Black Advertising Sign Collection

Millions of anti-Black items were produced during the Jim Crow period, and these items served to justify prejudice and discrimination against Black Americans. If Black adults were childlike, for example, then they should not be allowed to vote, serve on juries, or become police officers or teachers therefore these anti-Black items both shaped and reflected attitudes toward Blacks.
Source: Ferris Sate University

The Museum of UnCut Funk takes great pride in collecting advertising signs featuring images of Blacks from the Jim Crow era. Although these items are hard to source we have managed to acquire a few original advertising signs and a number of reproductions. We believe in preserving the history of stereotypical Black depictions in early advertising to educate new generations about the depth of overt racism that once existed in this country. Preservation is the core reason why we collect.

Here is a recent interview that Sista ToFunky gave to Collector’s Quest on the Black Advertising Sign Collection: