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Catalog Data

Photograph by:
Unidentified  Search this
Subject of:
Sam Brown  Search this
Medium:
ink on paper
Dimensions:
H x W: 5 3/8 × 3 7/16 in. (13.7 × 8.7 cm)
Type:
portraits
postcards
Date:
1918 - 1936
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.
Topic:
African American  Search this
Entertainers  Search this
Minstrel (Music)  Search this
Music  Search this
Musicians  Search this
Photography  Search this
Stereotypes  Search this
Vaudeville  Search this
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.
See more items in:
National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification:
Media Arts-Photography
Racist and Stereotypical Objects
Data Source:
National Museum of African American History and Culture
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5b2fa1f98-19f7-4049-b91d-18c655022c3e
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nmaahc_2015.97.38.2