[Portrait Photo Album]: African-Americans, Mostly From Detroit -

Detroit, Michigan, 1880. Hardcover. Very Good. Large quarto album. Embossed illustrated celluloid front board with figured cloth spine and rear board, metal clasp (lacking the hasp). 20 cabinet card albumen photographs inserted in thick card leaves with gilt edges. Some damage to the pages (probably from removing the images) and tape repairs, very good; a few of the images are a bit faded but they are mostly about fine. Portraits of well-dressed and seemingly prosperous African-Americans, both male and female; none are identified. More than half of the portraits have Detroit photographer's marks; others are from Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and a couple of other locations. 19th Century albums featuring African-Americans are very uncommon.