Judge — December 6, 1913 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This is a Christmas-themed cover from Judge magazine (priced at 10 cents). The illustration depicts a Black child doll or figure in festive clothing—a white dress with black coat, holly wreath headdress, and jewelry—waving cheerfully. The caption "OH! SEE WHO'S HERE!" and "MERRY CHRISTMAS" frame the image. The cover appears to be advertising or promoting a doll or toy product for the holiday season. However, by modern standards, the imagery reflects the deeply racist caricaturing common in early 20th-century American commercial culture, where exaggerated features and stereotypical depictions of Black people were normalized in mainstream publications and advertising. This represents a significant historical marker of period racism in American media and consumer goods.