Unloading watermelons

Description

A modern print made from a glass plate negative showing street vendors selecting stock from a boat loaded with watermelons at Bowly's Wharf in Baltimore, Maryland. These merchants are possibly arabbers, or horse-cart vendors, which is a term unique to Baltimore. Recognized as a primarily African American folk tradition by the Arabber Preservation Society, these fresh produce sellers have operated in the city since the early 19th century.