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ORIGINAL VINTAGE BLACK & WHITE PHOTOGRAPH — CIRCA 1955
Offered is an original vintage black-and-white photograph of six African American women wearing white professional coats, photographed together outdoors against an urban backdrop.
The photograph is an excellent example of mid-century African American vernacular photography, documenting a group of professionally dressed Black women in an urban American setting.
The women appear to be wearing professional or medical-style white coats, although their exact occupations cannot be established from the photograph alone. They may have been nurses, medical personnel, or members of another professional organization. The image is therefore being offered without an unsupported occupational identification.
IMPORTANT VISUAL DETAILS
The photograph shows:
* Six African American women
* Coordinated white professional coats/uniforms
* Mid-1950s hairstyles and clothing
* Several women wearing glasses
* An urban skyline/buildings visible behind the group
* Outdoor architectural setting
* Strong mid-century photographic composition
* Original white photographic border
The urban buildings in the background are somewhat indistinct because of the exposure and age of the photograph. The exact location has not been identified, so no specific city is being claimed.
ESTIMATED DATE
Circa 1955
Estimated range: approximately 1952–1958
The dating is based on the women’s hairstyles, clothing, eyeglasses, professional garments, photographic characteristics and the architecture visible in the background.
1955 is the best single-year estimate, but the photograph does not contain a documented date.
HISTORICAL / COLLECTOR INTEREST
This is an especially interesting photograph because it documents six African American women presenting themselves as a coordinated professional group during the mid-20th century.
It may appeal to collectors interested in:
* African American history
* Black Americana
* African American women
* Women’s history
* Professional women
* Nursing and medical history
* Vernacular photography
* Mid-century photography
* Urban history
* Original family/social photographs
* 1950s Americana
Historical collections contain numerous photographs documenting African American women working in nursing and other healthcare professions during this period. For example, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture documents African American nurses in uniform during the 1940s and postwar period.
CONDITION
Vintage condition — sold as found.
The photograph exhibits age-related characteristics including:
* Surface wear
* Minor scratches and marks
* Tonal variation
* Fading
* Slight discoloration
* General handling/storage wear
The image is somewhat soft and high-key in exposure, particularly in the background. This is part of the original photograph’s character.
The reverse is largely blank but has very faint writing/markings and a visible number “343” along the right edge.
Please examine all photographs carefully for condition and details.
The photograph has not been digitally restored or artificially enhanced.
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PHOTO DETAILS
Type: Original vintage photograph
Subject: Six African American women
Date: Circa 1955
Estimated Date Range: 1952–1958
Image: Black & White
Format: Vernacular / group photograph
Orientation: Landscape
Photographer: Unknown
Location: Unknown urban setting
Provenance: Unknown
Original/Reproduction: Original
Framing: Unframed
Quantity: 1 photograph
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SEARCH KEYWORDS
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