Rare 19Th Century African American Western Cowboy Photos African American, Early Photography African American,Photography,Western Americana

[Early Photography] [African American] Rare photo set of African American Western cowboys from the late 1800s. Both measure roughly 2.5" x 3.5". In the mid to late 1800s, 1 in 4 cowboys were Black. After emancipation, becoming a cowboy was an opportunity for Black men to own land and have job freedom. The first is a black and white albumen and shows a young African American pre-teen or teenager atop a bucking horse. The boy wears a light button up shirt, slacks, lace up boots, and he's holding a cowboy hat in his left hand, and a riding crop in his left. Behind him is an indigenous American tipi, or teepee can be found among tribes located in the Mid-West and West. The second tintype is a professional studio portrait of a young African American man. He wears three piece striped suit and a wide brimmed hat, more popularly seen in the 1890s. His striped suit and wide cowboy hat was fashion popular in the old west. These portraits come from a time after emancipation when African Americans were creating new lives for themselves. Some corrosion to one image affecting mostly the blank area to the left of the man. But the portrait is mostly clear and intact. Overall very good condition.