustrated with an African American woman washing in a tub. By the early 1890s, Charles S. Higgins left the firm still operated under his name and formed Higgins Soap Company. Court proceedings over trademarks and tradenames ensued and Higgins Soap Company became insolvent by the mid 1890s., Title from item., 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 - Higgins' [P.2017.95.83]

Title: Old processee starchee no goodee. It smellee rots & makee shirts yellee.” "I will never use any other but the New Process Starch." New Process Starch. Manufactured only by the Firmenich Manufacturing Company, Peoria, Ill
Description: Trade card promoting Firmenich Manufacturing Company and depicting a racist caricature of a Chinese man laundry worker contrasted in a split panel with a white women doing laundry. In the left, the Chinese man, wearing a queue hairstyle and attired in a white tunic and pants and blue cloth slip-on shoes, stands and irons a shirt on a table. He speaks in pidgin English, “Old processee starchee no goodee. It smelle rots and make shirts yellee.” On the floor are two boxes of “Old Process Gloss Starch.” On the table is a bowl of steaming water. A teapot heats on the stove behind him, and clothes hang on the clothesline. In the right, the white woman, attired in a pink dress with a white bow around the neck and white cuffs, stands behind the table ironing. She says, “I will never use any other but the new process starch.” A young white boy hands her a box of “New Process” starch, and two additional boxes lie on the floor in the right. On the table is a bowl of water. A tea kettle steams behind her on the stove. Buildings are visible through a window in the background. Dr. Joseph Firmenich (1828-1903) started a starch company with his two sons, George and Frank. The Firmenich Manufacturing Company was incorporated in 1884. The Company opened a glucose plant in Marshalltown, Iowa in 1887. The Company operating into the 20th century., Title from item., Date inferred from dates of operation of business advertised., Advertising text printed on verso: New process starch. This starch is manufactured by a new process, with pure spring water. The light starch and gluten usually found in other starches, especially if made from white corn, are entirely removed and manufactured into other articles. The patents of this process are owned solely by this company. We guarantee all our starch perfectly pure and sweet. This starch, having the light starch and gluten removed, one-third less can be used than any other in the market. Ask your grocer for the new process gloss and corn starch and take no other. Manufactured only by the Firmenich Manufacturing Company. Peoria, Ill., Gift of Linda Kimiko August., RVCDC
Date: [ca. 1885]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade cards – Firmenich [P.2023.43.2]

Title: Use Muzzy's starch
Description: Trade card promoting Elkhart Starch Company and depicting a racist caricature of a Chinese man laundry worker holding up a shirt to a white family. Shows the family standing in the right, including the white man, attired in a brown bowler hat, a white collared shirt, a black bowtie, and a brown-checked suit, holding a walking stick; the white woman attired in a yellow and pink hat and a blue dress with a red bow; and the white girl, attired in a yellow hat and a red and blue dress, holding a small box. In the left, the Chinese man, wearing a queue hairstyle and attired in a blue tunic and blue pants with yellow accents, stands behind a table with an iron and ironing board on top of it. He holds up a white shirt, which shows the reflection of the white woman. A basket full of laundry is on the ground. In the background is a stove and a clothesline of white shirts and clothes. A.L. Muzzy built the Muzzy & Sage Mill in Elkhart, Indiana in 1870. Albert R. Beardsley (1847-1924) purchased the mill in 1878 and founded the Elkhart Starch Company. The Company was bought by the National Starch in 1893., Title from item., Date inferred from dates of operation of business advertised., Advertising text printed on verso: "Be sure to use Muzzy's Corn Starch." Includes six recipes, including for sponge pudding, creamy pudding sauce, Salem pudding, scolloped oysters, oyster pie, and butter scotch., Gift of Linda Kimiko August., RVCDC
Date: [ca. 1885]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade cards - Muzzy [P.2023.43.3]

Title: A Chinese laundry in Philadelphia
Description: Interior view of a Chinese owned and operated laundry in Philadelphia. In the center, shows the owner of the business attired in a top hat, white collared shirt, bowtie, suit jacket, waistcoat, and pants. He sits in a wooden chair with his legs crossed and smoking a cigarette as he supervises the workers. The four Chinese men laundry workers wear queue hairstyles and are attired in tunics, pants, and slip-on, cloth shoes. In the left, two men stand behind the counter and iron, one of whom spits water from his mouth onto the laundry. In the right, the man stands facing the viewer with his hand on top of his head while a man irons from another countertop. Steam rises up from the irons. There is a storage closet with the door partially open revealing shelves with folded laundry. More stacks of folded laundry sit on the countertops. In the right foreground, there are five irons warming on a heater and two baskets of laundry. A clock hangs on the wall., Title from item., Date and publication information from original source., Published in the June 3, 1876 issue of the Graphic, a British weekly illustrated newspaper., Text description of the engraving from the Graphic, p. 542: A Chinese Laundry in Philadelphia. Though not nearly so numerous as in California, where their presence has recently excited extreme hostility among the white working classes, the Chinese are to be found, though few and far between, in the Eastern States. There are several Chinese laundries in Philadelphia, and as they have only been recently introduced from California, they are almost as much objects of interest to Philadelphians as to foreigners. Our artist came across the laundry shown in our engraving unexpectedly. As soon as the Chinamen perceived him sketching it through the window, they rushed out and shouted after him, whereupon he made off, thinking it prudent to avoid a scene. The Celestial in European dress is the "boss," or master, who owns several laundries, and who attends to the customers and business arrangements. The manner of damping the clothes preparatory to ironing is peculiar, the operator fills his mouth with water, and squirts it over the linen., Gift of Linda Kimiko August., RVCDC
Date: June 3, 1876
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Ph Pr - 8x10 - Businesses - Chinese Laundry [P.2023.27.1]

