Illustrated by
Currier and Ives, American, 1834 - 1907
Published by
Koehler, Joseph, American, 1893 - 1912
Date
ca. 1900
Medium
lithographic ink on paper
Dimensions
H x W (matted): 14 x 17 1/2 in. (35.6 x 44.5 cm)
Description
A full color chromolithographic print titled THE DARKTOWN HOOK AND LADDER CORPS. The racist caricature depicts six firemen breaking a water pump and table. On the left side of the image people are running away. One of these people is dressed as in a blue jacket and has red and white striped pants. He has a bugle on the top of his head. A fire hose is wrapped around a red and white striped pole and is spraying one of the firemen. Copyright information, the publisher and the title are printed in black ink under the image. Printed on the bottom left corner is “CURRIER & IVES SERIES, No. 4.” Printed below the title is “We’s won de Mug but we’s smashed de ole machine.”
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.
Place printed
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Racist and Stereotypical Objects
Type
chromolithographs
Topic
Art
Caricature and cartoons
Stereotypes
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2012.57.3
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd57abf83f2-1b42-4254-9d14-e3bfa45b3f36

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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