We are happy to announce the acquisition of unique images from the Ken Ogden Collection which was sold at auction in August. The Burns Collection emphasizes the black middle and working classes who despite living in a hostile atmosphere created a parallel universe of honor, dignity and community that has continually distinguished itself. The images added to the collection portray the achievement of blacks living the American dream. Proud people showing the world how they wished to be seen. The images in clear distinction to the racist portraits so popular in many circles at the same times these photographs were created.
The Stanley B. Burns, MD collection of African-American images is one of the largest most comprehensive in the United States containing over 25,000+ vintage photographs from daguerreotypes to prints of the 1970s. A major exhibition of the works- Shadow & Substance: African American Images form the Burns Archive is traveling the United States, In 2009 it was seen at the Indiana State Museum (Inianapolis and in 2010 at the Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery, UMBC, (Baltimore).
