Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Archives Center Ethnic Imagery Collection

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.1138
Creators:
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Culture and the Arts
Dates:
1883-1889, undated
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.05 Cubic feet
1 box
Repository:
Advertising cards, postcards, and stereographs documenting the use of stereotypical images of African Americans dating from the late nineteenth century.

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
Advertising cards, postcards, and stereographs documenting stereotypical images of African Americans. These materials were commonly used during this time period. The images were intended to appeal to a mainstream audience and reflect acceptable perceptions during the late nineteenth century. The advertising cards, often created in a series to encourage brand loyalty, were used to sell products such as coffee, patent medicines, thread, stove polish, and yeast. Postcards, a popular form of communication, reflected the attitutes of the society that created them. Stereographs, cards with two similar images side by side, created an impression of a single, three-dimensional image when viewed through a set of lenses. Materials are arranged by genre.

Arrangement

Arrangement
Collection is arranged in one series.

Administration

Author
Vanessa Broussard Simmons
Immediate Source of Acquisiton
Collected from various donors and vendors by the Division of Music, Sports and Entertainment (now the Division of Culture and the Arts). Donors include Richard E. Ahlborn and Alice M. Miles; vendors include Tom's Hoard House.
Ownership and Custodial History
Transferred to the Archives Center in 2008.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Vanessa Broussard Simmons, archivist, 2024; and Meredith Clowse, intern, 2024.

Using the Collection

Restrictions on Access
Collection open for research on site by appointment. Unprotected photographs must be handled with gloves.
Preferred Citation
Archives Center Ethnic Imagery Collection, 1883-1889, undated, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction
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.
Related Materials
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
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Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Cosmetics, NMAH.AC.0060.S01.01.Cosmetics
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Inks, NMAH.AC.0060.S01.01.Inks
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Laundry Machinery and Accessories, NMAH.AC.0060.S01.01.Laundry
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Men's Clothing, NMAH.AC.0060.S01.01.Men
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Music, NMAH.AC.0060.S01.01.Music
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Paints, NMAH.AC.0060.S01.01.Paints
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Patent Medicines, NMAH.AC.0060.S01.01.PatentMedicines
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Soap, NMAH.AC.0060.S01.01.Soap
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Tea, NMAH.AC.0060.S01.01.Tea
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: Tobacco Trade and Industry, NMAH.AC.0060.S01.01.Tobacco
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana Subject Categories: World Expositions, NMAH.AC.0060.S01.01.World
Division of Domestic Life Greeting Card Collection, NMAH.AC.0109
Victor A. Blenkle Postcard Collection, NMAH.AC.0200
Hoffman/Boaz Postcard Collection, NMAH.AC.0281
Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music, Series 6: Moving Pictures and Movie Stars, NMAH.AC.0300.S06
Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated American Sheet Music, Series 3: African-American Music, NMAH.AC.0300.S03
Product Cookbooks Collection, NMAH.AC.0396
Dennis Manochio Fireworks Collection, NMAH.AC.0533
Ronald S. Korda Collection of Sports and Trading Cards, NMAH.AC.0545
Coon Chicken Inn Records and Graham Family Papers, NMAH.AC.1153
B. Thomas Smith Minstrel Show Posters, NMAH.AC.1409

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Advertisements -- 19th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Advertisements -- 1890-1900 Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Advertising Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
advertising -- Business ephemera Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Advertising cards Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ethnic imagery Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Ethnic relations Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Postcards Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Race discrimination Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Stereotypes (Social psychology) in advertising Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Stereographs Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Trade cards Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Music, Sports and Entertainment Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Tom's Hoard House Corporate 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
Business Number: Phone: 202-633-3270
Fax Number: Fax: 202-786-2453
archivescenter@si.edu