The collection documents mainly Black-owned business establishments in Harlem, New York, from the 1920s to the 1980s with the bulk of the images being from the 1960s through the 1980s. Businesses include automotive dealerships, banks, grocery stores, hotels/motels, insurance companies, newspapers, restaurants/bars, retail stores and service stations. Of note are a series of feature photos on the Dunbar National Bank, Harlem, New York (1920s), the New York Amsterdam News , Harlem, New York (1950s), and the Park Avenue Market (1949). The collection also includes exterior views of business establishments frequented by African Americans. Other collections containing related images are Occupations, Education, Military, Farm Security Administration and the National Youth Administration.
Content: Some photographs bear photographer's or photography studio's handstamp on verso; some images bear photographer's signature or name printed on recto. Some items have handwritten or printed captions on verso. Somephotos have press releases attached to verso.
Content: Title devised by cataloger.
Content: Collection contains work by Otis C. Butler, James C. Campbell, and Cecil Layne, among others.
Physical Description
Extent: 111 items (.3 cubic ft., 1 box) 1 photographic print : gelatin silver, b ; 36 x 28 cm. 107 photographic prints : gelatin silver, b ; 26 x 21 cm. and smaller. 1 photomechanical print : col. ; 28 x 22 cm. 2 photographic postcards : 9 x 14 cm.