black history month

Head of a negro man

Glass cup in the shape of a negro head

Glass objects, Roman Empire.

Portret van Jakob Johann Wenceslaus Dobrzensky de Negro Ponte

Phillis Wheatley, Negro Servant to Mr. John Wheatley of Boston

Phillis Wheatley, Negro Servant to Mr. John Wheatley of Boston

Anonymous, 18th century

[Iron mask, collar, leg shackles and spurs used to restrict slaves]

Illus. in: The penitential tyrant / Thomas Branagan. New-York: Printed by Samuel Wood, no. 362, Pearl-street, 1807. Reference copy in: LOT 4422-A-3.

Life in Philadelphia. Plate 13 / Clay fecit 1829.

Print shows an African American couple walking on the street; the woman asks the man whether he likes the waltz. Exchange; (DLC/PP-1973:253). Title from item. Caption: "How you like de waltz, Mr. Lorenzo?" "'... more

Boston minstrels. The celebrated Ethiopian melodies ...

Music cover illustrated with caricatures of six minstrels in two scenes.

The aristocracy of color

Signed in stone: J. Cn. Title appears as it is written on the item. Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)

The crow quadrilles--Arranged for the pianoforte by Robt. Ashley, Esq....

Music cover with seven vignettes of caricatures of African-Americans.

Soloque. Emperor of Hayti, creating a grand duke

Published & for sale by J.L. Magee, no. 34 Mott St, NY. Title appears as it is written on the item. Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)

Like master like man / E.W. Clay del.

Print shows two African American men, with their seconds, about to fight a duel with pistols at close range.

Much ado about nothing or a militia court-martial!!

A satire on the pretensions and general decadence of the American local militia during the Jacksonian era. A man on a witness stand (far left) is questioned by a court-martial. Several officers sit around a tab... more

Ladies whipping girls

A white woman whipping a slave girl. Illus. in: Picture of slavery in the United States of America / George Bourne. Middletown, Conn. : E. Hunt, 1834, p. 109. Reference copy in: LOT 4422-A-3.

Family amalgamation among the men-stealers

African American children serving food to a white family. Illus. in: Picture of slavery in the United States of America / George Bourne. Middletown, Conn. : E. Hunt, 1834, p. 91. Reference copy in: LOT 4422-A-2.

"The government." No. 1, [Eye] take the responsibility

A satire on Andrew Jackson's "Kitchen Cabinet," the pejorative name given his informal circle of close advisors. The print appeared during the heated controversy incited by Jackson's discontinuation of federal ... more

Long tail blue / Willig's lith.

Music cover showing man wearing top hat and coat with tails, holding monocle and walking stick.

The crow quadrilles. Piano forte by John H. Hewitt / N. Currier's lith...

Music cover with eight vignettes of caricatures of blacks. Currier & Ives : a catalogue raisonné / compiled by Gale Research. Detroit, MI : Gale Research, c1983, no. 1436.

The disappointed abolitionists

Three men at left, one saying, "Verily friend Darg since we have returned thee thy money, I claim the reward of $1000 - Brother Barney Corse was merely my agent, verily!" Another "Yea verily I was but thy instr... more

The new code of chivalry or what we would have done. As approved by "...

The second of two satires by Chambers on events surrounding the killing of Maine Congressman Jonathan Cilley by Kentucky Representative William J. Graves in a February 24, 1838, duel. (See also "Scene in Washin... more

Abolition frowned down

A satire on enforcement of the "gag-rule" in the House of Representatives, prohibiting discussion of the question of slavery. Growing antislavery sentiment in the North coincided with increased resentment by so... more

Matty's perilous situation up Salt River

A pro-Whig satire on the presidential campaign of 1840. Martin Van Buren is neck-deep in the waters of "Salt River," a colloquial term for political misfortune or failure. He sinks under the weight of boxes m... more

Fanny Elssler and the Baltimoreans

A scornful look at the reception of German ballerina Fanny Elssler in Baltimore. The New York artist ridicules the adulation given the touring performer by the Baltimore public. During her July 1840 visit there... more

Hon. & Rev. B.R. Wilson of Monrovia, Liberia, died Oct. 9, 1864 / Phot...

