Subject: Racism

Chromolithograph depicting a highly exaggerated Jewish shoemaker and an African American customer. This anti-Semitic print, likely produced between 1881 and 1890 by Currier & Ives, shows a comical scene where the shoemaker falls off his seat as the shoe sole hits him. Published in the United States.

This trade card, which is likely from the 1880s, advertises the clothing business of A. J. Wertheim in Middleburgh, New York. The front of the card features a cartoon-like illustration of a Black man holding a cane. This image is likely intended to be humorous or satirical, but it is important to note that it employs racist stereotypes and reflects the prevailing racial prejudices of the time. The back of the card contains a full advertisement for the business. The card has a brown border.

This trade card advertises Elias Kapelowitz's Dewey Hotel. The front features a humorous image of a monkey riding a bicycle. The monkey is wearing a cap and riding a bike, while a policeman stops him and holds up a finger. The card has a red border. There is a humorous poem printed on the card. The image and poem likely make reference to the “Monkey Trial,” a well-known trial that occurred in 1925. The image, poem, and text all allude to anti-Semitic stereotypes. The back of the card is blank. The card is stamped “Dewey”.

This trade card advertises Julius Meyers, a hatter located at 159 Main Street, Danbury, Connecticut. The front of the card depicts a scene from a play. Two men are pulling on a woman in opposite directions, likely representing a comedic or dramatic moment from the play. The image suggests the play may involve a theatrical or possibly a romantic conflict. The card is printed in black ink, with a handwritten label at the bottom, possibly indicating ownership or a change of ownership. The back of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises L. Kriegesmann, a shirt maker and gent's furnishings merchant located at 76 Chatham Street in New York, New York. The front of the card features a racist cartoon. The back of the card is blank. The card is printed in black and white and features a bold graphic design.

This trade card advertises L. S. Plaut & Co., a store located at 715 & 719 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey. The front of the card features a black woman holding a baby while standing next to a fence. The woman is wearing a straw hat and a white apron. The text on the card indicates the store sold shoes, hosiery, gloves, and fancy goods. The image uses a caricature style to depict the woman and may be an example of racist imagery. [The back of the card is blank].

This trade card advertises S. Bloomfield, a clothier located at 367 6th Avenue near 23rd Street in New York, New York. The front of the card features a black boy in a pose reminiscent of South American imagery, with a caption referencing 'South America'. The illustration is likely meant to promote exotic goods or an emphasis on a specific style of clothing. The back of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises A. Mahrenholz, a men's furnishing store located at 523 Broadway in New York City. The front of the card features a caricature of a Black banjo player, depicted in a comically exaggerated style. This imagery reflects the racist caricatures prevalent in popular culture during the late 19th century. The back of the card contains a full advertisement for the business. The style of the illustration and the overall design of the card suggest a date around 1890.

Trade card advertising the Atlantic Clothing House, located at 204 North Second Street, above Race Street, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The card depicts a caricature of two Black boys falling off a donkey, with a man observing in the background. Circa 1885.

This trade card advertises B. Joseph's Sons, clothiers, located at 263 Main Street in Catskill, New York. The front of the card features a caricature of a well-dressed Black man holding a hat. The text 'I'se a dude!' is prominently displayed, along with the business's name and address. The image and text employ racist stereotypes. The back of the card is blank.

This trade card, advertising David Rose's umbrella shop, features a comical illustration. The front of the card shows a caricature, possibly intended to be humorous but containing racist imagery of a Black person. The text on the front reads "SCOOT BROTHER SCOOT!!" and provides the business address: 39 SOUTH QUEEN STREET. The back of the card is a business directory, listing J. Ostheim.

This is one of a set of five comical trade cards issued by E. Nunes. The front of the card depicts a caricature of a Black man playing a tambourine, with the caption "Just So." The image is a racist depiction and should be viewed in that historical context. The back of the card features an advertisement with a Christmas story. The address listed on the front is Corner 5th, Montgomery & Germantown Aves.

