Printed by
Jacob Dux & Co., American, founded 1875
Subject of
Wiggins, Thomas Greene, American, 1849 - 1908
Date
ca. 1887
Medium
ink on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions
H x W: 29 15/16 × 13 3/16 in. (76 × 33.5 cm)
Description
A broadside for the formerly enslaved musician Thomas Wiggins, known as "Blind Tom." The broadside is printed in black and red ink on cream-colored paper. Along the top edge of the broadside is large red text that reads [THE EIGHTH WONDER / of the world.]. An engraved image of Tom is in the top half of the broadside. He is shown from the chest up wearing a dark suit coat over a white collared shirt with a black cravat. His head is slightly turned towards his right shoulder and his eyes are closed. The image is set into a black rectangular border frame with vertical text on the left side reading [The great / MUSICAL PRODIGY / of the age] and text on the right reading [The most / MARVELLOUS [sic] GENIUS / living.]. Under this rectangle is large black text that reads [EMANCIPATION COMPLETE / The Last Slave Set Free by order of the Supreme Court of the United States. / Come and hear him play for himself and for your entertainment. / The Genuine, Original and Only]. In large red text at the center of the broadside are the words [BLIND TOM]. Below this are several paragraphs of text containing Tom's biography and promoting his musical talents.
Place printed
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Memorabilia and Ephemera - Advertisements
Type
broadsides
Topic
Advertising
Composers (Musicians)
Emancipation
Instrumentalists (Musicians)
Music
Musicians
Slavery
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2021.89
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd57466cb8a-ae29-4b00-a649-aa878d50688d

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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