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Uncle Tom's Cabin / The Death of Little Eva

Poster
ca. 1905 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which tells the story of Uncle Tom, a long-suffering African American slave, was first published in serial form in 1851. It went on to become the best-selling book of the 19th century, becoming known to audiences on both sides of the Atlantic through the publication itself and its many ‘spin-offs’, which included illustrated song sheets, theatre productions, ceramic figures and even wallpaper designs.

This poster was made to promote a theatre production of around 1905. It depicts a scene from the novel in which Eva, a white girl whom Tom had rescued from drowning before being bought to work on her family’s plantation, experiences a vision of heaven at death. Her vision leads those around her to resolve to change their lives. Eva’s father promises to free Tom but is killed before being able to do so and Tom is sold to a vicious plantation owner.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin is often credited as a driving force behind America’s anti-slavery movement. However it also contributed to the negative stereotyping of black people, particularly in the character of Uncle Tom who passively accepts his fate.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Titles
  • Uncle Tom's Cabin / The Death of Little Eva (generic title)
  • Poster for a touring production of Rob Roy (generic title)
Materials and techniques
colour lithograph
Brief description
Poster for a production of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin', ca.1905
Physical description
Colour lithograph poster advertising a touring production of 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'
Dimensions
  • Card mount length: 75cm
  • Card mount width: 54.5cm
  • Poster length: 75cm
  • Poster width: 50.7cm
  • Height: 30in
  • Width: 20in (Note: average size)
Dimensions taken from Victoria and Albert Museum Department of Prints and Drawings and Department of Paintings Accessions 1935 London: HMSO, 1935.
Marks and inscriptions
(Glued-on label: 'S.C. Allen & Company, Ltd./20 Gerrard St., London, W.1.')
Credit line
Given by Mr. M. J. Landa.
Object history
Accessions register notes: 28 February 1935, E.122-166-1935. Mr M.J. Landa Gift. Theatrical posters (45), artist catalogued as 'anonymous'. Average size. Each (30 x 20).
Production
The designer of the poster is unknown.
Subject depicted
Literary referenceUncle Tom's Cabin
Summary
Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, which tells the story of Uncle Tom, a long-suffering African American slave, was first published in serial form in 1851. It went on to become the best-selling book of the 19th century, becoming known to audiences on both sides of the Atlantic through the publication itself and its many ‘spin-offs’, which included illustrated song sheets, theatre productions, ceramic figures and even wallpaper designs.

This poster was made to promote a theatre production of around 1905. It depicts a scene from the novel in which Eva, a white girl whom Tom had rescued from drowning before being bought to work on her family’s plantation, experiences a vision of heaven at death. Her vision leads those around her to resolve to change their lives. Eva’s father promises to free Tom but is killed before being able to do so and Tom is sold to a vicious plantation owner.

Uncle Tom’s Cabin is often credited as a driving force behind America’s anti-slavery movement. However it also contributed to the negative stereotyping of black people, particularly in the character of Uncle Tom who passively accepts his fate.
Bibliographic reference
Victoria and Albert Museum Department of Prints and Drawings and Department of Paintings Accessions 1935 London: HMSO, 1935
Collection
Accession number
E.146-1935

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Record createdAugust 24, 2006
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