Photograph shows portrait of B.R. Wilson, Methodist missionary to Liberia. Title from item.

Ginger blue, a popular Negro melody, composed & sung by Mr. R.W. Pelha...

Music cover showing boy dancing in dilapidated room, with kettle in fireplace.

[Farmers nooning, from the original picture in the possession of Jona....

Print shows workmen resting in the shade of a tree, one man is sharpening a tool, an African American man reclining on a stack of hay, a young boy is leaning over the stack, tickling the man's ear with a piece ... more

Dandy Jim, from Carolina; a popular Negro melody, as sung by B. Willia...

Music cover showing man looking at himself in mirror.

[Farmers nooning, from the original picture in the possession of Jona....

Print shows workmen resting in the shade of a tree, one man is sharpening a tool, an African American man reclining on a stack of hay, a young boy is leaning over the stack, tickling the man's ear with a piece ... more

[Farmers nooning, from the original picture in the possession of Jona....

Print shows workmen resting in the shade of a tree, one man is sharpening a tool, an African American man reclining on a stack of hay, a young boy is leaning over the stack, tickling the man's ear with a piece ... more

Trouble in the Spartan ranks. Old Durham in the field

A complex and somewhat obscure satire celebrating the defeat of Dorrite Democrats in the Rhode Island state elections of spring 1843. The canvass was held the year following the successful suppression of the Do... more

[Farmers nooning, from the original picture in the possession of Jona....

Print shows workmen resting in the shade of a tree, one man is sharpening a tool, an African American man reclining on a stack of hay, a young boy is leaning over the stack, tickling the man's ear with a piece ... more

[Farmers nooning, from the original picture in the possession of Jona....

Print shows workmen resting in the shade of a tree, one man is sharpening a tool, an African American man reclining on a stack of hay, a young boy is leaning over the stack, tickling the man's ear with a piece ... more

[Farmers nooning, from the original picture in the possession of Jona....

Print shows workmen resting in the shade of a tree, one man is sharpening a tool, an African American man reclining on a stack of hay, a young boy is leaning over the stack, tickling the man's ear with a piece ... more

Race between Bennett and Greely for the Post Office stakes

A satire on the competition between rival editors Horace Greeley and James Gordon Bennett for New York post office printing contracts. The artist also comments on the circulation wars between Bennett's "New Yor... more

[Farmers nooning, from the original picture in the possession of Jona....

Print shows workmen resting in the shade of a tree, one man is sharpening a tool, an African American man reclining on a stack of hay, a young boy is leaning over the stack, tickling the man's ear with a piece ... more

[Farmers nooning, from the original picture in the possession of Jona....

Print shows workmen resting in the shade of a tree, one man is sharpening a tool, an African American man reclining on a stack of hay, a young boy is leaning over the stack, tickling the man's ear with a piece ... more

The celebrated Congo minstrels' songs / Thayer & Co's lith., Boston.

Music cover showing five minstrels on stage. Copyright by C.H. Keith.

Loco Foco triumphal honors

A mock triumphal procession ridiculing "Loco Foco" or radical Democratic support of candidates James K. Polk and George M. Dallas. The Loco Focos are portrayed as ragged Irishmen, carrying the two candidates on... more

The Massachusetts hoar, outwitted, or hopping-John, and Johnny-cake, f...

An imaginative but puzzling commentary on sectional tensions over slavery between New England abolitionists and southern agrarian slaveholders. In his sweeping satire the artist also portrays a considerable hos... more

Whitlock's collection of Ethiopian melodies. As sung with great applau...

Music cover showing two men on stage, one dancing and one playing banjo.

The tree of liberty. The free population of the United States enjoyin...

A somewhat puzzling commentary on two issues: slavery and economic protectionism. The date of the print is uncertain, but it may have appeared as part of the reaction against the Walker Tariff of 1846. A Northe... more

The telegraphic candidates

In a race between the railroad and the telegraph the "telegraphic candidates," Lewis Cass and William O. Butler, are first to the White House. The artist ridicules Zachary Taylor for his hazy stance on major ca... more

The candidate of many parties. A phrenological examination to ascertai...

