Coolies

Attributed to John Thomson (Scottish, 1837 - 1921)

Dateca. 1870

MediumAlbumen print

DimensionsImage and sheet: 3 7/16 × 2 1/8 inches (8.69 × 5.41 cm)
Mount: 4 1/8 × 2 7/16 inches (10.49 × 6.15 cm)

Credit LineGift of the Hall Family Foundation

Object number2015.67.81

Signednone

InscribedPrinted captions on paper, attached to mount verso, in black type: "Coolie. / Armed with a strong light bamboo, / from four to five feet long, and a few / fathoms of cord, the Chinese coolie is / one of a class whose importance to every / day comfort is scarcely enough appre- / ciated. The weight of baggage he will / carry with safety--the carefulness with / which bulky or fragile articles are for a / small sum conveyed from place to place, / and his ubiquitousness are great recom- / mendations. / [¶] Although it seems strange to say so-- / the Chinese coolie with all his unwash- / ed faults is an undoubted luxury, and / one which, if absent would be found to / be like health or strength, a necessity."

Markingsnone

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DescriptionHand colored image of five men standing near wall with ladder; they each hold a long bamboo stick and one squints his eyes as he faces the sun.

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