Examples of “Ethnic” Trade Cards are found below…
… many of these historical images can be considered highly offensive.
Please do NOT continue …
… unless you are comfortable confronting images from America’s troubled history of race relations.
ABOVE: Round Bottom Ginger Ale bottle presented by African-American waiter.
This Ginger Ale card listing was removed from ebay with the notification to the seller: “Item violates the ebay Offensive Material Policy.” Do not relist.
Manufactures – Sprague, Warner & Company, Chicago / Scarce Card featuring a period representation of a Black waiter.
MORE “Ethnic” cards found below…
including cards for sale via VictorianCardHub (not found on eBay).
Currier & Ives issued numerous “Comic” cards, including some with “Ethnic” themes. Any in-depth collection of C & I cards will include examples of these cards for historical reasons, even if the so-called “humor” makes many people feel uncomfortable today. The most controversial of the C&I ethnic comic cards are two with the title: “Darktown Fire Brigade.” Several of the C&I Horse theme cards depict Black Americans in ways that are not offense at all, even to the most sensitive viewers today.
Other examples include “realistic” period imagery mixed with stereotypes and exaggeration.
Here is a classic 1882 example featuring the sport of billiards during a tense moment at at local pool hall:
Click on the above card image if you have interest in “Ethnic” Currier and Ives cards
(some available for immediate purchase) from the legendary Steve Rotman collection.
=============================== More non-Currier Ives cards shown below: Sunday Gloss
“Sunday Gloss” – Hovey’s Starch. Ethnic housekeeping servants: Irish Kitchen Help / Black Maid with Sad Iron. Blank Reverse.
Examples of this card in fine condition typically sell for $40 – $80.
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Above: Higgins’ German Laundry Soap. Black washer woman… hands bleached white: “Dars no use… Missus… am de soap.”
Scarce: ca. 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. Shows washtub, washboard, 2 sad irons, classic “Aunt Jemima” figure.
This example of very scarce card show age with flaws, reverse scrapbook damage, etc. Value: $75 – $150
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Below: “The Cook Likes it.”
“King’s Quick Rising” – flour hand print, gins from the kitchen and at the breakfast table. “Mrs. Hopper’s Pan Cake Flour,” etc.
Very Scarce: This example displays quite well, but creased down center horizontally and vertically. Value: $75 to $100
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LABOR WARS: Black Labor vs. Irish Labor
Above: Irishman Stomped by Black Dancer. Somewhat Scarce, Stock Card. Value: $35
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Below: Oscar Wilde Parody / Satire – 1882 Duval “National Aesthetic” series – Ethnic Stereotypes / artistic wanna-bees
“Ise g wne for to wushup dat lily… bcase it sembles me.” Black “Lily” card from set of 6. Value: $75
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Below… Hold to the Light … shown from both sides with light shining through. Closeup views of text, etc.
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Above: “Hold to the Light” – “Jeff tried to swipe a Chicken – – (That Fowl the Darkey Loves) … He’s Gone to Heaven … Adler’s Gloves.”
This is one of the most offensive of all HTL / ethnic cards ever issued. Scarce… usually sells (when available) for $175 to $275.
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