This trade card advertises Edwin C. Burt, purveyor of fine shoes. The front of the card depicts a caricature: a woman is being carried in a shoe by two young African American men. This imagery is likely meant to be humorous, but also reflects the racist attitudes prevalent during this period. The back of the card displays an 1880 calendar. The card was presented by Samuel Cohn in New York City.

This trade card advertises Grumme & Klippenstein's West End Furniture Rooms in Elmira, New York. The front of the card features a simple line drawing of a stick figure, possibly a caricature, in a green waistcoat and black tights. The figure's attire and style are reminiscent of 19th-century illustrations. Below the illustration, the business name and address are prominently displayed: GRUMME & KLIPPENSTEIN, 218 TO 222 WEST WATER STREET. The back of the card is blank. The inclusion of a caricature of a Black man in the image warrants attention, as it reflects the racial biases of the time period and may be considered offensive.

This trade card advertises H. B. Epstein, purveyor of men's and boys' clothing, located at 246 Third Avenue between 20th and 21st Streets in New York City. The front of the card features a caricature of a Black man in what might be considered a racially insensitive depiction of the time. The illustration's style is comical, likely intended to be humorous, though its racial connotations are problematic by modern standards. The text on the card indicates the business's address and the types of clothing sold. The back of the card is blank.

Trade card advertising the clothing business of J. Cohn, located at 419 & 421 Broadway, Albany, New York. The card depicts a caricature of a Black man looking out a window. The card is dated circa 1885.

This trade card advertises J. Levy's Star Clothing House, located at 130 Washington Street in Binghamton, New York. The card features a caricature of a Black minstrel on a telephone, with the telephone wires sparking or short-circuiting. This imagery reflects the racist stereotypes prevalent in American popular culture during the late 19th century. The illustration is likely meant to be humorous, though it uses offensive imagery. Below the illustration, the text clearly states the business name and address. The back of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises J. Mandelbaum, a clothier located at 20 South Pearl Street in Albany, New York. The front of the card depicts a caricature of a Black boy watching a rabbit run. The image is likely intended as humorous, but it reflects the racist imagery common in advertising materials of the late 19th century. The address, "20 South Pearl St.", is clearly printed on the card. The back of the card is blank.

This trade card for Jacobi & Mack, clothiers, is divided between two images. The front of the card features a caricature comparing a monkey and a man, a racist trope common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The back of the card contains a full advertisement for the business. The style and imagery suggest a date consistent with the approximate date of the card. Further details of the advertisement on the back are not visible in the provided image.

This trade card for Julius Saul, advertising men's and boys' clothing, features a controversial illustration on the front. The image depicts a caricature of a Black baby eating a watermelon. This imagery reflects deeply problematic racial stereotypes prevalent in the late 19th century. Below the image, the address is clearly printed: 324 & 326 River St. The back of the card is blank. A second image is included in the record, but a description is not available.

This is one of two trade cards in the record advertising Kaufman's Restaurant in Savannah, Georgia. The card depicts a Black woman holding a sign with the restaurant's address using clothespins. The image is presented as a caricature, and the visual representation reflects the racist caricatures common in the late 19th century. The address, Cor. Congress and Drayton, is clearly visible on the sign held by the figure. The back of the card is blank.

Trade card for Kaufman's, a general store located at 1241 Eleventh Street S.E., Washington, D.C. The card features a caricature of two individuals with exaggerated features, one appearing to be Black. The imagery includes a Black boy's head inside a squash. Circa 1885.

Trade card advertising L. Rosenbaum & Sons, located at 201 E. Water St., Elmira, New York. The card depicts a comical scene and includes the phrase "They All Do It." It is one of a set of four. Circa 1885.

Trade card advertising the men's clothing business of L. Stern, located at 17 Canal Street, Lyons, New York. The card features a caricature of a man holding red pajamas and a monkey wearing a red cap. The card is dated circa 1885.

