Lot 152

Jim Crow-Era Photograph of African-American Man, Likely In Thomasville, GA, Ca. 1890

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Jim Crow-Era Photograph of African-American Man, Likely In Thomasville, GA, Ca. 1890

Estimate: $300 - $400

Starting Bid: $100

(0 Bids)

June 17, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
Wilton, CT, US

Description:

19th C. Photography
n.p. but probably Thomasville, GA, ca. 1890
Jim Crow-Era Photograph of African-American Man, Likely In Thomasville, GA, Ca. 1890
Photograph

An albumen photograph showing an elderly African-American laborer standing by an ox-cart in front of some turn-of-the-century storefronts. N.d. but ca. 1890. The location is likely Thomaston, Georgia. The sepia-colored photograph has been laid down on brown paper, and cropped at the corners. Expected wear including wrinkles, scuffs, and an isolated closed tear found along the left edge. A former collector has pen-inscribed some notes verso, which we do not believe to be correct. Else very good. 7.75" x 4.5"

The probably location of this photo, Thomasville, Georgia, is the seat of Thomas County, located in southwestern Georgia along the Florida state line. The two business establishments visible in the background - "E.M Mallette / Real Estate & / Insurance Agent / Notary Public" and "R.L. Hicks & Co. / Drug-Store" - both operated in Thomasville around the turn of the century. There are numerous advertisements for both E.M. Mallette and R.L. Hicks in historical newspapers from Thomasville, Georgia, ca. 1890-1905. These can be accessed through the Georgia Historic Newspapers database, which is part of the Digital Library of Georgia.

The identity of the man in the foreground is unknown, although considering his advanced age and the approximate era of the photograph, he may have been a former enslaved person. The contents of the cart are hard to distinguish. We see old clothing, vegetation, and kindling, suggesting that perhaps the cart driver was a trash collector or rag-and-bone man. The photograph also shows three other Black men and boys just visible in the middle ground under the shade of the drug store awning. A haunting glimpse into the Jim Crow-era South.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.75" x 4.5"
  • Medium: Photograph

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000