A rare glimpse of African-American life in the 19th century

Two portraits from the late 19th century.

Loewentheil Collection of African-American Photographs, Cornell University Library

(Left) Early 20th century.

(Right) Caption on the back reads, "Taken in the pines of the Catskill Mountains," late 19th century.

Two photos from the early 20th century.

(Loewentheil Collection of African-American Photographs, Cornell University Library)