Whitman Publishing Little Black Sambo Appraisal

Little Black Sambo Book (Whitman Edition, 1959)

This item is a copy of the children's book "Little Black Sambo", likely a Whitman Publishing edition, as indicated by the 'Whitman' logo present on the cover. The cover art features a young boy, presumably Sambo, with dark skin and black hair, dressed in a red long-sleeved shirt, blue pants, and brightly colored shoes (one purple, one orange/brown), sitting cross-legged amidst lush green foliage. He is looking down intently at a small black bird perched on a leafy branch held in his hand. In the background, to the upper right, a tiger with prominent stripes and orange fur looks towards the boy. The title "Little Black Sambo" is displayed in large, bold red lettering with an orange outline at the top of the cover, and "49¢" is printed in the top right corner, indicating the original price. The overall condition appears used, with some visible wear along the edges and corners, suggesting handling and age. The colors remain vibrant despite the book's age, and there are no immediate signs of significant damage like tears or major creasing, though minor surface wear is present. The style of illustration is characteristic of mid-20th-century children's books. The copyright information confirms a publication date of 1959. This specific edition would be an example of historical children's literature, notable for its controversial history.