If nothing else, these illustrations show how Stowe's novel was continuously re-"viewed" by American culture in different generations. In the "designs" by James Daugherty slaves still dance, but to an unmistakably 1920's, jazz rhythm.

Coward-McCann first published the book for adults, but sometime during the 1930s it was brought out as part of their ADVENTURE BOOKS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS series. The first three illustrations at left are from the 1929 text (Courtesy the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, Hartford CT). These particular designs were omitted from the children's version, but although Coward-McCann claimed on THE COVER that it was "edited especially for use at home and in school," they made no other changes in Stowe's text or Daugherty's pictures. His illustrations unquestionably tell a different story than the one 19th century readers were familiar with. On the first page of the front matter the pictures are described as a "beautiful and graphic vision of the old South before the war." To The New York Times (17 November 1929) they "are all very much in the modern manner, with the exaggerated touches that suggest caricature."

As part of the ADVENTURE BOOKS series this edition was kept in print at least until the 1940s, when this "Eleventh Impression" appeared. On the copyright page is a notice that reads:
    "The illustrations appearing herein were specially drawn for UNCLE TOM'S CABIN by James Daugherty
    and reproduction in any form is forbidden without the permission of the publisher."
I requested permission to reproduce these drawings from Putnam-Penguin (who now owns Coward-McCann's titles) in October, 2000, but have received no reply. Their reproduction here is thus unauthorized, but I think the story they help us see and tell belongs to the vexed history of race in the United States, not a publisher. You can see any of the illustrations by clicking on the icons at left, or you can use the site's search engine to look at the drawings of specific characters.

Uncle Tom's Cabin. By Harriet Beecher Stowe, with designs by James Daugherty. (New York: Coward-McCann, 1929)