Racist trade card promoting tobacco manufacturer John Finzer Bros. and depicting an African American girl and a white girl looking at a newspaper together. The two girls sit side-by-side on a stone wall with their naked backsides revealed to the viewer. In the left, the blond-haired white girl is barefooted and attired in a pink hat with blue trim and a short-sleeved pink dress with white lace around the neck and sleeves. In the right, the African American girl is attired in a short-sleeved white dress with blue stripes with lace around the sleeves and gold buttons at the top of the back. Both girls' dresses are open at the back revealing their naked bottoms. They hold a newspaper titled "Tale of Two Cities." The white girl points her finger at an advertisement for "Five Brothers Plug" in the paper. In the foreground are a number of blooming white and pink flowers. In the background several trees are visible. Five Brothers Tobacco Works, later called J. Finzer Brothers Company, was established by the five Finzer brothers: John, Benjamin, Frederick, Rudolph, and Nicholas in 1866 in Louisville, Kentucky. American Tobacco Company acquired the firm in the early 20th century., Title from item., Place of publication inferred from place of operation of advertised business., Date deduced from history of the advertised business., Advertising text printed on verso: The little "Narrative" on the other side is plainly if briefly told. That "Five Brothers Plug Tobacco is the Best" is our opinion. It is certainly the best we can make by employing only the choicest selections out of the highest grade Leaf Tobacco marketed, and using in connection with the same absolutely pure ingredients to produce flavor and a palatable chew. We now want your judgment. Ask for Five Brothers Plug, and we believe you will always use it. John Finzer & Bros. maufacturers, Louisville, Kentucky., Gift of David Doret.
Date
[ca. 1880]
Location
Library Company of Philadelphia | Print Department Goldman Trade Card Collection - Five Brothers [P.2017.95.64]
