Collection primarily consists of greeting cards and postcards but also includes political literature and a high school diploma relating to African Americans and their history and culture in American society.
Scope and Contents:
The collection documents African American people, their history, and culture in American Society. Most of the materials are greeting cards and postcards. These materials contain both positive and negative images of African Americans with a few items illustrating how white society portrayed them for mainstream culture. Most of the materials, however, are intended for the African American consumer market and present black people and their customs in a more favorable light. Many of the images are of people that were considered the leaders of the black community including political, religious, and cultural figures. It is also notable for the holidays and events in African American history that are documented. There are also hand-held fans used as advertisements on one side and images of black Americans on the other side. In addition, there is a high school diploma, political literature, and sheet music. The bulk of the material was created after 1960 with images of events and people dating from the turn of the 20th century.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged in one series.
Biographical / Historical:
Susie Paige, a Philadelphia bookseller, collected the materials over three decades.
Related Materials:
Materials in the Archives Center
Program in African American Culture NMAH.AC0408
African American Portrait Tintypes NMAH.AC0515
African American Snapshots NMAH.AC0732
African American Cosmetic and Food Label Collection NMAH.AC0480
Warshaw Collection of Business Americana, subject Afro-Americana NMAH.AC0060
African American Family Photograph Collection NMAH.AC1127
Scurlock Studio Records NMAH.AC0618
David Hoffman/Boaz Postcard Collection NMAH.AC0281
Provenance:
National Museum of American History purchased the collection from Susie Paige, of the Corner Store, in 1985. The collection includes a single card (circa 1918) and a rhyme book donated by Mr. Russell C. Carey.
Restrictions:
The collection is open for research use.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
