African-Americana Postcards and Photographs

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  A Southern Baptism

  This postcard features a color illustration of a Black woman being baptized in a creek or pond. The woman is wearing a red and white striped dress and a white head scarf. The minister baptizing her is wearing a black robe. A group of people are standing on the bank of the creek or pond observing the baptism. Trees are depicted behind the people and the water. The title of the card is printed in blue in the bottom left edge of the card.

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  A Typical Southern [Black] Family, Holly Springs, Mississippi [full title redacted]

  This postcard features a color image of a Black family gathered in front of a wooden house. The family consists of two adults, a man and a woman, and six children. The woman is holding one of the children and the other children are standing in front of and beside the couple. The house behind them has a red roof and there is a chair on just off the porch behind them. The title is printed in the lower left of the image.

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  Praline Seller, New Orleans, Louisiana

  This postcard features a color illustration of an elderly Black woman seated on the steps outside of a building with a white cloth-lined basket filled with praline. The woman is wearing a long blue dress with a green, yellow and white striped shawl, and a red and white hair scarf and she is holding a paper fan in one hand while the other hand rests on her lap. The title of the card is printed along the top edge of the card.

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  Three Young Girls

  This sepia toned photograph features three young girls wearing dresses and standing on the side of a dirt road with fields on either side. A small structure can be seen in the distance behind them. The photograph is in a circular frame on a yellowed card. "10" is stamped at the bottom of the card.

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  Rapid Transit in Southern Mississippi

  Strohmeyer and Wyman

  A rare stereoview or stereograph double image of a Black family in a two wheeled cart being driven by Devon Oxen. These Devon oxen are of an old breed, medium size, their distinctive color is red. In the background is a typical cottage of the region. It is made of unpainted pine shingles, and, as it may be larger than usual, may have two rooms in the interior. Behind the cottage is a small field of cotton such as is usually to be found there. In the Southern part of the Mississippi, scenes of this kind were far from uncommon. The title of the card is printed along the bottom right and the publisher's name is printed on either end. A brief geography of Mississippi, it's people and homes, transportation, and history is printed on the back of the card.

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  A [Black Man's] Prayer, Florida (Full title redacted)

  This postcard features a color illustration of a Black man on his knees in the swamp in a prayerful position while three alligators surround him from behind. One of the alligators is biting at the man's pants. Green foliage is depicted behind the man and the alligators. A text box in the upper right corner includes the title and the "prayer" concerning the man's situation with the alligators that reads "Dese gaters looked so feary, And yet dy 'peered so tame, But now that I done met 'em, I'll neber be de same." The back of the postcard is addressed to Mr. Irvin Henry in Savannah, Georgia. The card is postmarked Tampa, Florida, June 9, 1944 and a green, one cent George Washington postage stamp is placed in the upper right corner. An inscription is written on the left half of the card. [see transcription field]

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  Scene at Lake Cormorant, Mississippi

  This black and white postcard features a view of a large crowd of people standing among trees on an embankment witnessing a baptism, as seen from a body of water. The title along the bottom of the card reads "Scene, Lake Cormorant, Miss." The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides publisher information as well as indication for correspondence and address placement. A green one cent "Freedom of Speech" postage stamp is placed in the upper right corner and the card is postmarked twice for Lake Cormorant, Mississippi, January 17, 1944, once in circular black ink and one in red ink. The card is inscribed and is addressed to Mrs. May B. May in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania.

