On View
Taking the Stage Gallery
Exhibition
Taking the Stage
Manufactured by
The Ferdinand Strauss Corporation, American, 1914 - 1927
Date
1921
Medium
tin, oil paint
Dimensions
H x W x D: 7 1/2 × 6 1/2 × 5 in. (19.1 × 16.5 × 12.7 cm)
Description
Tin windup toy depicting two African American musicians; one figure plays the banjo while the other figure remains seated and plays the piano. The piano and chair that the pianist sits in have painted images of caricatured African Americans. The sheet music on the piano reads [DIXIE BLUES] at the top of each sheet. A tasseled blanket illustration drapes over the top of the piano and has black lettering which features prominently on the front of the piano. The text reads [HAM AND SAM/"THE MINSTREL TEAM"/TRADE MARK]. The banjo player, standing to the right of the piano player, is wearing red and white checkered pants, a green jacket with white and red trim, and a yellow top hat. The piano player is wearing a faded red and green outfit, with a red and green cap. A white sticker on the back of the piano in the bottom left corner reads, [LAST WOUND-UP/$650]. The Strauss Toys logo, a clown standing on a globe holding a banner aloft which reads [STRAUSS] with red text reading [TOYS] printed on the globe, is situated at the bottom center of the piano back. Beneath the logo is scripted black lettering which reads, [THE FERDINAND STRAUSS CORPORATION/New York, U.S.A./PATENTED BY UA M Co. OCT. 1921/OTHER PATENTS PENDING]. The metal loop on the PR side of the piano is used to wind the toy.
Statement
Objects depicting racist and/or stereotypical imagery or language may be offensive and disturbing, but the NMAAHC aims to include them in the Collection to present and preserve the historical context in which they were created and used. Objects of this type provide an important historical record from which to study and evaluate racism.
Collection title
Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification
Toys and Games
Racist and Stereotypical Objects
Type
windup toys
chromolithographs
Topic
Caricature and cartoons
Minstrel (Music)
Stereotypes
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Object number
2007.7.474
Restrictions & Rights
Public Domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5edba4840-a57a-4286-b029-9475dc115bb8

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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