NMAAHC Collections Search

Tin chewing tobacco tag with "Black Maria" and stereotypical figure

Distributed by: Taylor Brothers Co., American, founded 1883

Medium: enamel on metal
Dimensions: H x W: 7/8 × 5/8 in. (2.2 × 1.6 cm)

Type: tags

Place used: United States, North and Central America

Date: ca. 1929

Description: This tin chewing tobacco tag has a yellow background with a dark figure on the front wearing an ornate headdress with a red weapon in her left hand. She wears a yellow cloth around her waist and points to the right with her free hand. The text [Black Maria] is in red next to the figure. The tag back is blank metal, with two small protruding triangular shaped prongs, one at the top and at the bottom of the pin. Each prong is folded flat against the metal back.

Topic: African American; Advertising; Caricature and cartoons; Stereotypes

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, Gift of Hiram-Alfredo Rodríguez-Mora

Object number: 2017.11

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Memorabilia and Ephemera

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Tuesday Magazine, Vol. 6, No. 3

Published by: Tuesday Publications, Inc., American, 1965 - 1970s
Edited by: Evans, William Leonard Jr., American, 1914 - 2007
Subject of: Sesame Street, American, founded 1969; Long, Loretta, American, born 1938; Robinson, Matt, American, 1937 - 2002
Owned by: Robinson, Avis Collins, American, born 1954

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 12 7/8 × 10 7/8 in. (32.7 × 27.6 cm)

Type: magazines (periodicals)

Place printed: Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date: November 1970

Description: Edition of Tuesday Magazine, Vol. 6, No. 3. The cover has black printed text at the top and graphics below. The text reads [NATIONAL / EDITION Tuesday / MAGAZINE] with [NOVEMBER 1970 · ISSUED MONTHLY] in the upper right corner. A list of topics discussed in the magazine is below this [PRO FOOTBALL / THE 1970 ALL-ROOKIE TEAM / THE NEGRO IN WORLD HISTORY / CHAKA THE GREAT / SOUL FOOD / A REALLY WILD THANKSGIVING]. The front cover has an image of a scene on Sesame Street. On the left are co-hosts Susan, played by Loretta Long, and Gordon, played by Matt Robinson, leaning against a prop brick wall. At the top of the wall are the Sesame Street characters Roosevelt Franklin, Betty Lou, Bert, and Ernie [left to right]. The lower right corner reads [SESAME STREET: WHERE THE PRE-SCHOOL REVOLUTION IS HAPPENING/PAGE 20]. There are various articles and advertisements in the issue. The back cover has a Kool cigarettes advertisement. The magazine has forty (40) pages.

Topic: African American; Advertising; Amusements; Business; Caricature and cartoons; Children; Education; Foodways; Football; Mass media; United States--Social life and customs

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2018.17.11.8

Restrictions & Rights: © Tuesday Publications, Inc, 1970. Permission required for use.

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Published Works

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Walt Disney's Uncle Remus

Created by: The Walt Disney Company, American, founded 1923
Attributed to: Harris, Joel Chandler, American, 1845 - 1908
Owned by: Bailey, Jan, American, 1942 - 2010

Medium: cardboard, vinyl, paper, ink
Dimensions: H x W (Cardboard Sleeve): 12 3/8 × 12 1/2 in. (31.4 × 31.8 cm); H x W (Paper Sleeve): 11 7/8 × 12 1/16 in. (30.2 × 30.6 cm); H x W (Index Card): 3 1/2 × 5 1/2 in. (8.9 × 14 cm); Diameter (Vinyl Record): 11 7/8 in. (30.2 cm)

Type: long-playing records

Date: 1969

Description: Walt Disney's Uncle Remus featuring music from the soundtrack of "Song of the South." Record cover is yellow with color illustrations of the actor James Baskett, who played the Disney character Uncle Remus, as well as Brer Rabbit. Each character stands on a green field with stylized flowers. Surrounding the characters are butterflies. On the PR shoulder of Uncle Remus sits a blue bird with wings extended. At the top in the upper left corner is a logo for Disneyland Records. In the upper right corner is a number in black text [1205]. At the top in the upper fourth, is the title of the album. The first two (2) lines of text are in black, the third line, also of the largest font, is purple [All the Songs from/WALT DISNEY'S/Uncle Remus]. In the upper right quadrant, below the title, is a sample song list [Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah/Sooner or Later/Uncle Remus Said/How Do You Do/and others]. Along the bottom is a line of black text [Music from the Original Sound Track of Song of the South]. On the back are still images from the film, "Song of the South" as well as a small summary and song listing.

