The Chimney Sweep John King Black Americana Cabinet Card 1880

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

The Chimney Sweep John King Black Americana Cabinet Card 1880:
$449.00

JOHN KING - CHIMNEY SWEEP
Circa 1880 cabinet card photo of an African American gentleman named John King. He was known far and wide, up and down the Hudson River Valley, New York. He was a Chimney Sweep. He was photographed by C.H. Gallup & Co., on Main Street, Poughkeepsie, NY. The back of the card reads: John King, the subject of this photograph, is a familiar sight on the streets of all the Hudson River towns, and even as far as Buffalo. His peculiar song, or call, is original with him, and his powerful baritone can be heard from one end of a street to the other, as he wanders about in pursuit of his advocation. We had some trouble to induce John to have his photograph taken in the act of giving his street cry, his idea being that he ought to sit for his picture in his \"Sunday clothes,\" which, of course, would have spoiled the effect. This is the very reason why many a picture is condemned as \"unnatural\" by friends of the original. We all feel better and more comfortable in ourevery-day clothes, and often the best photographs are those made on the spur of the moment, \"just as you are,\" without previous preparation.C. H. GALLOP & CO.MODERN PHOTOGRAPHERS292 and 294 MAIN STREET, POUGHKEEPSIE, N. Y.
On the bottom right of photo is \"THE SONG OF THE SWEEP.\"
It IS a museum piece. I was only able to locate one other copy of this cabinet card. It is in New York Public Library Digital Collections of African American History, which came from theSchomburg Center for Research in Black Culture/Photographs and Prints Division, located in New York City.
This photograph is very rare. It is a true gem. A glimpse of late 19th century African American and Dutchess County, New York history. Thanks very much for looking.
I send all photos by first class parcel with delivery confirmation. I gladly combine shipping for reduced rates for more than one purchase.Many more photos to come in the days ahead.Thanks for looking.Be sure to add me to your favorites list!

On Jun-15-13 at 02:52:53 PDT, seller added the following information:

Free shipping on this item within the United States only!. NO INTERNATIONAL SALES!