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Military, 1905-1946

 Series

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

This is a collection of approximately 1018 real photo postcards portraying African Americans, dating from approximately 1905 to approximately 1946. Each postcard is approximately 3½ by 5½ inches with a black-and-white photograph on one side and a postcard format on the reverse. Although these were printed in postcard format, they are not regular postcards. Real photo postcards are actual photographs which were typically printed in tiny editions, from one to perhaps twenty copies; regular postcards are mass-produced. In the present collection a few have been mailed as postcards, with ink text and postage on the reverse. Some have informal written notes of identification or greetings to relatives and friends. Most are blank.

The collection contains 403 portraits of women; 143 portraits of men; 89 group portraits of families and gatherings; 38 portraits of children; 60 portraits of rural life. There are rare photographs of the return of the 10th Cavalry "Buffalo Soldiers," at the Battle of Carrizal, Mexico, in 1916; in addition to black soldiers in World War I; black sports figures; prisoners in chain gangs; blacks in such occupations as sheep tenders, sod breakers, resort wheelchair drivers, limousine chauffeurs, turpentine distillers, and other roles. One photograph documents a lynching in Russellville, Kentucky in 1908. Several illustrate racial stereotypes.

Dates

  • Creation: 1905-1946

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours' notice for retrieval. Please contact Special Collections for more information.

Collection is open for use.

Extent

From the Collection: 0.63 Cubic Feet (3 cardfile boxes (12.5 x 6.5 x 4.5 inches))

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Existence and Location of Originals

Item 0677 is either missing or a number was inadvertently skipped when numbering the items during processing.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
The Sheridan Libraries
Special Collections
3400 N Charles St
Baltimore MD 21218 USA