Artist/Maker
McLoughlin Brothers
(American, 1854 – 1921)
Aunt Louisa's Cube Puzzles: Ethiopian Minstrels
ca. 1888
Place madeNew York, New York, United States, North America
Wood; paper
Overall: 11 3/4 x 10 x 2 3/4 in. ( 29.8 x 25.4 x 7 cm )
Gift of an anonymous donor
2003.5
Games such as this reflected the pervasive racial prejudice common in late nineteenth-century America. Perpetrated with humorous intent, these games unfortunately helped to reinforce and sustain deeply-entrenched racial stereotypes.
Objects in the New-York Historical Society’s collections reflect the time in which they were produced. Although collection items that depict or reflect hate, racism, discrimination, or stereotypes may be offensive and disturbing, we continue to make them available to visitors for the historical insights they provide into the realities of daily life in New York and the nation.
Description"Aunt Louisa's Cube Puzzles: Ethiopian Minstrels" puzzle blocks in a wooden box with sliding lid; chromolithograph on lid with image of caricatured African-American figures in graveyard with printed inscription "AUNT LOUISA'S CUBE PUZZLES / ETHIOPIAN MINSTRELS. / McLoughlin Bros., N.Y."; box contains 30 wooden blocks, each side lithographed with a different scene of minstrel figures; five loose chromolithographs provide keys to the completed puzzles (the sixth puzzle is illustrated on the cover).ClassificationsTOYS
