This is a striking original vintage photograph taken in Trinidad, measuring approximately 4 1/4 inches by 6 inches.The photograph shows a young Black boy holding a baby in his arms while several other children look on. The young boy, who is the central figure, wears worn clothing—his shirt is torn at the shoulders, and his pants show signs of heavy wear—suggesting a working-class or rural setting. He looks directly into the camera with a slight, dignified smile. The baby, seemingly asleep or resting, is bare-chested and clad in only a light cloth or diaper. The other children in the background, likely of Afro-Caribbean or Indo-Caribbean descent, wear simple white garments. Their expressions vary—some look somber, others curious, all facing the camera in the bright tropical daylight, with blurred palm trees and wild grass in the background.⚠️ Note on Historical Terminology: As a seller of vintage and historical photography, I am committed to presenting these images with honesty and care, while acknowledging and respecting their complex cultural contexts. The caption on this photograph includes a term that today is widely recognized as racially offensive. I include it here solely for the sake of historical accuracy and do not endorse its use or connotations. The term “Rastus” is historically a racially charged stereotype originating in the United States, where it was used derogatorily to caricature Black men, especially in minstrel shows and commercial branding (e.g., Cream of Wheat). Its use in this photograph’s caption, “Young Rastus,“ reflects a colonial-era mindset and exoticism that was common in early 20th-century ethnographic photography, particularly when Westerners documented life in colonized regions like Trinidad. In this case, the label was almost certainly applied by the photographer or publisher, not the subjects, and should be understood as a historical artifact rather than a descriptor used by the individuals pictured. SOLD
THE CABINET CARD GALLERY 