Photographing 20th century Black American memorabilia on store shelves is the focus of this book. The presentation of these items underscore the irony of buying and selling, a reference to the slave trade. Scattered about the premises, the collectables are tagged ready to be bought: black child salt and peppershakers and housekeeper cookie jars. As I scouted the store shelves, I framed the item in contrast with what was in proximity to it without the interference of their position. The tattered black doll is contrasted with the pristine white doll, the frightened little mammy figurine near a wide smiling mouse. Soulless white eyes are sewn onto jet-black cloth to mimic the skin of its model. Their bright red smiles hide an urge to escape from collectors’ hands. That color red symbolizes the hostile and corrupted bloodline that runs through the veins of every Black American in history to me.