lesson 11 Document 5
TITLE: Political caricature. No. 4. The miscegenation ball
CALL NUMBER: PC/US - 1864.K495, no. 2 (C size) <P&P>[P&P]
REPRODUCTION NUMBER: LC-USZ62-14828 (b&w film copy neg.)
SUMMARY: Although slightly different in format, this appears to
be the fourth in the Bromley series of anti-Republican satires.
As in no. 2 of the series, "Miscegenation or the Millenium of Abolitionism" (no.
1864-39), the artist plays on Northern fears of racial intermingling. Here,
white men are dancing and flirting with black women in a large hall. Above the
musicians' stage hangs a portrait of Abraham Lincoln. At right hangs a banner
"Universal Freedom, One Constitution, One Destiny. Abraham Lincoln Prest." The
text below further describes the scene: " The Miscegenation Ball at the
Headquarters of the Lincoln Central Campaign Club, Corner of Broadway and Twenty
Third Street New York Sept. 22d. 1864 being a perfect fac simile of the room &c.
&c. (From the New York World Sept. 23d. 1864). No sooner were the formal
proceedings and speeches hurried through with, than the room was cleared for a
"negro ball," which then and there took place! Some members of the "Central
Lincoln Club" left the room before the mystical and circling rites of
languishing glance and mazy dance commenced. But that Many remained is also
true. This fact We Certify, "that on the floor during the progress of the ball
were many of the accredited leaders of the Black Republican party, thus
testifying their faith by works in the hall and headquarters of their political
gathering. There were Republican Office-Holders, and prominent men of various
degrees, and at least one Presidential Elector On The Republican Ticket.
MEDIUM: 1 print : Lithograph on cream wove paper ; 41.4 x
52.2 cm (image)
CREATED/PUBLISHED: 1864.
RELATED NAMES:
Bromley & Co.
Kimmel & Forster.
NOTES: Title appears as it is written on the item. Lith. Kimmel
& Forster 25th & 256 Canal Street N.Y. Signed:
Thomas[?] Entered . . . 1864 by Bromley &
Co. . . . New York. Weitenkampf, p. 142
Use surrogate: either electronic image or Reilly's American Political Prints book illustration. Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1864-40.
TOPICS:
Abolitionism and abolitionists, parodied or attacked
African Americans (portrayed)
Lincoln, Abraham, anti-Lincoln satires
New York, City of
Miscegenation
FORMAT:
Political cartoons.
Lithographs.