Whig nominee Zachary Taylor's reluctance to clearly declare his political views was an issue eagerly exploited by the opposition in the 1848 campaign. Here the artist shows phrenologist Orson S. Fowler probing... more

Who says gas? Or the Democratic b-hoy

A pro-Democrat satire, pitting Democratic candidate Lewis Cass against Whig nominee Zachary Taylor in a bout for the presidency. Cass (center) is the obvious favorite. He wears the stovepipe hat, boots, bold pl... more

The Sabbath among slaves

Illustration showing Afro-American dancing, playing banjo, and resting. Illus. in: Narrative of the life and adventures of Henry Bibb, an American slave, New York, 1849, p. 38. Published in: The African-America... more

The blessings of liberty or how to "hook" a "gentleman of color"

A diverse group of abolitionists try to drag an unwilling black man toward the left with a large gaff hook. Holding the hook are (left to right) an old hag, a Quaker man, and two other homely men. The hag dec... more

[Fig. 1 Greenland seal-hunting; fig. 2 Brazilian Indians bird-shooting...

Illus. in: Heck, Iconographic Encyclopedia, (1851) v. 1, plate 35. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: Patagonia; Dwellings; Seals; Brazil; Greenland; Ind. of S. ... more

What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander

The opposition of Northern abolitionists, churchmen, and political figures to enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 is criticized in this rare pro-Southern cartoon. In two panels artist Edward Williams ... more

The fish question settled

A facetious, and somewhat racist, look at public opinion surrounding the controversy over American fishing rights in British-controlled waters off North America. (See also "John Bull's Fish Monopoly," no. 1852-... more

Pilgrims of the Rhine-O!

Whig presidential candidate Winfield Scott and his party pursue an abolitionist course leading toward Salt River and political doom. New York senator and antislavery advocate William Seward appears as a poodle ... more

[Sheet of sketches for the illustrated 1852 London edition of Uncle To...

Purchase; Warren Ewens; 1993; (DLC-PP/1993:162). Published in: Eyes of the nation : a visual history of the United States / Vincent Virga and curators of the Library of Congress ; historical commentary by Alan ... more

A dish of "black turtle"

The cartoonist mocks the opportunism evident in Winfield Scott's endorsement of both the abolitionist cause and the Missouri Compromise. Scott, in military uniform, is seated at a table with a plate of soup be... more

Abu Nabut and Negro Slaves in Cairo

Eclipse & no eclipse or two views of one object

Two scenes showing the differing perceptions of Franklin Pierce's stand on the issue of slavery, as viewed by the North and South. The cartoon is divided vertically by "Mason & Dixon's Line." An arrow identifie... more

Winner's improved method for the violin

Music cover showing four black people--couple dancing in front of fireplace, man playing violin, and man standing in doorway.

State of Louisiana

Print shows the title page to "Ballou's Pictorial" for "Saturday, December 22, 1855" showing, at top, a view of Boston Harbor with sailing ships, steamboats, a rowboat, and a view of the city of Boston in the b... more

Slave of Richard Townsend / W.H. Ingram's Photograph and Ferrotype Gal...

Photo shows an elderly African American man, three-quarter length portrait, wearing coat and top hat, seated, facing front, with right hand resting on the handle of a bow saw that he holds between his legs. Tit... more

[African American man, possibly named "Small", full length studio port...

Title devised by Library staff. Inscribed in ink and pencil on verso: Small. On verso: No. 13185. Purchase; Marian Carson; 2001; (DLC/PP-2001:068). Forms part of: Marian S. Carson Collection at the Library of Congress.

[African American woman holding a white child]

Rinhart, no. 119. Modern handwritten note in case: Slave nanny/white child image came from an estate sale somewhere in the flat lands delta area of Arkansas. Likely from one of the following Arkansas towns: Hel... more

Negro expulsion from railway car, Philadelphia

Illus. in: The Illustrated London News, 1856 Sept. 27, p. 314. Reference copy may be in LOT 4422 D. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: Shelf.

Ahead of all, N.L. Hansen & Co's. Magnolia Tobacco, unsurpassed by any...

