Group of (5) Stereographs Depicting African Americans

A group of (5) printed photograph cards, stereograph format, all measuring 3.5" x 7", Littleton, NH, dates range from 1879 to 1901. All cards except one were produced by photographer B.W. Kilburn of the Kilburn Brothers studio. Stereoscopic images, or a stereogram, refer to a pair of images that, when viewed with a stereoscope, present a 3D depth to the image. Minor foxing and bumped corners to all, with creasing to some. Does not affect the image quality. Overall very good condition. The lot includes:

1.) "460. Cotton Gin in full blast, Florida." Copyright 1879. Image of a large group of African American men, women, and children, posed in front of a barn on a plantation in Florida. 

2.) Popular Series: "In Black for A Friend". Image of an African American man, standing in profile, elegantly dressed in a black period coat and matching hat- possibly in mourning.

3.) "13281. Sacking Sugar for N.Y. at Ponce, P.R." Copyright 1899. Image of a Puerto Rican man and child holding open a sack, while another man shovels sugar from a barrel in the city of Ponce. The U.S. began its invasion and subsequent occupation of Puerto Rico during the Spanish-American War in 1898, originally as a way to seize Spanish colonies in the Atlantic. 

4.) "6908. Well 'Rastus, if you don't see me no moah, de Mule's Your'n." Copyright 1891. Image of a young man holding the reins of a mule with an older gentleman carrying a bag and umbrella looking on. Originally described in a catalog listing by manufacturer James M. Davis as 'The Reverend's last will and testament to his son'. 

5.) "14532. Cake Walk at the old Plantation, Pan American Exposition." Copyright 1901. A group of eight African Americans stylishly dressed in white and dancing in a line. The cakewalk, a dance that originated on plantations in the Southern United States, was initially meant to mock the propriety associated with dances of white society. In 1901, the Pan American Exposition would become notorious for being the location where President William McKinley was fatally shot. 

Benjamin W. Kilburn (1827-1909) is noted as one of the most prolific manufacturers of stereoscopic views, documenting such events as the inauguration of Grover Cleveland, the Boer War, the Boxer Rebellion, and the Spanish-American War.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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