[EARLY PHOTOGRAPHY]. REIMER, B.F., photographer. CDV of identified African American woman, Amy Smith. Philadelphia, PA, [1876].

2 1/4 x 3 5/8 in. CDV on cardstock mount (toning, light soiling/spotting throughout, possible pen mark to right edge, wear to mount corners). Subject identified in ink on mount recto: "Amy Smith, aged 17. 1876." Photographer's imprint on verso along with ink inscription reading, "died March 23d 1878." Bust portrait features the teenaged Smith wearing a plaid dress, her hair pulled back with a headband.

The index of Philadelphia death certificates from 1803-1915 returned data for an African American woman named Amy Smith who died and was buried in March of 1878, at the age of 19. Her burial place is listed as Harmonial Cemetery, likely the burial ground then-owned by African Friends to Harmony, a mutual aid society founded in 1826. The society sought to provide a place for low income African Americans to be buried with dignity, and between the years 1861 and 1882, over 200 people were buried at the site, located at 41st and Chestnut Streets. A portion of the burial site was purchased in 1986 as a vacant lot by the University of Pennsylvania, which only recently became aware of the cemetery's existence. Source: Belefanti, Chantale. "Monument." Philadelphia Tribune, December 2, 2020.

Hindman strives to describe historic materials in a manner that is respectful to all communities, providing descriptive contexts for objects where possible. The nature of historical ephemera is such that some material may represent positions, language, values, and stereotypes that are not consistent with the current values and practices at Hindman.

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Katie Horstman

VP, Head of Department, American Historical Ephemera and Early Photography

[email protected]513.666.4958

Ms. Horstman has spent over a decade specializing in historic photography and Americana at auction. During her tenure, she has overseen several notable single owner auctions, including property from the inventory of celebrated Americana and antique arms expert Norm Flayderman. During her time with the firm, she has maintained an active membership in the Daguerreian Society. Ms. Horstman holds an MA in Art History from the University of Cincinnati and a BA in Art History from The Ohio State University.

African Americana

[EARLY PHOTOGRAPHY]. REIMER, B.F., photographer. CDV of identified African American woman, Amy Smith. Philadelphia, PA, [1876].

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