Black History
1884 “The Darktown Slide. Golly! am dere an Erfquake?”
1884-Dated Hand-Colored Print, “The Darktown Slide. Golly! am dere an Erfquake?”, by Currier & Ives, Choice Extremely Fine.
This colorful, Handcolored Print measures 11.5” x 14.5” (by sight), framed to an overall size of 17.5” x 20.5”. This Print depicts a Black man and woman laying on the floor of a roller skating rink with another man with torn sleeve and hat sitting on top of them, all are wearing roller skates. As in other “Darktown” Series Prints by Currier & Ives, this print stereotypes African Americans. Minor tone, .75” tear at left edge not affecting the image. Not examined out of frame.
Prints such as the Darktown Series helped circulate images promoting racial and ethnic stereotyping of the 19th century. Currier & Ives printed what the public wanted and capitalized on racism and xenophobia of the era. There are other series of Currier & Ives prints ridiculing the Irish, the Italians, and Roman Catholics.