Ham and Sam the Minstrel Team

Object/Artifact

-

Jefferson County Museum

Name/Title

Ham and Sam the Minstrel Team

Entry/Object ID

1684

Description

Tin toy with an African American man sitting at a piano (b) and another African American man holding a banjo attached to the piano (a). They are dressed in red, white and green outfits. On front of piano is "HAM AND SAM 'THE MINSTREL TEAM' TRADE MARK". Below that is sheet music with "DIXIE BLUES" at top. On back of piano is a mime standing on a globe that says "TOYS". The mime is holding a banner that says "STRAUSS". Below the mime is "THE FERDINAND STRAUSS CORPORATION New York, U.S.A. PATENTED BY U A M CO. OCT. 1921 OTHER PATENTS PENDING". Reflects racist stereotypes of Jim Crow era.

Acquisition

Accession

79

Source or Donor

Read, Eleanor Perry

Acquisition Method

Gift

Made/Created

Date made

circa 1921

Material

Metal