This trade card advertises Louis Sacks, a clothier located at 91 Market Street, opposite Washington Street, in Newark, New Jersey. The front of the card depicts a caricature of a Black man holding the advertisement out of a window. The image is striking and uses a style common in late 19th-century advertising. The address is clearly printed on the card. The back of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises M. Hirsh's secondhand business in Sacramento, California. The front of the card depicts a caricature of a Black child eating watermelon. This imagery reflects the racist stereotypes prevalent during the late 19th century. The address, 813 J Street, is visible on the card. The back of the card is blank.

Trade card advertising Marks Bros., located at 108, 110, 112, and 114 North Eighth Street. The front of the card depicts a figure in Japanese garb. The back is blank. Circa 1885.

This trade card advertises Max Stadler & Co., clothiers, located at 565 & 567 Broadway, corner of Prince Street, Jersey City, New Jersey. The front of the card features a caricature depicting two Black men in a horse-drawn cart that appears to be on the verge of tipping over. The scene is titled "The Home Stretch." The illustration style is suggestive of late 19th-century graphic design. The back of the card is fully covered with an advertisement. [While the image is humorous, it is important to acknowledge that its depiction of Black people is rooted in racist stereotypes common during that era.].

This trade card advertises Max Stadler & Co., clothiers with multiple locations in New York City and Newark, New Jersey. The front of the card depicts a caricature of Black children with a broken horse-drawn seat. This imagery is problematic and reflects the racist attitudes prevalent during the time period. The illustration's style is consistent with late 19th-century printmaking techniques. Below the illustration, the card lists the business's addresses: 619 & 621 Eighth Ave. cor. 40th St.; Branch of Broadway cor. Prince; and 42 and 44 Newark Ave. The back of the card features a full advertisement; the text is too small to fully transcribe.

This trade card advertises Max Stadler & Co., a clothing retailer with two locations in New York City: 461-467 Broadway, cor. Grand St., and 619-621 Eighth Ave., cor. 40th St. The front of the card features a drawing of a Black girl with a blue bonnet and a yellow and orange dress holding clothes pins. She stands in front of a fence with an advertisement on it and pink lilacs. The back of the card announces a “Full Dissolution Sale.” The style of the illustration and the sale announcement suggest that this card is from the late 19th century. The back of the card shows an image of clothing items.

This trade card advertises the Mordecai & Smith Clothing House located at 178 West Baltimore Street in Baltimore, Maryland. The front of the card (Image 1) depicts a comical figure in a Pilgrim hat within a scene described as containing mostly racist imagery. The back of the card (Image 1, verso) is blank. The card is one of six similar cards in the collection. [Research indicates that M. (Moses) C. (Cohen) Mordecai, possibly the famous Charleston Confederate (1804-1888), and Judson H. Smith were business partners operating under the name Mordecai & Smith Clothing House.]

This record contains two trade cards for Mordecai & Smith Clothing House in Baltimore, Maryland. The cards depict comical scenes featuring a man in a pilgrim hat within mostly racist imagery. The imagery on the cards includes stereotypical and racist depictions, one of which is likely a caricature of Indigenous peoples. The back of the cards are blank. Research indicates a connection to Moses C. (Cohen) Mordecai, a Charleston resident (1804-1888), and Judson H. Smith, who conducted business as Mordecai & Smith Clothing House at 178 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore. [Moses C. (Cohen) Mordecai was a well-known figure in Charleston, and numerous court records involve his son, J. Radolph Mordecai, as executor of his will, dealing with matters in Baltimore.]

This trade card advertises the Mordecai & Smith Clothing House in Baltimore, Maryland. One of four cards in this record, this card features a comical illustration of a man in a Pilgrim hat within a scene containing racist imagery. The back of the card is blank. Research indicates that M. (Moses) C. (Cohen) Mordecai and Judson H. Smith operated the business at 178 West Baltimore Street. [Moses C. Mordecai (1804-1888) was a prominent Charleston, South Carolina businessman, and this card may reflect his business dealings in Baltimore].

