Explore Black History

1943

A hardcover, first edition version of Helen Bannerman's "Little Black Sambo" with movable paper illustrations created by Julian Wehr. The book tells the story of a little boy in India who loses his fine new clothes to the tigers. The front cover has a yellow background and blue border with wavy edges. It features an illustration of the titular character, “Little Black Sambo,” seated in front of a bush. He is wearing a red jacket, white shirt, blue pants, and dark purple and red shoes. In his proper left hand, he holds a closed green and white umbrella with an orange handle. The heads and tails of four (4) tigers with orange with black stripes, are crouched behind the bush. Black, red, and blue text reads [LITTLE BLACK / SAMBO / ANIMATED! ANIMATED! / BY HELEN BANNERMAN / ANIMATIONS BY JULIAN WEHR]. The book has a red plastic spiral binding. The book features seven (7) color illustrations with movable paper parts that are operated manually with tabs. The title page features a color illustration of “Little Black Sambo” sleeping on the grass, under a palm tree and has black printed text [LITTLE BLACK SAMBO / By / HELEN BANNERMAN / E.P. DUTTON & CO, INC. • NEW YORK]. Inscribed in black ink across the top of the title page [Eleanor Hubbard from Uncle Herman & Marie / 1943] and inscribed in pencil below is [$60.00]. The black printed text on the verso of the title page reads [COPYRIGHT, 1943 BY / DUENEWALD PRINTING CORP., NEW YORK / PRINTED IN THE U.S.A. / Created and produced by the / Duenewald Printing Corporation / New York, N.Y. / Sole agents for Wehr animation / Patent No. 219763]. The book is twenty-four (24) pages and includes illustrations and a title page.

Objects depicting racist and/or stereotypical imagery or language may be offensive and disturbing, but the NMAAHC aims to include them in the Collection to present and preserve the historical context in which they were created and used. Objects of this type provide an important historical record from which to study and evaluate racism.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer

Racist and Stereotypical Objects
Books and Published Materials

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2007.7.382

movable books

Unknown - Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

ink , paper and plastic

8 11/16 x 6 3/4 x 1/2 in. (22.1 x 17.1 x 1.3 cm)

Title • Little Black Sambo

nmaahc_2007.7.382

NMAAHC

LITTLE BLACK SAMBO

National Museum of African American History and Culture

CC0

1940s

Bannerman, Helen • E.P. Dutton • Duenewald Printing Corporation • Wehr, Julian

Children • Caricature and cartoons • Stereotypes

Images

Unknown - Restrictions Possible