Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Susie Paige Afro-American Greeting Card Collection

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0263
Creators:
Paige, Susie (bookseller)
Dates:
1900-1984
bulk 1960-1984
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.3 Cubic feet
1 box
Repository:
Collection primarily consists of greeting cards and postcards but also includes political literature and a high school diploma relating to African Americans and their history and culture in American society.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
The collection documents African American people, their history, and culture in American Society. Most of the materials are greeting cards and postcards. These materials contain both positive and negative images of African Americans with a few items illustrating how white society portrayed them for mainstream culture. Most of the materials, however, are intended for the African American consumer market and present black people and their customs in a more favorable light. Many of the images are of people that were considered the leaders of the black community including political, religious, and cultural figures. It is also notable for the holidays and events in African American history that are documented. There are also hand-held fans used as advertisements on one side and images of black Americans on the other side. In addition, there is a high school diploma, political literature, and sheet music. The bulk of the material was created after 1960 with images of events and people dating from the turn of the 20th century.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged in one series.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
Susie Paige, a Philadelphia bookseller, collected the materials over three decades.

Administration

Author
Vanessa Broussard-Simmons
Immediate Source of Acquisiton
National Museum of American History purchased the collection from Susie Paige, of the Corner Store, in 1985. The collection includes a single card (circa 1918) and a rhyme book donated by Mr. Russell C. Carey.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Vanessa Broussard-Simmons, 1985.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research use.
Preferred Citation
Susie Paige Afro-American Greeting Card Collection, 1900-1984, Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Related Materials
Materials in the Archives Center
Program in African American Culture NMAH.AC0408
African American Portrait Tintypes NMAH.AC0515
African American Snapshots NMAH.AC0732
African American Cosmetic and Food Label Collection NMAH.AC0480
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, subject Afro-Americana NMAH.AC0060
African American Family Photograph Collection NMAH.AC1127
Scurlock Studio Records NMAH.AC0618
David Hoffman/Boaz Postcard Collection NMAH.AC0281

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Political literature Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Postcards Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Diplomas Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Greeting cards Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
King, Martin Luther, Jr., 1929-1968 Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Corey, Russell C. Personal Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
archivescenter@si.edu