Lautz Bro’s and Co.’s soaps Buffalo NY. U.S.A. Beat that if you can. [graphic].

Lautz Bro’s and Co.’s soaps Buffalo NY. U.S.A. Beat that if you can. [graphic].

African American men -- Caricatures and cartoons.

Chemical industry -- New York -- Buffalo.

Cleaning.

Racism in popular culture.

Soaps.

Afro-Americana.

Racist trade card depicting a well-dressed white man "cleaning" an African American man. The men smile and stand behind a laundry bucket of soapy water marked "Beat That If You Can. Soaps" on a table labeled "U.S.A." The white man holds the top of the African American’s head with his left hand and a soapy brush with his right. The African American man looks toward the white man and raises up his left hand. The right half of his face is depicted with a white skin tone. The white man has mutton chops, and wears a brown jacket, a blue bowtie, and a monocle. The black man wears a red button-down shirt with an open collar. Lautz Bros. & Co. was originally founded in 1853 in Buffalo, New York as the Lautz Company by German immigrant Wilhelm Lautz Sr. After his death in 1866, his wife, sons, and grandsons continued to run the firm from Buffalo, New York through the early 20th century.

Library Company of Philadelphia

New York: Chas. Shields’ Sons, 20 & 22 Gold St., [ca. 1885]

1 print : chromolithograph ; sheet 11 x 8 cm (4.5 x 3 in.)

Goldman Trade Card Collection - Lautz [P.2017.95.102]