Smith Brothers chemically pure Borax.
Title
Smith Brothers chemically pure Borax
Description
Racist trade card advertising soap manufacturers the Smith Brothers and depicting the white woman head of house with three of her women housekeepers while they use Borax to complete various tasks in the kitchen. In the center, the mistress of the house, attired in a red dress with a white collar and cuffs, applies Borax onto a white cloth held by a white housekeeper. In the left, a white housekeeper sprinkles Borax over a group of cockroaches on the floor in front of the stove. In the right, the African American woman housekeeper, portrayed in racist caricature and attired in a white head kerchief with red polka dots, a yellow dress with red stripes, white stockings, and tan shoes, stands before a wash basin with her hands in the soapy water. Behind her a clothesline full of white sheets hang. Brothers Frank and Julius Smith established Smith Brothers Borax in 1874. In 1888, Frank Smith incorporated his new company, Pacific Coast Borax., Title from item., Date inferred from date of operation of advertised business., Advertising text printed on verso provides directions and various uses for Smith Brothers' Borax, including washing, starching, preventing moths, removing cockroaches, dressing ulcers, wounds, bruises, sprains, and chilblains, removing inflammation, bathing, arresting fermentation and cleaning clothes., Distributor's imprint print on verso: Githens & Rexsamer, 40 and 42 South Front Sts., Philadelphia., Gift of Emily Phillips, 1883., RVCDC, Description revised 2021., Access points revised 2021., Cataloging funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (PW-506-19-10), 2010-2012., Digitized.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department trade card - Smith Brothers [1975.F.751]
Smith brothers chemically pure Borax. [graphic].
Title
Smith brothers chemically pure Borax
Description
Racist trade card depicting a well-dressed white woman, two white housekeepers, and one African American housekeeper using Smith Brothers Chemically Pure Borax to complete various household tasks while standing in a kitchen. The white woman in the left of the image sprinkles Borax on to a group of cockroaches on the floor. At the center of the image, one white woman holds a white cloth with ruffles while another white woman applies Borax onto it. The African American woman stands in the right background of the image and looks at the two women. Her left hand is submerged in a tub of water. A stove with pots and pans, a table with an iron, and a clothes line are visible in the background. The African American woman is portrayed with exaggerated features. Githens & Rexsamer was a Philadelphia-based exporter and importer of groceries and canned goods., Title from item., Advertising text printed on verso: Directions. Washing. - Dissolve one heaping tablespoonful of Borax in hot water for every tubful of clothes; soap all of the most soiled places and rub on the board through one water; after rubbing throw the pieces intoa tub containing boiling water and Borax; let them remain there while the second tub of clothes is being washed; rinse in one plain water; do not boil the clothes. Starching. - One teaspoonful Borax to one pint boiling starch, adds greatly to the gloss, afact not generally known. To Prevent Mtohs [sic.] - Sprinkle floor with the powder before laying down the carpets, and put it with the clothes when packed away. Removing Cockroaches. - Sprinkle floor, leaving places open for escape, or to kill them, add one part Borax to two parts powdered sugar. Rough face or chapped hands. - One tablespoonful Pulverized Borax to one quart hot water, apply night and morning with a sponge or cloth. Dressing Ulcers, Wounds, Bruises, Sprains, Chilblains and Removing Inflamation. - One tablespoonful Pulverized Borax to one pint hot water, saturate a piece of lint with same, hanging it up to dry, then use for a dressing. For Bathing. - Always add Pulverized Borax to the Bath, it softens the water. Especially use it for infants and children. Arresting Fermentatoin. [sic.] -One-half thimbleful Pulverized Borax to one quart cream or milk, will preserve them perfectly sweet. Cleaning Clothes. - One tablespoonful to one pint of hot water, when cold, use instead of Ammonia or Benzine., Distributor's imprint printed on verso: For sale by Githens & Rexsamer, 40 & 42 South Front Street, and 39 Letitia Street., Gift of David Doret.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Smith [P.2017.95.161]