Object Details
- Description
- A black-and-white photograph postcard of a thriving barbershop in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, circa 1910. Captured in the midst of various grooming services, this rare portrait shows a small but full shop; men being shaved, one man having his shoes shined, two men standing at a glad counter, and several other men seated or standing – and all looking towards the camera. Barbershops played a vital role in the cultural and economic development of African American communities. It was a space where African American men interacted with each other, regardless of age, class, education, occupation, etc., serving as the backbone of many black communities and their role of strengthening black male identity in America was vital.
- At the bottom of left of the postcard picture, in dark ink, is the inscription: [JJ Cotten Shop / Okl.]. According to Cowan’s Auctions, “census records and city directories list a Jessie J. Cotton who operated a barbershop that was located in Oklahoma City.”
- Data Source
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Photograph by
- Unidentified
- Subject of
- J. J. Cotten, American
- Unidentified Man or Men
- Date
- ca. 1910
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Medium
- ink on wove paper
- Dimensions
- H x W: 3 3/8 × 5 7/16 in. (8.6 × 13.8 cm)
- Type
- portraits
- photographic postcards
