Postcard of a performer playing a drum while on a unicycle
- Photograph by
- Unidentified
- Subject of
- Brown, Sam
- Date
- 1918 - 1936
- Medium
- ink on paper
- Dimensions
- H x W: 5 3/8 × 3 7/16 in. (13.7 × 8.7 cm)
- Description
- A black and white photographic postcard of a man riding a unicycle while playing a drum.
- The man is wearing a tall brimmed hat, a button down shirt with metal forearm cuffs, dark pants, and shoes. His lips are painted white and puckered. He has a large drum strapped in front of him, a drum stick in his proper right hand, and a cymbal in his proper left arm. The name "Sam Brown" is handwritten in graphite on the bottom proper left side. The postcard has minor creases and small areas of discoloration. The image is depicted vertically on the front of the postcard.
- The back of the postcard is horizontal. There is black text. The top canter reads [POST CARD / CARTE POSTALE - POSTKARTE / Communication - Mitteilungen - Correspondance Address - Adresse]. There is a vertical black line underneath the words. In the top right corner there is a square with rounded edges that reads [STAMP / HERE] with a logo in between the words.
- 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
- Topic
- Entertainers
- Minstrel (Music)
- Music
- Musicians
- Photography
- Stereotypes
- Vaudeville
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2015.97.38.2
- Restrictions & Rights
- Public domain
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.