Throughout my college years, I would have a habit of constantly visiting thrift stores to the point were I developed an eye for things that people would like to personally own, at times it was hard to let things go, because it would be considered hoarding If I kept everything that peaked my interest. In short. My artistic side would say, "Keep it". My business Savvy side would say, "Sell It, You're going to make money, And you won't bug your family or roommates with your hoarding problem, If you push the items you purchased, out of the house fast enough".
Learning about this item that I picked up for $15 at store, Has a pretty bizarre backstory
So, when i spotted this item at the thrift store, I had no knowledge of what this item was about or who it belonged to. I started my way like i always did with Items i thought about keeping or selling. I would check for writings or symbols so i can look it up on my phone before purchasing. It appeared to be a person by the name of J.H. Mcgregor dated 1919, so almost 100 years old.
If someone or something is older than you, due to it's existence, it's witnessed a lot of things.
knowing that, I had to read more about this bust and where it came from.
If you had read the second to last paragraph, some of his students he taught, became notable in American history.
His early human busts could also be seen in old textbooks given to students to use in their classrooms or for homework.
The research was going well until I started noticing a man by the name of Henry Fairfield Osborn showing up everytime I read about J.H. Mcgregor.
I decided to look into Henry Fairfield Osborn Turns out he had his own wikipedia page.
Turns out also, he was the president of the American Museum of Natural History.
Turns out also, He was a Eugenist, which I thought was a bummer and a suprise to know someone with a high status as that to have such a small brain.
I analyzed the relationship between J.H. McGregor and Henry Fairfield Osborn.
They both had a connection in Columbia University, both were professors in the Zoology Department.
It turns out McGregor didn't share some of Osborns views, and made the busts for the money he was getting from Osborns theory.
However, I wouldn't doubt that McGregor at-least had some prejudice to people who didn't look like him.
It was the 1920's so it won't be surprising if he did share the same ideologies as Osborn.
Either way the theory that Henry Fairfield Osborn was debunked.
knowing all this information, I still purchased the item and kept it in my room for over 3 years.
Quite the opposite of what the average black man would do in that case. I saw the sculpture as a comical attempt to alter science and history.
I looked at this sculpture that spread false info in an important museum, where many people believed the information they were told, most of these people died taking the false info to their graves.
you should always question what people say, regardless of any status, because theres always a chance they might be wrong and lead you to the same hell hole they are headed towards.
On August 31 of 2017, when bitcoin was about $4500, I decided to sell the sculpture for $1500 to buy Bitcoin.
Suck it Osborn! I profited off of your debunked theory. ✊🏿