Trade card advertising Morris Cohen's clothing business in Danbury, Connecticut. The card features a caricature of a Black child with a knife and gun, stating "I want to be an angel." The reverse shows a full advertisement. Circa 1885.

This trade card, printed on pink stock, advertises Morris Gross's children's department. The front of the card features an Orientalist-style illustration, which is a common artistic style in this period but is considered problematic today due to its stereotypical and racist depictions of Asian people and cultures. The illustration is a visual element that needs to be understood within its historical context. Below the illustration, the card provides two addresses: #336 & #338 River St. and 13, 15, 17 4th St., Troy. The name "Willie Bragg" is also visible on the card; it is unclear what his relationship to the business was. The back of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises Nathan Lieberman's clothing store located at the southeast corner of 5th and Market Streets in Wilmington, Delaware. The front of the card features a caricature of a Black boy tickling a sleeping companion. The illustration is rendered in a style typical of late 19th-century trade cards, with bold outlines and simple shading. The imagery is racially insensitive and reflects the problematic stereotypes prevalent during that period. Below the illustration, the business name and address are prominently displayed. The back of the card is blank. A second image in this record shows the same illustration with some color.

Trade card advertising Nathan's Shoe Establishment and the Ankle Supporting Shoe Company, located in New York, New York. The card features a caricature of a Black woman and addresses at 221 Sixth Street between 14th and 15th Streets and 48 Warren Street. Circa 1885.

This trade card advertises Nathan's Shoe Establishment, located at 221 Sixth Avenue between 14th and 15th Streets in New York City. The front of the card (Image 1) depicts a caricature of a Black minstrel, labeled as "Card No. 58." The illustration is a visual representation of the racist minstrelsy that was prevalent in American entertainment at the time. The back of the card (Image 2) provides additional information: "Headquarters for the Patent Ankle-Supporting Shoes; Ankle Supporting Shoe Company 44 Warren Street, NYC." The back also indicates the card number, 58. The imagery and subject matter reflect the social and cultural norms of the late 19th century. The back of the card is not blank.

This trade card advertises Polack's Clothing House in St. Louis, Missouri. The front of the card features a depiction of a racist scene: a caricature of a Chinese person fighting a cat over a rat. Below the illustration, the text advertises Polack's as having the "Largest Stock and Lowest Price in the City." The address, S. E. Corner of Fourth & Olive Sts., St. Louis, Missouri, is also printed on the card. The back of the card is blank. Note: The imagery on this card reflects deeply problematic racial stereotypes and prejudices prevalent in the 19th century. This material is presented for historical context and does not reflect the values of the institution.

Trade card for R. Ballerstein & Co., located at 360 Main Street, Hartford, Connecticut. The card is dated circa 1885. The card features images of Asian-themed dress accessories and displays apparent racist caricatures of Asian people.

This trade card advertises Rice, Born & Co., located at 77, 79, and 81 Camp Street in New Orleans, Louisiana. The front of the card features a colored cartoon depicting a Black man playing tennis. The illustration is presented in a caricature style. The image is likely intended as humorous, but it reflects the racist caricatures common in advertising of the period. The back of the card features the company's advertisement for Cotton Plant stoves or ranges. The back of the card is not blank.

This trade card for S. & G. Gump, located at 581 & 583 Market Street in San Francisco, features a comical illustration of a Black person eating watermelon. The image is a caricature and reflects racist stereotypes prevalent during that era. The illustration is rendered in black and white, likely using a printing technique common in the late 19th century. The back of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises S. Cohen & Co., purveyors of dress goods, located at 9 Winter Street in Boston, Massachusetts. The front of the card features a comical illustration of a man in Arabian attire. The style of the drawing is consistent with popular imagery of the late 19th century. The image is likely intended to be humorous but also employs stereotypical representations that reflect the racist attitudes of that era. The back of the card contains an advertisement; however, the details of the advertisement are not legible in the provided image. The back of the card is not blank.

