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Strong's Dime Caricatures, No. 3: South Carolina Topsey in a Fix
- Creator:
- T.W. Strong
- Location:
- New York, New York
- Origin Date:
- 1861
- Materials:
- paper
- Measurements:
- overall: 11 1/8 in x 15 1/2 in
- Item ID:
- 71.2009.081.0130
- Holding Institution:
- Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum
- Available for Viewing:
- No
- Category:
- Fine Art
Description
The third in a series of anti-secessionist prints published in 1861, this cartoon pictures a scene unfolding on a front porch. Topsey, the mischievous slave child from Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" represents the state of South Carolina and stands before an elegantly-dressed woman holding a flag. Topsey says, "Never had no father, nor mother, nor nothing! I was raised by speculators! I's mightly wicked, anyhow! What makes me ack so? Dun no, missis-I 'spects cause I'd so wickd." The woman responds: "So, Topsey, you're at the bottom of this piece of wicket work-picking stars out of this sacred Flag! What would your forefathers say, do you think? I'll just hand you over to the new overseer, Uncle Abe. He'll fix you!" An eagle is perched in the right foreground. Another slave runs off the porch saying, "Hand us over to ole Abe, eh? Ize off!" The print is titled across the bottom margin, "South Carolina Topsey in a Fix." The top of the cartoon reads, "Strong's Dime Caricatures. -No. 3." Part of The Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum For more information on this political cartoon series, see "Lincoln Lore" number 1691, January, 1979, pages 3-4.