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Children; Film; Music; Stereotypes

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Object number: 2013.201.3abc

Restrictions & Rights: © 1963 Walt Disney Productions. Permission required for use.

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Media Arts-Audio Recordings

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

When The War Breaks Out In Mexico I'm Going To Go to Montreal

Composed by: Breuer, Ernest, 1886 - 1981
Written by: Walsh, J. Brandon, American, 1882 - 1955
Subject of: Tucker, Sophie
Published by: Will Rossiter Publisher, American
Owned by: McDonald, Vernon Sugg, American, 1906 - 1982; Sugg, Mary Elizabeth, American, 1839 - 1915

Medium: ink on paper
Dimensions: H x W: 13 7/8 × 10 7/16 in. (35.2 × 26.5 cm)

Type: sheet music

Place collected: Sonora, Tuolumne County, California, United States, North and Central America
Place printed: Chicago, Illinois, United States, North and Central America

Date: 1914

Description: Sheet music for the song When The War Breaks Out In Mexico I'm Going To Go To Montreal. The front cover features an illustration of a caricatured African American man running and following a sign for Montreal. To the left of the illustration there is a black and white photograph of Sophie Tucker. Blue type on top portion of front cover reads: [Written for laughing purposes only! / WHEN THE WAR BREAKS OUT IN MEXICO / I'M GOING TO GO TO MONTREAL / WORDS BY / J. BRANDON WALSH / MUSIC BY / ERNEST BREUER / WRITERS OF / "MOTHER GOOSE'S TANGO BALL" / "THE IRISH TANGO." ETC / Published for / BAND and ORCHESTRA]. The publisher’s logo in the bottom right of the cover reads: [Will Rossiter / The Chicago Publisher / 136 W. Lake St. Chicago, Ill. / Copyright MCMXIV By Will Rossiter]. There is a signature in the bottom left hidden in the illustration that reads [STARMER]. The interior of the sheet music consist of four pages of music bars and notes, in black print, for the song. The back cover features advertisements for additional songs in blue print.

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Minstrel (Music)

Credit Line: Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sylvia Alden Roberts

Object number: 2014.275.20

Restrictions & Rights: Public domain

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Documents and Published Materials-Sheet music

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Candle snuffer depicting a caricature of a man's head

Created by: Unidentified

Medium: brass (alloy)
Dimensions: 1 3/4 x 13 1/4 x 1 3/8 in. (4.4 x 33.7 x 3.5 cm)

Type: candle snuffers

Date: 20th century

Description: A brass candle snuffer depicting a caricature of a man's head. The man is wearing a brimmed hat. The interior of the snuffer is hollow in order to be placed over a lit candle. The handle is a thin piece of brass.

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Domestic life; Stereotypes

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

Object number: 2007.7.100

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Tools and Equipment-Domestic; Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Figurine in the form of a caricatured African woman and child

Created by: Unidentified

Medium: ceramic , metal , paint
Dimensions: 6 1/4 x 2 1/4 x 2 1/4 in. (15.9 x 5.7 x 5.7 cm)

Type: figurines

Date: 20th century

Description: A figurine in the form of a caricatured African woman and child. Both of the figures are wearing red and white scalloped, striped skirts. The woman is holding a gold spear in her proper right hand and is wearing gold hoop earrings. Woman and child are standing on a purple and teal base. Child is connected to female using two small metal rod attached to the woman's leg and the child's back and head.

Topic: African American; Africa; Caricature and cartoons; Stereotypes

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

Object number: 2007.7.101

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Bobblehead doll in the form of "Mammy"

Created by: Bouge, Cindee, American

Medium: papier mâché , metal and glass
Dimensions: 10 1/4 x 3 3/4 x 4 7/8 in. (26 x 9.5 x 12.4 cm)

Type: character dolls

Date: 2000-2007

Description: A papier mâché bobblehead doll in the form of "Mammy." The doll's head and body are attached by a metal spring. Her nose, cheeks, and lips are red. The figure has glass eyes with brown irises. A white kerchief with black polka dots covers her head. She has bare feet and is wearing a yellow dress with black polka dots. The dress has a black ruffle over the breast and a black shawl is tied around her neck. Her breasts and backside protrude out from the body. The figure is mounted on a round black base. Signed on the back, at the bottom right [Cindee / Bouge].

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Craftsmanship; Stereotypes

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

Object number: 2007.7.110

Restrictions & Rights: © Cindee Bouge. Permission required for use.

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Papier mâché container in the form of "Mammy's" head

Created by: Bouge, Cindee, American

Medium: paint on papier mâché and cloth
Dimensions: 8 1/4 x 8 x 8 1/2 in. (21 x 20.3 x 21.6 cm)

Type: containers

Date: 2003

Description: Papier mâché container in the form of "Mammy's" head. The container is spherical, with a round hole cut out at the top, revealing a hollow inside. The face has a prominent nose and large red lips. Yellow flower-print fabric is adhered around the head and tied as a kerchief. The print features blue, red, and yellow flowers with green stems. The bottom of the container is signed, in black [Cindee / Bouge / 2003]

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Craftsmanship; Domestic life; Stereotypes

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

Object number: 2007.7.111

Restrictions & Rights: © Cindee Bouge. Permission required for use.

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Five figurines in the form of caricatured male musicians

Created by: Unidentified

Medium: ceramic
Dimensions: H x W x D (2007.7.141.1): 2 15/16 × 1 15/16 × 1 1/2 in. (7.5 × 4.9 × 3.8 cm); H x W x D (2007.7.141.2): 2 3/4 × 1 7/16 × 1 1/2 in. (7 × 3.7 × 3.8 cm); H x W x D (2007.7.141.3): 2 3/4 × 1 11/16 × 1 3/4 in. (7 × 4.3 × 4.4 cm); H x W x D (2007.7.141.4): 2 3/4 × 1 5/8 × 1 1/8 in. (7 × 4.1 × 2.9 cm); H x W x D (2007.7.141.5): 2 11/16 × 1 3/4 × 1 1/2 in. (6.8 × 4.4 × 3.8 cm)

Type: figurines

Date: ca. 1930-1940s

Description: 2007.7.141.1:; A ceramic figurine in the form of a caricatured male musician playing the clarinet while sitting on a red ottoman. The musician is wearing a black suit with a black tie over a white shirt. The man’s skin and hair are painted the same color black as the suit and his lips are painted red. The clarinet is painted gold. There is a hole on the bottom of figurine.; 2007.7.141.2:; A ceramic figurine in the form of a caricatured male musician playing the saxophone while sitting on a red ottoman. The musician is wearing a black suit with a black tie over a white shirt. The man’s skin and hair are painted the same color black as the suit and his lips are painted red. The saxophone is painted gold. There is a hole on the bottom of figurine.; 2007.7.141.3:; A ceramic figurine in the form of a caricatured male musician playing a drum while sitting on a red ottoman. The musician is wearing a black suit with a black tie over a white shirt. The man’s skin and hair are painted the same color black as the suit and his lips are painted red. The drum and drum mallets are painted gold. There is a hole on the bottom of figurine.; 2007.7.141.4:; A ceramic figurine in the form of a caricatured male musician playing the trumpet while sitting on a red ottoman. The musician is wearing a black suit with a black tie over a white shirt. The man’s skin and hair are painted the same color black as the suit and his lips are painted red. The trumpet is painted gold. There is a hole on the bottom of figurine.; 2007.7.141.5:; A ceramic figurine in the form of a caricatured male musician playing the banjo while sitting on a red ottoman. The musician is wearing a black suit with a black tie over a white shirt. The man’s skin and hair are painted the same color black as the suit, his lips are painted red and his teeth have been painted white. The banjo is painted gold. There is a hole on the bottom of figurine.

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Minstrel (Music); Stereotypes

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

Object number: 2007.7.141.1-.5

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Pin-back button advertising "Trixy" brand molasses

Attributed to: D.B. Scully Syrup Company, American

Medium: ink on paper with metal and plastic
Dimensions: 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 x 3/8 in. (8.9 x 8.9 x 1 cm)

Type: buttons (information artifacts)

Date: ca. 1954

Description: A pin-back button advertising "Trixy" brand molasses. The button features a cartoon image of a “Picaninny” girl’s face. The girl has a large red bow with yellow circle decorations under her chin. She has nine small red ties in her hair. The background of the top two thirds of the button is yellow with darker yellow rays. The bottom third of the button has a blue background. Button reads, [TRIXY / LOUISIANA / OLD STYLE COOKING / MOLASSES / D. B. SCULLY SYRUP CO. / CHICAGO, ILL.].

