Watermelon Shipping, Norfolk, Va., 1913-1918

01

Artifact Overview

This colorful postcard reminds us that sailing ships remained critical to coastal trade into the 20th century, and that African Americans operated these vessels. This more accurately conveys the economic relationship between African Americans and watermelons than did racists depictions of African Americans, stereotyped with exaggerated features, eating watermelon.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Postcard

Date Made

1913-1918

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

37.102.221

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Printing (Process)

Color

Multicolored

Dimensions

Height: 3.5 in
Width: 5.5 in

Inscriptions

front, bottom: 71200 WATERMELON SHIPPING, NORFOLK, VA. back, top left: "PHOSTINT" / TRADE MARK, REG. U.S. PAT. OFF. / MADE ONLY BY DETROIT PUBLISHING CO.
Watermelon Shipping, Norfolk, Va., 1913-1918