Written by
Dr. Van Evrie, John H., American, 1814 - 1896
Published by
Van Evrie, Horton & Co., American, 1860 - 1870
Printed by
Smith & McDougal, American, 1860 - 1884
Date
1867; Printed 1868
Medium
ink on paper, with leather
Dimensions
H x W x D: 7 1/2 × 5 1/4 × 1 5/16 in. (19.1 × 13.3 × 3.3 cm)
H x W x D (Open): 7 1/2 × 7 3/8 × 3 3/4 in. (19.1 × 18.7 × 9.5 cm)
Description
A second edition of White Supremacy and Negro Subordination, by J. H. Van Evrie, a hardbound book covered in blue leather. The cover itself is blank, the spine of the book has the title [WHITE / SUPREMACY / and / NEGRO / SUBORDINATION / VAN EVRIE] in gold lettering with a makers stamp on the bottom that state [VE&Co]. There are approximately 410 pages. The stated intention of the book is to demonstrate “that the so-called slavery of the South was the Negro’s normal or natural condition.” Evrie cites phrenology, physical anthropology, comparative anatomy, and biological determinism in support of the argument that the enslaved were absolutely dependent on their masters. The work begins with a page of four illustrated figures and page numbers. Throughout the book, there are six colored lithographs depicting stereotypical figures of different races. The first illustration on page 16 is a man standing on a colorful tiled floor with Washington, D.C. in the background and is titled [CAUCASIAN]. The other lithographs are not titled. On page 67, an African figure is pictured wearing a loose white garment with swords tucked into a red sash. Behind the individual is a desert background. The third illustration, on page 89, is a color plate depicting an Asian indvidual holding a smoking pipe with a long shaft, standing next to a bamboo table, with mountains and a pagoda in the background. On page 221, an American Indian figure is depicted wearing a beaded and feathered headdress and animal skin leggings with a blanket wrapped around his shoulders. He carries a spear and stands on a rock. An Eskimo figure is shown on page 269. He is depicted wearing fur garments and holding an ice fishing spear, with snow covered mountains in the background. The last illustration plate on page 308 depicts a black man seated and smoking a pipe. He wears red striped pants that are soiled and torn at the knee, a white shirt and tan vest. He is barefoot. The tall masts of ships are visible in the background. The back of the book includes pages of advertisements for other works including those published by Van Evrie, Horton & Co.
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.
Objects depicting symbols of hate or related to organized hate groups 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 history and culture.
Place printed
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Documents and Published Materials-Published Works
Racist and Stereotypical Objects
Type
books
Topic
Literature
Race discrimination
Race relations
Reconstruction, U.S. History, 1865-1877
Slavery
Stereotypes
White supremacy movements
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Thomas P. Steward
Object number
2017.37
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd59e7f8edc-ce98-41ef-8878-7eb8300d51aa

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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