Racist trade card promoting Kendall’s French Laundry Soap and depicting caricatures of two African American boys carrying an African American girl in a “sedan chair” that is made from a box of Kendall’s soap. In the left, the barefooted boy attired in a straw hat, a red shirt, and white pants with black suspenders holds the tree branch carrying the sedan over his right shoulder with his right hand. His left hand is in his pants pocket. In the right, the barefooted boy attired in a straw hat, a blue shirt, and white pants holds the other end of the branch over his left shoulder with his left hand and carries a branch with red flowers in his right hand. In the center, the girl, attired in a white dress and black shoes, sits inside of a box labeled, “Kendall MFG Co. French Laundry Soap.” She holds a black doll costumed in a hat and white dress on her lap. The boys walk through a grassy field. Henry L. Kendall (1805-1883) founded a soap manufactory in Providence, R.I. in 1827. The Kendall Manufacturing Co. was incorporated in 1860. The Company continued to manufacture soap into the mid-20th century., Title from item., Place of publication inferred from place of operation of the advertised business., Date deduced from history of the advertised business., Advertising text printed on verso:The “French Laundry” is the best soap ever made for all purposes. It is the Oldest Popular Soap in the market, Having Outlived all its Rivals. It has won its way into public favor solely on its merits, and thousands of families who are now using it would not be without it. It is now offered in a 3-4 Pound Pressed Cake, as well as in the old style Pound Bar for such persons as prefer it in that way. If you will give it one trial, you will never be without it. Kendall Mfg. Co. Established 1827. Providence, R.I., Gift of David Doret.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Kendall [P.2017.95.95]