Print shows an African American man with arms stretched out holding tobacco leaves in each hand. An eagle sits on a banner with the words "N.L. Hansen & Co's" directly above the man. Title from item. First word... more

[Proof for bank note vignette showing Afro-American men tapping sap fr...

Chickering Collection.

Essence of Old Virginia Wheat Whiskey, A.M. Bininger & Co. / Sarony, M...

Whiskey advertising label showing African Americans in tavern dancing. Copyright by Rufus Watles & L.C. Sanger.

[Unidentified African American woman]

Title devised by Library staff. Case: Berg, no. 150. Gift; Tom Liljenquist; 2014; (DLC/PP 2014:202) More information about this collection is available at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.lilj Purchased from: Geor... more

Tom, the blind Negro boy pianist, only 10 years old

LOT subdivision subject: Negro Minstrels. Title and other information transcribed from caption card and item. Copyright by P.H. Oliver; Lithograph by Sarony, Major & Knapp, 449 Broadway, N.Y. Caption card traci... more

Expulsion of Negroes and abolitionists from Tremont Temple, Boston, Ma...

Illus. in Harper's weekly, Dec. 15, 1860, p. 788.

Rather die freemen than live to be slaves - 3rd United States Colored ...

Regimental flag depicting African American soldier and Columbia holding an American flag between them. On verso: D.B. Bowser - Artist - No. 481 North 4th St. Philada. Photograph of painting by Bowser. In album:... more

Presented by a committee of ladies of Phila. Oct. 1863 3rd United Stat...

American eagle as emblem of the 3rd United States Colored Troops. On verso: D.B. Bowser - Artist - No. 481 North 4th St. Philada. Photograph of painting by Bowser. In album: [U.S. army officers and other person... more

Cotton field, Retreat Plantation, Port Royal Island, S.C. / Photograph...

Stereograph shows African Americans, possibly slaves, working in a cotton field. Title from item.

[Full length sketches of five African American men]

Sic semper tyrannis - 22th Regt. U.S. Colored Troops

Regimental flag depicting African American soldier bayoneting a fallen Confederate soldier. Photograph of painting by Bowser. In album: [U.S. army officers and other persons of the Civil War period / John White... more

The political quadrille. Music by Dred Scott

A general parody on the 1860 presidential contest, highlighting the impact of the Dred Scott decision on the race. That controversial decision, handed down in 1857 by Chief Justice Roger B. Taney, ruled that ne... more

[Studies of child, woman, gentleman, African American man & soldier]

Title devised. Formerly Waud no. B-162. Gift, J.P. Morgan, 1919 (DLC/PP-1919:R1.2.926) Forms part of: Morgan collection of Civil War drawings.

Street and Negro quarters, Retreat Plantation, Port Royal Island, S.C....

Stereograph shows African Americans, possibly slaves, standing alongside dirt road lined with wooden houses. Title from item.

[A series of small scenes that illustrate various ways of getting mone...

Title devised. Inscribed: Robbery; Forgery; Burglary; Highway robbery; CHECK BOOK. Gift, J.P. Morgan, 1919 (DLC/PP-1919:R1.2.0512) Forms part of: Morgan collection of Civil War drawings.

The undecided political prize fight

A pro-Breckinridge satire on the 1860 presidential contest. Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln (right) and Democrat Stephen A. Douglas (left) appear as boxers squaring off in a ring before a small crowd of on... more

Hiram R. Revels of Miss.

African American legislator.

We will prove ourselves men - 127th Regt. U.S. Colored Troops

Regimental flag depicting African American soldier standing next to Columbia holding a flag. On verso: D.B. Bowser - Artist - No. 481 North 4th St. Philada. Photograph of painting by Bowser. In album: [U.S. arm... more

Congressional surgery. Legislative quackery

A rare anti-North satire, probably dealing with either the Crittenden Compromise or the Douglas Compromise. Proposed in December 1860 in the form of several constitutional amendments, the former called for rest... more

Honest old Abe on the Stump. Springfield 1858. Honest old Abe on the S...

