Set of 4 Rare Original c.1905 Prints

Card-Mounted Gelatin Silver Photographs

Depicting U.S. Postbellum Cotton Industry c.1890s

From «The Philadelphia Museums» Series:

1. COTTON MARKET — MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA

Depicts the Cotton Market in Montgomery, Alabama c.1890s. Shows independent Black farmers with their mule carts loaded with bales of cotton in Court Square outside the Alex Rice Men’s Tailor & Clothier Store (just before the store relocated). The view is looking southwest, with Montgomery Street at the far right.

The following stores are also visible in the picture: Jacobs and E. C. Andrew Drugs, J. E. Maddox Wholesale/Retail, S. H. Kress & Co. (five-and-ten store), Charles Hann (footwear), Alex Rice, Capitol Clothing Store, and Simon Gassenheimer.

2. PICKING COTTON — ARKANSAS

Depicts a crew of 11 people (both white and black) picking cotton in the field, apparently dressed in heavy clothing for a cool day, and another crew member standing by with a mule cart. On the back of the card is a description of what is shown in the picture.

3. BALING COTTON — ARKANSAS

Depicts one man working a cotton press while two other men are busy tying a finished bale. On the back of the card is a description of the process.

4. COTTON GINS — ARKANSAS

Depicts the upper room of a gin house in Arkansas, with a crew of four men (both white and black) working the ginning machines. On the back of the card is a very detailed description of the operation shown in the photo.

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To be clear, the scenes appearing in the photos are from c.1890s, and the set of cards was created c.1905. The photos themselves are early card-mounted gelatin silver (similar to a cabinet card), approx. 9¼» x 7″, on a 12″ x 9½» mount, which is stamped «The Philadelphia Museums.» The rear of each mount is printed with a detailed description of what is portrayed in the photograph.

The Philadelphia Museums Photo Series: These cards are a subset of a larger, international series created c.1905 by the Philadelphia Commercial Museum (originally known as The Philadelphia Museums), which opened in 1893 with the aim to extend America’s trading empire by instructing the public in global markets, tastes, and methods of manufacturing. The museum developed a collection of raw materials, products, and machines, as well as photographs to illustrate complex industries. This photographic series was produced specifically for the teaching of commercial geography in Pennsylvania’s public school system, with the aim of preparing America’s future brokers and manufacturers.

[ CONDITION… ]

— All are in lovely antique condition, from a non-smoking environment. Well preserved, with no signs of abuse and no moisture damage.

— A bit of age chipping at edges of the mounts. One photo has a blemish in the emulsion near the left edge; another has a small stain. See closeup photo of these issues.

— There is normal age loss to the applied silvering used for the caption and attribution («The Philadelphia Museums») on the front of the cards. The process that they used to print the lettering—since it is not debossed (indented)—was prone to loss of silvering.

— There is slight age curvature to the cards—which is a typical condition with large cabinet-card-style mounts. (See final photo.)

A rare and lovely piece of history!

The above is my good-faith attempt to disclose all noteworthy issues. Keep in mind that vintage/antique items always show their age. (Don’t we all!?) It would be impossible to mention every tiny detail, so please expect that there will be something about this item (or lot) that’s not perfect and may need touch-up.

PLEASE SUPERSIZE ALL PHOTOS, AND ASK ALL QUESTIONS BEFORE BIDDING/BUYING. I’LL BE GLAD TO ANSWER.

[ ALL ABOUT SHIPPING… ]

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