Sale 2503 - Printed & Manuscript African Americana, March 28, 2019

355 355 c   (PHOTOGRAPHY.) Cased image of a woman, sent through the mail. Ninth-plate ambrotype, 2 1 / 2 x 2 inches, with earrings and brooch hand-colored in gold; discoloration at edges extending into face area, minor wear to case; address label pasted on case reading “Mr. Scroggins, Portsmouth Va., Box 1036,” crossed out to read “601” and stamped “ADVERTISED” by the dead-letter office. Np, circa 1850s or 1860s [400/600] This photograph of a young woman was delivered through the mail to a Virginia address, but was undeliverable, and marked “ADVERTISED” by the post office. It was found among other similar photographs from a dead-letter office. Was Mr. Scroggins a plantation owner being offered a new house slave? A free black man getting a picture of a family member? We find nobody with the Scroggins name in Portsmouth during this time; the true story may be impossible to learn. 356 c   (PHOTOGRAPHY.) Group of 9 stereoview photographs of African-American subjects. Each about 4 x 7 inches on original card mounts, most with printed captions, by a variety of photographers and publishers; generally minor wear. Vp, circa 1861-1910 [400/600] Includes two later printings of Civil War scenes: “A Negro Family Coming into the Union Lines” by Taylor & Huntington; and the uncredited “Jolly Times in Camp,” depicting a concert for the troops. 3 views were published by Kilburn of Littleton, NH: “Drill of the Charleston Cadets, S.C.”; “Cotton Gin in Full Blast, Florida”; and “Cabin Home, Petersburg, Va.” Others include “Uncle Jack, the Oldest Inhabitant of St. Augustine, Florida”; “Sing Sing Prison Views” by Anthony; “Plantation Wash Day” by W.M. Chase; and “Negro Group & Cabin” by J.A. Palmer of Aiken, SC. 357 c   (PHOTOGRAPHY.) Group of 22 stereoview photographs of African- American subjects. Each about 4 x 7 inches on original card mounts, most with printed captions, by a variety of photographers and publishers; generally minor wear. Vp, circa 1890-1920 [400/600] These span the spectrum between authentic views of African-American life and stereotypical scenes posed for a comic effect. Among the highlights are 5 plantation and cotton-processing scenes in Georgia, Texas, South Carolina, and Florida; a 1902 view of “A Typical Negro Cabin, Louisiana”; and a World War One scene, “American Negro Troops, who Helped Break the Hindenburg Line” (illustrated). Complete list available upon request. 358