Photograph by
Unidentified
Subject of
Unidentified Child or Children
Date
ca. 1895
Medium
albumen and silver on paper mounted on cardboard
Dimensions
H x W (Image): 4 1/8 x 6 5/16 in. (10.5 x 16 cm)
H x W (Card): 5 3/8 x 7 5/16 in. (13.7 x 18.6 cm)
Description
An albumen print on cabinet card depicting two (2) African American boys eating watermelon. The photograph shows the boys seated on either side of a wooden crate; the text "Coons and Melons" appears in the image on the side of the crate. Each boy holds a partially eaten slice of watermelon. Four (4) additional slices sit on the crate and more rest in front. Both boys are wearing hats, long-sleeved shirts, vests, and short pants. Their clothing is ragged, their legs appear dirty, and their feet are bare. The photograph is faded with a yellowish tint and mounted on a cabinet card that has a hole at the center just above the image.
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.
Classification
Media Arts-Photography
Racist and Stereotypical Objects
Type
cabinet photographs
albumen prints
portraits
Topic
Children
Foodways
Photography
Stereotypes
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Norman and Sandra Lindley
Object number
2013.117.6
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd58973511e-0391-4a7b-8f1a-25f82ab5dc28

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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