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  Free Lunch in the Everglades, Florida

  This postcard features a color illustration of a Black man being eaten by an alligator in the water in the Florida Everglades. Colorful flowers can be seen behind the alligator and the man and trees are depicted in the distance. The title "Free Lunch in the Everglades, Florida" is printed along the top of the card. The back of the postcard is addressed to Mr. P. L. Schrock in Massillon, Ohio. The card is postmarked Jacksonville, Florida, February 24, 1930 and a green, one cent postage stamp is placed in the upper right corner. A poem about Florida is printed in the upper left corner and an inscription is written sideways on the left half of the card. [see transcription field]

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  Williams Jubilee Singers, Touring Europe

  This color advertisement postcard features the portrait of the Williams Jubilee Singers that consists of four women and four men, all dressed I early twentieth century clothing. Luggages with colorful stickers are lined up in front of the group, and the man on the right end has one of the luggages propped up on is knee. The text across the top of the card reads "Williams Jubilee Singers, Touring Europe." The text in a column on the left side of the card describes the group as "Every one a Soloist. Combinations of Duets, Trios, Quartets and Choruses. Twelve years of unprecedented success. The favorites of two continents. 130 performances in London, Eng. Toured the Capital Cities of Europe. Chas. P. Williams Managers. 6618 Vernon Ave. Chicago, U. S. A. Phone Normal 3524 (over)" The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides a description that reads "Williams' World-Famous Singers. Will appreciate a kind word from you to your friends concerning the Coming Concert to be given by the World's Greatest Harmonizing Octet. A company of Colored Artists selected from American Colleges who have delighted millions of people in the leading cities of the world. Their repertoire includes all classes of music from the old Negro Melodies to Grand Opera. Williams and Johnson, Proprietors. 6618 Vernon Ave. Chicago, Ill., U. S. A. Phone Normal 3524" A purple ink stamp reading "Rust College Friday March 22 8 P. M. Tickets 50 & 25 cents" is across the left side of the card. Two green one cent postage stamps are placed in the upper right corner and the card is postmarked Holly Springs, Mississippi, March 20, 1918. The card is inscribed and is addressed to Miss Mary Manoll in Union City, Michigan.

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  Mary Holmes Seminary, West Point, Mississippi

  This color postcard features a large red brick three story building with a long wrap around porch. Dormer windows are in the roof peak in the corner of the building. The title "Mary Holmes Seminary, West Point, Miss." is in the upper right of the card. The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides indication for address placement. A green one cent postage stamp is in the upper right and the card is postmarked West Point, Mississippi, August 15, 1912. The card is inscribed and is addressed to Mr. Tyson armer in Prairie, Mississippi.

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  Man Holding an Opossum

  This color postcard features an African American man in a hat, brown jacket and denim pants, seated on a log while holding an opossum. The title in the lower left beneath the image reads "Two of a Kind." An inscription is handwritten in the blank space beneath the title. The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides publisher information. A green one cent postage stamp is placed in the upper right corner and the item is postmarked Albany, New York, July 16, 1911. The card is inscribed and is addressed to Mrs. Charles Lainly I Mitzskill, New York.

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  Sugar Cane Plantation

  This postcard features a color image of a group of young Black men and children working in a sugar cane field on a sugar cane plantation. One man is standing in the center of the image wearing a white apron over his white shirt, dark vest, and dark pants. All of the men and children are wearing hats and dark pants with several them wearing dark jackets or vests. Two young boys are seated in the foreground. A forest of yellow pine is behind the sugar cane field. The title of the card is in the upper left. The image is likely from south Mississippi or Louisiana. The back of the card is addressed to Mr. Ellwood Washburn in Topeka, Kansas. The card is postmarked Jackson, Mississippi, May 8, 1911 and a green, one cent Benjamin Franklin postage stamp is placed in the upper right corner. An inscription is written sideways on the left half of the card. [see transcription field]

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  Harvesting Hay Near New Albany, Mississippi

  This color postcard features group of men in a field with horse-drawn wagons loaded with hay. Trees lined behind them. The title on the bottom reads "Harvesting Hay Near New Albany, Miss." The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides indication for correspondence and address placement. A green one cent postage stamp is placed in the upper right corner and the card is postmarked New Albany, Mississippi, May 28, 1910. The card is inscribed and is addressed to Miss Ruth Morton in Oxford, Pennsylvania.

