Allen Houston Brock Photograph Collection, PhC.109
Abstract
This collection contains portraits of African American men and women, most unidentified c. 1870-1907. Roughly half of the collection consists of tintypes measuring, at the smallest, 1"x1.75" (Gem size) to the largest at 2.5"x3.75" (Bon Ton size). The Bon Ton (translated from French, "good tone") and Gem sizes were popular terms used to market a photographer's varying sizes. All of the tintypes in this collection depict African Americans ranging from children to seniors.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Allen Houston Brock Photograph Collection
- Call Number
- PhC.109
- Creator
- Brock, Allen Houston, 1920-1999.
- Date
- 1887-1907
- Repository
- State Archives of North Carolina
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], PhC.109, Allen Houston Brock Photograph Collection, State Archives of North Carolina; Raleigh, NC.
Collection Overview
This collection contains portraits of African American men and women, most unidentified c. 1870-1907. Roughly half of the collection consists of tintypes measuring, at the smallest, 1"x1.75" (Gem size) to the largest at 2.5"x3.75" (Bon Ton size). The Bon Ton (translated from French, "good tone") and Gem sizes were popular terms used to market a photographer's varying sizes. All of the tintypes in this collection depict African Americans ranging from children to seniors. The Bon Ton size is well represented in this collection and was the most popular size tintype produced. These two sizes were often placed into cardboard sleeves with a round viewing window thought to emulate the more expensive wooden and composite ambrotype cases made in years prior. Two Gem size examples of this are found in the collection (PhC.109.09, PhC.109.17). Allen Houston Brock (1920-1999), an antique dealer in Raleigh, NC collected the images while living in the city. Given that these photographs were collected by an antique dealer, it does not appear that the individuals represented in the photographs are related by blood or circumstance, although it is possible that the photographs originated in the vicinity of North Carolina.
Arrangement Note
This collection does not have a specific arrangement
Biographical/Historical
Contents of the Collection
Card photograph depicting B. F. Fairchild in service uniform. Back is inscribed, "B. F. Fairchild, Battery 'A' 2nd arty". Probably soldier in Spanish-American War, however no matching name was found in any military roster or genealogical records. No date; estimated 1898-1900. Cronenberg Photo Studio; Wilmington, NC. (Card Photograph, 2.5"x3.25")
Postmortem photograph of an African American girl lying on her back. No date; estimated 1890-1900. Watson Fine Art Gallery and Photo Studio; Raleigh, NC (Card Photograph, 3.25"x5")
Halftone photograph mounted on thin cardboard depicting W. C. Strudwick (1884-1932) in Shaw University football uniform. Bottom of photograph is inscribed, W. C. Strudwick R. G. (presumably, Right Guard). Strudwick would later graduate from Leonard Medical School (class of 1912) at Shaw University and become a practicing physician in Durham, NC. No date; estimated 1904-1907. Unknown Photo Studio (Clipping, 2.25"x4.5")
Card photograph of an unidentified African American woman. No date; estimated 1890-1900. A. H. Plecker Photo Studio; Lynchburg, VA. (Carte de Visite, 2.5"x4.25")
Small mounted photograph depicting a young African American man with the name Jimmy printed below. No date; estimated 1890-1900. Unknown Photo Studio (Mounted Photograph, 2"x2.5")
Bon Ton size tintype of an unidentified African American woman approximately 35-40 years old. No date; estimated 1870-1880. Unknown Photo Studio (Tintype 2.5"x3.25")
Gem size tintype of a young African American boy. No date; estimated 1870-1885. Unknown Photo Studio (Tintype, 1"x1.75")
Bon Ton size tintype of an African American woman approximately 25-30 years old. No date; estimated 1870-1885. Unknown Photo Studio (Tintype, 2"x2.5")
Gem size tintype of a young African American girl approximately 10-12 years old in cardboard case. No date; estimated 1885-1895. Unknown Photo Studio (Tintype, 1.75"x2.75"
Bon Ton size tintype of a young African American girl approximately 8-10 years old. No date; estimated 1870-1885. Unknown Photo Studio (Tintype, 2.5"x3.75")
Bon Ton size tintype of an African American young woman approximately 16-20 years old. No date; estimated 1870-1885. Unknown Photo Studio (Tintype, 2.5"x3.75")
Gem size tintype of an African American approximately 25-30 years old. No date; estimated 1880-1890. Unknown Photo Studio (Tintype, 1.75"x2.5")
Small tintype of a young African American woman approximately 15-20 years old. No date; estimated 1870-1885. Appears to be a cut section of an originally larger photograph, probably Bon Ton size. Unknown Photo Studio (Tintype, 1.25"x3.5")
Bon Ton size tintype of an African American man approximately 25-30 years old. No date; estimated 1870-1885. Unknown Photo Studio (Tintype, 2.5"x3.75")
Bon Ton size tintype of an African American young woman approximately 15-20 years old. No date; estimated 1870-1885. Unknown Photo Studio (Tintype, 2.5"x3.75")
Bon Ton size tintype of an African American man approximately 18-25 years old. No date; estimated 1880-1890. Unknown Photo Studio (Tintype, 2.5"x3.75")
Gem size tintype of an African American man approximately 35-40 years old in cardboard case. Back in inscribed, "Tallahasee, Fla, Feby 1 1893, Give it to every one that woud (want) it- for you know it don't fafour (favor) me I had them taken for the friend of this town I had 17 taken and all out bout this one." [sic] 1 February 1893, Unknown Photo Studio (Tintype, 1.75"x2.75")
Bon Ton size tintype of an African American woman approximately 25-30 years old. No date; estimated 1870-1885. Unknown Photo Studio (Tintype, 2.5"x3.75")
Bon Ton size tintype of an older African American woman approximately 65-70 years old. No date; estimated 1870-1885. Unknown Photo Studio (Tintype, 2.5"x3.75")