Topic: African American; Advertising; Caricature and cartoons; Cooking and dining; Foodways; Stereotypes

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

Object number: 2007.7.178

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Memorabilia and Ephemera-Advertisements
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Mug and lid for "Jolly Boy Black Tea" depicting a “picaninny” boy

Created by: Unidentified

Medium: tin and paint
Dimensions: H x W x D (2007.7.188a): 3 3/16 × 4 5/8 × 3 5/8 in. (8.1 × 11.7 × 9.2 cm); H x W x D (2007.7.188b): 1 3/8 × 3 1/2 × 3 1/2 in. (3.5 × 8.9 × 8.9 cm)

Type: coffee cups

Date: 20th century

Description: A tin coffee mug (2007.7.183a) and lid (2007.7.10.183b) depicting a “picaninny” boy. The mug and lid are white with some black accents around the edge and the handle. The image on the side of the mug features a cartoon depiction of a boy hanging from the letters [J] and [Y] in the word [Jolly] in a red rimmed yellow circle against a green background. Above and below the child, in red letters, is the text [JOLLY / BOY / BLACK TEA].

Topic: African American; Advertising; Caricature and cartoons; Cooking and dining; Domestic life; Foodways; Stereotypes

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

Object number: 2007.7.188ab

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Tools and Equipment-Culinary

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Walking toy in the form of a caricatured porter

Created by: Unidentified

Medium: paint on wood , metal
Dimensions: 12 1/8 x 5 1/2 x 4 1/2 in. (30.8 x 14 x 11.4 cm)

Type: walking dolls

Date: ca. 1935

Description: A painted, wooden walking toy in the form of a caricatured porter. The porter has a cartoonish face with large, round eyes and a wide white mouth. He is painted wearing bellhop uniform: a gold jacket with four (4) black buttons and the word [SAMBO] under his proper left breast pocket. A hat is painted on top of his head, gold with a red front. His torso is hinged at the waist to his cylindrical, red legs. The porter has large platform feet with curved bottoms that allows the toy to walk. The shoes are painted black, the backs gold. There are circular grooves cut into the porter's lower back.

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Stereotypes

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

Object number: 2007.7.206

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Toys and Games
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Walking toy in the form of a caricatured porter

Created by: Unidentified

Medium: paint on wood
Dimensions: 13 7/8 x 5 1/4 x 5 1/2 in. (35.2 x 13.3 x 14 cm)

Type: walking dolls

Date: ca. 1935

Description: A painted, wooden walking toy in the form of a caricatured porter. The figure has a black cartoonish face with white eyes, a large, red mouth and white teeth. The top of his head is also black, with two orange stripes on the proper left. He is painted wearing a red jacket, white shirt and a black tie. His legs are cylindrical and painted orange. The figure's proper right foot is missing. The proper left foot has a flat top and curved bottom with the front of the foot painted orange, and the back painted black. The back of his head is painted orange at the top with a red body and orange legs. There is a broken orange wooden post coming out of the porter's lower back.

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Stereotypes

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

Object number: 2007.7.207

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Toys and Games
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Coin bank in the form of "Mammy"

Created by: Unidentified

Medium: cast iron
Dimensions: 7 1/2 x 5 x 3 1/4 in. (19.1 x 12.7 x 8.3 cm)

Type: banks (containers)

Date: ca. 1925

Description: A cast iron coin bank in the form of "Mammy." The bank is made of two (2) parts joined vertically at the center. The halves do not match up perfectly. The figure is standing, with her hands on her hips. She is wearing a red dress, white shawl, and white waist apron tied around her back. A red kerchief with white polka dots is tied around her head. Her face, hands, and shoes are painted black. Her eyes are two white dots. A rectangular hole for inserting coins is located at the center of her back, on the shawl.

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Domestic life; Stereotypes

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

Object number: 2007.7.211

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Coin bank in the form of "Uncle Mose"

Created by: Unidentified

Medium: cast iron
Dimensions: 7 3/4 x 3 1/2 x 3 in. (19.7 x 8.9 x 7.6 cm)

Type: banks (containers)

Date: late 20th century

Description: Cast iron coin bank in the form of "Uncle Mose." The figure is almost entirely bald with a ring of white hair around the bottom portion of his head, white muttonchops and thick, white eyebrows. He is wearing a red jacket, yellow pants, yellow neck tie, black shoes, and a white shirt. He is standing and holding a black top hat with a white hat band in both hands in front of his chest. A rectangular hole for inserting coins is located in the center of his upper back.