Title: Celluloid waterproof collars, cuffs & shirt bosoms Economical, durable, handsome
Description: Trade card advertising J.H. Richelderfer’s celluloid collars and cuffs and depicting racist caricatures of Chinese men laundry workers in shock when a white man holds up a box of celluloid collars and cuffs. In the left, a white man, attired in a black bowler hat, a white collared shirt, a red bowtie and waistcoat, a blue-and-white checked suit, and black shoes, stands holding and pointing his finger to a box labeled, “Wear Celluloid Cuff & Collars.” Four Chinese men laundry workers jump up in surprise on their tiptoes with their mouths open and grimacing and their queue braids flying straight up into the air. The men have long fingernails and are attired in gold hoop earrings, colorful clothes, including yellow, red, or green tunics, and yellow or blue short pants, and cloth, slip-on shoes. In the left, one laundry worker stands behind the white man with his hands in a steaming washtub. Also visible are two baskets full of laundry on the ground, a table with irons on top, and white sheets hanging on a line. The text, “The Last Invention” is printed on the bottom right., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Stamped on recto: J.H. Richelderfer, Gent’s furnishing and over-gaiters, 1032 Chestnut St., S.E. Cor. of 11th., Text printed on verso: Celluloid (Waterproof linen.) Collard, cuffs and shirt bosoms. The following will commend the use of these goods to all who study convenience, neatness and economy. The interior is fine linen. The exterior is Celluloid – the union of which combines the strength of Linen with the Waterproof qualities of Celluloid. The Trouble and expense of washing is saved. When soiled simply rub with soap and water (hot or cold) used freely with a stiff brush. They are perspiration proof and are invaluable to travelers, saving all care of laundrying. Advice. In wearing the turn-down Collar, always slip the Necktie under the roll. Do not attempt to straighten the fold. The goods will give better satisfaction if the Separable Sleeve Button and Collar Button is used. Twist a small rubber elastic or chamois washer around the post of Sleeve Button to prevent possible rattling of Button, To remove Yellow Stains, which may come from long wearing, use Sapolio, Soap or Saleratus water or Celluline, which latter is a new preparation for cleansing Celluloid. Goods for sale by all dealers., RVCDC
Date: [ca. 1880]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Richelderfer [1975.F.728]

Title: No more Chinese cheap labor. Celluloid cuffs, collars & bosoms
Description: Trade card containing an illustration depicting a racist scene with the figures of Uncle Sam and America, and a Chinese man laundry worker. In the left, the laundry worker, wearing his hair in a queue and attired in a long-sleeved, orange tunic; long, wide-legged, white pants; and orange slip-on, cloth shoes; sits on an over-turned wooden wash tub. His eyes are closed, and he holds his head down in his left hand. His left leg is crossed over his right, and his right hand is on his left ankle. To his left, the white woman figure of Columbia/America, looks down at the laundry worker and points up with her right hand. In her left hand, she holds up a shield with the pattern of the American flag and marked "Invention." She wears her dark hair pulled back to the nape of her neck and is attired in a gown with the pattern of the American flag, a red and blue cap adorned with a white star, and sandals. An open box of spilled starch lies between her feet and those of the laundry worker. Behind the laundry worker, is a laundry iron on a shelf, Chinese characters written on a wall, and Uncle Sam resting his arms on the ledge of an opening in the wall. Uncle Sam has red hair and a beard and is attired in a top hat, a blue jacket with a white star pattern, a red neck tie, and white shirt with the collar turned up. He looks at America. Above his head is the sign "Gon Up Chinese Laundry." Patented during the 1860s and 70s, separable celluloid collars, unlike separable paper collars, were waterproof and longer lasting, as well as fashionable and affordable. Following the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, the celluloid collar industry leveraged the racist legislation to promote the use of celluloid collars as patriotic and as a means to make Chinese launderers obsolete and to facilitate the end of Chinese immigration., Title from item., Date inferred from content., Includes advertising text printed on verso: A New Improvement-Patented. Waterproof Linen. Waterproof-Elastic-Durable. Ladies' & Gents' Cuffs Collars, [Bossa]ms, Made From Celluloid. In Introducing this new invention [italicized], we beg to call the attention of the public to some of the remarkable features of this "new departure," [italicized], which will commend the use of these goods to all who study economy, neatness, and beauty [italicized]. 1st. The Interior is Fine Linen. 2d. The Exterior is Celluloid. 3d. The Union of Above, Combines the Strength of Linen With The Waterproof Qualities of Celluloid. 4th. The Expense of Washing Is Saved. If The Goods Are Soiled Simply Wipe Them Off With Soap And Water. 5th. The Goods Never Wilt Or Fray On Edges. 6th. They Are Perspiration Proof. For Sale by All Gents' Furnishing & Fancy Goods Houses throughout the Country., Image caption: "Othello's occupation gone." The Hand Writing on the Wall., Purchased with funds for the Visual Culture Program., RVCDC
Date: [ca. 1882]
Location: Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Celluloid [P.2021.20.1]

Main menu