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This collection is open for research.
Purchased in June 2024
African American Family Photograph Album (WLU Coll. 0104), Special Collections and Archives, James G. Leyburn Library, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA
This collection consists of one photograph album featuring both black and white and sepia toned gelatin silver photographs of an unidentified African American family from circa 1910-1960. There is one colored photograph of a dog sitting on a sofa. From some of the captions, it is possible that the family was from the New Jersey area. The photographs are not in chronological order. Inserted inside the album is an unidentified man's graduation photograph taken by the Sarony studio in Philadelphia.
Several photographs blurry. The are photographs of children posed with each other, on a bike, with pets (dog, cat), and with a teddy bear. There are multiple images of adult men and women. Of particular note is an image of a woman standing on the beach in circa 1920s. While most images are candid shots, there are also studio portraits that feature adults and one child posed while seated or standing. Some photographs are of men in military uniform and a couple of photographs of performers such as an unidentified music group. There is also a photograph showing a group of school children and their teacher in circa 1920s with Cape May written in the corner.