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Domestic life; Stereotypes

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

Object number: 2007.7.212

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Coin bank in the form of "Mammy"

Created by: Unidentified

Medium: cast iron
Dimensions: 12 x 7 1/2 x 5 in. (30.5 x 19.1 x 12.7 cm)

Type: banks (containers)

Date: ca. 1925

Description: Painted metal coin bank in the form of “Mammy." She is standing with her feet apart and her hands on her hips. She is wearing a blue dress with yellow cuffs, yellow shawl, white waist apron, and black shoes. A red kerchief with white polka dots covers her head. She has brown eyes and a smiling, pink mouth. A rectangular hole for inserting coins is located at the center of the figure's back, on the shawl.

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Domestic life; Stereotypes

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

Object number: 2007.7.217

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Coin bank in the form of a caricatured boy

Created by: Unidentified

Medium: cast iron and paint
Dimensions: 4 1/2 x 3 5/8 x 3 1/4 in. (11.4 x 9.2 x 8.3 cm)

Type: banks (containers)

Date: late 19th-early 20th century

Description: Cast iron coin bank in the form of a bust of a caricatured boy. The boy is wearing a red shirt, with white collar and black bow tie. Mouth of boy is painted red with white teeth. The boy’s eyes are painted white with black dots at the center. Bank is made of two halves put together, with a vertical seam running down the sides of the bank. Raised lettering on the back of the bank reads, [THE / YOUNG NIGGER / BANK]. The bank of the boy's head has a small horizontal slot for inserting coins. There are five holes on bottom of bank. There is one dime is in the bank.

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Domestic life; Stereotypes

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

Object number: 2007.7.218

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Coin bank in the form of a caricatured boy

Created by: Unidentified

Medium: cast iron
Dimensions: 6 1/4 x 5 1/4 x 6 in. (15.9 x 13.3 x 15.2 cm)

Type: mechanical banks

Date: ca. 1920

Description: A mechanical coin bank in the form of a bust and arm of a caricatured boy. The boy has yellow eyes and red lips, white teeth and a wide open mouth. He is wearing a red jacket with white trim and a blue bow tie. His jacket has three (3) chevrons on the right sleeve and a yellow cuff. Only the front of the jacket is painted. A lever is located on the back of the boy's proper left arm. The palm of his right hand is a flat semicircle, to fit a coin. When the lever is pressed, the right arm raises, his tongue depresses, his eyes close, and his ears rotate backwards. There is a round hole located in the bottom of the bank. White sticker with writing in blue ink on the bottom that reads [$60].

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Domestic life; Stereotypes

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

Object number: 2007.7.219

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Coin bank in the form of "Mammy" seated on a chamber pot

Created by: Unidentified

Medium: cast iron
Dimensions: 7 3/4 x 4 1/2 x 4 3/4 in. (19.7 x 11.4 x 12.1 cm)

Type: banks (containers)

Date: 20th century

Description: A metal coin bank in the form of "Mammy" seated on a chamber pot. The woman is depicted wearing a kerchief and dress. She is seated on a chamber pot and holding the dress above her backside. A metal flat-head screw is located in the center of her backside; another is located on the back of the figure's head. A rectangular slot for inserting coins is located in the center of her upper back.

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Domestic life; Stereotypes

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

Object number: 2007.7.220

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

Coin bank in the form of a "pickaninny" boy eating a watermelon slice

Created by: Unidentified

Medium: cast iron
Dimensions: 8 1/2 x 3 3/8 x 2 1/4 in. (21.6 x 8.6 x 5.7 cm)

Type: banks (containers)

Date: 20th century

Description: A cast iron coin bank in the form of a "pickaninny" boy eating a watermelon slice. The boy is standing on a tiered rectangular base. He is holding a slice of watermelon up to his mouth with both hands. The watermelon is painted red and green. The boy is wearing only gray shorts. A rectangular slot for inserting coins is located in the center of his upper back. The bank is made of two halves (front and back), joined in the center. There are two (2) metal screws on the back of the figure, one (1) in the center of his head and one (1) on the proper right calf. There is a round indentation on the proper left calf. An additional two (2) screws are located on the bottom of the base, under the figure's feet.

Topic: African American; Caricature and cartoons; Domestic life; Stereotypes

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

Object number: 2007.7.221

Restrictions & Rights: No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Collection title: Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
Classification: Furnishings, Housewares, and Décor
Exhibition: Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968
On View: NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Data Source: National Museum of African American History and Culture

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