The Story of Little Black Sambo
- On View
- Segregation Gallery
- Museum Maps
- Objects in this Location
- Written by
- Bannerman, Helen, Scottish, 1862 - 1946
- Published by
- J. B. Lippincott & Co., American, 1836 - 1978
- Date
- 1951
- Medium
- ink on paper with cardboard and cloth
- Dimensions
- 5 11/16 x 4 3/8 x 1/2 in. (14.4 x 11.1 x 1.3 cm)
- Description
- A hardcover copy of "The Story of Little Black Sambo" by Helen Bannerman. The book tells the story of a little boy in India who loses his fine new clothes to the tigers. The book has a red cloth binding and features a black ink image of a tiger carrying an umbrella with its tail in the center. The black text on the cover reads [THE STORY OF / LITTLE BLACK SAMBO / BY / HELEN BANNERMAN]. A paper dust jacket covers the book. The front of the jacket is light blue. In the center is a color illustration of a caricature of a boy, “Little Black Sambo,” walking on grass. He is wearing a red jacket, blue shorts, and blue shoes. He is holding a green umbrella with a yellow handly in his proper right hand. Black text at the top of the dust jacket reads [THE ONLY AUTHORIZED AMERICAN EDITION / THE STORY OF / LITTLE BLACK SAMBO]. Below the image is the black text [BY / HELEN BANNERMAN]. The back of the jacket is white, with a review of the book by May Lamberton Becker printed in black and red. The book pages are white with black text and color illustrations. On the title page, the book is identified as [ISBN-0-397-30006-9 Tr. Ed.]. The book is fifty-six (56) pages and includes illustrations and a title page.
- Statement
- 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.
- Collection title
- Collection of James M. Caselli and Jonathan Mark Scharer
- Classification
- Racist and Stereotypical Objects
- Books and Published Materials
- Type
- children's books
- 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
- 2007.7.380
- Restrictions & Rights
- Public Domain
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.