[EARLY PHOTO-WWI] 3 Brown Brothers photos of Black subjects, incl. a soldiers' game of tug-of-war.

A group of 3 silver gelatin photographs, each with applied paper label or ink stamps on versos credited to Brown Brothers, New York, NY. Scenes include:

6 1/2 x 8 1/2 in. silver gelatin photograph of African American troops engaging in a tug-of-war contest. Verso with typed label describing the scene, "The Tug of War...The members of an infantry regiment participate in a tug of war in their camp somewhere in France. A captain of a machine gun company is serving as referee." Ink stamp indicates that the photo was released by Committee Pub. Inf. 17 April 1918.

Throughout World War I, the tug-of-war competition became a way for the soldiers to demonstrate their strength and unity in the face of adversity. Although the regiment shown in this photograph is unidentified, it is believed that predominantly African American units such as the 811th Pioneer Infantry Regiment participated in such contests. The story of the regiment's tug-of-war competition has become a symbol of African American perseverance and strength during World War I.

[With:] 2 silver gelatin photographs, 5 x 7 in., documenting both Black and white men engaged in an ostrich racing competition, ca early 1900s. During the late 19th-early 20th century, ostrich racing was common in the United States, especially in Florida, where the sport is said to be one of the state's oldest pastimes.

Brown Brothers, the first stock photo agency, was founded in New York City in 1904 by Arthur and Charles Brown. Utilized by major newspapers and political leaders, Brown Brothers' team of photographers captured noteworthy events and personalities of the early 20th century.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Tug-of-war photograph: scattered spotting, some edge and corner wear including few small chips.

Ostrich racing photographs: light soiling, edge and corner wear. One print with some slight corner loss.

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American Historical Ephemera & Photography, including African Americana

[EARLY PHOTO-WWI] 3 Brown Brothers photos of Black subjects, incl. a soldiers' game of tug-of-war.

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