Back-mark information: “Rebecca, Charley and Rosa, Slave Children from New Orleans/ Photograph by Kimball, 477 Broadway, NY. / 1863/  The nett proceeds from the sale of these Photographs will be devoted exclusively to the education of colored people in the Department of the Gulf, now under the command of General Banks.”

This studio image poses the three young children [Rebecca, Charley & Rosa] standing with arms linked, & the girls dressed in grown-up bonnets and capes. The children exhibit “white” features, which illustrate the “one drop of blood” rule governing racial classification in the ante-bellum south.

By December of 1863, much of Louisiana was occupied by the Union army. Ninety-five schools serving over 9,500 students--including almost half of the black children in Louisiana--were running under its auspices (Clinton 58). But keeping these schools up and running would require ongoing financial support. Toward this end, the National Freedman's Association, in collaboration with the American Missionary Association and interested officers of the Union Army, launched a new propaganda campaign. Five children and three adults, all former slaves from New Orleans, were sent to the North on a publicity tour. A drawing of them was printed in the 30 January 1864 issue of the popular Harper's Weekly, bearing the intriguing caption: "EMANCIPATED SLAVES, WHITE AND COLORED." The authors of this campaign were pursuing a surprising, and quite effective, strategy for arousing sympathy for blacks - they portrayed them as white.

In condition, the four corners of the image have been clipped and the piece exhibits light wear & yellowing. Else crisp & clear & VG overall.   Excellent collectible.