African American Studio Portraiture and Self-Presentation in the Interwar Period, Wallet Photograph Archive, ca. 1920s–1930s

African American Photography

Photograph

Archive of fourteen small-format studio portrait photographs depicting African American men, women, and children during the interwar period, offering a focused visual record of self-representation, dress, and identity formation within Black communities in the era of segregation. Produced within commercial studio settings, the portraits reflect the role of photography as a means of asserting dignity, respectability, and participation in modern visual culture at a time when mainstream representations of African Americans were limited and often distorted. The sitters appear in a range of composed poses, including formally dressed men in suits and ties—some wearing brimmed hats associated with urban style and aspirational identity—and women presented with direct, composed gazes emphasizing self-possession and presentation. Additional images include subjects in more casual or work attire, indicating a spectrum of social and occupational identities while maintaining the shared conventions of studio portraiture. Two photographs of children extend the archive across generations, underscoring the importance of photographic images within family and community networks.

Fourteen original photographs, ca. 1920s–1930s, primarily sepia-toned silver gelatin prints, with one example featuring hand-colored background elements. Each photograph is small “wallet-size,” ranging approximately from 1.25 x 1.25 inches to 2.5 x 1.25 inches. The images are tightly framed, consistent with commercial studio production, and feature neutral or lightly decorative backdrops. Several subjects appear in multiple poses, suggesting a shared studio session or related photographic context. The format indicates intended use as personal keepsakes, exchanged portraits, or album inserts within kinship and social networks. General wear consistent with age and handling, including creasing, edge wear, and surface abrasions; two images exhibit notable fading and reduced contrast. The remaining photographs retain clear detail and tonal range. Overall condition good. A cohesive vernacular archive documenting African American portrait practices and social identity in the early twentieth century.

Item #19004

Price: $580.00