Featured Group picture, african american men

No writing on the back (haven't opened frame yet), so I doubt there will be any indication of why this group was pictured together. Lot of junk in the image; inside glass needs cleaning, though picture is in pretty good shape. Maybe someone can identify the clothing style or find other clues?

 

u gotta crack it open......just to see if the back has writing....
or...look up close to see and pen impressions thru the gloss..

 

Good looking group. Going to be turnish of century. Not a clue as to purpose. Professional group? Fraternal? Hope back provides information.

Debora

 

the clothing style.....there's a grand mix there....

 

the guy wearing all the pins and jewelry......don't look so black !!!!!!!

 

Well, over 80% of African-Americans have European ancestry, some more than others.

Debora

 

Tuskegee Institute with George Washington Carver front row center 1902
(Too many bow ties but the shoes look similar)

 

Presidents of Land Grant Colleges 1922

If you look closely at Jeff's picture, there are a few men with very distinct fabric on the left lapels on their suit coats...I wonder if that is significant of some particular group/order.

 

Definitely open it. If it is a James Van Der Zee print, it could be valuable.

 

Think perhaps they're Masons? Fellow in back row second from right appears to have a pin on lapel that reads "43."

Debora

 

According to a Google search lodge 43 is in Pennsylvania.

 

My bad. I was thinking of a 43rd degree but I should have done due diligence first. Masonic degrees don't go that high.

Debora

 

Looks like he has a Masonic Square and Compass on his watch chain.

 

What about that light colored fabric sewn into the left lapel? (or whatever it is)
The first three men in the back row have it and the last two in the front row have it, along with the one other man in the front row? What could that be?

 

My good?

Debora

 

You know... I just noticed that all, not just some of them, appear to be wearing frock coats. They could well be Masons.

Debora

 

1890s

 

Prince Hall Freemasonry is a branch of North American Freemasonry established by and for African Americans in 1784. Lodge 43 is located in Gary, Indiana.

 

Thanks for the interest. I opened it up, so have better pictures, but no writing anywhere. The mix of ages strikes me (so not, for example, a group of civil war vets or college reunion). Two youngest guys in the center. Some but not all have striped pants. Only one or two have pins. That's all I've got

 

Well, they're obviously educated men of standing. I would think academics or administrators not out of the question. And early 20th century, I'd think from collars.

Debora