Tramp Art, "Return from the Honeymoon Tour"

S. l. (Chicago [?]): s. n. , 1881. Very good. Albumen print on a card mount, behind glass in a tramp art frame, n. d. (print ca 1881, frame ca 1900); image approx. 4 1/4 x 6, frame 6 3/4 x 8; print with a crease to upper left corner, light age-toning, and a few small spots (not examined outside of the frame); frame recto gilded, with minor flaking of paint and light dust-dulling; overall in very good condition.Originally created for Harper's Weekly by Sol Eytinge in 1878, the scene was one in a racist series of African-American caricatures, which revolved around the courtship and marriage of two women - "The Twins." Shown strolling down the street, hand in hand with their new husbands, the features and gestures of the four were greatly exaggerated, mocking their attempts at copying white society's refined manners. Around them were children, friends, and family - staring and pointing - and an older woman, leaning on a tree, almost doubled over in laughter at the spectacle.