Photograph by
Unidentified
Subject of
Cotten, J. J., American
Unidentified Man or Men
Date
ca. 1910
Medium
ink on wove paper
Dimensions
H x W: 3 3/8 × 5 7/16 in. (8.6 × 13.8 cm)
Description
A black-and-white photograph postcard of a thriving barbershop in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, circa 1910. Captured in the midst of various grooming services, this rare portrait shows a small but full shop; men being shaved, one man having his shoes shined, two men standing at a glad counter, and several other men seated or standing – and all looking towards the camera. Barbershops played a vital role in the cultural and economic development of African American communities. It was a space where African American men interacted with each other, regardless of age, class, education, occupation, etc., serving as the backbone of many black communities and their role of strengthening black male identity in America was vital.
At the bottom of left of the postcard picture, in dark ink, is the inscription: [JJ Cotten Shop / Okl.]. According to Cowan’s Auctions, “census records and city directories list a Jessie J. Cotton who operated a barbershop that was located in Oklahoma City.”
Place captured
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Type
portraits
photographic postcards
Topic
American West
Barbershops
Black Enterprise
Business
Communities
Men
Photography
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2020.10.12
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5de20b476-d7d7-4794-b547-5475ecdac4fc

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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