Note with artifact: Found under a doorstep. Cast in John Reibold Foundry in Waseca, Minn. by Nate Thompson. Ornamented in Louis Kaizer's shop. John Reibold was born at Fonda, N.Y. in 1857 and came to St. Mary Township with his father in 1860. He learned the blacksmith trade at Mankato then came to Waseca and worked as a journeyman for some years and finally rented the Roland shop then standing on the southwest corner of Wood and Third streets and opened a shop for himself. In 1884 he partnered with Theo Brown and they were together for five years. In the late 1890s and early 1900s Mr. Reibold bought the interest in the Crane Foundry. As of 1905 he was the sole proprietor of a flourishing business.
This boot jack is an example of Black memorabilia, sometimes called Black Americana, objects and ephemera relating to African American and Afro-European history. Most of this material was produced from the 18th through the 20th centuries. Frequently, these household items reflect racist ideas about black people through offensive and dehumanizing caricatures.
