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 to consumers by an African-American waiter.
Manufactures – Sprague, Warner & Company, Chicago / Scarce Card featuring a period representation of a Black waiter.
The above Ginger Ale card was listed for sale on ebay, but it was then was removed from ebay with a notification to the seller:
“This listing violates the ebay Offensive Material Policy. It has been removed. Do not relist.”
As a repository and clearinghouse for historical artifacts and images of all types, you will access through these pages cards and images that are not allowed on ebay.
Again, if you are likely to be offended by this material, please exit these pages now.
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By today’s standards, one of the most controversial trade cards ever printed is shown below.
This “Jolly N….” Mechanical Bank Trade Card might be available for purchase for $500:
To purchase this card, or any of the cards on the HUB, contact DaveC@VictorianCardHub.com
$500 – Jolly Nigger Toy Savings Bank, Mechanical Bank Trade Card. / Reverse is Blank
Higher resolution scans and images of the blank back side are available upon request.
Reverse is BLANK unless noted.
To order the above $500 “Jolly N….” card…
… or any of the following cards found below…
Cut and paste the caption (price, text, and ID #) and send Invoice Request to: DaveC@VictorianCardHub.com
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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