Postcard depicting picaninny caricature

France, about 1900

Paper

Image reference DX1779

This postcard is from the racism and discrimination section of the museum's Legacy gallery, which includes items exploring the representation of Black people through racial stereotypes.

Picaninnies were seen as tasty morsels for alligators. They were routinely shown on postcards, posters and other ephemera being chased or eaten. They were portrayed as nameless, shiftless, natural buffoons running from alligators towards their favourite food, fried chicken.

With text 'Petit Négro. Culottes-sous vetements. Buvard excellent'.