Office of the daily terror. The Davis Sewing Machine Co. [graphic].
Title
Office of the daily terror. The Davis Sewing Machine Co
Description
Racist circular promoting Davis Sewing Machine Co. and depicting a caricature of an African American boy “spying” into an office after having played a practical joke. In the satiric scene, the boy stands on the front steps of a building that has a sign that reads, "Office of the Daily Terror." He leans towards the door and looks through the keyhole with his right eye and his mouth open in a mischievous smile. In his right hand he carries a box labelled "tacks." In his left hand he holds the leather strap of a container marked "C.H.E." and with the handle of a brush sticking out of it. He is attired in a cap; a collared, long-sleeved shirt; and plaid pants with suspenders. The image inside the circular shows the interior of the newspaper office. A balding white man, attired in dress shoes; pants; a waistcoat; and a collared shirt with a bowtie, jolts into the air out of a wooden chair. A tack sticks into his behind. He clutches a newspaper labeled, "Enterprise," in his hand, while a quill and a pair of scissors labeled, "Warranted Can't Steal" fly into the air. In the left is a wastebasket with crumbled papers, one of which reads, "Poets." In the background is a desk. Rows of sheets of paper and a "Daily Terror" sign are pinned to the wall above it. Brothers John and Joseph Sheldon founded the Davis Sewing Machine Company in Watertown, N.Y. in 1868. The firm manufactured the sewing machines invented by Job Davis. In circa 1892, the company began to manufacture bicycles, and soon thereafter phased out the production of sewing machines. The company ceased in 1924., Title from item., Publication information from copyright statement: Copyrighted 1882., Advertising text printed on verso: Office & Manufactory Watertown, N.Y. Principal Branches. Chicago...46, 48 & 50 Jackson St. Cleveland...82 & 84 Bank St, and 93 St. Clair St. Boston... 194 Tremont St. Philadelphia...1223 Chestnut St. San Francisco, Cal...130 Post St. C. Carranza & Co. Agents for South America...60 Wall St., New York. Zurich, Switzerland...Gessner Allee 15. St Petersburgh, Russia...Krasney Bridge. Sydney, New South Wales... 42 Pitt St. Melbourne,Victoria...79 Bourke St. East. Adelaide... 90 Hinkley St. Brisbane...Queen St. Christs Church N. Zealand...Columbo St. London, E.C...Queen Victoria St., Gift of David Doret.
Date
1882
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Davis [P.2017.95.41]