Johns Hopkins University collection of Black Americana materials
Collection
Identifier: MS-0844
The Johns Hopkins University collection of Black Americana materials spans from approximately 1870 to the 1950s. It is an artificially assembled collection of materials purchased and selected by the curators of Special Collections. The collection primarily consists of postcards, broadsides, and other printed ephemera that depict African American people in ways that are often racist and caricatured.
Dates
- approximately 1870-1950s
Creator
- Johns Hopkins University (Collector, Corporate Entity)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours' notice for retrieval. Contact Special Collections for more information.
This collection is located at the George Peabody Library and may require scheduling a special appointment to access it. Contact Special Collections for more information.
Additional access notes are found in the appendix to the Best Practices.
This collection is located at the George Peabody Library and may require scheduling a special appointment to access it. Contact Special Collections for more information.
Additional access notes are found in the appendix to the Best Practices.
Conditions Governing Use
Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright.
Extent
1.25 Cubic Feet (1 flat box and 2 legal full-sized boxes)
Biographical / Historical
This is an artificially assembled collection of materials purchased and selected by the curators of Special Collections. Please see the series descriptions for biographical or historical information regarding specific items.
Scope and Contents
The Johns Hopkins University collection of Black Americana materials spans from approximately 1870 to the 1950s. The collection consists of postcards, broadsides, and other printed ephemera that depict African American people in ways that are often racist and caricatured. The term "Black Americana" is used to describe such materials which are generally viewed and sold as collectors items. This collection aims not to promote or otherwise celebrate these materials, but to use them as teaching tools to critically examine the legacy of racism in the United States and the consequences of racist depictions both at the time the items were created and in their use today.
Custodial History
Some of the materials in this collection were originally a part of the Johns Hopkins University Black Americana collection, MS.0672.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection consists of purchases from various antiquarian dealers and booksellers. Please see individual series descriptions for more information.
Processing Information
This collection was processed in 2015 by Jordon Steele, with additional processing by Annie Tang and Bex Dansereau in 2017 and by Kristen Diehl in 2019.
Creator
- Johns Hopkins University (Collector, Corporate Entity)
- Turner, Huntley S. (Printer, Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Repository
Contact:
The Sheridan Libraries
Special Collections
3400 N Charles St
Baltimore MD 21218 USA
specialcollections@lists.jhu.edu
The Sheridan Libraries
Special Collections
3400 N Charles St
Baltimore MD 21218 USA
specialcollections@lists.jhu.edu