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  "Melody" An African American Man Playing a Banjo

  This color postcard features an African-American man wearing suspenders and a hat with his light colored pants and shirt, seated on a wood box on a porch while playing a banjo. The title "Melody" is in the lower left of the card. The back of the postcard identifies the item a postcard in the "Sunny South" series and provides publisher information as well as indication for address placement. A green one cent postage stamp is placed in the upper right corner and the card is postmarked Birmingham, Alabama, May 28, 1909. The card is addressed to Mrs. Mary Grady in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

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  People Gathering and Picking Oranges, Tampa, Florida

  This color postcard features a group of people and horses and wagons in front of orange trees and a wooden building. One person is standing at the top of a tall ladder that is leaning against a tree. A lady in a dress and hat is seated in a horse drawn buggy. Several men are gathered around a table in front of the wooden building and some are gathered around the horses and trees. The title in the upper right corner identifies the scene as "Gathering and Packing Oranges, Tampa, Fla." The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides publisher information. A green one cent postage stamp is placed in the upper right corner and the card is postmarked Tampa, Florida, February 21, 1908. The inscription and the addressee's name is obscured by black marker.

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  A Man and Two Children Seated Outside

  This color postcard features two young African American children seated on the steps of a cabin with an elderly African American man seated on a bench beside them. The children are waring short pants and pageboy caps. The man is wearing long pants, a reddish brown shirt, a gray jacket and a pillbox style hat. The title in the lower left corner reads "Once Upon a Time" and the initials "J. H. B." are written in the lower right corner. The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard, part of the "Sunny South" series and provides publisher information as well as indication for address placement. A green one cent postage stamp is placed in the upper right corner and the card is postmarked Dubuque, Iowa, November 11, 1906. The card is addressed to Master Harrey Bradley in Dubuque, Iowa.

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  Cabin Scene at Chickasaw Bluffs, Battlefield, Men Leaning on the Porch of the Cabin, Vicksburg, Mississippi

  This black and white postcard features a long wood cabin with a full length porch and two chimneys. Two men are leaning against the porch and clothing is hanging from a line on one end of the porch. Trees are beside and behind the cabin. The title beneath the image describes it as "Cabin Scene at Chickasaw Bluffs, Battlefield, Vicksburg, Miss." Publisher information is located at the bottom left edge of the card and the date inscription is handwritten in white space of the lower right. The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides indication for address placement. A green one cent stamp is placed in the upper right corner and the card is postmarked twice. The top postmark is for Vicksburg, Mississippi, November 19, 1906 and the bottom postmark (stamped upside down) is for Waco, Texas, November 21, 1906. The card is addressed to Mr. Ed. Bauener

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  Three Young African American Children, "GOLLY, SOMEBODY'S COMIN'"

  This color postcard features three young African American children in early twentieth century clothing and bare feet. Two of the boys are wearing hats. The child in the center is kneeling with his back to the other two boys, the child on the left is looking away with a hand to his face, and the child on the right is holding a bag. The title at the bottom of the card reads "GOLLY, SOMEBODY'S COMIN'". The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and part of the Raphael Tuck and Sons' Post Card Series No. 1098 "Dixie Land." A green one cent postage stamp is placed in the upper right corner and the card is postmarked Lewisville, Pennsylvania, July 28, 1906. The card is addressed to Master William Dunn Means in Bradford County, Pennsylvania.

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  Man Carrying a Branch Full of Opossums

  This color postcard features an African-American man wearing a hat and carrying a long branch that has eight opossums hanging from and crawling on it. The title of the card in the center reads "A Lucky Nigger" and a handwritten inscription is on either side of the title and in the lower left of the image. The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides information for publishing as well as indication for address and postage stamp placement. The card is inscribed and is addressed to Mr. Rae G. Wood in Connecticut though it is not postmarked nor does it have a postage stamp.

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  Saving Sinners, Scene Along the Mississippi: Baptisms in the River

  This color postcard features a group of men standing in the water with people in canoes and boats crowded behind them. Some of the people in the boats are carrying open umbrellas. The title along the bottom reads "Saving Sinners, Scene Along the Mississippi." The back of the postcard identifies the item as a "Phostint" postcard and provides publisher information as well as indication for correspondence, address, and postage stamp placement.

