Beschreibung:

Oversize photograph of men on horseback during La Fiesta de las Flores parade. Photographer unknown: [Los Angeles, California], n.d., ca 1901-1910. Inscription on verso "Los Angeles Fiesta Parade." Image 7.5 x 5 in. Four men are pictured on horseback in the foreground, three of them African American and the fourth white, all of them wearing cowboy hats. Three of the horses are wearing flower wreaths and some of the riders wearing sashes. In the background, a flower-laden parade float can be seen with several African American women holding American flags. The image was taken during La Fiesta de las Flores, a revival of La Fiesta de Los Angeles parade first held in April 1894 celebrating Los Angeles and Southern California's cultural heritage. It was suspended during the Spanish American War and reinstituted under the new name in 1901, being held continually thereafter until the 1940s. The event was unusual for its era as it explicitly celebrated and advertised multiculturalism, with advertisements in 1896 touting, "Spanish caballeros, Mexican vaqueros, Indians, and Chinese, a pageant, a carnival of '30,000 maskers.'" While mention of black Angelenos is not included, this image is evidence that their community was also enthusiastic participants in the festivities. Condition: Photograph is somewhat faded with some scuffs. Chips to card edges and corners.