This trade card advertises S. Shoneman's store, located at 101 South Eleventh St., Philadelphia, PA (first store below Chestnut St.). The front of the card features a whimsical illustration of a Black man shaving a pig. The image is a caricature that uses humor to promote the business; however, it is important to acknowledge the racist imagery present. The illustration is predominantly in black and white, with simple linework and shading, highlighting the contrast between the barber and his unusual client. The back of the card is fully covered in additional advertisement text, although the content is not visible in the provided image.

This trade card advertises Samuel Meyers, a clothier located at 175 Main Street in Danbury, Connecticut. The front of the card features a caricature depicting a scene titled "A Cabin in the Good Old Time." The illustration is in black and white and appears to be a comedic portrayal of a scene involving Black people, which reflects the racist caricatures common in 19th-century American popular culture. The back of the card is fully covered with an advertisement. The style and imagery suggest a date consistent with the 1882 date provided.

This trade card advertises Shoneman Brothers, purveyors of fancy goods, located at 116, 118 & 120 North Eighth Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The front of the card features a comical illustration of a Black man hanging out of a window, possibly intended as a form of advertising or a humorous caricature. The imagery contains elements that some viewers might consider racist. The style of the illustration and the overall design of the card suggest it is from the late 19th century. The back of the card is blank.

Die-cut trade card for Solomon Cohn & Co., clothing merchants in Warren, Pennsylvania. The card is shaped like a minstrel figure and contains racist imagery. Circa 1885.

Trade card depicting a Black man with an advertising sign in a window. The address 15 Main Street is visible. Circa 1885.

Trade card advertising Steinfeld's men's and children's clothing store located at 15 Main Street Bridge. The card features an illustration of a Black man holding a white baby behind a gate. It claims that customers can "save 20 percent" by buying directly from the manufacturer. Circa 1885.

This trade card for Wiener, a clothing retailer located at 20 Fulton Street in New York City, features a comical illustration. The image is a caricature of a Black man playing a tambourine. The style and subject matter reflect the racist stereotypes prevalent in the late 19th century. The main text on the card reads, "COMICAL BLACK..."JUST SO"...BLACK WITH A TAMBOOREN." and lists the address of the business. The back of the card is blank.

This trade card advertises Wurkheim's Cloak and Suit House in Oakland, California. The front of the card (Image 1: https://iiif-images.library.upenn.edu/iiif/2/0fbb6264-71eb-45c7-92a3-745ba6ebf159%2Faccess/full/!600,600/0/default.jpg) features a depiction of a scene with Black figures picking cotton, and two boys tripping a woman with a rope. The text on the card includes the business' address: 1109 Broadway. The illustration is caricaturish and employs racist imagery. The back of the card (Image 2: https://iiif-images.library.upenn.edu/iiif/2/0ecfb291-db5c-49eb-8366-05f85da6e8da%2Faccess/full/!600,600/0/default.jpg) is blank. [The donor's wife is listed as a donor to a synagogue, which provides additional context regarding the donor's background.]

This record contains three of six trade cards for the Mordecai & Smith Clothing House in Baltimore, Maryland. The cards depict a comical man in a Pilgrim hat within scenes that contain racist imagery. The back of the cards is blank. Research indicates a deed of trust for M. (Moses) C. (Cohen) Mordecai, late of Charleston, and Judson H. Smith, who conducted business under the name Mordecai & Smith Clothing House at 178 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore. [M. C. Mordecai (1804-1888) was a prominent Charleston Confederate. Numerous court records exist involving his son, J. Radolph Mordecai, as executor of his will, addressing matters in Baltimore.]