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  Formal Portrait of Sylvia "Silver" Peaster, Greenwood, Mississippi

  This sepia toned photograph features a formal portrait of Sylvia "Silver" Peaster in Greenwood, Mississippi. She is wearing a lacey nineteenth century dress with buttons down the front and an oval broach above the top button. Her hair is pulled back. In the text area below the portrait, the photography studio, owner, and photographer are listed as the following: Mississippi Photo Co. F. E. Hubbard, Proprietor. W. C. Echard, Operator.

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  Formal Portrait of Sylvia "Silver" Peaster, Greenwood, Mississippi--Back of the Photograph

  The back of the photograph featuring a portrait of Sylvia Peaster identifies the subject of the portrait and where it was taken.

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  Laurence Clifton Jones and a Group of Seven Women in Front of the United States Post Office, Piney Woods, Mississippi

  This black and white photograph features Laurence Clifton Jones, the founder and long-time president of Piney Woods Country Life School in Rankin County, with a group of African American women wearing dresses and coats, standing outside in front of the U. S. Post Office at Piney Woods, Mississippi. The post office windows bears the name of the post office and the horizontal blinds can be seen.

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  Portrait of a Seated Young African American Man in a Suit

  This black and white picture postcard features a portrait of a young African American man in a suit. He is seated with is knees and body facing away from the camera and his hands resting on his thighs. His head is turned to face the camera. The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides indication for correspondence, address, and postage stamp placement.

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  Portrait of a Young African American Child in an Overcoat and Cap

  This black and white picture postcard features a young African American child in a black double breasted overcoat and a dark cap. The child is standing beside a table and has one hand resting on the tabletop. The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides indication for correspondence, address, and postage stamp placement.

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  Portrait of a Young African American Man, Full Body Image

  This black and white picture postcard features a portrait of an unidentified young African American man. He is standing with one hand resting on what appears to be a pile of quilts. He is wearing a formal black suit and vest with a white shirt. The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides indication for correspondence, address, and postage stamp placement.

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  Portrait of a Young African American Man in a Newsboy Cap

  This black and white picture postcard features a portrait of an unidentified young African American man in a formal suit and a newsboy cap. The picture is an oval inset into the card. The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides indication for correspondence, address, and postage stamp placement.

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  Portrait of a Young Man in a Suit

  This sepia toned photograph features the portrait of a young man in a suit with his left arm propped on a concrete pillar. The photograph is centered on a brown matt. The photographer's name and location are listed along the bottom edge as "A.M. Robinson, Photo 209 1/2 Capitol St., Jackson, Miss."

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  Portrait of a Young Man in a Suit--Back of the Photograph

  The back of the photograph featuring a portrait of a young man in a suit advertises the photography studio with images of florals, an easel with a painting on it, and a banner. The advertising is worded as follows: "Instantaneous Process used exclusively. A. M. Robinson, Art Photography. 209 1>2 Capitol Street, Jackson, Miss. Negatives Preserved Duplicates can be produced any time."

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  Roll Call: Children Gathered in Front of A Woman

  This black and white postcard features a group of African American children gathered in front of a couple of wood slat houses while an African American woman in a long striped dress, dark blouse, and patterned head-wrap stands facing them with a wicker basket under one arm. The title along the bottom reads "16815--Roll Call." The back of the postcard identifies the item as a postcard and provides indication for correspondence, address, and postage stamp placement.

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  Saving Sinners, Scene Along the Mississippi: Baptisms in the River

  This color postcard features a group of men standing in the water with people in canoes and boats crowded behind them. Some of the people in the boats are carrying open umbrellas. The title along the bottom reads ""Saving Sinners, Scene Along the Mississippi.""

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  African Americans in a Field

  This sepia toned photograph features a group of Black men and women in a field with trees behind them. Five women in late 19th century dresses are seated on a log while three men stand to the left of them, one man is seated on a barrel and another man is standing with a horse to the right behind them. The photograph is framed into a circle in a yellowed card.