Little Black Sambo – Little Black Sambo Exhibit

The cover of Reilly & Britton Co.'s 1905 version featuring an introduction by L. Frank Baum — The cover of Reilly & Britton Co.’s 1905 version featuring an introduction by L. Frank Baum

In this version both Mumbo and Sambo feature blue eyes, although no one has yet commented if this is intentional or accidental

Sambo's distinctive blue eyes and higher skin mark this version as unique for the time — Sambo’s distinctive blue eyes and higher skin mark this version as unique for the time

Source

University of Florida’s Baldwin Library of Historical Children’s Literature

Baldwin Call #

#15h5927

Description

Published as part of the Christmas Stocking series, this edition reprints Helen Bannerman’s original text and illustrations, though the coloring has been noticeably altered for some images. Most obviously, Little Black Sambo and Black Mumbo now inexplicably have blue eyes. This edition also includes an illustration of the family eating pancakes together.

This version also contains an introduction by L. Frank Baum that discusses Christmas and the St. Nicholas mythology. The introduction makes no mention of Little Black Sambo.

Creator

Unattributed author

Contributor(s)

Introduction by L. Frank Baum

Publisher

Reilly & Britton Co

Publication Date

1905

Format

56 pages; colored illustrations; 11 cm.

Language

English