A caricature of Abraham Lincoln, probably appearing soon after his nomination as Republican presidential candidate. The artist contrasts Lincoln's modest posture at the Illinois Republican state convention in S... more

Working the monoliths

Photo shows construction at U.S. Capitol, including "S. Wing" and "Centre Building." The workmen include African Americans. In album: Benjamin Brown French "Photographs", p. 41. Title from item. Reference copy ... more

The "Lincoln column," first monolith raised, Nov. 1860, Presidential e...

Photo shows construction at U.S. Capitol, including African American workmen with a column named in the photograph to recognize Abraham Lincoln's election as president on Nov. 6, 1860. Title from item. In album... more

[Two unidentified soldiers and others at the front steps of a house]

Photograph shows two soldiers, two women, three girls, and an African American boy wearing an apron posing on or next to steps. Title devised by Library staff. Forms part of: Brady-Handy photograph collection (... more

5 to one ha

Another show of Northern optimism in the early months of the Lincoln administration. Uncle Sam approaches from the left holding a bayonet, causing five Southern soldiers to flee in panic to the right. In their ... more

[Half-length portrait of an African American woman wearing a hat and h...

Title devised by Library staff. Purchase; William A. Gladstone; 1995; (DLC/PP-1995:113.116) Title devised by Library staff. Gladstone's inventory code and notes: CDV85; Civilians II. General information about t... more

[Seated black man wearing four button sack, laborer, ring]

[Portrait of a man]

Sketch of a black man in hat and overcoat. Figure sketch of seaman in background. Title devised. Formerly Waud no. C-155. Gift, J.P. Morgan, 1919 (DLC/PP-1919:R1.2.1082) Forms part of: Morgan collection of Civi... more

The African Church, Richmond, Va.

Photograph shows group of African American men and women in front of the church on Broad Street in Richmond. No. B1211. Title from item. Gift; Col. Godwin Ordway; 1948.

Slave Pen, Alexandria, Va.

Exterior, African American woman standing in foreground. Address: 1315 Duke St., Alexandria, Virginia. Stereo, The War for the Union. Photographic History (no. 2300). LC-B811-2300 (half). This record contains ... more

Aiken's Landing, Virginia (vicinity). Negro group at Aiken's farm

Negro Soldiers

Title from item. Hand written note by reader on verso states probable location as South Carolina. Information unverified.

"Nick Biddle," of Pottsville, Pa., the first man wounded in the great ...

Photograph shows Nicholas Biddle, an African American Union soldier, in uniform, half-length portrait, facing front. Title from item. Photographer's stamp on verso. Reference copy in BIOG FILE.

[African American workers standing on railroad tracks in front of a st...

Title devised by Library staff.

Camp Brightwood, D.C.--Contrabands in 2nd R.I. Camp

Capt. B.S. Brown (left); Lt. John P. Shaw, Co. F 2nd Regt. Rhode Island Volunteer Infantry (center); and Lt. Fry (right) with African American men and boy. Title transcribed from item. Purchase; William A. Glad... more

The Battle of New Orleans / designed by W. Momberger ; engraved by H.B...

Print shows General Andrew Jackson, American soldiers, African Americans, and irregulars firing on the advancing British forces from behind bales of cotton at the Battle of New Orleans.

[Unidentified soldier in Union officer's uniform and young African Ame...

Title devised by Library staff. Case: Berg, no. 3-57. Gift; Tom Liljenquist; 2011; (DLC/PP-2012:127). More information about this collection is available at http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.lilj Forms part of: Lil... more

Slave Pen, Alexandria, Va.

Interior. Address: 1315 Duke St., Alexandria, Virginia. Full stereo, The War for the Union. Photographic History (No. 2298). This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: V... more

Camp of 10th U.S. Colored Infantry

Civil War Photograph Collection (Library of Congress). No. 4319.

Camp of the Negro Labor crew of the Q.M. Dept, Belle Plain, Va.

No. 324. Title from item. Gift; Col. Godwin Ordway; 1948.

War views -- Army of the Potomac -- the way they cook dinner in camp

Photograph shows five Union soldiers, including one African American soldier, sitting and eating in front of tents. No. 2057. Title from item. Photographer's name from same photograph in New York Public Library... more