The Story of Little Black Sambo | Helen Bannerman | Antique Altemus Wee Books for Wee Folks | Small-Format Size: 27 Illustrations | Decorative Pictorial Binding

Philadelphia: Henry Altemus Company, circa 1923–1926 (undated/ this is the time period this publisher used this fairy illustrated design in blue coloring for the endpapers.).

An attractively illustrated antique edition of The Story of Little Black Sambo, originally written by Helen Bannerman and first published in 1899. This edition was issued by the Henry Altemus Company of Philadelphia as part of its Wee Books for Wee Folks series, a collection of small-format children’s books distinguished by their decorative bindings and illustrations.

The story follows a young boy named Sambo who encounters four tigers while walking through the jungle. Through a series of clever exchanges, he gives up his colorful clothing to escape the animals, eventually recovering his possessions when the tigers become distracted by their rivalry.

An important example of historical children’s literature, the work reflects both the storytelling traditions and racial stereotypes prevalent in illustrated books of its period. Its original imagery and language are now recognized as containing offensive racial caricatures, making surviving editions of particular interest for the study of children’s publishing, illustration, and changing cultural representations.

This charmingly produced volume features twenty-seven illustrations, including colorful full-page plates accompanying the text. The decorative pictorial front board is finished in lavender-gray with dark green ornamental lettering and an illustrated central panel depicting the young protagonist beneath a green umbrella. The design is complemented by a contrasting red cloth spine with dark lettering.

The interior features illustrated endpapers printed in blue and cream, depicting a lively gathering of nursery-rhyme and storybook characters. A previous owner’s handwritten name and brief notation appear on the front endpaper.

Condition: Very good antique condition, with light wear to the boards and extremities consistent with age. The binding remains tight and secure. Interior pages are well preserved, with clean text and bright, colorful illustrations.

Size: 4 1/4” x 5 1/2”.

A distinctive addition to a collection of early illustrated children’s literature, Altemus publications, or historical picture books, valued for its decorative presentation and its place in the history of children’s publishing.